Doctor empathizes with women
Dr. Joel Sussman holds seminar about Women with ADHD Nov. 13
By Mimi M. Maddock
Mimi@TheColumbiaStar.com

Dr. Joel Sussman who has ADHD himself counsels children and adults with ADHD. Photo by Mimi M. Maddock

Feeling overwhelmed, disorganized, scattered, depressed, anxious? Feeling your whole world is about to collapse? Is it just stress or could you be a woman struggling with an undiagnosed disorder?

Dr. Joel Sussman spent 20 years as a pediatrician. During that time he heard the concerns of hundreds of mothers and the problems they had to deal with. In 1993, he retired from his practice and began treating children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and other related disorders. Many times during sessions with a child, he realized the parents were also suffering from ADHD. Without treating the parent, there was not much hope for the child.

Now 37% of his practice is adults. He also serves as a professor of pediatrics at the USC College of Medicine.

Dr. Sussman will be giving a seminar, Women with ADHD, November 13, 2006, at the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, 306 Flora Drive, at 7:30 pm.

Dr. Joel Sussman with his grandson, Matan Sussman. Dr. Sussman will be giving a seminar about Women with ADHD November 13 at the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, 306 Flora Drive, November 13. Photo courtesy of Dr. Joel Sussman

In the past, the majority of those identified with ADHD were hyperactive boys. They are more easily spotted because they usually act out physically; whereas, girls may just daydream and go into their own little world. In either case the results of the disorder may lead to the person saying inappropriate things or acting inappropriately. This leads to negative reactions from peers, teachers, and parents which in turn leads to poor self-esteem.

Females with ADHDknow something is different about them and this possibly leads to high anxiety or depression. They are more likely to get pregnant early, smoke earlier, drink to excess, take drugs, enter into an early marriage, and/or have eating disorders.

Females also have to deal with hormone changes. During premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and perimenopause, the symptoms of ADHD are much worse.

Sussman says he sees two types of ADHD women. One is the disheveled woman who is a mess and everything she does or touches is disorganized. The other is dressed nicely and appears to have everything under control. But it takes everything she's got to get through the day. Eventually, she is used up and has nothing left. She may be a candidate for a nervous breakdown.

The adult woman feels overwhelmed. Women raise children and run a household. They are required to function in multiple roles at the same time, to cope with constant, unpredictable interruptions, to function with little structure, little support and encouragement, and to not only keep themselves on track but to be the scheduler for everyone else in the family. And those with employment are supposed to do all of this and hold down a job. What is highly stressful for a woman without ADHD becomes a continual crisis for a woman with the disorder.

According to Dr. Sussman, there is a physiological reason for ADHD, a difference in the prefrontal lobe of the ADHD patient. Dr. Sussman who has ADHD himself says, "I can't think. It's like my head is a pinball machine, and I can't control the balls." Dr. Sussman says he does fine in his office but not as well outside of work. With the help of his wife and medication, his symptoms are controlled. He is totally empathetic to the role the woman plays in her family, especially the woman with ADHD.

According to Dr. Sussman, the disorder can be treated successfully. Dr. Sussman says a change in lifestyle is one of the best ways to control ADHD, and there are more effective medications on the market today than were used previously. All of these things will be discussed at the seminar which is free and open to the public. For more information, call 787-2023, ext. 206 or email mandy@jcccolumbia.org.