Health Expert Terry Matlen, ACSW shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/57718/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/57718/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/57718/index http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/64796/time-goodbye Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:30:06 -0400 Terry Matlen, ACSW Dear Friends, I've been a writer/expert here at ADHDcentral for nearly 1 1/2 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. My passion has always been to reach out to those touched by ADHD with support, education and resources. I've met wonderful and interesting people here at ADHDcentral. However, it is time for me to move on. As of April 1, I will be leaving this website to move on to other projects. I will miss connecting with you, but... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/64796/time-goodbye http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/64335/10-adhd-myths Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:00:38 -0400 Terry Matlen, ACSW In my 15 years working to support, educate and counsel those touched by ADHD, we in the field have made some ground in de-bunking ADHD myths. But we still have a long way to go.   Below are common ADHD myths that I and many others, work hard to debunk:   1. Myth: ADHD is not a real disorder. Fact:  The American Psychiatric Society recognized AD/HD as a medical diagnosis in 1980. It is listed in the DSM (Diagnostic and... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/64335/10-adhd-myths http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/63520/hyperactivity-adhd Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:47:59 -0400 Terry Matlen, ACSW Is your child getting into trouble at school because he can't sit still? Are his teachers constantly telling him to keep his hands to himself and to stay seated?   A new research study, led by Dr. Mark D. Rapport at the University of Central Florida has figured out why children with ADHD can be so hyperactive: it helps them stay alert while working through complex tasks.   The first of two studies, published in the Journal of... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/63520/hyperactivity-adhd http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/63093/climbing-hole-find Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:09:36 -0400 Terry Matlen, ACSW In my last SharePost, I spoke of the adult with ADHD who has spent a lifetime of suffering from (often perceived or exaggerated) failures: personal, educational, social and vocational.   Though ADHD is certainly not a death sentence, it can feel like one when day after day brings continued stress, pain and a loss of self-esteem. Depression often takes over and a new but sadly, negative self image sets in. The good news is, ADHD is highly... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/63093/climbing-hole-find http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/61877/hitting-rock-bottom Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:33:25 -0500 Terry Matlen, ACSW Typically, by the time an adult with ADHD has come to me for help, it's because he has hit rock bottom. His work performance is suffering and his job is in jeopardy.  His ADHD symptoms have gotten him into too much hot water, whether it's from being chronically late for work, not finishing projects in time, or impulsively chewing out his boss or co-worker.   Perhaps a woman has fallen into a deep depression because she can't keep up... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/61877/hitting-rock-bottom http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/61217/feeling-impulsive Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:10:16 -0500 Terry Matlen, ACSW My guess is that the title of this piece drew you in because you're the type of person, probably one with the "hyperactive/impulsive" component to your brand of ADHD, who is apt to jump into an activity, project or life experience that has been dangerous to you in the past. Perhaps you took someone up on their dare and signed up for bungee jumping. Maybe you found your "soul mate" on the internet and met him/her in real life before learning more... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/61217/feeling-impulsive http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/60050/10-survival-impatient Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:25:51 -0500 Terry Matlen, ACSW Do these things make you crazy impatient? Waiting in line Getting stuck in traffic Long car rides Sitting through movies Waiting for people to get to the point? One reason why people with ADHD tend to be impatient is because of their hyperactivity, impulsivity, restlessness and nearly phobic fear of boredom. Even for the ADHD adult who doesn't have the hyperactivity/impulsivity component but instead is more inattentive, patience is... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/60050/10-survival-impatient http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/59001/invisible-disability Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:59:35 -0500 Terry Matlen, ACSW While reading Eileen Bailey's recent SharePost, "When People Stare", it felt like someone punched me square in the stomach... and on a number of different levels. Having a child with ADHD means you, as a parent, more than likely experienced very similar experiences as Eileen and her son. You've been stared at, scorned and have heard your share of indignant and ignorant comments.  I have my own horror stories too. But the title of her piece... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/59001/invisible-disability http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/58114/driving-program-teens Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:59:31 -0500 Terry Matlen, ACSW A new project has been developed to help teenagers with ADHD become safer drivers.   This is a good thing, considering the following sobering statistics:   Teen drivers with ADHD are three times more likely to suffer a significant injury, four times more likely to crash a car and are eight times more likely to lose their license.   At the University at Buffalo North Campus in Amherst, New York, researchers have developed a... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/58114/driving-program-teens http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/57044/milestones-mothering Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:58:03 -0500 Terry Matlen, ACSW In exactly seven days from today, my youngest daughter will be turning 21 years of age. For most families, this is a milestone to be celebrated. Most 21 year olds celebrate this momentous day in their lives by partying with friends, maybe even living on the edge a bit by drinking a bit too much, driving a bit too fast, spending  too much money at the shopping mall or casino, or taking a fun-filled weekend in a fast, hip city.   It's... http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/57718/57044/milestones-mothering