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There are so many myths floating around about ADD/ADHD, it can be hard for you to know what’s fact and what’s fake. Knowing the reality of this common condition is one of the first steps to finding the most effective solutions for yourself or your child.
Myth #1: ADD/ADHD is just a fad and an excuse for bad behavior.
Fact: ADD is real and is recognized as a medical condition by the American Psychiatric Association, National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plus, it can be seen in the brain. Brain imaging research shows that ADD/ADHD affects many areas of the brain, including:
- Prefrontal cortex and cerebellum–involved in concentration, attention span, judgment, organization, planning, and impulse control
- Anterior cingulate gyrus—involved in shifting attention
- Temporal lobes—involved in memory, learning, and emotional reactions
- Basal ganglia—involved in the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which drives the prefrontal cortex
- Deep limbic system—involved with setting emotional tone and bonding
With so many brain regions involved, it’s understandable how the condition can have such a negative impact on learning, behavior, and emotions. A variety of brain patterns have been associated with the condition, showing that there are actually 7 types of ADD/ADHD.
Myth #2: ADD/ADHD is only found in hyperactive boys.
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, not all people with this condition are hyperactive, and although it is about three times more commonly diagnosed in boys, ADD/ADHD also affects girls and women. One of the most common types of the condition is known as “inattentive ADD,” and it is characterized by having trouble focusing and being easily distracted. This type often goes undiagnosed because these people tend to be quiet and don’t draw attention to themselves with their behavior. Many of these children, teenagers, and adults are unjustly labeled as “lazy,” “unmotivated,” or “slow.” Girls tend to have inattentive ADD as much as or even more than boys.
Myth #3: ADD/ADHD is overdiagnosed.
Fact: The common perception that ADD/ADHD is overdiagnosed is not supported by scientific evidence, according to a 2018 review of the research in JAMA Network Open. Although it is true that the number of people diagnosed with ADD/ADHD is rising, research shows that it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in some people, such as adults and females. In addition, over two-thirds of people with ADD/ADHD have one or more co-occurring conditions—such as oppositional defiant disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder—and their ADHD symptoms are often misdiagnosed for those other issues.
Myth #4: ADD/ADHD is only a minor problem.
Fact: Left untreated, or when mistreated, ADD/ADHD is a very serious societal problem. Consider these dire statistics:
- 33% never finish high school compared to the national average of 8.7% (25% repeat at least one grade).
- 52% of untreated teens and adults abuse drugs and alcohol.
- 19% smoke cigarettes (compared to 10% of the general population).
- 46% of untreated hyperactive boys will be arrested for a felony by age 16, compared to 11% for controls.
- 21-25% of inmates in a number of studies have been found to have ADD/ADHD.
- 75% have interpersonal problems
- 60% higher risk of being involved in a bicycle collision
- A higher percentage have motor vehicle accidents, speeding tickets, citations for driving without a license, and suspended or revoked licenses.
- They have more medical visits and emergency room visits.
- They get injured up to 5 times more than others.
Myth #5: People with ADD/ADHD should just try harder.
Fact: Brain imaging studies show that when people with ADD/ADHD try to concentrate, it actually shuts down activity in the parts of the brain involved focus and follow-through. No amount of effort can change this. It’s like asking a person who needs glasses to simply “try harder” to see.
Myth #6: Everyone outgrows ADD/ADHD around age 12 or 13.
Fact: Many people never outgrow ADD/ADHD, and their symptoms continue to interfere with their daily lives for decades. An estimated 30-65% of children, who are diagnosed with the condition will have disabling symptoms into adulthood.
Myth #7: Medication is the best treatment for ADD/ADHD.
Fact: Treatment can be very effective when properly targeted and especially when using a comprehensive approach that includes education, support, exercise, nutrition, and personalized supplements and medications (when needed). Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals take a one-size-fits-all approach to medication, which may work for some people with ADD/ADHD but can make others worse.
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms associated with ADD/ADHD, it’s important to get a complete evaluation to make sure you receive the targeted solutions you need. At Amen Clinics, we have helped tens of thousands of people with all 7 types of ADD/ADHD overcome their symptoms, boost their performance at school or work, and improve their behavior.
For more information or to speak with a specialist, call 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.
Have you ever plopped your preschooler on the couch with a tablet, gaming device, or smartphone to keep them occupied while you get a few chores done around the house? If so, you could be putting them at increased risk for attention problems and hyperactivity.
Kids with more than two hours a day of screen time by the age of 5 are almost eight times more likely to meet the criteria for ADD/ADHD than youngsters who spend less than 30 minutes a day looking at a screen, according to a 2019 Canadian study in Plos One.
Having untreated ADD/ADHD as a child can have lasting impacts into adulthood. Research shows that adults diagnosed with the condition as a child tend to:
- do more poorly in school
- have more trouble getting and keeping a job
- don’t make as much money financially
- are more likely to get divorced
- are at higher risk for substance abuse
This is why it is so important to get diagnosed and to get the right treatment. Brain imaging shows there are 7 types of ADD/ADHD and each type needs its own treatment plan.
Decreasing your child’s risk for the condition can help. The next time you’re tempted to use screen time as a sort of babysitter, think twice. You could be setting up your child for a lifetime of struggle. It’s best to limit your preschooler’s screen time to no more than 30 minutes a day. Here are three ways to do it.
3 Tips to Limit Your Preschooler’s Screen Time
1. Use parental controls.
Tablets and smartphones come equipped with control options that allow parents to monitor and limit screen time.
2. Set and enforce screen rules.
No screens at the dinner table. No screens in the car. No screens before bedtime. Whatever rules you set, be sure to enforce them. This will help preschoolers develop a healthier relationship with their tech gadgets.
3. Encourage physical activity.
Take your child to the park, swimming pool, or activity center or sign them up for group sports so they can burn off energy while having fun and learning new skills. Exercise increases blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain, and it boosts focus and attention. In the Canadian study mentioned above, kids who spent at least two hours a week playing organized sports were less likely to have behavioral issues. When ADD patients play sports, such as basketball, which involves intense aerobic exercise, they tend to do better in school.
At Amen Clinics, we have helped thousands of children overcome ADD/ADHD. With the world’s largest database or function brain scans, we can accurately diagnose which of the 7 types of ADD/ADHD a child has and target treatment to their needs. We believe in taking a whole brain-body approach to healing that may include nutrition coaching, supplements, medication when needed, and other therapies.
If your child is struggling with inattention, lack of focus, or hyperactivity, reach out today to speak to a specialist at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.
Brian, age 6, was very excited the day he lost his first tooth and even more thrilled when he found a dollar under his pillow the next morning from the tooth fairy. He was so happy he secretly pulled out another tooth after school. Two days later, he tried to pull out a third tooth. Over the next month, Brian pulled out three more teeth. His mother was worried about why her boy was pulling out his teeth.
Denise was 13 when she pulled a knife on her mother. The teen had been having problems with her temper for a while, but this latest incident had escalated to a whole new level. Her mother was starting to feel afraid of her own daughter.
Bonnie, age 15, seemed to go out of her way to irritate her parents and teachers. She knew how to push all their buttons with her bad behavior and managed to get them to yell at her. It’s like she wanted to pick a fight. “I just start screaming at her because she says terrible things,” her dad says.
Why did these kids have behavioral problems? They all came from loving homes, and the parents were doing their best to find solutions.
You may be dealing with behavior issues in your own children—impulsivity, compulsive behaviors, anger or aggression issues, negativity, nervousness, disruptive talking, inappropriate actions, manipulation, or others. The answers, as these parents discovered, lie in the brain.
Behavior Problems are Brain Problems
Each of the parents in the examples above was so concerned they took their children for an evaluation that included brain SPECT imaging. SPECT measures blood flow and activity in the brain and shows three things: healthy activity, areas with too much activity, and areas with decreased activity. The results for these children showed abnormal activity.
Brian’s brain scan revealed marked increased activity in his frontal lobes. When this part of the brain is overactive, people may end up getting “stuck” on certain thoughts and behaviors. In Brian’s case, it was compulsively pulling out his teeth.
Brian’s Scan:
Denise had two SPECT studies—one at rest and the other during concentration. At rest, her brain showed mild decreased activity in the back half of her left temporal lobe. When she tried to concentrate, the activity in her left temporal lobe completely shut down. The temporal lobe is involved in emotional stability, and problems in this area are associated with anger and aggression issues.
Bonnie’s brain scan at rest showed normal activity, but during concentration, there was a decrease in activity in her prefrontal cortex, which is a sign of ADD/ADHD. This area of the brain is associated with impulse control, forethought, and judgment. When the activity is low here, children may be conflict-seeking as a way to stimulate the brain. Playing “I Bet I Can Get You to Yell at Me” is like an adrenaline rush for them.
Getting Help for Your Child’s Troubled Behavior
Many parents simply hope their children will “grow out of” their problem behaviors. But left untreated, these issues can cause lasting consequences that continue or even worsen in adulthood. For example, children who don’t get the help they need are more likely to drop out of school and to abuse drugs and alcohol. They also tend to have trouble getting a job and earn less money in their lifetime. The costs are emotional, physical, and financial.
Getting the right treatment is critical. As you have learned from the brain scan results of these three children, behavioral problems are not all the same. They are associated with different brain patterns, which means they have different treatment needs. Understanding what is happening in your child’s brain is the first step to finding the most effective treatment to improve their behavior. Amen Clinics has helped thousands of children—including Brian, Denise, and Bonnie—overcome a variety of behavioral problems to improve their success in school, enhance their ability to make friends, and create a happier family life. We use brain SPECT imaging to help find targeted solutions as part of a brain-body approach to healing. If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior, speak with a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.
David was struggling with his memory along with other issues and was growing concerned about it. Afraid his forgetfulness was a sign of dementia, he went for a brain imaging test called SPECT to see what was really happening in his brain. David’s brain scan looked toxic, and it turned out he was taking a cocktail of medications, including antianxiety pills (benzodiazepines), which have been found to harm the brain and accelerate memory problems. Making adjustments to his medications made a huge difference in his memory.
DAVID’S BRAIN
HEALTHY BRAIN
If you can’t remember where you left your keys, if you blank on your neighbor’s name, or if you forget to pick up bananas at the grocery store, you may be wondering if it’s a serious condition or just everyday forgetfulness. Many people worry that Alzheimer’s disease may be the underlying cause of their memory issues, but there are several causes of forgetfulness that are far more common…and far easier to fix.
Seven Causes of Forgetfulness
1. Not Enough Zzzzz’s
A number of studies link sleep problems to a higher risk of memory issues. Scientists have found that while you sleep, your brain cleans out toxins that build up throughout the day. Without adequate sleep, the brain’s waste management crew does not have enough time to do its job, and trash piles up, causing brain fog and memory problems. One study in Nature Neuroscience found that in elderly people, a lack of deep sleep caused a 55% drop in memory the next day. Other research in Nature Neuroscience shows that sleep, and especially slow-wave sleep, is critical for memory consolidation regardless of a person’s age.
Solution: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Create a nighttime routine to help promote restful sleep.
2. Underactive Thyroid
SPECT scans of people with low levels of thyroid hormone show overall decreased brain activity, which can cause symptoms often seen in dementia, such as cognitive impairment and brain fog. In fact, research shows that more than 80% of people with low-grade hypothyroidism have impaired memory function. Brain imaging research, including a 2014 study in Thyroid, found decreased brain volume in the hippocampus in people with low thyroid levels. The hippocampus is a brain structure involved in memory and learning.
Solution: Get your thyroid levels checked and optimize them if necessary.
3. Too Much Multitasking
In some cases, forgetfulness may have less to do with memory problems and more to do with distractions. Research shows that juggling too many tasks takes a toll on the brain’s memory centers. If you’re watching TV while playing a game on your tablet while you’re having a conversation with your spouse, it’s no wonder you may be having trouble remembering what they say. A 2020 survey of 2,000 people in the U.S. shows that 6 in 10 Americans experience “multitasking-induced forgetfulness.” The top 3 things people forget, according to the survey, are passwords, items they need while grocery shopping, and where they put their keys.
Solution: If you want to have better recall, pay attention to the information you want to remember. Put your phone down, mute the TV, and listen.
4. Head Trauma
A single fall off your bike, a slip off a ladder, or a car accident that causes you to hit your head can have lasting consequences on your memory. Many people don’t connect the dots from a head injury that may have occurred weeks, months, or even years earlier to forgetfulness.
Solution: Healing the underlying brain trauma with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neurofeedback, and other therapies can help restore cognitive function.
5. Your Medicine Cabinet
Many common medications—such as sleep aids, cholesterol-lowering drugs, or those anti-anxiety pills like David was taking—can mess with your memory. For example, sleeping pills act on brain pathways involved in the memory-making process. In findings released at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2019, older adults who said they used sleep medications “almost always” or “often” were 43% more likely to develop dementia compared with seniors who never or only rarely took them. Cholesterol is critical for healthy brain functioning and decreased levels can interfere with memory. And benzodiazepines for anxiety lower activity in areas of the brain involved in memory formation.
Solution: Talk to your doctor about treatment methods that don’t compromise brain activity and memory.
6. Untreated ADHD
A lack of focus is a common sign of ADD/ADHD, but many people don’t realize that forgetfulness can also be a symptom of the condition. Some of the hallmark symptoms of ADD/ADHD—including short attention span, distractibility, and disorganization—may contribute to problems with recall. Typically, people with this common condition struggle with short-term memory or working memory rather than long-term memory. A 2012 review in Clinical Psychology Review found that children with ADD/ADHD have statistically significant issues with working memory compared with healthy peers. Newer findings from a 2020 study suggest that it’s the attention-related encoding and retrieval processes that are compromised in individuals with ADD/ADHD. This results in an inability to prioritize important information.
Solution: Treating ADD/ADHD, naturally or with medication, may improve focus, attention, and organization.
7. Untreated Depression
Research, including a 2018 study in Psychological Medicine, shows that untreated depression significantly increases the risk of memory problems. In fact, depression doubles the risk of cognitive impairment in women and quadruples it in men, according to findings in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Some researchers believe that late-life depression may, in fact, be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. One-third of all patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are reported to suffer from depression, which then accelerates the progression to full-blown dementia, according to a 2017 study in JAMA Psychiatry.
Solution: Treating depression is critical to keep your memory sharp. Understand that depression is not just one thing. There are 7 types of the condition that each requires their own unique treatment plans. Knowing your type is key to finding the solutions that will help you feel happier and more hopeful.
Memory loss 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. We also offer a comprehensive Memory Rescue Program to find the root causes of memory loss and treat them accordingly. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Pop quiz!
- In which organ are 75% of the neurotransmitters in your body produced?
- Which organ contains 2/3 of your immune tissue?
- Which organ has 10 times more cells than the total number in the rest of your body?
- Which organ houses an army to protect your body from harmful invaders?
- About 70% of people have problems with which organ?
The answer to all these questions?
Your gut.
The health of your gastrointestinal tract is directly tied to the health of your brain, which is why it is so important to feed it high-quality fuel. The food you eat has a major impact on your overall health as well as your mental wellbeing.
Just look at Victor. He had been depressed for 30 years and tried multiple treatments without relief. He even had electroconvulsive therapy, but it didn’t help. Finally, he went for a full brain-body assessment that included brain health nutrition coaching and was put on an elimination diet, which meant he gave up eating foods that are common allergens, such as gluten, dairy, sugar, soy, and corn.
After he stopped eating these foods, his mood improved dramatically. Then he re-introduced each food one-by-one. When he ate gluten, nothing happened. When he ate dairy, nothing happened. It was the same with sugar and soy. But when he ate corn, it was a different story. Within 20 minutes, he had a vision of putting a gun in his mouth with his hand on the trigger.
By giving up corn, he helped heal his GI tract, decrease his depression, and regain his life.
In a special 4-part series of the Brain Warrior’s Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen explore the importance of nutrition and gut health. Here’s just some of what you’ll discover:
- What your gut has to do with anxiety, depression, and ADHD
- The connection between the bacteria in your gut and autoimmune diseases
- How your gut can impact your asthma and allergies
- The common “healthy” foods you eat that could be harming your GI tract
- The popular medications that mess with your good gut bacteria
- What stress does to your digestive tract
- Why “leaky gut” is becoming more common
- The simple strategies to restore gut health
Listen to the Brain Warrior’s Way Podcast series on nutrition and gut health.
If you think gut problems may be contributing to your own mood issues, focus problems, or brain fog, understand that Amen Clinics has helped thousands of patients, including Victor, to heal their GI tract as part of a targeted treatment plan to heal their symptoms. Amen Clinics takes the guesswork out of psychiatry by performing comprehensive brain-body evaluations that include looking at biological issues that contribute to mental health issues. Schedule a visit online or call 888-288-9834 to speak to a specialist.
At age 8, Sara was kind of spacey. She ignored other kids and was generally preoccupied with her own world. Homework that should have taken 10 minutes took her three to four hours to complete. And when she turned it in, it often came back with a lot of red marks indicating careless mistakes. Her teacher said Sara seemed like a smart child but added that she was definitely underperforming at school. Her mind wandered and the teacher often had to remind Sara to pay attention.
When a healthcare professional suggested Sara might have ADHD, Sara’s parents didn’t believe it. They thought ADHD kids were loud, impulsive, and bouncing off the walls all the time. After all, the “H” in ADHD stands for “hyperactive.” That didn’t describe Sara at all. They didn’t want to start treatment on their daughter until they had a more complete evaluation, so they had Sara get a brain scan using SPECT brain imaging technology.
The scans showed that Sara had an “inattentive” type of the disorder. This is actually a common type of the condition—especially in girls and women—but it is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as a learning disability.
Is it ADD or ADHD?
Did Sara have ADHD or ADD? ADHD is simply the official medical term for the disorder. However, despite that term, it’s important to remember that many people with the condition do not suffer from hyperactivity. As you saw with Sara, there isn’t just one type of this condition. In fact, brain imaging shows that there are 7 types of ADD/ADHD:
Type 4: Temporal Lobe ADD/ADHD
Knowing which type you or your child have is critical to getting the most effective treatment plan.
ADD Type 1: Classic ADD SPECT Scan
ADD Type 2: Inattentive ADD SPECT Scan
Symptoms of Inattentive ADD/ADHD
The symptoms of Inattentive ADD/ADHD can be very different from those of Classic ADD/ADHD or the other types of the condition. Children (or adults) who suffer from Inattentive ADD/ADHD:
- Are easily distracted
- Have difficulty paying attention
- Have trouble listening
- Have problems with follow-through
- Are disorganized and messy
- Are often late
- Have a tendency to lose things
- Make careless mistakes
- Are forgetful
- Are daydreamers
- Are frequently bored
- Appear unmotivated
- Seem tired or sluggish
- Seem spacey
Ways to Help Inattentive ADD/ADHD
When most people think about treating ADD/ADHD, they often assume stimulant medications are the only option. Although stimulants can be effective, it is wiser to take a broader brain-body approach to healing that involves lifestyle changes. For example, people with this type of the condition tend to do better with regular exercise, a high-protein low-carbohydrate diet, and targeted nutritional supplements.
That’s exactly what happened to 8-year-old Sara. Within the first week of starting her treatment program, her behavior and performance at school improved. Whenever Sara veered away from her new regimen, she became spacey, inattentive, and forgetful again.
If you or your child have symptoms of inattentive ADD/ADHD, it’s important to get a complete evaluation to make sure you’re getting the targeted solutions you need. At Amen Clinics, we have helped tens of thousands of people with all 7 types of ADD/ADHD overcome their symptoms, improve their behavior at home, and boost their performance at school or work.
For more information or to speak with a specialist, call 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.
Did you know that psychiatrists are the ONLY medical specialists who rarely look at the organ they treat? Psychiatrists today still diagnose and manage conditions the same way they did back when Abraham Lincoln was being treated for depression: conduct a brief interview, quickly assess the symptoms, form a diagnosis based on those symptoms and then prescribe a high-powered medication. This method makes the patient a guinea pig and often does more harm than good since many medications come with adverse side effects. At Amen Clinics, our primary goal is to improve your brain health and overall quality of life. If you’re dealing with a mental health problem, know that you’re not alone and that you’re not stuck with the brain you have – you can change it and we can help with the right method. Our well-researched and proven process results in higher-than-average success rates utilizing the least toxic, most effective solutions to diagnose and treat your brain.