Exploring ADHD Treatment Options

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Before exploring the various ADHD treatment options, we first must discuss the disorder itself, and what symptoms are most problematic. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common childhood neurological disorders in this country, affecting over 8 million children aged 3 to 17. ADHD has three subtypes: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, or combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. As you can probably discern from the names, ADHD is characterized by inability to focus or pay attention, hyperactivity, difficulty controlling urges, and trouble communicating and interacting with others.

ADHD Medication: A Double-Edged Sword

Historically, all ADHD treatment options have begun with medication. ADHD medications, such as Adderall, are primarily stimulants designed to improve focus and enhance your child’s attention span. There are also non-stimulant prescriptions for the disorder out there, and medications such as antidepressants have also been used to combat ADHD. The problem with ADHD medication is twofold. First, you expose your child to a litany of side effects, ranging from mild (i.e. dry mouth) to serious (i.e. seizures). Beyond this, ADHD medication will often make your child simply not feel good, and this is heartbreaking when we are talking about young people. The second major issue with ADHD medication is that there is no conclusive link between prescription medication and better performance in school or society. ADHD medication is a short-term fix that should be no more than a part of a treatment plan designed at long-term alleviation of symptoms. The problem is, many parents – and even doctors – don’t realize this, and we end up with a bunch of overmedicated children who struggle with ADHD far beyond adolescence.

Therapy and Skills Training

Whether medication is among your chosen ADHD treatment options, a rigorous regiment of psychotherapy or skills training has provided much better results. Children are taught how to cope with their disorder and doctors have a chance to get to the root of the problem. The only issue here is that it can be very time-involved and also quite pricey when there is no potential end in sight.

Alternative Routes

Fortunately, when it comes to ADHD treatment options, we live in a great time. Studies have shown that moderate changes to diet, sleep and exercise all can have a dynamic impact on treating ADHD and the severity of its symptoms. Additionally, there are also some really innovative new therapies out there. One such method known as neurofeedback is certainly worth checking out because of the relative ease of the therapy and its potential long-term impact. Neurofeedback is designed to re-route brainwaves that have gotten off-track and are actually causing neurological disorders such as ADHD. The therapy is all painless and noninvasive, and over time will teach your child’s body to self-correct such issues, defeating the need other ADHD treatment options.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ADHD

Panic Attacks in Children

Panic attacks are a fairly common and treatable condition, but panic attacks in children can be especially alarming. They can also be more difficult to diagnose than panic attacks in adolescents and adults, since children aren’t always able to accurately describe the emotional components of a panic attack.

                                                                                         

What Are the Symptoms of Panic Attacks in Children?

Panic attacks in children involve the same symptoms as panic attacks in adults, which include:

·         Pounding or racing heartbeat

·         Intense feelings of fear

·         Fear of dying or losing control

·         Sense of unreality

·         Trembling and shaking

·         Sensations of shortness of breath

·         Dizziness or lightheadedness

·         Feelings of choking, being smothered, or tightness in throat

Because the symptoms are largely physical, a panic attack can easily be mistaken for a more severe medical emergency, such as a cardiac event. Fortunately, panic attacks are not dangerous or life-threatening, even though they are highly unpleasant.

What Causes Panic Attacks inChildren?

A panic attack is a heightened response to feelings of anxiety and fear. It is essentially a runaway fight-or-flight reaction that spirals out of control. When a person is nervous or afraid, it engages the sympathetic system, causing changes in heart rate and alertness that have to do with the release of adrenaline. When anxiety is intense and overwhelming, this can escalate into a panic attack. Some people may be more prone to panic attacks, a tendency which usually runs in families.

Panic attacks are usually symptomatic of an underlying anxiety disorder. Children, like adults, can develop symptoms of anxiety. Individuals with an anxiety disorder often feel nervous or fearful, and are likely to become excessively or irrationally worried about things in their life.

·         Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the most common anxiety disorder.

·         Panic Disorder is characterized by frequent, recurrent panic attacks, and excessive anxiety about the possibility of having another panic attack.

·         Social Anxiety Disorder involves excessive anxiety in response to social situations and fear of social embarrassment or rejection.

·         Specific phobias are characterized by anxiety in response to a particular fear, such as spiders, heights, or snakes.

Treating Panic Attacks inChildren

Panic attacks in adults are often treated with medications such as SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac) or benzodiazepines (Xanax); however, these medications are not generally recommended for the treatment of children.

Methods of treating anxiety disorders and panic attacks in children include:

·         Counseling or psychotherapy can help reveal the source of a child’s anxiety, as well as reassuring the child that panic attacks and anxious feelings are not his or her fault because they may suffer from guilt and self-blame.

·         Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches children skills for dealing with panic attacks and the anxiety that causes them. This includes learning better strategies for dealing with situations that are likely to cause anxiety, which can help prevent panic attacks from occurring in the first place. It can also teach new ways of thinking about stressful or scary situations that can evoke anxiety.

·         Parent guidance can help parents learn about their child’s anxiety and cope effectively with future panic attacks. 

When a child is experiencing a panic attack, it is important for the parent or other accompanying adult to be calm and reassuring. A comforting presence can be extremely helpful during a panic attack. A parent can also help the child with relaxation and breathing techniques. With the help of dedicated professionals and supportive caretakers, children can overcome anxiety and reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

Are There Any Vitamins for Fibromyalgia?

Millions of people suffer from fibromyalgia, an enigmatic disease characterized by chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and a host of other symptoms afflicting multiple body systems. There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, but there are some vitamin supplements that may help with some of the symptoms. Helpful vitamins for fibromyalgia include:

 • 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
• Alpha hydroxy acids
 • Magnesium
• Probiotic supplements

Although taking vitamins for fibromyalgia cannot cure the disease, they may help allay some of the many symptoms of the disorder, including pain, fatigue, digestive problems, and mood irregularities.

5-HTP for Fibromyalgia

5-hydroxytryptophan, (5-HTP) is a molecule that is converted by the body into the neurotransmitter serotonin. Many researchers believe that people with fibromyalgia may have low serotonin levels, which are associated with the fatigue, sleep disturbances, pain issues, and mood problems that are often found in this disorder. The recommended dosage of a 5-HTP supplement is 50-500 mg. It is often recommended to begin with a low dose and then increase the dosage gradually. Individuals who are on an SSRI or other drug that affects serotonin levels should use caution when taking a 5-HTP supplement.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Magnesium for Fibromyalgia

Alpha hydroxy acids are found in fruits. One type of acid within this group is malic acid, found in apples. In people with fibromyalgia, malic acid may help to relieve joint pain, especially when taken along with supplemental magnesium. A recommended dosage of malic acid is 1200-2400 mg and is often taken along with 300-600 mg of magnesium. The magnesium is important for the process of transporting the malic acid to the brain, where it plays a role in maintaining optimal serotonin levels.

Probiotics for Fibromyalgia

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in fibromyalgia. These often take the form of nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. Probiotic supplements contain microflora, which are endosymbiotic microbes essential for digestion. In addition to the benefits of probiotics for digestion, recent studies have indicated that probiotics, especially those involving the bacterium, lactobacillus rhamnosus, may help to improve mood and facilitate better responses to stressful situations.

SAMe for Fibromyalgia

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring compound that helps with many functions in the human body. Supplements of SAMe have been shown to be effective for some pain disorders, such as osteoarthritis. It may also function to elevate depressed mood, although researchers are not quite clear on the mechanisms by which this occurs. Especially in an injectable form, SAMe can help treat the pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, and depressed mood that often occur in fibromyalgia.

Melatonin for Fibromyalgia

There is not yet an adequate amount of research into the use of melatonin to treat sleep-related symptoms of fibromyalgia. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that is involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin supplements are available over-the-counter as a sleep aid, and could potentially be helpful in normalizing the sleep-wake cycle in the context of fibromyalgia. Vitamins for fibromyalgia cannot cure the disease, but there are some supplements that may be helpful in treating some of the symptoms. 5-HTP and SAMe may help with abnormalities in serotonin level, which cause a depressed mood in people with fibromyalgia. Melatonin may be helpful for regulating the sleep-wake cycle, and magnesium and malic acid may help the chronic pain that is characteristic of the disease.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR FIBROMYALGIA AND CHRONIC PAIN

Two Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder versus Panic Disorder

There are several different types of anxiety disorders that are recognized by healthcare professionals. They all have common factors, but are distinct from one another. All anxiety disorders are marked by fear, uneasiness, obsessive thoughts, and sometimes physical symptoms such as nausea or lightheadedness. Two types of anxiety disorders that are easily confused with one another are generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Although they have much in common, they are officially recognized as two distinct and separate diagnoses.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is among the most common mood disorders. The recognized symptoms of this disorder include: • Excessive, unrealistic worry or anxiety • An unrealistic view of problems that evokes excessive fear and apprehension • General restlessness or a feeling of being on edge • Irritability • Muscle tension • Headaches • Sweating • Difficulty concentrating due to increased worry • Difficulty sleeping People with GAD often exhibit physical symptoms that reflect their state of worry and fear. These include: • Muscle tension • Sweating • Trembling • Headaches • Stomach discomfort • Nausea Although physical symptoms such as these do tend to present themselves in people with GAD, this is distinct from a true panic attack, which characterizes panic disorder. GAD and panic disorder may occur together, but they are two separate disorders.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized primarily by recurrent panic attacks. A panic attack goes beyond the shakiness, sweatiness, and other discomforts that are physically associated with anxiety in generalized anxiety disorder, although people with GAD may also have panic attacks. While anxiety in GAD is generally associated with life circumstances, such as irrational worry about school, work, or relationships, the main source of anxiety in panic disorder is fear of having another panic attack. A panic attack is a sudden, acute attack of extreme anxiousness, i.e. panic. This presents with a wide range of physical symptoms. A panic attack can last up to ten minutes, and is marked by: • Difficulty breathing • Chest pain or pounding heartbeat • An intense feeling of dread • A sensation of being smothered or choked • Dizziness or feelings of faintness • Trembling and shaking • Sweating • Nausea • Tingling and numbness, especially in the fingers and toes • Chills or hot flashes • A fear of losing control, or of being about to die The panic attacks are often prolonged or exacerbated by the fear that the person having the attack is actually having a cardiac event. The racing heartbeat, feelings of dizziness and inability to breathe, and numbness in the extremities, are accompanied by an intense sense of dread. This dread is almost like an eerie, otherworldly feeling that death is approaching and can be difficult to accurately describe. Individuals with panic disorder are highly anxious about the possibility of having another panic attack. Panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are similar and share some symptoms in common. They are also likely to occur together; however, they are two distinct and separate types of anxiety disorders, and are recognized clinically as two separate diagnoses.

Three Natural Remedies for Insomnia

Melatonin, Valerian, and Kava: Three Natural Remedies for Insomnia

Some forms of insomnia are not persistent or chronic enough to warrant treating them with Ambien, Lunesta, or other prescription sleep medications that can have undesirable side effects. Most over-the-counter sleeping pills contain antihistamines, which have side effects that many people find disagreeable, and which can cause drowsiness and sluggishness the next day. There are some natural herbal remedies for insomnia that can be very helpful for relatively mild to moderate insomnia without producing side effects. These include melatonin, valerian, and kava.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that functions in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. The body produces it naturally in the pineal gland, but it is also available as a supplement in pill form. Melatonin supplements may help induce sleep, as well as helping to regulate the sleep cycles. It is not known to have any notable side effects. In addition to treating insomnia, melatonin can also be used to treat delayed phase sleep disorder (DPSD) and other disorders of sleep-wake cycle regulation. A supplemental dosage of melatonin is approximately 3 mg.

Valerian

Valerian is an herb, native to Europe and Asia, which has been used medicinally since ancient times. The root extract is available in over-the-counter capsules and can also be used to make tea. Valerian root has sedative and anxiolytic effects, and is thought to work via some of the same receptors that cause benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, to have their sedative effects. Although larger doses of valerian root extract may rarely cause some mild stomach discomfort, valerian is not known to produce any particularly disagreeable side effects. Valerian is generally consumed in 400-900 mg doses, taken half an hour or so before bed.  

Kava

Kava is a plant native to the islands of the Pacific, where it has been used historically among the peoples native to those regions. The roots of the Kava plant are used to produce a drink with sedative and anxiolytic properties. In Polynesia, kava has historically been used in a religious context. The active ingredients in kava are a group of chemicals called kava lactones, which are considered to be psychoactive. It is thought to modulate the activity of GABA receptors. In addition to being a sedative, it can have a mildly euphoric effect. Kava can induce a deep, often dreamless sleep, within about 30 minutes of ingestion. Kava is available in powdered form, as well as in teas and pills. A kava pill usually contains around 60-150 mg of kava lactones. Kava is regulated in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada; however, it is legal to possess and use Kava in the United States. Three natural remedies for insomnia are melatonin, valerian, and kava. All three are available as supplements, and valerian and kava are also available in the form of teas. These substances have sedative properties and can help with mild or relatively infrequent insomnia. Although chronic insomnia may require prescription medication, a dose of melatonin, valerian, or kava may be a better alternative with fewer side effects for people whose insomnia is less intractable.

How Likely Am I to Develop a Memory Loss Disease?

Diseases that cause memory loss tend to be neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by progressive deterioration within the brain. Three common neurodegenerative memory loss diseases are Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Of these, Alzheimer’s is by far the most common. 

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a tragically common memory loss disease; one in three people will develop Alzheimer’s before they die. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease associated with plaques and tangles that develop in the brain. It is marked by cognitive and memory impairments that progress in severity over time. Alzheimer’s generally arises later in life, and its early stages are easily confused with normal memory impairment due to aging.

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include:

·         A family history of the disease

·         Mild cognitive impairment

·         Certain genetic factors

·         Existing cardiovascular disease

·         Traumatic brain injury

·         Lack of regular mental stimulation and low level of education

As you grow older, you become increasingly more likely to develop the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. One in nine people age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease; among people 85 and older, one in three has Alzheimer’s. Statistically, women are more likely to have Alzheimer’s than men; however, this may have to do with the fact that women generally tend to live longer. 

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of dopamine-generating cells in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra. The earliest and most obvious symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are motor symptoms such as shaking and rigidity, but Parkinson’s is also among the most well-known memory loss diseases and is likely to affect a person’s ability to recall learned information.

The cause or causes of Parkinson’s disease are not yet completely known, although evidence suggests it has a heritable genetic component.

As many as one million Americans have Parkinson’s disease. Worldwide, there are between seven and ten million people with this disease.

Risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include:

·         Advanced age

·         Family history of Parkinson’s

·         In women, declining estrogen levels

·         Exposure to environmental toxins, such as in the course of agricultural work

·         Genetic factors

·         Low levels of Vitamin B Folate

·         Head trauma 

Huntington ’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline. It can impair a range of memory functions, including long-term memory, short-term memory, episodic memory, and procedural memory. Huntington’s disease is more common in people of Western European descent than those of African or Asian descent and can affect both women and men. Huntington’s disease affects an estimated three to seven out of every 100,000 people of European descent.

Unlike Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease is caused by a known genetic factor, the dominant form of a gene called huntingtin. Because this gene is autosomal dominant, only one parent has to have the dominant allele of the gene for a child to inherit the disease.

Three prevalent memory loss diseases are Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is caused by a dominant allele in a known gene, whereas the causes of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are less understood. Alzheimer’s is by far the most prevalent of these diseases, and is the most likely to affect a given individual. Depending on how long you live, the chances are that you will eventually develop some degree of Alzheimer’s. 

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR MEMORY LOSS

How to Treat Insomnia Without Sleeping Pills

Many people suffer from some degree of insomnia, whether periodically or chronically, and want to know how to treat insomnia without using prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pills, which are known for having disagreeable side effects and for causing drowsiness and sluggishness the next day.

There are a variety of methods for treating insomnia without using pills. One of the most effective is making changes in behavior, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine after a certain time of day. Another alternative is using herbal supplements, such as valerian and chamomile, which can function as sleep aids. Using behavioral techniques and herbs eliminates side effects, and is a healthier option than using sleeping pills on a regular basis. 

How to Treat Insomnia with Changes in Sleep Schedule and Behavior

There are several things you can do, without taking any substances at all, to help normalize your sleep schedule and ensure a good night’s rest.

Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, before bed. Caffeine can stay in your system for as long as eight hours, so it is beneficial to designate a certain time of day when you “cut yourself off” from caffeinated beverages. Remember that coffee and tea aren’t the only drinks with caffeine in them; many sodas, including colas and Mountain Dew, also contain caffeine. After a certain point in the afternoon, sticking to non-caffeinated beverages will go a long way in preventing insomnia.

It is also helpful to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Some people, such as shift workers or parents with newborn babies that wake up during the night, may be unable to do this effectively; however, going to bed at the same time each night can help to regulate your biological rhythms so that you will sleep for a long enough period of time at the correct time during the night, which eight hours each night is usually suggested. A bedtime between 9 and 11 p.m. is reasonable for most individuals.

When you go to bed, try turning off the TV or laptop screens. The wavelengths of light these screens emit may actually contribute to keeping you awake. The noise from the television may also keep you awake, though some people like TV as “white noise” when they go to sleep.  

How to Treat Insomnia with Herbs and Supplements

There are some herbs and supplements that may be helpful in combating insomnia. These include:

·         Calcium and magnesium, both sleep boosters, and when taken together, they become even more effective

·         Melatonin, an important hormone in regulating sleep-wake cycles

·         Valerian, a plant root used in tea or also in capsule form to induce sleep

·         Chamomile, a plant commonly used to make herbal tea

These methods can help your insomnia without the side effects common with over-the-counter or prescription sleeping pills. A combination of a supplements like valerian or melatonin, along with better bedtime habits, may be enough to get you the good night’s sleep you need in order to function well during the day. 

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR INSOMNIA