ADD & ADHD (Attentional Issues)

Neurotherapy has demonstrated significant efficacy for ADD and ADHD in multiple well-designed, independent studies. Since improvements in ADD and ADHD can be easily quantified, it makes this issue very well suited to neurotherapy research.

By contrast, there is a profound lack of research on what ADD and ADHD are, and no one knows if they are genetic issues, psychological, or both. Also, how the drugs work that are most frequently prescribed for ADD/ADHD is not specifically known, but they are thought to affect two important neurochemicals — dopamine and norepinephrine. To date, there are still no lab tests for the brain’s neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin apart from the highly invasive spinal tap. This procedure is never performed prior to drug treatment.

There are those who believe ADD is linked to diet, including food allergies and nutritional deficiencies. In addition, they don’t want to subject their children to the side effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) They attempt to improve their child’s attention by modifying their diet. These parents frequently discover that it is quite challenging to control their child’s intake of sugar and artificial ingredients outside the home.

Whatever the cause, ADD typically goes hand in hand with an under aroused brain. This is the reason why stimulants such as Ritalin, Strattera and Concerta are prescribed. Some studies indicate that children ingesting methylphenidate are more likely to abuse drugs later in life. Nadine Lamber, a professor of education at the University of California Berkeley, followed five hundred children for 26 years and states that the use of these ADD drugs doubles the chances that the child will grow into an adult who abuses drugs such cocaine.

Something else to consider is that many times behavior problems are caused by seizure activity, not great enough to cause a petit mal (staring spell) or epilepsy, but significant enough to cause tantrums, mood swings, physical violence and other behavior issues. Typically these children have problems with focus as well, but it is not because their brain is under aroused, therefore, methylphenidate will not address the problem, but neurotherapy will.

With an individualized assessment, a proper neurotherapy protocol can be selected that often address issues such as an under aroused brain or one that is unstable due to seizure activity. Neurotherapy typically increases the stability of the brain, as well as, its flexibility to move between mental states. See “Tantrums” for more information on behavioral issues.

source: Brainpaint.com