The HealthCentral Network Launches Site to Help Patients and Parents Manage ADHD

The HealthCentral Network Launches Site to Help Patients and Parents Manage ADHD

ARLINGTON, Va., June 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (http://www.HealthCentral.com) today announced the launch of http://www.ADHDCentral.com, a new condition-specific web site dedicated to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Similar to The HealthCentral Network's (THCN) twenty-five other condition-specific sites, ADHDCentral.com is devoted to connecting patients and families to trusted, focused medical information, management and caregiving plans, and the unique voice and experiences of people impacted by ADHD. ADHDCentral.com is designed to help consumers FIND the information and resources they need, MANAGE day-to-day life, and CONNECT with those who are personally touched by the condition. The FIND section helps consumers understand ADHD, learn about drugs, and search for doctors and hospitals. The MANAGE section focuses on living with the condition -- from advice for parents to coping with diagnosis as an adult, experts guide users with action plans based on their experiences. CONNECT provides a safe environment for experts, patients and parents to share and learn from each other. "Whether you have just been diagnosed or are caring for a child with ADHD, connecting with people who understand what you are going through is an invaluable resource," said Chris Schroeder, CEO and President of The HealthCentral Network. "ADHDCentral.com is a destination for people to access the wisdom of the ADHD parent, family member, or friend and find the information they need -- activities to keep children entertained, coping strategies, treatment options -- to manage the condition on their terms." Eileen Bailey, prominent ADHD advocate, has joined THCN to lead the ADHDCentral.com community as the site's Expert Caregiver. Bailey, whose son has ADHD, will educate, support, and empower visitors through regular columns in SharePost(TM), THCN's new social networking tool. Bailey has also contributed articles to the site about managing the condition in children and as an adult, shedding light on diagnosing and treating Adult ADHD, understanding the differences between ADD and ADHD, and determining what to do when you have just been diagnosed. She also provides tips on success in adult relationships with ADHD and insight into how to help your child succeed in school. Psychiatrist, Dr. Chris Ballas, M.D., will respond to questions and write regularly about ADHD issues as the site's health professional. "It is important for patients to receive an accurate diagnosis and medical treatment to manage the symptoms of ADHD. It is equally important for patients, and their families, to have a support system available," said Expert Caregiver Eileen Bailey. "The support of a community provides a place to be accepted, to share triumphs and failures, to swap ideas and strategies for coping with ADHD on a daily basis. Through this community, people can take a proactive role in managing symptoms and creating successes in their lives." Eileen Bailey began her quest for information on ADHD ten years ago, when her son, then age 10, was diagnosed. Although there were books available on ADHD, Eileen sought out support groups to help provide her with information on how other parents were coping with the daily struggles. Not finding any support groups close to her home, she and her husband developed their own web site to provide online support for parents raising children with ADHD. Eileen wrote articles to provide information and monitored the chat and forum. In 2001, she accepted a position at About.com as a guide for their ADHD site. Over the years, Eileen has written hundreds of articles on all aspects of living with ADHD. She has been a guest on several radio shows, and her articles have appeared on many websites as well as in local magazines. A Certified Life Strategies Coach, she often works to help parents with the daily difficulties of living with and raising children with ADHD, and will continue to provide advice and insight for the ADHDCentral.com community. About The HealthCentral Network The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (http://www.HealthCentral.com) is a new and unique online offering, comprised of more than 30 health and highly specific condition Web properties. Each site provides timely, interactive, in- depth, and trusted medical information from organizations including Harvard Health Publications among others, and connections to leading experts and thousands of people who share their related experiences and inspiration. The HealthCentral Network recently launched personal health tools including CareCentralSM, the most comprehensive web solution to help caregivers manage their communities of friends and families (http://www.CareCentral.com). The company also produces the nationally syndicated television show called "Medical Breakthroughs Presented by HealthCentral," and has a library of nearly 1,000 short-form, condition- specific videos throughout its network. The HealthCentral Network was acquired in 2005 by Polaris Ventures, Sequoia Capital, The Carlyle Group and Allen & Company, and has built a management team that combines decades of experience in interactive media and medical, science, and news journalism. The company received top recognition from The International Health and Medical Media Awards with a 2006 FREDDIE Award for MyDiabetesCentral.com and the Health Care Standard of Excellence WebAward from the Web Marketing Association.