ADD/ADHD: How Brain SPECT Imaging Can Help
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric disorder in children, and one of the most common problems in adults, affecting between 5-10% of the population.
ADHD is characterized by a persistent short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination and problems with forethought, judgment and impulse control.
Having “untreated” ADHD 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. ADHD is involved with low self-esteem, chronic stress, failure and even suicide.
The standard treatment for ADHD 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 ADHD worse. Sometimes negative reactions to these medications can be extreme, such as hallucinations, violent outbursts, volatile temperaments, psychosis and suicidal behavior.
As a Mom (former nurse) who deals with a son with ADD, I have struggled with what I thought was “best” for my son. In my research, I came across Daniel G. Amen, MD.
Dr. Daniel Amen is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist. He helped pioneer the use of brain SPECT imaging in psychiatry. He is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior UC, Irvine, School of Medicine.
What is brain SPECT imaging? It’s simply a scan of the brain. A non-invasive scan that shows “hot spots” in the brain. A SPECT scan shows the underlying cerebral blood flow and consequent metabolic activity patterns of the brain. A brain SPECT image can tell clinicians and patients what cannot be obtained through history, mental status examinations, physical examinations or Neuropsychological Testing.
There are the 6 different types of ADHD, each with different brain function issues and treatment protocols. You will be able to learn about these 6 types, along with Anxiety and Depression, Alzheimer’s Disease, Autistic Spectrum Disorders and many others, including online testing and natural suppliments by visiting his site, The Amen Clinics
It is my hope that this information will help you in your search, to help someone you love.
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