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While ADD is most often thought of as a disorder for children and adolescent boys with behavioral issues, 4.1% of all US adults have ADD, and 41% of those adults have cases the National Institute of Mental Health classify as severe. However, those are just those adults who are diagnosed with ADD. When left untreated, ADD can be incredibly debilitating for not only the people struggling with it but their loved ones as well. They may have trouble focusing, but that isn’t all, patients with untreated ADD often suffer from other disorders as well, from social isolation to depression and anxiety. And those who love them may not know what makes them act so differently. One of our patients named Larry was 62 when he came in to see us. He was experiencing a great deal of marital conflict and was on the brink of divorce.  His wife complained that he never talked to her, was unreliable, never finished projects that he started, and that he was very negative. He tended to be moody, tired, and disinterested in sex. As a child, Larry had mediocre to poor grades in school, and as an adult he went from job to job, complaining of boredom. But, he was never diagnosed with ADD. After his marital specialist referred him to Amen Clinics, and we had a chance to scan his brain, Larry’s SPECT scan showed decreased prefrontal cortex activity and increased activity in the deep limbic system of his brain.  Larry had Limbic ADD, with problems that looked like a combination of ADD and mild, chronic depression. That’s right, Larry had suffered from limbic ADD, one of the seven types of ADD, for his whole life, and he had never been diagnosed. Luckily for Larry, after getting him on a personalized treatment program, his ADD is under control. Last time we spoke, they told me that he and his wife were happier than when they first were married! ADD is a neurobiological disorder with serious psychological and social consequences. Children, teens, adults and parents need to know that it’s not their fault, they didn’t cause it, and there is hope. Amen Clinics is here to help you understand the ADD brain and provide treatment options that address more than just symptoms. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit. The experience of anxiety and depression is similar for men and women in many ways. Fifty percent of those who experience an episode of anxiety and depression will have another episode within five years, and many will develop chronic relapsing forms of the disorder. In that case, being male or female doesn’t change the risk. Men and women with anxiety disorders or depression also share the tendency to have complicated, or comorbid, conditions. The risk of suicide and suicide attempts is higher for both depressed men and women.

There are a few differences in the course and experience of depression and anxiety that may be gender-related.

The most impressive difference between men and women becomes apparent at puberty. In childhood, the rates of anxiety and depression are similar for boys and girls. This begins to change as children reach adolescence. The rate of depression and anxiety among girls begins to rise at puberty and accelerates through the teenage years. Women are diagnosed with anxiety and depression far more commonly than men. Some studies indicate that as many as 15-20% of women may be suffering from depression. Amen Clinics specializes in the personalized diagnosis of anxiety and depression. Often, there are underlying reasons or brain trauma that need to be realized and treated. Get more information on the Amen Clinics Method regarding depression by calling 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit today. In conventional psychiatry, stimulant medications are typically the first-line treatment for children and adults with ADD/ADHD. In 2009, the U.S. was the #1 prescriber of stimulant medications, representing 80-85% of the world’s consumption! In the decade since then, total stimulant usage in the U.S. has doubled, according to a 2018 study in Plos One. Although stimulant medications are helpful for some people with ADD/ADHD, they make symptoms worse in other people with the condition. This is no secret in the medical community. So why are stimulant medications are so prevalent in the U.S.? A couple of comparisons between the U.S. and France may help shed some light on the subject.

IS IT REALLY ADHD, OR SOMETHING ELSE?

In the United States, conventional psychiatry views ADD/ADHD as a simple biological-neurological disorder with biological causes. In France, child psychiatrists view ADD/ADHD as a medical condition that has psycho-social and situational causes.

Cultural Differences Impacting ADD/ADHD

Cultural differences such as parenting style should be included in this comparison as well. According to experts: Some people would like to believe that ADD/ADHD is “just an excuse for bad behavior” and that restoring “old-fashioned values” will eradicate over-diagnosis. Those beliefs are myths – ADD/ADHD is real. It can be seen in the brain, as evidenced on functional brain imaging scans called SPECT. On SPECT, ADD/ADHD is associated with low blood flow in the frontal lobes. “Bad parents” do not cause ADD/ADHD, nor can parents be expected to fix their child’s ADD/ADHD without help from professionals.

Dietary Factors in ADD/ADHD

Mealtime habits and dietary factors provide yet another point of comparison between the U.S. and France. In the last 30 years, both the quality of food and mealtime habits has changed dramatically in the U.S. These days, junk foods and fast foods are frequently consumed. Families have fallen away from eating together and meals are often eaten while on the go. Children’s diets, even at school, are high in simple carbohydrates (sugar, white bread, white-flour food products), poor in protein and healthy fat, and deficient in vegetables. If a person is vulnerable to ADD/ADHD, a high-carbohydrate, low-protein diet typically makes their symptoms worse.

In the United States:

In France:

Consideration of dietary factors is a critical area where U.S. doctors have fallen short when diagnosing and treating ADD/ADHD. Through research, we have found that:

The Future of Healing ADD/ADHD in the U.S.

It’s clear that mental health treatment in the U.S. needs a make-over. The secret to healing ADD/ADHD without medication is to treat the whole person, rather than treating symptoms alone. Similar to the French method, this should include looking at biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that may be contributing to symptoms. Biological: How the physical brain and body function (the brain and body). Looking at the brain with SPECT to understand any underlying dysfunction and to discover which of the 7 types of ADD/ADHD a person has is critical. Psychological: Developmental issues and thought patterns (the mind). Social: Social support and current life situation (connections). Spiritual: What life means (spirit). ADD/ADHD and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.

ADD is often misunderstood.

Several of the 7 types of ADD can often mask themselves as other disorders or be brushed off as a medical condition altogether. After taking our ADD test, it’s important to learn more about the types of ADD and distinguish between ADD myths and facts. Learning more could help you understand why healing ADD can change your life. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions floating around about ADD. You may hear people say that ADD is just a fad going around and an excuse for children to not behave. The truth? ADD is not a fad or an excuse. It is a medical condition that has been documented for over one hundred years. In 1902, a pediatrician named George Still wrote about several children who were hyperactive, unfocused, and impulsive. Though he did not yet know that this was a medical condition, he was describing children suffering from ADD.

Many people incorrectly believe that the solution to ADD is simply for individuals with ADD to try harder.

The facts show that the harder people with ADD try, the harder it becomes to focus. SPECT scans of individuals with ADD have shown that when they try to concentrate harder the prefrontal cortex, which controls concentration, actually shuts off. Some people falsely believe that ADD is just a small problem and that people pay too much attention to a minor issue. However, when ADD is left untreated it is a very serious issue.

Here are the 6 reasons and supporting statistics why Healing ADD is so important and can change your life:

People may say that ADD is not a real medical condition or that it is overdiagnosed; that every child who is poorly behaved or adult that is lazy and unfocused gets placed on medication for ADD. Actually, more than 50% of people with ADD are not being treated at all. The reality is that many people who have ADD will be dealing with these symptoms for their whole lives. 30% – 65% of children who have been diagnosed with ADD will struggle into adulthood. Based on the results of over 30,000 SPECT scans, Dr. Amen has created the Healing ADD at home in 30 days on-demand course that can equip you with the tools you need to start realizing the life you desire.

With this course, you receive:

Some of these myths pertain to who can have ADD. They perpetuate a false idea that only rambunctious boys have ADD, that only children have ADD and they outgrow it by 13, and that ADD is an American problem created to explain away societal problems. ADD is a complex medical condition that cannot be summed up by simple, blanket statements. These ADD myths attempt to oversimplify and stigmatize individuals with ADD. The truth about ADD is that given effective treatments, support, and strategies for overcoming challenges, individuals with ADD, can and do, thrive. If you are in need of support for yourself or a loved one with ADD, our Online Course, Healing ADD at Home in 30 Days can help. The course offers meal plans, strategic action plans, daily journals, and lots of information to help with healing. One of the challenges for people who experience both anxiety and focus issues, such as a combination of PTSD and ADD, is to calm the anxiety without decreasing focus.  Many anti-anxiety drugs have side effects of sleepiness and relaxation, calming the brain, but as one woman reported, “they also make me dingier.” On the other hand, when a stimulant like Adderall is used alone to help with focus, it can increase anxiety in those who struggle with it. Often we have to use a combination of supplements or medications to help a client achieve “relaxed focus,” an ideal balance in the brain.

Can Green Tea Help Those With Anxiety & ADD?

A study from Japan has found that daily supplements of L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea, may help people with anxiety also focus on their daily activities. A win-win for many with a dual diagnosis of anxiety with attention deficits. L-theanine may help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve the quality of sleep. Though it is found in tea, the level is low (less than 2 percent). So the effective dosage levels (of 100 – 200mg/day) cannot be delivered from drinking tea but must come from a supplement. The new study confirmed the dose of 200 mg for “enhanced performance in visual attention task, and reaction time response, among the subjects with higher anxiety.” The l-theanine appears to work by changing the electrical activity in the brain by increasing alpha waves, measured by EEG. Results of the test showed that highly anxious students receiving the L-theanine displayed a slowing of their heart rate, improved attention and better reaction times, compared to members of the same group receiving placebo.  This is a significant improvement over many conventional anti-anxiety treatments that often have side effects of drowsiness, slowed reflexes, or impaired concentration.

Other Health Benefits of Green Tea

In addition to reducing stress and promoting relaxation, there are other health benefits associated with green tea. In moderation, green tea is great for an energy boost since it has only half the amount of caffeine compared to coffee and the l-theanine will keep you focused and not craving more and more. Not only does green tea help keep weight off, boost exercise ability, help muscle recover faster from a workout, but it improves attention span as well. At Amen Clinics we encourage our patients to drink unsweetened green tea two or three times a day. Researchers from China found that when people drank two to three cups of green tea per day their DNA actually looked younger than those who did not. To get the brain you want, try practicing healthy brain habits. For instance, if you are relying heavily on coffee, make small changes to wean off coffee and add green tea into your diet. You can have better energy and focus by paying attention to the health of your brain. At Amen Clinics, we want to help you learn more about your brain and how you can make it better, not only for yourself but for the generations that follow. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit. Despite your child’s best efforts, their grades are mediocre to poor…or worse. Even though summer vacation provides some relief from the day-to-day stress of helping your child stay on task with assignments, papers, and tests, the cycle of year after year may produce some anxiety for parents who realize that next year will be the same as last year unless something drastically changes. If this scenario describes your life, you’re not alone. ADD/ADHD is the most common learning and behavior problem in children and it often can have a debilitating impact on a person’s ability to do well in school. Even though ADD remains one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly treated illnesses of our day, there are many proven methods that can assist your struggling student. Since success begins with careful planning, here are three practical strategies for optimizing the brain of your ADD child:

1. Get the Blood Flowing

Instead of letting your kids waste away watching TV or playing video games, take them outside and find safe exercises you can do together (no brain injuring sports, please, like football, hockey, or soccer). Try hiking or long walks, but remember to walk fast. Exercise accelerates blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain, which is particularly beneficial to those with ADD. Physical activity also increases the availability of serotonin in the brain, which has a tendency to calm hyperactivity. It’s recommended that children and teens with ADD get 30 to 45 minutes of exercise daily. The key is to establish consistent exercise habits in the summer that can carry over into the school year.

2. Make a Menu Change

A nutritional intervention can be especially helpful for those with ADD. Though not true of all types of ADD, most people with ADD do best with a higher protein, lower simple carbohydrate diet. This diet has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar levels and also boosts both energy and concentration. The best time to make changes to your family’s diet is during the summer. By testing a variety of menu options, you can discover which recipes appeal to the whole family and use those to create a list of go-to meals for the busy school year. If you need suggestions for brain-healthy recipes, The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook can be an invaluable resource.

3. Take a Look

Identification of the disorder is just the first step. With more than 135,000 brain scans in our database, we have identified 7 types of ADD—and each requires a different treatment plan because of the diverse brain systems involved. What works for one person with ADD may not work for another—or could make the symptoms even worse! The only way to know for sure is to take a look. Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT scans, cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options. ADD, like many other conditions, is not just a single and simple disorder; therefore, treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Effective treatment gives patients the most personalized plan, allowing them to reach their true potential. When properly diagnosed, kids and teenagers with ADD can live a happy life. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit. ADD often has a powerful negative impact on a person’s ability to do well in school. Except for classes that are small or highly interesting, many people with ADD have significant problems. Here is a list of common school problems.

1. Restlessness

The hyperactivity that often accompanies ADD in childhood causes obvious problems in the classroom: the child is restless, out of his or her seat, irritating other kids (not to mention the teacher) and causing turmoil and disruption in his or her path. In teens and adults, the restlessness of ADD often distracts others in the class who notice the constant movement (i.e., legs shaking, shifting body posture in seats).

2. Short Attention Span and Distractibility

Having a short attention span and being easily distracted affects nearly every aspect of school, including a student’s ability to follow teachers in lectures, participate in small groups, attend while reading, and perform consistently on class assignments and tests.

3. Impulsiveness

Impulsiveness causes serious school problems. Blurting out answers in class, speaking tactlessly or disrespectfully to teachers, responding impulsively on quizzes or tests, and saying things without thinking are typical. With ADD, the mouth is often engaged before the brain.

4. Procrastination

Many people with ADD wait until the last minute to complete their tasks for school. If it isn’t the night before, they cannot get their brain upset enough to get their work done. Procrastination in school also causes the work to be done poorly or it is usually left undone or incomplete.

5. Trouble Shifting Attention

Some people with ADD have trouble shifting their attention from thing to thing. They have a tendency to get “stuck” or over-focus which can interfere with a student’s ability to follow a lecture or effectively take notes.

6. Forgetfulness

This symptom often upsets the parents and teachers of ADD students. Forgetting to bring home books, leaving clothes at school, and not turning in homework assignments that were completed are common complaints.

7. Learning Disabilities

Learning difficulties and disabilities are very common in people with ADD. It is essential to recognize and treat these disabilities if a student is going to perform at his or her potential. Common disabilities are writing disabilities (getting thoughts from the brain to the paper), reading disabilities (shifting or reversing letters or numbers) and visual processing problems and auditory processing problems (trouble accurately hearing what was said).

8. Unusual Study Habits

Many people with ADD have unusual study habits. Most need a very quiet place to study. Other people with ADD need noise in order to study. Some people have told me they need the TV or radio on, or they need some noise in order to keep themselves awake and focused.

9. Timed Situations

Timed testing situations are often a disaster for those with ADD. Whether it is short math “drill” exercises, classroom writing exercises or testing situations, the more time pressure that is put on these people, the worse it tends to get for them. ADD, like many other conditions, is not just a single and simple disorder; therefore, treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have identified 7 types of ADD—and each requires a different treatment plan because of the diverse brain systems involved. What works for one person with ADD may not work for another—or could even make the symptoms worse! 85% of patients treated with the Amen Clinics Method experience improved quality of life after just 6 months of treatment! Amen Clinics has helped tens of thousands of people with ADD from all over the world. With targeted treatment, you can change your brain and change your life. If you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from an evaluation, contact the Amen Clinics Care Center today at 888-288-9834. Despite being diagnosed much more rarely than men, many women around the world struggle with ADD. While there is no biological evidence that ADD affects boys more than girls, boys are more than twice as likely to receive the diagnosis. This means that there is a massive population of women struggling with untreated ADD; it doesn’t have to be this way. Some researchers hypothesize that because young girls are often more organized, less hyperactive, and are more willing to ask for help, girls with ADD often slip under the radar of doctors and mental health professionals. Girls with ADD suffer more than 7 times the risk for both antisocial and mood disorders, 3 times the risk for anxiety disorders than those who do not have ADD. Additionally, they have a higher risk for eating disorders, such as bulimia and obesity.

The hallmark symptoms of ADD are:

Do you or any women in your life suffer from these symptoms? Well, the good news is that you aren’t stuck with the brain you have, you can change your brain, and your life for the better. As many women know all too well, if left untreated, ADD can put unnecessary stress on you and your loved ones, leading to everything from under-performance at work, to tough relationship breakups, and even more serious psychological disorders. ADD is a neurobiological disorder with serious psychological and social consequences. Children, teens, adults and parents need to know that it’s not their fault, they didn’t cause it, and there is hope. Amen Clinics is here to help you understand the ADD brain and provide treatment options that address more than just symptoms. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit. We all know the feeling. The desperation and frustration as we watch someone we love struggling in a fight that they can’t seem to win by themselves. It can make you feel hopeless, dejected, and helpless as you are stuck on the sidelines, watching them suffer. And it isn’t just themselves they are hurting, whether they are struggling with ADD, alcoholism, or any other mental health issue, oftentimes the person with the problem has no idea how it is affecting those around them. They need help, but they either don’t know it yet or don’t know how to ask. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The first step is always the most difficult, and by knowing what to do and simply reaching out, it will not only show that person that you care, you may have just helped them over their biggest hurdle. Think about how you felt at their stage in life. Was there something you were struggling with? Or a problem you had yet to face? Think about how incredibly daunting that problem felt before you tackled it, were you scared? Anxious? Depressed? At Amen Clinics, we see many patients every day who know that feeling, but because we are seeing them in our offices, they have at least taken the first step, and many of them can’t believe how relieved they felt once they admitted their problem and took the first step towards fixing it. They often talk about how incredible it feels to have that looming weight lifted from their shoulders, and I have seen just how determined they are once they finally decide to change their brains, and change their lives. Do you have a loved one who needs a little help helping themselves? Asking for help can be hard, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. Help them take the first step today. Amen Clinics is here to help you understand the brain and provide treatment options that address more than just symptoms. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit. Joey, age 9, struggled with hyperactivity, restlessness, impulse control problems, inattention, and distractibility. His pediatrician had suggested trying a couple of different medications but Joey’s mother was interested in trying alternative treatments first. She had heard about our work with neurofeedback and wanted an alternative to medication. Joey did neurofeedback twice a week and we quickly began seeing significant changes, including less hyperactivity and longer ability to focus. After he stopped the neurofeedback he continued to do well in school and at home.

WHAT IS NEUROFEEDBACK?

Neurofeedback is a specialized treatment that uses advanced computer technology for balancing and optimizing your brain. It is a fun, interactive and engaging treatment that helps you strengthen and retrain your brain to a healthier, more focused state. Using real-time displays of brain activity, you can learn how to self-regulate your brain function. Monica, age 17, came to the clinic for problems with anxiety, worrying, temper outbursts, poor school performance, and oppositional behavior. She had been in psychotherapy for two years, which seemed to help her temper problems but not her oppositional behavior or school performance. Additionally, she had tried two different medications but she did not like the side effects. When she learned about neurofeedback she liked the idea of learning how to control her own brain. We did neurofeedback twice a week and within the first month she noticed less worrying. By the end of 6 months she felt more focused, less anxious, and overall more cooperative, which her family validated. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of neurofeedback to improve many conditions including:

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NEUROFEEDBACK?

Patients report enhanced memory and focus, decreased impulsivity and anxiety, better mental clarity, more restful sleep, improved mood, and a host of other benefits after using neurofeedback without side effects! In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics named neurofeedback a “Level 1: ‘Best Support’ intervention for ADD/ADHD, on par with medication.” The effects and benefits of training last long after the training itself has stopped. Because the brain has actually learned (or relearned) a more efficient way of performing, it will continue in this way as new pathways in the brain are created, thus making lasting change the path of least effort.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

With neurofeedback, YOU become an active part of your brain’s healing.  You will play a video game using just your brain—it’s fun! Here’s how it works: electrodes are placed on your head to measure electrical activity in your brain (this is painless, non-invasive, and safe for people of all ages). Then, you will play some games that require concentration. At the same time, you will be able to view your brain activity on a computer monitor. A clinician will show you how to interpret the activity: which patterns mean your brain is engaged and which patterns mean your brain is less engaged. You CAN change your brain and change your life. Amen Clinics can help. To learn more about neurofeedback strategies or to schedule an appointment, contact the Amen Clinics Care Center today at 888-288-9834.