Doing Things or Understanding and Treating Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Doing Things: A Guide to Programming Activities for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Author: Jitka M Zgola

Doing Things shows how to provide a positive environment for persons with Alzheimer's disease by offering opportunities for social interaction and constructive, enjoyable activities. Zgola outlines the ways in which a patient's functional impairment can be assessed; the strengths, weaknesses, and needs most commonly encountered among persons with Alzheimer's disease; and ways activities can be tailored to accommodate them. She offers step-by-step instructions for selecting and presenting appropriate activities and includes cooking and crafts projects, a sample exercise routine, and a sample daily schedule. The techniques she describes are designed to promote a sense of security and self-esteem, by avoiding possible sources of confusion or confrontation.

Based on the highly successful program developed at one day-care facility for persons with dementia, Doing Things offers an invaluable guide for professionals and volunteers supervising activities at day-care centers and extended-care facilities -- as well as for individuals who are caring for patients at home. Throughout, Zgola's emphasis is on treating persons who have Alzheimer's disease with empathy, courtesy, and dignity.

Interesting textbook: Visio 2003 Bible or What in the World Are Your Kids Doing Online

Understanding and Treating Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Author: Brian B Doyl

An estimated seven million American adults have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Understanding and Treating Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder provides accurate, timely information about the nature and treatment of this disorder. Written in a collegial style, this resource combines evidence-based material with clinical experience to address problems in diagnosing and treating adults with ADHD. Dr. Doyle shows how diagnostic and treatment methods in children with ADHD also apply to affected adults. He examines the role of medications, including new agents that expand the range of therapeutic choices.

Understanding the evolution of the concept and treatment of ADHD in children illuminates current thinking about the disorder in adults. Dr. Doyle presents guidelines for establishing a valid diagnosis, including clinical interviews and standardized rating scales. He covers genetic and biochemical bases of the disorder. He also addresses the special challenges of forming a therapeutic alliance& mdash;working with "coach" caregivers; cultural, ethnic, and racial issues; legal considerations; and countertransference issues.

He explores a range of options for treating adult ADHD:


• Detailed facts about using medication, with specific information on both CNS stimulants and nonstimulant medications. He also discusses highly touted medications that are actually ineffective.

• Full coverage of comprehensive treatment approaches beyond medication& mdash;focusing on cognitive behavioral therapies, among others. He uses a detailed clinical example drawn from several patients to illustrate issues involved in treating ADHD adultsover time.

• Complete review of conditions that may require treatment before ADHD can be addressed. Many ADHD adults struggle with comorbid anxiety, affective disorders, and substance abuse. Dr. Doyle explains how overlooked ADHD can complicate the treatment of other disorders. He provides strategies for the patient with medication-resistant or treatment-refractory ADHD.

The book provides in-depth discussion of such issues as the impact of ADHD in the workplace, including steps for maximizing job satisfaction; special considerations related to women; and the effect of ADHD on families. A useful appendix helps readers and patients find reliable information about ADHD on the Internet, allowing clinicians to develop an "e-prescription" to supplement medication and other interventions.

Dr. Doyle advocates the promise of enhanced life prospects for adults with ADHD that effective treatment provides. Besides addressing the special challenges of ADHD adults, Dr. Doyle conveys the rewards of working with patients who prove resourceful, creative, and persistent.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Regina Lopez, MD(Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book provides a practical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults and discusses the challenges clinicians encounter when treating this patient population.
Purpose: According to the author, the purpose is to provide accurate, timely information about the nature of ADHD and its treatment in adults. These objectives are worthy given the fact that a majority of the literature on ADHD is focused on children and adolescents. The author meets his objectives.
Audience: Clinicians who treat ADHD in either adults or children and adolescents would be the audience for this book. The author is a clinical professor of psychiatry and of family and community medicine at Georgetown University Medical School.
Features: The book primarily covers the diagnostic and treatment difficulties of adult ADHD. Included is a comprehensive overview of the biology of ADHD. The book also addresses the special considerations such as psychiatric comorbidities, treatment-refractory ADHD, and issues related to women and the family. The neuroanatomic and functional neuroimaging studies are covered well. The book is easy to read and understand. A unique appendix contains Internet resources and quality ratings of these web sites. The clinical examples, in my opinion, seem unnecessary. They do not contribute much to the content. Also, there are few tables and figures. Figures would better illustrate material in the biology chapter. Finally, the psychopharmacology is not thorough enough for practicing psychiatrists.
Assessment: The book is good as aconcise, practical guide to the diagnosis and treatment of adults with ADHD. It is useful in helping distinguish ADHD in adults versus children and adolescents, and it gets readers to consider special challenges in this patient population.