=== Center of Attention ===
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
10 May 2004

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>> IN THIS ISSUE <<
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*Calendar of Events
*Feature Article: Television and Non-Chemical Addictions
*Please Tell Us
*Subscription Information
*CHADD Information

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>> CALENDAR OF EVENTS <<
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This calendar only has events for the next 3 or 4 weeks listed. It
also does not list some other CHADD groups which may be closer to you
and it does not list some non-CHADD events. For a thorough calendar,
look at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule and check the links at
the top.

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Santa Clara - 5/11/2004, Tues. 7:15 - 9 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- Support and community-resource
information for the partners of folks with ADHD. PLEASE NOTE: This is
NOT a support group for people with AD/HD, nor for couples, nor for
parents. It is EXCLUSIVELY for PARTNERS of people with ADHD, and
others will have to be turned away.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Gina Pera: 888-759-9758
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Sacramento - 5/12/2004, Wed. 4 pm
Keith McBurnett, PhD - Fun with Phenotypes: The Ever-Changing
Definitions of ADHD. --
UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento - Contact: UC Davis MIND
Institute: Toll-Free Phone: (888) 883-0961
Local Phone: (916) 703-0280
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Sacramento - 5/12/2004, Wed. 6:30 pm
Linda Pfifner, PhD (HALP Clinic, UCSF) - Improving Life Skills for
ADHD-Inattentive Type, through Psychosocial Interventions. --
UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento - Contact: UC Davis MIND
Institute: Toll-Free Phone: (888) 883-0961
Local Phone: (916) 703-0280
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Contra Costa - 5/12/2004, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Antioch Parent's Support Group - Topic TBA -- For parents and
caregivers of children with AD/HD offering the opportunity to share
stresses, strategies and successes.
Sutter Delta Medical Center, Antioch - Contact: Colleen Ruddock: 925-757-2372
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Alameda - 5/12/2004, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
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Marin - 5/13/2004, Thu. 7-9 pm
SPEAKER: Linda Lawton, ADD coach, Educational therapist: Goals: Inside - Out
New day, New location for now !! -- People with ADHD sometimes have
difficulty maintaining perspective on their goals. Learn some simple
strategies to help you take daily actions. Build a system that helps
you appreciate your accomplishments. A workshop for teens and adults.
Family Works Counseling Agency, San Rafael - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
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**** - 5/13/2004, --- through 5/16/04
ADDA 2004 National Conference - Demystifying AD/HD -- Presentations
include: Tom Brown, Ph.D.; Ned Hallowell, M.D.; Michele Novotni,
Ph.D.; Tom Phelan, Ph.D.; Wendy Richardson, MA, LMFT; Sari Solden.
MS, LMFT; Thom Hartmann; Linda Anderson, MCC; David Giwerc, MCC and
many more.
Sheraton Westport - Lakeside Chalet, St. Louis, MO - Contact: See
Website: www.add.org/Conf2004/
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Contra Costa - 5/18/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Adult Meeting -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Dana: 925-886-8735
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Marin - 5/18/2004, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group -- A free, drop-in peer-support group. Connect
with those who
understand. Learn life skills. (Beverlee Kell, covering for SueZee this month.)
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
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Yolo - 5/19/2004, Wed. 7 - 8:30 pm
Dr. Cathy Neuhauser, a licensed clinical psychologist, will review
the medication
options for ADHD. Dr. Neuhauser will also provide her thoughts on
how to assess medication responses, including what medication can and
cannot do, and how to build "missing" skills. -- CHADD welcomes all
with interest or concerns regarding attention deficit disorder. An
extensive library of books, articles, tapes and videos will be
available for browsing and check-out at 7:00PM with a refundable
deposit.
Davis Branch, Yolo County Library, Davis - Contact: Yolo County
CHADD: 530-750-3929 or online at
www.chaddonline.org/chapters/chadd295.html
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Contra Costa - 5/19/2004, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
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Santa Clara - 5/19/2004, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm
Silicon Valley Adult, Parent and Spouse Support Groups -- Separate
peer-facilitated groups let you share struggles and strategies with
each other. Includes video.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
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Napa - 5/20/2004, Thu. 7 - 9 pm
Parent Support Group -- Focusing on education, ADHD strengths, and
strategies to manage the challenges of ADHD.
St. John's Lutheran Church, Napa - Contact: Karen Shepard:
707-257-8113, or ksnapa@...
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Marin - 5/24/2004, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call First...
30 Catalpa, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048
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San Francisco - 5/24/2004, Mon. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Success Group (With Toni. June group is canceled.) -- Share
skills and strategies for success at home, in the workplace, in
relationships, etc. (It's a good idea to call to confirm dates, get
ideas on parking. etc.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, San Francisco - Contact: Rachel
Rosenfeld: 888-759-9758
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Alameda - 5/25/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Support Group --
Lynnwood United Methodist Church, Pleasanton - Contact: Pattie: 925-548-3997
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Contra Costa - 5/25/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Parent Meeting -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Dana: 925-886-8735
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Stanislaus - 6/1/2004, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Adult Support Group --
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
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Contra Costa - 6/2/2004, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting --
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
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Santa Clara - 6/2/2004, Wed. Reg: 7pm, Meet 7:30pm
TBA --
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
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Santa Clara - 6/3/2004, Thu. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute - Discussion, Sharing Successful
Strategies with other ADDults. --
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443 or visit www.kpinst.org
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>> FEATURE ARTICLE <<
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The following article has been published with kind permission from
Lew Mills, PhD, LMFT, a Bay Area psychotherapist working with
Attention Deficit in Adults.

Television and Non-Chemical Addictions

by Lew Mills, PhD, LMFT

Soon after dinner, usually, the addict starts his pattern of using.
From that moment until bedtime, he is mostly out of communication
with his wife and family. He might even stay up later to use. When he
stops, he feels worse than before he started, even though he says he
uses it to help him relax. What is his drug of choice?

It's not even a chemical. He is an addicted television viewer. Here's
how a report by Robert Kubey and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the
February, 2002 edition of Scientific American explains it:

"Psychologists and psychiatrists formally define substance dependence
as a disorder characterized by criteria that include spending a great
deal of time using the substance; using it more often than one
intends; thinking about reducing use or making repeated unsuccessful
efforts to reduce use; giving up important social, family or
occupational activities to use it; and reporting withdrawal symptoms
when one stops using it."

Now I have to admit that there probably are people who really can
watch just one show. Maybe for some people it is a harmless
diversion. But for many pwADHD (people with ADHD), the first show is
simply the gateway into a string of hours in front of the television.
They may protest that it is a harmless diversion, even as it sucks
endless hours out of their lives.

As a conservative estimate, Americans watch over three hours a day. I
suspect that the pwADHD are watching even more. Why? It is probably
not a conscious and purposeful choice. Like many unproductive ADHD
habits, television is an unplanned time-destroyer. It sneaks up.
Sometimes people realize that, in fact, it is having a negative
influence, but they cannot manage to cut back their TV time.

The content of TV is a separate question. Many viewers watch shows
which they admit they do not like. Then there is the question of
commercialism and anti-intellectualism that TV might encourage. And
need we mention the routine violence and soulless sexuality? But
aside from that, the mere fact of television being television is
potentially addicting and time-destructive. Television operates in
much the same way that chemicals do. It alters the brain. At first,
like a drug, it really is relaxing. But with more watching it becomes
a hook which hurts to stop using. After hours of watching television,
many people feel quite a bit worse than when they started. I have to
underline that I do not believe that television causes ADHD. But ADHD
makes people more prone to television addiction in the same way that
it makes people more vulnerable to other addictions.

What are the remedies if you do decide that television is having a
negative impact? The usual approaches are problematic for the pwADHD
(person with ADHD). Typical advice includes exercising willpower and
self-discipline. This is a good idea, but I will forgive you if that
advice seems to have limited usefulness. Television seems to create a
state of mind that particularly resists mindful choice-making. It
exacerbates the inability to direct oneself, augmenting ADHD symptoms.

The strategies that make the most sense are similar to those that
work with chemical addictions. First, it is important to admit that
it has gotten out of control. Without that acknowledgment, you'll be
pulled into endless struggles with futile demonstrations of
willpower, (or actually lack thereof). The shame and exasperation of
repeatedly failing at "having willpower" are counterproductive.

Becoming conscious of the problem and its ramifications is critical.
Many people have not really noticed the negative effects that
television is having on them. The fact that television "use" is so
ubiquitous makes it harder to notice and acknowledge the downside.
Exercises like the national "TV-Turnoff Week" can be a good rallying
point against the predominant cultural view of television as "normal"
behavior. It is helpful to see that others acknowledge how television
can be negative.

Wise veterans of recovery programs will tell you that you can't have
the first drink. Once you are drinking, your ability to control your
subsequent behavior is compromised. Furthermore, you have compromised
some of the self-respect and self-confidence that could help you
stop. It is often necessary to insist on total abstinence, at least
temporarily. It is folly to keep paying the cable bill for just a few
favorite programs. You really need to learn to build your life around
something else. For many people, it will take a determined period of
"sobriety" to get a toehold against television's appeal.

Another lesson from the world of chemical addictions is to use your
friends. The support of others is invaluable in getting a grip on
your uncontrolled behaviors. You will not likely find 12 step groups
about television addiction. But try to surround yourself with people
who support your efforts to stay away from the television.

I suppose it would be fair to say that I am picking on television,
when there are equally noxious non-chemical addictions that deserve
the same treatment. That's true. There are people discussing
gambling, sexual behavior, and even shopping in equivalent terms.
Internet addiction has gotten even more press than television
addiction. And the little games they put in cell phones can be a huge
waste of time. Particularly for the pwADHD, there are countless ways
we can get sucked into allowing a behavior to hijack our brains and
steal our time and attention.

My hope is to raise awareness of this possible area of trouble. It is
not my intention to come off as a fringe moralist who is merely
overreacting to our culture's favorite recreational activity. If you
can find nothing wrong with the amount and kind of television that
you watch, maybe there is nothing wrong with it. But if you do see a
glimmer of trouble in your tube-time, I hope this gives you the
courage to address it more openly, and maybe make the changes that
you would like to make.
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>> PLEASE TELL US <<
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We thank members for their responses to the Newsletter. Any comments,
suggestions, or criticisms will be greatly appreciated. Please
continue to help us make this newsletter and CHADD of Northern
California more beneficial to you all.

We also invite readers to share their experiences with us and other
members. Please feel free to write to us about anything that you
would like to see published.

You can e-mail your comments to us at Lew@.... Simply
replying to this e-mail will also send your message to the editor.

Lew Mills, Editor

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About the Newsletter:

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern California's bi-weekly
newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with
CHADD of Northern California's activities and updates in the field.

* CHADD Works to Improve the Lives of People with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through Education, Advocacy,
and Support *

Contact:

--

Lew Mills, PhD, MFT
Editor, "Center of Attention"
CHADD of Northern California, Chapter # 504
mailto:Lew@...
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
Fax or Voice Message: 510-291-2950
Toll Free 888-759-9758