Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant medication, such as Ritalin and Dexedrine in their various forms, in treating the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in children, teens, and adults. Even though stimulants are not the only effective option in the treatment of the disorder, stimulants may be a good choice, and their use should be discussed with your physician.
Over the couse of these newsletters we will be presenting information on the relative effectiveness of the three most effective treatment options: Stimulants, EEG Biofeedback training, and ATTEND homeopathic nutriceutical medicine.
A study by Rossiter and La Vaque which used the same protocols that we used in our clinical studies with ATTEND compared the effectiveness of Ritalin (stimulants) to EEG Biofeedback training.. They used the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) as the measuring instrument to determine change in performance after using either medications of EEG Biofeedback training for 30 days. The TOVA is a computerized Continuous Performance Test (CPT) that has no placebo effective, and has no bias (such ahs you might see with parent rating scales).
A Comparison of EEG Biofeedback and Psychostimulants in Treating Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders. Thomas P. Rossiter, and Theodore J. La Vaque. Journal of Neurotherapy, 1, Summer 1995
Stimulant medications showed "statistically significant improvements" in all categories (a five point improvement is "statistically significant" with the TOVA test). The stimulants used were Ritalin and Dexedrine, and these were the results after 30 days of use.
The use of stimulants are often a good choice, and should always be considered when developing a treatment plan. Should they always be the first choice? Not necessarily, unless the situation is so difficult, or change must be see immediately, that there are no other choices.
As you will see in later issues, the use of EEG Biofeedback training, and/or the use of ATTEND (a nutriceutical medicine using amino acids, essential fatty acids, lipid complexes, and homeopathic medicines) along with some improvements in diet, can also be as effective as the use of stimulants.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carNow I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
As the new school year begins, parents play a pivotal... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
When choosing the perfect jogging stroller, a very important question... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
'Picky Eater' is a label coined to describe the phenomenon... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
Child support is defined as that part of your income... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't... Read More
How on earth can you help your family cope with... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
My daughters and I went to the beach several weeks... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
"Setting the alarm on Sunday mornings is inhuman?..God should know... Read More
Be sure to respect the intellectual changes that mark adolescence.... Read More
Q. What's the right age to start giving a Bible... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
It used to strike me as odd - but really,... Read More
The cost of being a parent and raising a child... Read More
Seven-year old Michael was on a school trip to a... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
Parenting |