Medication or Neurofeedback- Comparing the two most common forms of treatment for ADD/ADHD

Medication and Neurofeedback (EEG-biofeedback) are the two most common forms of treatment for ADD/ADHD. Both are successful in treating these disorders in a large majority of cases. There are, however, significant differences in the ways these treatments work, the potential side effects of their use, and the length of treatment necessary.

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for ADD/ADHD are derived from some form of stimulant or antidepressant. Most of these medications carry the FDA’S “Black Box Warning” Labels, and should be used with caution. These warnings refer to the possibility of serious cardiovascular side effects, as well as the possible suppression of children’s growth, and heightened risk for psychosis, bi-polar illness, and aggression.

In addition to these problems, this class of medications is also associated with potential side effects as weight loss in children, over-stimulation of the central nervous system, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, tremors, headaches, and tics or Tourettes Syndrome.

Now, let’s take a look at how these different treatments work. The medications contain artificial chemicals which increase neurotransmitter levels in the brain. This allows the brain to function better, thus treating the condition. As these chemicals are artificial, they may cause unfavorable reactions in the brain, and therefore, bring about the aforementioned negative side effects.

Neurofeedback trains the brain to function faster through a highly specialized type of exercise. As the brain learns to function faster, it naturally increases its production of neurotransmitters and the brain functions better, thus treating the condition. The end result is the same in both forms of treatment… with one very big difference. Neurofeedback does not introduce anything unnatural into the brain, but rather trains the brain to function better through its own natural mechanisms, so it produces no side effects. As vulnerable as children are, the last thing we want to do is expose them to these unnecessary dangers.

Finally, length of treatment is another big difference. Medication is only effective while it’s in the bloodstream. Therefore, no amount of medication will ever produce a lasting effect. The medication must be continually taken to treat the condition, and this is often a lifelong process, with the continuing potential for these side effects.

Once neurofeedback treatment is completed, no further treatment is necessary. With neurofeedback, there are no side effects, and the treatment is a one-time process. Neurofeedback is an effective, drug free, painless procedure in which the child learns to retrain the attention mechanisms of their brain, alleviating the condition.

Dr. Stephen A. Ferrari

Alta Neuro-Imaging Neurofeedback

1075 Yorba Place

Suite 105

Placentia, CA 92870

714.990.6536

Website: www.ocbiofeedback.com

Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults – Dr. Stephen Ferrari

ADD is a disorder, which is much better understood, diagnosed, and treated today than in times past. Since most ADD is now only tested for and treated in children, there are many adults who suffer from this disorder without any awareness of the cause and possible alleviation of their difficulties.

There are three sub-types of ADD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and the combined form. Most articles on attention deficit disorder focus on the appearance of these symptoms in children, therefore a review of their manifestations in adulthood should be helpful.

Inattention

Poor organization with difficulty completing tasks; jumping from one thing to another; living in a state of mental and physical clutter; difficulty in maintaining concentration in conversation, groups, lectures, and meetings; being easily flustered; feeling hassled, tense, and/or overwhelmed due to difficulty focusing and processing information.

Hvperactivity

Always on the go; unable to relax unless fatigued; constant shifting of ones weight; engaged in multiple simultaneous activities; fidgetiness; constant motion somewhere in the body (fingers, toes, legs, etc.)

Impulsivity

Difficulty delaying gratification and anticipating consequences; speaking or acting without thinking; interrupting; buying, eating, drinking impulsively; rash decisions and statements.

In addition to the aforementioned, there are frequently mood abnormalities, feeling very good and very bad, often within a short period of time. 

Many adults with ADD may attribute these difficulties to low intelligence, nervousness or poor judgment, and may assume they are unfortunately stuck with these qualities (as are their loved ones). There are also many adults who are aware of their ADD, but leave it untreated because they assume that an unwanted medication treatment is their only option. Neither of these assessments is true.

Treatment

One method of treatment is Neurofeedback, a non-drug, painless, side-effect free procedure in which the person learns to re-train the attention mechanisms of the brain, alleviating the condition. Once the treatment is complete, no further training is necessary.

To request information on the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD, ADHD), Mild to Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Chronic Depression, Chronic Anxiety, and Peak Performance Training contact:

Dr. Stephen A. Ferrari

Alta Neuro-Imaging Neurofeedback

1075 Yorba Place

Suite 105

Placentia, CA 92870

714.990.6536

Website: www.ocbiofeedback.com

When ADD Kids have ADD Parents – Dr. Stephen A. Ferrari

I often hear parents complain, ” I think my child has ADD, they can’t concentrate or control themselves, and some times I think I might have it too, we have the same problem, and when they combine, things get worse and worse”.  Also often heard is ” I can’t do everything myself, and when my husband (or wife) gets home, they’re the same (as the child) way, and they just make it worse”. These complaints are really two sides of the same coin.

A lot of ADD is genetic, and while the manifestation of the disorder may be inconsistent, it has been estimated that 40-60% of children with ADD have at least one parent with the same disorder. ADD in the family is one of the hardest things to deal with; the combination of both a child and a parent with ADD can become a disaster. While the ADD parent can empathize and understand the difficulties of the child, the combination can be extremely overwhelming.

Three aspects of parenting are particularly important in this sense.  Parental Monitoring: parents with ADD have a difficult time monitoring (tracking where a child is, what they are doing, and whom they are with) their children. Difficulties in this area increase focus and/or behavior problems in ADD children.

Inconsistent Discipline: (refers to variability in parents’ responses to child non-compliance) ADD parents’ difficulties here foster further problems with self-control in their ADD children. Problem Solving: Parents with ADD provide solutions with lower levels of planning and effectiveness, exacerbating their ADD child’s difficulty organizing and planning.

There are some additional problems inherent in the ADD parent-ADD child combination. Overloading of the responsibilities of the non-ADD parent is one. An often bigger problem is a possible denial of the ADD child’s problem by the ADD parent. They may not acknowledge their child’s problem, since it is so similar to their own challenges. This denial often boomerangs and leads to denial of help for both persons.

Effectively treating children with ADD may frequently necessitate treatment of an ADD parent as well. It is very helpful to the parent, all their children, their non-ADD spouse, and of course, essential for their ADD child.

While simultaneous treatment is best, it is also beneficial to treat one first (usually the child), and then later, the other.

One method of treatment is Neurofeedback, a non-drug, painless, side effect-free procedure in which the person learns to re-train the attention mechanisms of the brain, alleviating the condition. Once the treatment is complete, no further training is necessary.

To request information on the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD, ADHD), Mild to Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Chronic Depression, Chronic Anxiety, and Peak Performance Training contact:

Dr. Stephen A. Ferrari

Alta Neuro-Imaging Neurofeedback

1075 Yorba Place

Suite 105

Placentia, CA 92870

714.990.6536

Website: www.ocbiofeedback.com