Psyched About School

A couple of days ago we posted about the connection between ADHD and video games. Another concern I hear frequently from parents is that the stimulant medication used to treat ADHD will increase the chances of their child becoming a substance abuser. If you google this question, you will likely find conflicting information. According to this article from the ChildMind Institute, researchers from Princeton and Clemson University took a closer look at this issue.  Their research, which analyzed the Medicaid data from over 150,000 young people, found that individuals who took stimulant medication were less likely to engage in risky behaviors and had lower rates of substance abuse, STDs, and injuries.  What are your thoughts? Do you think the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks.  To learn more about this study, visit the ChildMind Institute at http://childmind.org/blog/adhd-meds-cut-risk-of-drug-abuse-stds/

I get this question frequently, "How could my child have AD/HD since they focus so well when playing video games?"  I also get this question, "Do video games cause AD/HD?"  The relationship between video games and AD/HD can be complicated and confusing.  Children with AD/HD often have no problem maintaining attention while playing video games because of the constant stimulation and immediate feedback they receive. Compare that to a classroom setting where they are required to focus on things that may not be as exciting as their video games. To learn more about what the research says about the connection between video games and AD/HD, visit http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/adhd-and-video-games-is-there-a-link#2

In addition to information from the national suicide awareness and prevention organizations we've been sharing with you this month, we also wanted to tell you about a website created by the North Carolina Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force, led by the Division of Public Health's Injury and Violence Prevention Branch.  This Task Force developed Saving Tomorrows Today: North Carolina's Plan to Prevent Youth Suicide  in October of 2004, to outline comprehensive strategies for preventing suicides of youth between 10 and 24 years of age. Part of this plan is the  It's OK 2 Ask....  about Suicide website, which is designed to prevent suicide among young people by providing them with information and resources, including videos, poems, and other materials created by their peers. The website provides information on how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide and guidance on how to find help for depression and suicidal thoughts. It also encourages young peo...