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Imagine this situation…

You head to the orthopedic specialist’s office due to knee pain that you are experiencing. After asking you questions about the knee pain and bending your leg back and forth a few times, he tells you that you need knee surgery. Would you trust this guesswork diagnostic? Of course not! Unfortunately, this scenario is similar to how psychiatry is commonly practiced today – in much the same way they did in 1840 when Abraham Lincoln was depressed…a doctor assesses your symptoms, forms a diagnosis based on those reported symptoms, and then prescribes a medication at a dosage that may or may not work. From there, it’s a matter of watching to see if he or she got it right. Many times patients will get multiple diagnoses and prescriptions before they find relief – if at all. Treatment success rates have not improved in decades, even though technology and science have progressed dramatically.

Did you know that psychiatrists are the ONLY medical specialists who rarely look at the organ they treat?

Brain SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging is demonstrating that there is a better way. SPECT imaging is a well-established nuclear medicine procedure that looks at blood flow and activity in the brain. It’s different from an MRI or CT scan, which are anatomical studies that examine the brain’s structure or how it physically looks. SPECT looks at how the brain works. SPECT allows physicians to look deep inside the brain and observe three things:

Areas of the brain that work well
Areas of the brain that work too hard
Areas of the brain that do not work hard enough

You’ve heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a map is worth a thousand pictures. A map tells you where you are and gives you directions on how to get to where you want to go. That is what SPECT imaging does for us at Amen Clinics. It gives us a map to help us better diagnose and treat our patients.

Here are just a few of the significant things you will discover:

Why it is so problematic when physicians “fly blind”
What SPECT scanning causes 8 out of 10 doctors to do
What oxygen deprivation, mold exposure, and Lyme disease have in common

After now looking at more than 150,000 scans done on people from 120 countries around the world, some of the other important lessons that we’ve learned are:

Illnesses like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and addictions are NOT single or simple disorders in the brain and they all have multiple types, each requiring a unique treatment intervention.
Mild traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of psychiatric illness and many mental health professionals miss it in patients because they rarely look at the brains of their patients. Brain injuries are a major cause of drug and alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, suicide, and homelessness.
Without looking at the brain, many important pieces of information are missed, which can hurt you or someone you love.
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can be seen with a SPECT scan years before people have symptoms. SPECT is a leading indicator of problems, meaning it shows evidence of the disease process years before people show signs of it. Anatomical studies, such as CT and MRI are lagging indicators. They show the problems later in the course of the illness when interventions tend to be less effective.
77% of patients reported experiencing considerable improvement after six months when treated with the Amen Clinics Method.

Imaging changes everything. At Amen Clinics, we can help you and your loved ones overcome the stigma and suffering associated with disorders like ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, brain injury, addictions, memory issues, and much, much more. If you are ready to change your brain and change your life, give us a call today at 888-288-9834 or tell us more to schedule an appointment. Bill first came to Amen Clinics after attempting suicide in his dorm room. A twenty-year-old Yale student, despite his intellectual gifts, Bill nonetheless experienced bouts of severe depression. And his overdose on a lethal cocktail of Ambien, Effexor XR, and a fifth of whiskey had nearly killed him. Bill’s roommate at Yale called 9-1-1 when he discovered Bill unconscious following the overdose. Bill was rushed to the hospital, which saved his life. Once Bill was stabilized and discharged from the hospital, he took off a semester to get psychiatric help at Amen Clinics. We attempted to treat Bill with antidepressant medication, taught him techniques to rewrite his negative stories about himself and the world, and met with him for twice-weekly psychotherapy. Bill improved, but only moderately so. Antidepressant medications—and we tried several with Bill—really never altered his fundamental negativity and his proneness for severe depressive dips. Bill cooperated with treatment, but our treatment had not made enough progress to help Bill move toward being fully free of depression and able to return to Yale.

Treating Bill With SPECT

Because Bill had not made sufficient progress, we told him about brain SPECT imaging, a way to look at what the brain is doing, and asked him to consider it. It was our hope that SPECT might reveal something about the root of Bill’s problems that we were missing. Bill and his parents agreed, and Bill had his brain scanned a week later. We were not disappointed. The SPECT results showed that Bill’s brain was hurting in a way none of us had anticipated. He had significant damage to his left temporal lobe. Bill’s brain wasn’t just unbalanced; it was injured, significantly. We knew that temporal lobe problems, especially on the left side, can contribute to or cause marked depression and negativity—and also rage at times, which fortunately Bill didn’t have. Bill’s SPECT findings showed why antidepressants hadn’t helped him; antidepressants don’t fundamentally address brain injury, especially injury in the temporal lobes. Discussing Bill’s brain injury with him and his parents, we surmised that years of soccer caused the brain injury we had uncovered. We’ve seen quite a few soccer players who had head injuries from playing that sport. Heading a hard soccer ball is not a good thing for the brain.

SPECT Helps Target Treatment Options

With this new information provided by SPECT, Bill was placed on Lamictal, a medication that targets temporal lobe problems. Lamictal was the answer to our prayers. Gradually, Bill improved. Eventually, after several months, he was close to 100 percent, with hardly any trace of depression. Bill continued Lamictal, returned to Yale the following semester, and ultimately graduated with honors. Following Yale, Bill attended and graduated from a top law school and now works as a fourth-year associate for a large law firm. Without much exaggeration, SPECT imaging saved Bill’s life; we am certain that, given the severity of his depression and suicidal urges, he would have ended up killing himself if we had not found a successful treatment for him. Detecting and stabilizing his left temporal lobe was the key step in Bill’s successful treatment. The key point is that an injured brain must be healed before any other treatments—such as nutritional supplements, lifestyle management, counseling, psychotherapy, or antidepressant medication—can work. Imaging changes everything. At Amen Clinics, we can help you and your loved ones overcome the stigma and suffering associated with many disorders. If you are ready to change your brain and change your life, give us a call today at 888-288-9834 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Bill was a patient of Dr. Annibali at Amen Clinics Washington D.C. His book Reclaim Your Brain—How to Calm Your Thoughts, Heal Your Mind, and Bring Your Life Back Under Control is available on Amazon and at Amen Clinics. We are so excited that the pioneering research at Amen Clinics was just highlighted in Discover Magazine as number 19 of the top 100 stories in all of science for 2015! Our research was sandwiched between Tesla’s new entry into renewable energy at #18 and the discovery of a new dinosaur species at #20. The research team at Amen Clinics, in collaboration with scientists from UCLA, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of British Columbia, published the world’s largest functional brain imaging study on more than 21,000 patients that demonstrated we can distinguish between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) using brain SPECT imaging with high accuracy. Our study was published in the prestigious journal, PLOS ONE in July 2015. With SPECT, We Can See the Difference SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) is the type of advanced brain imaging we use at Amen Clinics. It allows us to do an overall evaluation of a person’s brain function and identify areas of the brain that are normal, as well as areas that are overactive or underactive. This capability is particularly important when trying to differentiate between PTSD and TBI, because these two conditions have several overlapping symptoms, including:

Irritability and/or anger
Insomnia or other sleep problems
Symptoms of depression
Heightened or excessive anxiety
Social isolation
Impulse control problems
Difficulty with concentration

However, even though some of the symptoms are the same, PTSD and TBI present with very different patterns on SPECT images. Most commonly, PTSD reveals areas of overactivity, while TBI has areas of decreased activity in the brain. Our study found that with brain SPECT imaging, we were able to distinguish PTSD from TBI with 80% – 100% accuracy. Using SPECT to Guide Treatment The ability to differentiate these disorders from each other is critical for determining the most effective treatment for each individual. Without knowing the underlying biological issue, it is easy to mistake one condition from the other – and the problem is that the treatments for each are very different. Typically, treatment for PTSD and emotional trauma is psychological in nature and the goal is to try to calm down the brain. Conversely, treatment for TBI is more physiological in nature and focuses on increasing activity in the injured areas of the brain. So, for example, if a doctor diagnoses someone with PTSD (but it’s really TBI), a sedating medication might be prescribed. Unfortunately this is not what someone with a TBI needs because the activity in the brain is already suppressed as a result of the injury, thus this type of treatment will not likely be of any help and may actually cause further harm. Why This Study is So Important Now There are approximately 1.7 million emergency room visits in the U.S. each year for head trauma along with hundreds of thousands of undiagnosed concussions primarily from sports, recreational accidents and falls. It is also estimated that 1 out of 30 adults in the U.S. has PTSD. When we add the numbers of impacted veterans to this— more than 300,000 have been diagnosed with TBI and 125,000 with PTSD—these conditions are significant health problems. By using SPECT to help differentiate between PTSD and TBI, it is our hope that the findings from our study and the acknowledgement by Discover Magazine will help millions of people suffering with one or both of these devastating conditions to be correctly diagnosed. By being able to identify the underlying brain problem, people are given the best possible opportunity to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment so they can feel better and have more healthy and productive lives. If you know people who suffer from PTSD or TBI, referring them one of our clinics may be very helpful in their care.

SPECT is once again showing its value by distinguishing the fine line between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in nonmilitary patients, which should lead to better treatment for the disorders.

What Research Says

In the study, published online in PLOS One, SPECT achieved at least 80% sensitivity for distinguishing TBI from PTSD in a group of patients with a wide range of comorbidities. The results follow research earlier this year in which Cyrus Raji and colleagues validated SPECT’s efficacy in distinguishing PTSD and TBI in a military population. SPECT clearly showed perfusion differences in the brain’s default mode network that could help radiologists distinguish TBI from PTSD among these patients.

Similarities Between TBI and PTSD

The findings in the current study and past research are particularly relevant because mild TBI often goes undetected using conventional structural imaging, while chronic TBI symptoms often mirror and overlap those of PTSD. The greatest concern is that treatment for TBI and PTSD differs greatly and a misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate follow-up.

Treatment for PTSD

The pharmacological treatments for PTSD, such as benzodiazepines and atypical antipsychotics, can impede function or be dangerous in those who have TBI. Similarly, antipsychotics have been shown to impede recovery or be contraindicated in clinical studies and animal models of TBI.

Effects on Brain Regions

Not surprisingly, there are similarities in terms of the brain regions affected by TBI and PTSD. For example, the frontal lobes are adversely affected in both sets of patients. In terms of brain regions, subjects with PTSD showed increased perfusion in the limbic structures, cingulum, basal ganglia, insula, thalamus, prefrontal cortex, and temporal lobes, compared with those with TBI.

We Can Help

At Amen Clinics, we can help you and your loved ones overcome the stigma and suffering associated with ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, brain injury, weight loss, addictions, memory issues, brain fog, and other emotional and cognitive issues. If you are ready to regain control over your life or help a loved one do the same, give us a call at 1-888-288-9834 or click here to ask a question. Do you often feel stirred up, worried, or nervous? Do you feel uncomfortable in your own skin? Have you ever experienced a feeling like you could “climb the walls” or that you are “crawling out of your skin”? Are you plagued by feelings of panic, fear, and self-doubt? Do you ever experience any of the following physical symptoms that can be consistently disruptive or come in unexpected waves? • Muscle tension • Muscle soreness • Nail biting • Headaches • Abdominal pain • Shortness of breath • Heart palpitations If you answered yes to any combination of these, you might be suffering from a psychiatric disorder that affects over 38 million Americans every year.

The Anxiety Epidemic

Anxiety is a major public health problem that is reaching epidemic levels in the United States. The loss to our society from these illnesses is staggering in terms of individual pain, family strife, school and relationship failure, lost work productivity, and death.

Anxiety is a Brain Illness

Our work and the research of many others has demonstrated that anxiety is a brain illness, not the result of a weak will or character problem. In addition to the common symptoms listed in the questions above, anxiety can cause irrational fears or phobias that become a burden. People with “pure anxiety” tend to avoid anything that makes them anxious or uncomfortable, such as places or people that might trigger panic attacks or interpersonal conflict. People with this type tend to predict the worst and look to the future with fear. They may be excessively shy or startle easily, or they may freeze in emotionally charged situations. Having “untreated” anxiety affects nearly every aspect of a person’s life and has been associated with school underachievement, family conflict, drug abuse, legal difficulties, and poor work performance.

Treatment for Anxiety

The standard treatment for anxiety is anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax. This medication may be helpful for many people, but it can also make many others much worse. Sometimes negative reactions to these types of medications can be extreme, such as hallucinations, violent outbursts, volatile temperaments, psychosis, and suicidal behavior.

Anxiety & SPECT

Shortly after Dr. Daniel Amen began brain SPECT imaging work in 1991, he realized that anxiety is not just a single or simple disorder. Just as there are many different causes of chest pain, there were different brain SPECT patterns in his anxious patients. Dr. Amen has identified seven different types of anxiety and knowing your type is essential to getting the right help.

How We Can Help

Amen Clinics has pioneered the use of brain SPECT imaging in clinical practice and research shows its use significantly impacts the accuracy of diagnosis and the ability to target effective treatments. SPECT imaging helps personalize treatments specific to what your brain needs, and, when used in combination with our full evaluation and clinical assessment, has demonstrated very high success rates. At Amen Clinics, we are dedicated to improving the lives of every patient and family we serve through education, the latest advances in neuroimaging, laboratory testing, and individualized treatment plans. We use the least toxic, most effective treatments for our patients, and use a wide variety of interventions from natural supplements, medications, dietary interventions and targeted forms of psychotherapy. Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT imaging scans (at rest and at concentration), cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options. We invite you to call today, 888-288-9834 or visit us online. Do you ever “zone out” during conversations or find it difficult to pay attention for long periods of time? Are you easily distracted when trying to focus on the task at hand? Is your work station or home cluttered and it seems like you can never find what you are looking for? Do you feel restless and find it difficult to calm down? If you answered yes to any combination of these, you might be suffering from one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adults.

What is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?

Attention deficit disorder (ADD), often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is the most common psychiatric disorder affecting between 5-10% of the population. ADD is characterized by persistent short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination and often problems with hyperactivity or restlessness, forethought, judgment and impulse control. Having untreated ADD affects nearly every aspect of a person’s life and has been associated with school underachievement, family conflict, drug abuse, legal difficulties and poor work performance. ADD is involved with low self-esteem, chronic stress, failure, and even suicide.

Treatment for ADD

The standard treatment for ADD in both children and adults is stimulant medications, such as Ritalin or Adderall. These medications are helpful for many people, but they also make many others with typical ADD worse. Sometimes negative reactions to these medications can be extreme, such as hallucinations, violent outbursts, volatile temperaments, psychosis and suicidal behavior. At Amen Clinics, our diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD focuses on the premise that ADD was not a single or simple disorder. Just as there are many different causes of many conditions, there are different brain SPECT patterns in ADD patients.

How We Can Help

At Amen Clinics, we are dedicated to improving the lives of every patient and family we serve through education, the latest advances in neuroimaging, laboratory testing, and individualized treatment plans. We use the least toxic, most effective treatments for our patients, and use a wide variety of interventions from natural supplements, medications, dietary interventions and targeted forms of psychotherapy.

SPECT Imaging

As part of our evaluation process we use brain SPECT imaging, in addition to clinical interviews, diagnostic checklists and laboratory studies when appropriate. If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, The Amen Clinics Method of integrative psychiatric care can help. Using innovative and personalized care, our outcomes consistently demonstrate improvement for patients – including many who have tried and failed prior treatment. Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT imaging scans (at rest and at concentration), cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs. We invite you to call today, 888-288-9834 or tell us more online.