Have you ever wondered why a child with ADD can play videos games for hours, but can't concentrate on his homework for a few minutes?  This is one of the paradoxes of attention-deficit disorder that John J Ratey, MD, co-author of, Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood, explains in Episode 45 of the Brain Science Podcast.

During this interview, Dr. Ratey discusses the latest findings about the biological basis of what he calls "attention variability disorder."  He also offers practical advice for patients and parents dealing with ADD/ADHD.  One very important, and somewhat surprising, fact that he shares is that patients who are treated with medications during adolescence have a significantly lower risk of developing problems with addiction and drug abuse later on compared to those who are not treated.  Also, successful "ADD-ers" like Michael Phelps show that "having a mission" makes a huge difference.

Dr. Ratey's most recent book is Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, which he discussed with me (Dr. Campbell) in Episode 33.

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Detailed Show Notes

Topics discussed:

• Why our current cyber-culture  exacerbates symptoms.

• The genetic component.

• The role of dopamine and epinephrine.

• The relationship between ADD and addiction.

• Why ADD effects all the brain systems including memory.

• The importance of strengthening executive (frontal lobe) function.

Successful people with ADD:

• Michael Phelps-winner of 8 Gold Medals for Swimming in 2008 Olympics.

• Rick Warren-founder of The Purpose Driven Church.

Practical Advice:

• the need for a mission.

• environmental changes.

• the role of meditation and exercise.

• why stimulant medication helps.

• training the cerebellum.

• Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Dr. Ratey recommends OmegaBrite™).

Links:

• Dr. Ratey's website.

• Posit Science: Founder Michael Merzenich is developing computer training programs for people with ADD.

• Dore Centers: mentioned in interview, but currently closed in the US.

• Edward M. Hallowell: has developed programs for training the cerebellum that show promise in ADD; co-author of Driven to Distraction.

Send email feedback to Ginger Campbell, MD at brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com

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