Getting Ahead of ADHD: What Next-Generation Science Says about Treatments That Work—and How You Can Make Them Work for Your Child

313 Pages·2017·2.59 MB·English

by  Joel T. Nigg

ebook
THE GUILFORD PRESS
Praise for Getting Ahead of ADHD
“As a parent who has read every book on the subject, I tried everything to
help my son with ADHD. I made him feel like a lab rat and wasted time,
energy, and money. If I could turn back time, this one book would sit on my
nightstand. It is so nice to have a vision for a bright future alongside realistic,
meaningful actions we can take right now. Getting Ahead of ADHD gives me
the confidence and tools I need to make wise decisions.”
—Marie B., Oregon
“How can you stay abreast of the rapidly growing research base on ADHD
and its treatment, when even clinical professionals can’t keep up? Simple—
read this book! Dr. Nigg is a foremost clinical scientist with a talent for mak-
ing complex ideas digestible. He explains what is currently known about the
causes of ADHD, and, more important, offers numerous insights and recom-
mendations for how to find the best treatment for your unique child.”
—Russell A. Barkley, PhD, ABPP, ABCN, author of
Taking Charge of ADHD, Third Edition
“Thank you, Dr. Nigg! As a parent of a child with ADHD, I found this book
tremendously valuable as well as enjoyable to read. It condenses the best cur-
rent research into practical advice. For example, we’ve restricted the amount
of added sugar in our family’s diet and see a noticeable reduction in my child’s
irritability. I will definitely recommend this book to other parents who are
looking for expert guidance.”
—Laura S., Michigan
“Dr. Nigg presents a new understanding of ADHD that reveals how both genes
and environment shape the disorder. He reviews the pros and cons of diet,
exercise, and other novel treatments, helping you choose among a wide range
of options for your child. Misinformation about ADHD abounds—this book
separates facts from fiction.”
—Stephen V. Faraone, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry
and of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University
of New York Upstate Medical University
“This refreshingly commonsense book is outstanding in several ways—it is
timely, relevant, comprehensive, balanced, and practical.”
—L. Eugene Arnold, MD, MEd, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Health (Emeritus), The Ohio State University
College of Medicine

GETTING AHEAD OF ADHD

Getting
Ahead of
ADHD
What Next- Generation Science Says
about Treatments That Work—and How
You Can Make Them Work for Your Child
Joel T. Nigg, PhD
THE GUILFORD PRESS
New York London
Copyright © 2017 The Guilford Press
A Division of Guilford Publications, Inc.
370 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10001
www.guilford.com
All rights reserved
The information in this volume is not intended as a substitute for consultation with
healthcare professionals. Each individual’s health concerns should be evaluated by a
qualified professional.
No part of this book may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Last digit is print number: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in- Publication Data is available from the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-4625-2493-8 (paperback) — ISBN 978-1-4625-3032-8 (hardcover)
Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
1 A New Understanding of ADHD 11
2 Epigenetics: The End of the 39
Nature- versus- Nurture Debate
3 Food and ADHD: Old Controversies and New Clarity 57
4 Exercise, Sleep, and ADHD: New Insights on Brain Growth 89
5 Technology and ADHD: Latest Findings on the Peril 116
and the Promise
6 Environmental Chemicals and ADHD: Sorting Alarm 138
from Prudent Caution
7 Adversity, Stress, Trauma, and ADHD: Finding Sanctuary 161
8 Getting Professional Help: Traditional and Alternative 197
Treatments for ADHD
9 Tying It All Together 236
Resources 261
References 271
Index 291
About the Author 299
v