What to Ask About ADD Medications

Suffering with attention deficit disorder, ADD, symptoms can be incredibly difficult and can also have a negative effect on your relationships, your productivity, and your overall quality of life. To bring relief from those symptoms, most physicians have a full line of medications available to prescribe. Which one of the medications chosen can depend upon factors such as the patient’s age and other medical conditions present.

Before you begin taking medication for your ADD symptoms, there are several questions you may want to ask your doctor. One very important thing to know is, “What are the long-term side effects of this medication?” Another crucial question to ask is, “Will I have to take this medication for the rest of my life, or is it intended to be a short-term therapy, and how is this determined?” Another question that is being asked with increasing frequency as more people seek the safest, least invasive therapies possible is, “Are there other methods for relieving these symptoms without using ADD medications?” Your doctor may or may not be familiar with alternative therapies such as biofeedback training, specialized diets, and supplement use that are showing positive results in managing ADD symptoms. If you’re interested in those possibilities, you may have to do your homework before you meet with your physician.

One more group of questions that may arise when faced with a new medical regimen begins with, “What restrictions will this place on my life?” Following that should be, “What foods, activities, or other medications should I avoid?” And it’s always important to ask, “What side effects should I report?”

Working together with your healthcare provider, it’s possible to create a safe, sensible protocol for managing your ADD symptoms. Make a list of the questions you would like answered prior to beginning a new medication, if that’s the prescribed therapy. By all means, explore the complementary and alternative medicine therapies for alleviating your symptoms, and ask your doctor about them. The final goal should be to find the answers that are the best fit for you.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ADD

Are Biofeedback Devices Safe?

When a doctor or therapist suggests that biofeedback therapy might help in alleviating persistent symptoms, there are a number of questions the patient might have. They may be wondering what type of equipment will be used, and they may have questions about what the devices actually do to relieve symptoms. But the question on the minds of most patients is this – are biofeedback devices safe?

To answer these questions, let’s begin with an explanation of the equipment used. Biofeedback devices commonly include an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine and electrodes that are attached to the scalp and other parts of the body. The equipment also includes a computer monitor through which feedback on brainwave activity and body functions, such as heart rate and skin temperature, is visible.

The process by which relief of symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure occurs, involves walking the patient through relaxation exercises while he is attached to the biofeedback device. Because he is given audible or visual cues when the troubling symptom stabilizes, he is able to quickly see the results of his own efforts.

While biofeedback training is not a cure for these conditions, it can bring relief from symptoms and reduce or eliminate the need for more aggressive therapies. The number of sessions needed to fully train the patient in these techniques varies based on the patient’s own level of motivation and ability to learn, as well as the severity of the symptoms.

And now to the question of whether or not biofeedback devices are safe. The simple answer is, “Yes.” None of the equipment used is invasive; therefore, there is no risk of infection or injury. The electrodes used to provide feedback on bodily functions do not deliver any kind of current back to the patient. The relaxation techniques being taught during the sessions are no more dangerous than the practice of meditation.

Undertaking biofeedback training is safe, non-invasive, and effective in alleviating the symptoms of a number of medical conditions. The person for whom biofeedback training is prescribed can approach this type of therapy with confidence. 

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What are Biofeedback Machines?

Biofeedback is a revolutionary therapy tool that assists people suffering from a variety of afflictions, including anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, and stress.  Here is how it works:  by measuring physiological signals in your body, such as your sweat glands, skin temperature, or brain waves, biofeedback machines then give you a custom-tailored report on what is out of balance in your body, and the actions you can take to fix it.

Biofeedback is widely used and medically accepted – in fact, one biofeedback machine, the Stress Eraser, has even received approval and regulation from the Food and Drug Administration.  In essence, it helps patients gain voluntary control over subtle psychological and physiological processes that are exacerbating, or even causing, life-affecting conditions.  Biofeedback has even been shown to help drug addicts get clean and victims of seizures lead healthier, more normal lives.

Biofeedback machines are available in many shapes and sizes, but there are three general categories that they fall into:

1.       Professional-grade biofeedback machines - These machines are typically found in hospitals and clinical environments, and tend to be larger and more sophisticated than machines found in households.  They are used to treat a variety of afflictions, and usually have more advanced (and much more expensive) technology to create higher quality, more complex games and training regimens.  They also come in specialized varieties to treat advanced conditions that patients should not try to treat themselves.

2.       Handheld biofeedback machines - You may find these in a professional therapeutic setting as well, but these are also available for patients to use at home.  The machine mentioned earlier – the Stress Eraser – falls into this category.  There are hundreds of different devices from a slew of manufacturers in this segment, all with different targeted conditions and functionality; however, all conditions that respond to biofeedback machines may not be addressed by handheld equipment. For instance, EEG neurofeedback to treat anxiety and attention deficit disorder (ADD) does not come in a home-use, handheld device.  Handheld biofeedback machines tend to focus on stress reduction, though they can be helpful with other afflictions, as well.

3.       Smartphone apps - The last category of biofeedback machines doesn't actually contain a machine, unless you are counting your iPhone or Android smartphone.  These apps use smartphone functionality, such as the camera, to collect information about your physiological processes. These tend to be far less accurate than medical-grade biofeedback machines, but they are also substantially less expensive and convenient, because you do not have to purchase and account for yet another electronic device.

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The 411 on Biofeedback Techniques

                

Biofeedback is a technology-driven alternative medicine therapy that is being used to treat a host of maladies – including anxiety, depression, chronic headaches, ADD/ADHD and other behavioral disorders, as well as organic brain afflictions like seizures, autism and cerebral palsy.

All biofeedback techniques work in the same way – a therapist attaches electrical sensors to a patient's body, and collects physiological information about things like brain waves and skin temperature.  The information is then given back to the patient, usually in the form of some kind of video game, to help teach them new behaviors that regulate their body's mental and physical responses.  Not all biofeedback techniques are the same, however.  There are many different types, each invented to help treat different kinds of afflictions.  Here are the four most common:

1.       Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback techniques.  EMG biofeedback collects information from your skeletal muscles to teach you how to respond to muscle tension with relaxation and stress relief techniques.  It is common in physical therapy to assess those recovering from traumatic muscle injuries.  EMG biofeedback techniques have also been found to be helpful in treating hypertension, chronic pain, incontinence, anxiety, headaches and lower back pain.

2.       Thermal biofeedback techniques.  Thermal biofeedback techniques involve collecting readings on the skin's temperature through sensors attached to your fingers or feet.  Many people's skin temperature drops when they are under stress, so a reading showing low skin temperature can help people learn to better manage their physiological responses to stress.  Thermal biofeedback techniques have also been found to be helpful in treating chronic pain, edema, headaches, hypertension, Raynaud's disease and anxiety.

3.       Galvanic skin response biofeedback techniques.  Galvanic skin response measures how active your sweat glands are and how much perspiration you have on your skin.  This is a prime indicator of anxiety.  Galvanic skin response biofeedback techniques have also been found to be helpful in treating excessive perspiration and stress.

4.       Electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback.  Using EEG biofeedback techniques, a therapist records a patient's brain activity and uses the results to help the patient learn to control their brainwaves.  EEG neurofeedback is effective for treating a whole host of frontal lobe-centered afflictions, such as anxiety, stress, and attention deficit disorder.  It is also effective for treating disorders with major behavioral components, such as suicidal behavior and drug addiction, and even treats organic brain afflictions like seizures, autism and cerebral palsy.

5.       There are many more biofeedback techniques, but these are the most common.  While there are no permanent cures, biofeedback provides safe and effective long-term treatment for all of the maladies described above.

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Are There Neurofeedback Side Effects?

Let’s Talk Side Effects

If the concern about neurofeedback side effects has dissuaded you from contemplating this groundbreaking method of managing disorders such as ADD, consider otherwise. Beyond the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared neurofeedback safe and no known side effects have ever been formally established; let’s examine your alternatives. Historically, in managing a neurological disorder, there have been few established options:

 • Medication
 • Psychotherapy or cognitive training
• Surgical procedures

There are potential side effects to these three options; however, neurofeedback has no side effects. In regards to medication, besides the potential for forming a reliance or habit, pharmaceutical side effects can range anywhere from minor inconveniences (i.e. dry mouth, irritability) to major issues (i.e. seizures, internal bleeding, death). While the major side effects are extremely rare, the minor ones are rather commonplace and should be viewed as a trade-off patients agree to in return for subduing other symptoms. While therapy and cognitive training come with no physical side effects, there is no guarantee of success, and the process can try your patience and your emotional fortitude. Lastly, when it comes to surgery, it is invasive, requires significant recovery time in most cases, and always comes with a certain degree of risk.

Alleviating Fears About Neurofeedback

Hearing what we just discussed may sound quite frightening, but fortunately you have other options. In addition to there being no established neurofeedback side effects, the process itself is painless, noninvasive, and aimed to provide you with a future free from other forms of managing ADD. Neurofeedback therapy is all conducted with nothing more than EEG sensors and high-tech reading devices. You are never poked, prodded, or pumped full of anything. In addition, the process is designed to teach your brain to self-regulate, meaning after a certain point, you should optimally require no more sessions at all. That’s right; your brain will learn to correct its own problems naturally by redirecting and retraining brainwave patterns that have gone awry. With an FDA-declared safe procedure and no know neurofeedback side effects; the time is now to manage your neurological disorder with BrainCore’s cutting edge therapy.

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY AND HOW IT WORKS

What Is an EEG Test?

An EEG test, or “electroencephalogram”, is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. An EEG test produces a readout that graphs the oscillating frequencies of these electrical activities. By looking at these oscillations, physicians can identify abnormalities in order to assess and diagnose a variety of neurological issues. 

What is an EEG Test Used For? 

An EEG test can be a crucial diagnostic tool for many neurological disorders.

·         EEG tests can be used to distinguish between different types of seizures. For example, if a patient appears to have absence seizures, there are certain distinct brainwave patterns in an EEG that a neurologist can look for to determine whether they are “typical” or “atypical” absence seizures.

·         EEG tests are helpful in diagnosing sleep disorders. Different types and stages of sleep produce distinct patterns on EEGs.

·         During surgery, EEG patterns can be used to identify the depth of anesthesia.

·         In patients who are comatose or in a vegetative state, EEG patterns can assess the level of consciousness. This is also important in the context of declaring brain death, which determines whether or not a patient will be kept alive artificially. 

How is an EEG Test Performed? 

An EEG test is carried out in a hospital, laboratory, or doctor’s office. It is a painless, noninvasive procedure.

The patient reclines or lies on their back. Electrodes are attached to the scalp using a special conductive adhesive gel. The electrodes are connected by wires to a machine that records the electrical activity, which is charted as waves on a computer-like screen. Sometimes the electrodes are attached to one another via a cap or net.  

How Do I Prepare for My EEG Test? 

-          Wash your hair the night before your EEG test is scheduled. Refrain from using conditioner, oils, or leave-in products.

-          If you have hair extensions, ask the nurse about specific instructions.

-          Your physician may ask you to stop using one or more of your medications prior to the test.

-          Avoid caffeine for at least 8 hours prior to the test.

-          If you are going to need to sleep during the EEG test, you may be asked to reduce your amount of sleep the night before.

An EEG test is a safe, painless, noninvasive procedure that uses electrodes placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain. This information can be used to assess and diagnose various neurological and sleep disorders. 

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Boosting Your Brain with Neurofeedback Therapy

Neurofeedback: An Overview

Neurofeedback therapy is an advanced new treatment used for a plethora of neurological disorders. Also referred to as EEG biofeedback, it is a noninvasive brain training technique that enables patients to drastically improve quality of life. Through directly training the brain to self-regulate a variety of functions, many neurological problems can be disabled at the root of the problem, potentially ridding patients of nasty and hampering symptoms.

How does it Work?

Neurofeedback therapy follows the following basic steps:

1)     Pre-therapy Assessment: Typically, the patient will have electrodes attached to their head as doctors will observe and record brain activity. Patients may be exposed to certain stimuli in order to arouse specific brain functions which doctors wish to observe.

2)     Development of Treatment Plan: Upon receiving the results of each patient’s assessment, doctors will perform analysis to isolate abnormal brainwave patterns. Based on the problems observed, a unique neurofeedback therapy regiment will be designed for each patient.

3)     Training Sessions: Neurofeedback therapy professionals will guide patients through a series of brain exercises, which can take the place of a film, a puzzle, music, or other mediums. Using feedback from these exercises, the therapy is able to normalize brainwave activity by rewarding or emphasizing certain activity and punishing or diminishing other activity. For instance, when a subject is paying attention to an exercise it will continue and when attention wanes, the exercise stalls or stops. This is what we mean by “training the brain”. It is truly amazing how the body wants to innately correct its problem, and neurofeedback therapy leverages this phenomenon.

What Conditions does Neurofeedback Treat?

Neurofeedback therapy has proven effective against numerous disorders, ranging from the most common to the very rare. Here are some specific disorders that the therapy has already proven an effective intervention against:

·         Anxiety or Panic Disorder

·         Attention Deficit Disorder

·         Autism

·         Bipolar Disorder

·         Cerebral Palsy

·         Chronic Pain Syndrome

·         Headaches

·         Insomnia

·         Memory Loss Disorders

·         Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

·         Sleep Issues

There are many more neurological disorders that neurofeedback therapy has proven effective against, and not just in the short term. The goal of the therapy is to provide patients with the natural mechanisms to control brain functions, and thus disorders, for the rest of their lives. While many sessions may be needed to permanently “install” these tools, neurofeedback therapy is not a never-ending commitment, and this is a small price to pay for a potential lifetime of lasting mental health.

HOW NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY WORKS