ADHD Treatment with Biofeedback and Medication

Could your language and speaking problems be related to ADHD?   Do you have trouble concentrating in your Spanish or French class?

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder is a very common mental health issue that many children and adults are diagnosed with. Recent studies show that nearly ten percent of all school-age children are diagnosed with ADHD and nearly half of those children continue to show symptoms through their adult life. Boys are shown to be three times more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder than girls are, but recent statistics have shown a trend towards a more balanced number of cases.

Symptoms of ADHD and Adult ADHD

Although most children exhibit and overabundance of energy, those who suffer from ADHD tend to be much more active and show more extensive behavioral issues than the average child. Some children who suffer from ADHD can control some of their behavior, but the some of the symptoms will be present and noticeable. Adults show similar symptoms, but the level of self-control an adult has allows them to control certain behaviors.

Early Signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Attention

  • Inability to pay attention in class or retain information about subject matter
  • Being sidetracked during certain activities or being unable to finish activities
  • A lack of organizational skills or inability to organize information
  • Severe dislike of activities that require sitting still
  • Becomes confused or disoriented with excess stimuli
  • Small objects such as keys or eyeglasses are easily lost

Hyperactivity

  • Fidgeting and repetitive movements while seated
  • Restlessness or inability to remain seated
  • Non-stop energy even during hours of the day when rest is expected
  • Excessive talking

Impulsiveness

  • Blurting out answers
  • Reckless and often dangerous behavior
  • Difficulty waiting turn or in line
  • Behavior that could be mistaken for an anxiety or mood disorder

If these signs have become apparent it’s likely that a diagnosis of ADHD will be given. If the condition is detected at an early age, medication treatments will be provided and other behavioral treatments may be administered. Studies show that medicinal treatment can help provide relief from most symptoms and can help overcome most of the issues related to this disorder.

ADHD Medications and Treatments

The medication used to treat ADHD can include short-term stimulants, long-term stimulants, non-stimulants, and anti-depressants. The range of drugs used to treat this disorder varies so widely because the exact mechanism of the brain that causes it isn’t entirely clear to medical science. Some scientists believe it’s caused by excess pressure on the brain caused by blood pressure. Other experts claim it’s directly caused by physical anomalies that cause some waves to be subdued and other waves to be produced at excessively high levels.

Short-term stimulants are a common treatment for children. The most commonly prescribed medication is Adderall. This stimulant remains active in the body for three to six hours. Side-effects for this medication can include loss of appetite, weight loss, sleeplessness, and irritability. Although the relief of ADHD symptoms is considered a benefit that outweighs the risks, there are some serious health hazards that should be considered. Studies have shown the extended use of short-term stimulants can cause heart health issues and psychiatric problems.

Long-term stimulants carry the same risks as short-term stimulants, but the symptoms of side-effects can be more severe. The same risks to heart health and psychiatric issues exist asl well. Treatments of long-term stimulants are usually only given to adults. Whereas short-term stimulants are usually only given to children. The side-effects of these drugs should be monitored by a qualified medical care provider under specific circumstances.

Non-stimulant treatments are typically provided for those who don’t respond well to medications such as Adderall or Focalin. These medications are used to lower blood pressure and hopefully reduce pressure on the brain. In some patients, this has been proven as an effective treatment. Although, health risks such as irregular blood pressure and excessive bleeding due to a lack of blood clotting can occur.

Anti-depressants are commonly used in conjunction with other medications to alleviate mood disorders associated with the side-effects of the other medication. Because combining certain medications with anti-depressants is known to produce unusual side-effects, it’s important that a qualified medical care provider monitors the patient. Along with some unusual side-effects, anti-depressants are known to cause sleeplessness and suicidal thoughts.

Along with medications, patients have shown considerable improvement using neurofeedback. This less-known type of treatment has been shown to help retain the benefit of medication treatments long after the medication is no longer being taken. This is commonly known as brain training and is used as an alternative to a lifetime treatment of pills and other medication.

Dr. Leigh Richardson’s treatment of ADHD in Dallas is working wonders, according to her clients. Read below, to see how the Biofeedback treatment works.

Biofeedback ADHD Treatment

It’s a well-established fact that the human brain produces three types of waves. These waves are called alpha, beta, and theta. Alpha waves are medium waves, beta waves are the fastest, and theta waves are the slowest. It’s believed that ADHD can be explained by an excess of activity in the alpha range and a lower level of activity in the theta range. An ADHD Treatment with Biofeedback may be of great benefit if this is the true cause of ADHD. Many patients have shown great improvement after treatments. Best of all, most patients are able to completely stop taking their medication. These treatments have been called unorthodox by some, but the results can speak for themselves.

Parents of children who suffer from ADHD should speak with a qualified practitioner about starting treatments. It’s important to understand all the risks associated with these treatments before deciding to begin. A qualified medical care provider should be able to offer plenty of documentation to make an informed decision about biofeedback treatments.