National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week

During May 2009, communities across the nation will observe National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week. The week of May 3 - 9th is a period to focus our awareness on anxiety and depression that together affects approximately 60 million Americans. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.1% of Americans are affected by anxiety disorders and 9.5% of Americans are affected by depressive disorders. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Brief anxiety caused by a stressful event can be relatively mild and easily managed. In contrast, anxiety disorders last at least 6 months and can get worse if they are not treated. As anxiety becomes excessive it can interfere with various domains of functioning that my include work, school or relationships. Sadly, anxiety can become disabling. The consequences of anxiety can impeded one from working or pursuing educational goals and place a tremendous amount of strain on interpersonal relationships. Often, individuals experiencing anxiety may also suffer from depression. Depression is a serious medical condition in which individuals experience sadness, hopelessness and a loss of pleasure. Depression can be as immobilizing as anxiety. Individuals struggling with depression may have difficulty coping with the demands of school, work or in their interpersonal relationships. Some individuals may become so hopeless that they no longer desire to live. Treatments that are effective in treating anxiety and depression exist. Such intervention approaches have been validated by the research as effective in alleviating signs and symptoms consistent with anxiety and depression. Human suffering due to anxiety and depression can be alleviated with professional help. A.C.T. is committed to raising awareness of all individuals affected by anxiety and depression and the need for early identification and treatment. A.C.T. will provide free screenings for anxiety and depression for children and adults to promote public education about anxiety and depression during the annual observance for the entire month of May. For more information, please contact Dr. Drecun at Dr.Drecun@a4ct.com or (858) 792-3541.

Stroke Patients Regain Use of Limbs with a New Therapy

Constraint-Induced (CI) Movement Therapy is a new technique developed by Dr. Taub that assists stroke patients to regain lost limb use. Studies suggest that CI therapy helps patients regain a significant amount of their former mobility beyond what regular physical therapy provides. It is suggested that CI utilizes two neurobehavioral processes:

• Intensive Operant Behavioral Training or "Shaping." Clinicians train patients to use the impaired limb for daily tasks and to resist using the corresponding healthier one. Clinicians model for the patient daily-living tasks and reinforce a patient's progressive improvement, step by step.

• Massive Brain Neuronal Reorganization. Following an injury, patients compensate for loss of use of a limb by increased use of the healthier limb. Consequently, the area of the brain responsible for moving the weaker arm becomes smaller. By forcing exercise on the weaker limb, CI therapy instead teaches the brain to rewire itself by assigning new neurons to moving the weaker limb.

This technique solidifies the growing evidence of the brain's plasticity throughout the life span and eliminates a previous belief that the brain is hardwired. The hardwired perspective assumed that the adult nervous system could not repair or reorganize itself. Unfortunately, this view left millions of patients with chronic stroke with untreated motor deficits. Studies conducted by Taub indicated that CI therapy can increase stroke victims spontaneous use of a compromised limb by 50%; much higher than physical therapy. Such research findings indicate that the central nervous system not only influences behavior, but behavior can equally have a bidirectional influence on the central nervous system. It is hoped that CI therapy can rehabilitate young children with cerebral palsy and other patients with central nervous system disorders.

Toxic Household Products and Developmental Disorders

Psychologists are beginning to question the safety of storing and use of everyday cleaning and maintenance products such as toilet bowl cleaner, pesticides, sealants, paints and varnish. A significant number of these products contain chemicals that are unregulated because chemicals produced in small quantities are exempt from Environmental Protection Agency assessment. Very little is known about the effects of these chemicals on children's developing nervous systems. Many of these household products contain toxic chemicals. A study conducted by National Academy of Sciences in 2000 estimated that 25% of neurological deficits in children are most likely due to the interaction of chemicals and genetic factors and 3% due to chemicals alone. In addition, 78% of the 3000 most highly produced chemicals are generated in the U.S. and lack screening information available on the effects of these products. Scientists are concerned that there may be a link between developing disorders such as Autism, Asperger's and ADHD with the use of these products. In Europe, an organization named REACH, or Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, created legislation before the European Parliament that would make the sale and use of these chemicals illegal until their safety is empirically demonstrated. In contrast, chemicals in the U.S. are legal unless proven unsafe by the U.S. Toxic Substance Control Act. Luckily, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure, is a treaty that would better regulate the international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides--has banned or restricted these chemicals. Sadly, the U.S. signed this treaty in 1998 and has not ratified it. These products continue to circulate throughout our country, households and around our children without the known consequences to our health.

April is National Autism Awareness Month

April 1 - 30 is National Autism Awareness Month—During April 2009, communities across the nation will observe National Autism Awareness Month. The month of April is a period to focus our awareness on a developmental disability that affects 1 in every 150 American children and approximately 1 in 94 boys.₁ This campaign is part of a national effort to increase public awareness and advocate for appropriate services for all individuals affected by autism. Autism is a brain-based disorder that affects a person’s behavior, social and communication skills. Autism is a complex developmental spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. It typically appears during the first three years of life. Currently, the Autism Society of America estimates that the lifetime expense of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million, and that the United States is incurring nearly $90 billion annually in expenditure for autism.₂ Autism is a lifelong condition without a known cure. Nevertheless, children with autism can progress developmentally and learn new skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly emphasizes the importance of early and continuous observation and screening for autism to ensure that children are identified and receive access to services as early as possible. The earlier autism is recognized, the sooner an intervention program can be implemented.₃ Studies indicate that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes. Listed below are signs to look for in children: Social Interaction: • Little or no eye contact • Lack of warm, joyful expressions • Lack of sharing or interest in peer relationships • Lack of response to name • Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play Communication: • Lack of showing gestures • Lack of coordination of nonverbal communication • Lack of or delay in spoken language • Unusual prosody (little variation in pitch, odd intonation, irregular rhythm, unusual voice quality) Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests • Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects) • Persistent fixation on parts of objects A.C.T. is committed to raising awareness of all individuals affected by autism and the need for early identification and intervention. A.C.T. will provide free screenings for children to promote public education about autism during the annual observance. For more information, please contact Dr. Drecun at Dr.Drecun@a4ct.com or (858) 792-3541.