I was recently shocked (not really, just that they would publish it) when I was an article on FB from the NYTimes entitled: "ADHD seen in 11% of Children as Diagnosis Rise". I laughed and thought to myself "no shit.".
As some may know (and may have guessed but NOT known) our oldest boy, N, was recently diagnosed with ADHD.
Now I have always been of the school-of-thought that EVERY child has ADD, especially when pent up in classrooms 7 hours a day and then an additional X hours of homework at home. That is a LOT of restrictions for a little body and VERY developing mind to handle!! So Neal's energy has never surprised me. He is a boy with testosterone surges, not to mention a kinesthetic, or tactile, learner (as am I, anyone who has been shopping with me knows that LOL!!). Most public schools are not designed with these types of children in mind (don't get me started on standardized tests....that's a whole post on its own!) which only contributes to worsen AHDH symptoms....go with me here...
STRESSES- (DISCLAIMER- I am NOT a doctor...but I played one on TV)
In my research to help N relieve some of his symptoms (the most prominent are hypersensitivity, negativity and impulses) I have learned that ADHD is contained in the pre-frontal cortex of the brain- located at and behind the forehead, it is responsible for higher functions such as thinking, learning, attention and attention span, intuition, inspiration, right action, decent words, clean intentions, positive thinking, planning, organizing, and a host of other activities that make us gentle, loving, creative, compassionate and tolerant human beings. (And if you know N, you also know he exemplifies compassion, tolerance and creativity...I would HATE for those traits to disappear!!) It is very similar in its function to PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) as a nervous system disorder.
When, because of constant stress, the pre-frontal cortex shuts down, we see the opposite qualities in the individual because another part of the brain, or limbic area, the area responsible for the Fight or Flight response, is now overriding the main functioning brain.
With that being said you can see how these devastating conditions in a school room environment can be on a child who can not handle stress.
Here is a bit from the article:
“Those are astronomical numbers. I’m floored,” said Dr. William Graf, a pediatric neurologist in New Haven and a professor at the Yale School of Medicine. He added, “Mild symptoms are being diagnosed so readily, which goes well beyond the disorder and beyond the zone of ambiguity to pure enhancement of children who are otherwise healthy.”
"And even more teenagers are likely to be prescribed medication in the near future because the American Psychiatric Association plans to change the definition of A.D.H.D. to allow more people to receive the diagnosis and treatment. A.D.H.D. is described by most experts as resulting from abnormal chemical levels in the brain that impair a person’s impulse control and attention skills."
And I could not agree MORE! As a parent of a child with true ADHD it makes me so frustrated when a parent tells me "you know, I think my child has ADD/ADHD" like its an apology for their child or an excuse for their behavior! Thinking differently is not thinking less! I understand that in a situation like that it has more to do with the parent's insecurities about the perception of the behavior than the actual behavior but there is a stigma attached to children with ADHD. They are branded as "difficult", "rude" or even down right "bad", which breaks my heart.
In most cases it appears these "hard to handle" kids are prescribed the gold of college campuses...Ritalin. (Yes, in case you are not hip to the news, Ritalin has become a recreational drug, one of choice for tweens-young adults since it is, thanks to the FDA, legal.) It is a VERY easy and VERY quick change in the patient, however the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has not even sufficiently STUDIED the effects of using Ritalin! It has been likened, by both patients and physicians, as a substitute for COCAINE! Families have noticed decreased appetite leading to significant weight loss, extreme change in personality, paranoia and overall lack of passion for life (that last one is my own words after talking with a friend whose cousin was started on the psychostimulant.) all while the enjoying the perks of an easy to manage individual with better grades.
Do NOT misunderstand me-I do not judge any parents' choice for administering or allowing Ritalin. In the afore mentioned case the youngster, a 6 yr old girl, was turning violent thus endangering younger siblings. There are cases in which the patient and the pharmaceutical are in line and work well. However it would NOT be my first line of defense for N....so what do you do?
RELEAVING STRESSES-
I don't believe there is anything "wrong" with N, he is a beautiful boy, full of life and vigor...however I do want to help him better control his thoughts and impulses in order to fully enjoy and comprehend all that life has to offer. So to help him, we are exploring a few options, primarily Neurofeedback, meditation and the Elimination Diet. I would love to create a learning environment more suited to his specific needs and style, however homeschooling is not an option at the moment (with Mills being our primary "patient"! Not to mention we adore our current school!).
The first, Neurofeedback, is a way of "tricking" the brain into forging what are perceived as "positive" thoughts. The way the brain works is we create habits by doing something over and over, making a pathway, like a trail in the forest. As we walk that trail again and again it smooths the grass, eventually until there is nothing but exposed dirt; thus is the same for the brain. There are certain actions we do without even thinking (obviously, like breathing). In a case such as ADHD, or for an adult example, an addict, the brain has re-routed the "wrong" pattern for so long that it is impossible to even KNOW it is "derailed" and the individual needs help to correct the path.
That's where the Neurofeedback monitor comes into play! And yes, it is much like play. There is a cap with electrodes that monitor the brain in its original state, finding the "derailments" of thought. After the initial "map", a program is designed to look like a video game (a PLUS for kids!!) where you must use your mind to "move the objects" to achieve the desired result. Where the trickery comes in is that the NEW mind movement, the one to get the desired results, is creating a "corrected" pathway into the brain!! NEAT STUFF!! So, much like the old patterns, the new ones are now being forged! That is a very rough and simple explanation.
The next is the Elimination Diet, which has been used with great success, 60% effectiveness, in Europe. The premises is ADHD is, again, a nervous system disorder, physicians believe is caused by stresses on the immune system, or food allergies. The belief in the correlation of the gut to the nervous and neurologic systems holds firm in holistic or integrative medicine and is merging into mainstream medicine quite rapidly. Chronic illness such as migraines, eczema, gout and arthritis have been reversed by simply removing specific substances from diets and with astonishing results!
The diet as it pertains to ADHD is not the same for each patient. It starts with basic and strict options for food, sometimes making it hard to administer to children (which is why we are waiting till summer!). What triggers an immunity response with differ from patient to patient. After a "detox" of previous food toxins for 28 days specific foods are introduced at varying levels to see if symptoms are triggered; when symptoms are noticed the individual is to remove the substance from their diet. The overall results tend to be surprising: children who vocalize how much better the feel, are proud of their progress and are able to make "improved" choices! Win/Win!
Homeopathy and Anat Baniel Method are also on our radar for N, but we are leaning towards the above.
As far as our bodies are concerned, guard it the same as you do your mind; because in the end you get out what you put in!!
Here are some links used in referencing and research:
Regarding Neurotherapy
Peace of Mind for healing ADHD
Neurofeedback and a local RN who we are working with for N's neurofeedback
Elimination Diet shows significant improvement with symptoms
#knowwhatgoesinyourbody #drugsarenottheanswer #harmaceuticals
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