According to The Chart, a recent study revealed that minorities are less likely to get the tests they need to diagnosis Autism in addition to other medical conditions and be referred to specialists once their problem has been targeted.

As reported by The Chart:

African-American children in particular are more likely to be initially misdiagnosed, and face an average delay in autism diagnosis of 18 months compared to their white peers. Some have suggested that while white children may be diagnosed with autism when they have mild to moderate symptoms, African-American children tend to be diagnosed when they have severe symptoms, with milder cases going undetected.

So why are Black and Hispanic kids being neglected when it comes to Autism treatment? Well, many minorities lack sufficient health care or have none at all. Low income is also an issue. If you already don’t have enough money to cover your basic needs, most people are not going to go out of their way to create more expenses and problems on top of the ones they already have. For those who want to seek help and are willing to go the extra mile, these same factors also prevent them from staying on top of their health. There may not be a sufficient amount of specialists in their area or they may not have the means to travel in order to find them.

Another reason that contributes to the Black community not receiving treatment, is the faith element in the community. Many members of the Black community believe that prayer alone will dissipate any ailment. As a Christian, I to believe in the power of prayer (because it does indeed work) but faith without works is dead. If you notice that your child has a problem or they’ve already been diagnosed with something, it’s the parents job to research, follow-up with doctors, make appointments/actually go to those appointments in addition to praying through the process.

Are any of my readers parents of autistic children? Was it a challenge getting them diagnosed or finding treatment once you did?

Dr. O

Picture source: http://www.bet.com/news/health/photos/2013/04/autism-what-you-need-to-know.html?_escaped_fragment_=040213-health-autism-autistic-diagnosis-doctor-child-crying-sick-kid-parent

The post Minority Kids (Black and Hispanic) With Autism Are Less Likely to Receive the Help They Need appeared first on AskDrO.com.

The public can now see for themselves just what MJ was dealing with behind closed doors. The LAPD recently released evidence that confirms just how dependent MJ was on his addiction. In the midst of his wrongful death trial, remember he died from a drug overdose and went into cardiac arrest, pictures of empty medication bottles, baby pictures, oxygen tanks, IV bags and more can all be seen in the “Prince of Pop’s” bedroom on the day of his death.

As reported by Mail Online:

In the new photo collection, prescription pill bottles are seen lined up on a nightstand alongside over-the-counter products and a bottle of water while empty containers roll around on the floor. Along with propofol, the names of drugs Diazepam and Lidocaine are marked on some bottles’ labels. In one telling image, which appears to have been taken in a car, there is a list of nearby 24-hour pharmacies and the phone numbers.

MJ’s doctor at the time, Conrad Murry was charged with manslaughter in “2011 after giving Jackson a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol” which can be seen in several bottles in his room along with other medical supplies.

Jackson’s room looked like a scene from a medical drama and I won’t even go into the anonymous baby pictures he also had posted in his bedroom.

What else do you think will come about regarding MJ after the world views these photos?

Dr. O

Picture source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339949/Michael-Jackson-wrongful-death-trial-More-photographs-singers-bedroom.html#ixzz2W0etofGx

The post LAPD Release Pictures from Michael Jackson’s Room the Day He Died! appeared first on AskDrO.com.

Ladies, if you suspect that you’re in a relationship with a down-low brother, you better confirm it and confirm it quick! According to The Huffington Post, there are three reasons why HIV may be one the rise in the Black, gay, male community: “age gaps between partners, sexual networks more tightly drawn by race, and the fact that partner familiarity affects condom usage”.

Look at Kerry Rhodes and his alleged lover, Rhodes’ supposed boyfriend or “wife” as he refers to himself is younger than him. Who do gay males hang around other than women? More gay men and all these DL brothers out here that are double dipping between their wife and boyfriend(s) are most likely not using condoms for protection. Since the Black, gay, community is so close-knit not only socially and privately (sexually), researchers believe this may be contributing to the rise of the virus among them.

Huff Post reported that researchers studied 143 HIV negative, gay men who had sex with partners under 40 from different ethnic backgrounds and were asked to record their results in a journal.

As reported by The Huffington Post:

What they found: that while black men were considerably less likely to report having unprotected sex than other racial groups, they were the most likely to have sex with other black men (African Americans were 11 times more likely to have black partners than partners of another race) and more likely to have partners who are older than they are, a group shown to have higher rates of HIV as compared with younger men.

To add to these growing numbers the results from last year’s CDC report said there was “78 percent of new HIV infections in men in 2010, and 63 percent of total new HIV infections in both men and women that year [2010]” and gay men experience a 22 percent increase in new HIV cases between 2008-2010.

So, what do you think of this readers? What do you think the stats are for the Atlanta Black, gay community?

Dr. O

Picture source: http://survivingdating.com/black-churches-aids-hiv-black-women

The post HIV Is on the Rise Among Black, Gay Men. What’s Causing It? appeared first on AskDrO.com.

In many instances you prayed and other times you actually cried. Either way you allowed God yo touch you at your point of concern. Into each of our lives, there are circumstances and problems that looked like that are too much at that exact moment. However, this is not a true statement. Usually when things get really tough, that inner self kicks in and faith becomes more evident. I have decided that ear and intimidation are my worse enemies. Yes, There are days when most of us may feel a little uneasy, but when we allow crisis to take over our very existence is when trouble rises.

There are a couple of secrets to success that many of us just need to be reminded of on today I would like to just reach back today and offer you a little help.

1. Stay encouraged. Don’t give-up no matter what the problem, issues or diagnosis.
2. Remain prayerful. This has worked for you in the past and it will surely help you through this next crisis.
3. Look forward to release. Usually when there is about to be release in any of our lives, there is a little struggle.
4. Don’t allow fear to take root. Fight this demon of despair. Sure, fear may come but you can not allow yourself to be over taken by the thoughts that couple with fear.
5. Stand Strong. You have to stand strong and keep on moving. No matter how dark it may look or feel, still dance. This too will pass.

I just wanted to stop by and send some encouragement on today.

Dr.O

The post Don’t Give-Up! appeared first on AskDrO.com.

I will still do an extensive work-up on all new patients presenting with this medical complaint, but I will now closer monitor patients for there progress. There are still a couple of hints at possible stimulant/abuse such as;  (1) Reporting that you feel better rather than reporting an improved ability to focus and complete task. (2) Excessive phone-calls and or concerns about the possibility of missing a dose. (3) Pushing  me for an increase dosage when not really indicated and (4) Physician gut. Sometimes you can pick-up on patients that may be abusing the medication. Yes, we are expanding our diagnostic criteria but we are also becoming much better at making the correct diagnosis and monitoring patients for compliance.

It is also important to mention that a number of patients with ADHD have co-morbid psychiatric illnesses.  It is important to monitor patients with this brain disease for other disorders like anxiety-related conditions, mood disorders and of course substance use/dependence disorders. After all, a good practitioner has to recognize that many adults may choose to use the calming affects of alcohol or marijuana as opposed to those medications prescribed by their psychiatrist.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. By the way, have you purchased my book yet at www.askdro.com.  I would certainly appreciate your support!

DrO

The post Breaking News from San Francisco: DSM-V Now Recognizes ADHD in Adults! WOW appeared first on AskDrO.com.

Yes, after Pat made this absurd statement, I was floored. First off, he’s pretty much telling women and wives to simply accept the fact that men cheat and to just get over it, like he just forgot to get you flowers for Valentine’s day or something. Yes, it’s been proven that men have greater numbers in the infidelity department than women but cheating is not something that just comes natural and should be expected upon entering a relationship.  Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous (Hebrews 13:4). There is such a thing as self control and I know the Lord to be a keeper and if you’re serious about keeping your family together and have committed that thing unto him, he’ll keep you and that rowdiness down below.

Second, I have a problem with the nonchalant way Pat addressed the issue of infidelity (sounds like he may have been a bit of a rolling stone back in the day) and how he sort of indirectly blamed the woman for the man committing adultery by saying a “woman should make a home so wonderful that he’s doesn’t want to wander”. Now you’re just adding fuel to the fire Pat. First you imply that it’s normal for men to “wander” then you imply that it’s the woman’s job to ensure that it doesn’t happen? It may be time to retire Pat Robertson.

Pat, the 700 Club is a respected show of believers where viewers call in for advice, words of encouragement and prayer and you basically tell the world on national TV that you condone cheating?  I’m sure the woman that wrote to the show about her husband’s affair wasn’t expecting to hear you tell her” to focus on the good things”, “touch his face” to reconnect and ” to thank God that you’re in a marriage that’s together and you live in America where good things are happening”. So people should give thanks for marriages filled with deceit and wandering spouses? But as long as your still together it’s fine, right?

Cheating is not okay and should not be taken lightly nor should it be expected or accepted by anyone. As a Christian based show, Robertson’s answer should have been Word based and the Word clearly says that “Thou shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14) not that “men have a tendency to wander” so it’s okay if they do. I was really disappointed that Pat gave excuses as to why men cheat instead of simply saying it was wrong and coaching the inquiring wife on how to properly forgive and move on.

Pat, I’m concerned. If this is the caliber of advice you’re adhering to these days, I may have to start a petition to have you taken off the air.

Enough said,

Dr. O

Picture source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/03/18/pat-robertson-says-bankrupt-families-should-give-him-just-20-a-month/

The post “Men Have A Tendency to Wander”: It May be Time to Retire Pat Robertson appeared first on AskDrO.com.