What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
The most recent models describing what is happening in the brains of people with Attention Deficit Disorder suggest that several areas of the brain may be affected by the disorder. These impacted areas include the frontal lobes, the inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex, the limbic system, and the reticular activating system. Each of these areas of the brain is associated with specific functions.
The frontal lobes help us to pay attention to tasks, focus concentration, make good decisions, plan ahead, learn and remember what we have learned, and behave appropriately for a given situation.
The inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex keep us from being hyperactive, from saying things out of turn, and from getting mad at inappropriate times, for examples. They help us to "inhibit" our behaviors. It has been said that 70% of the brain is there to inhibit the other 30% of the brain. When the inhibitory mechanisms of the brain aren't working as hard as they ought to, then we can see results of what are sometimes called "dis-inhibition disorders" such as impulsive behaviors, quick temper, poor decision making, hyperactivity, and so on.
The limbic system is the base of our emotions and our highly vigilant look-out tower. If over-activated, a person might have wide mood swings, or quick temper outbursts. He might also be "over-aroused," quick to startle, touching everything around him, hyper-vigilant. A normally functioning limbic system would provide for normal emotional changes, normal levels of energy, normal sleep routines, and normal levels of coping with stress. A dysfunctional limbic system results in problems with those areas.
The Attention Deficit Disorder might affect one, two, or all three of these areas, resulting in several different "styles" or "profiles" of children (and adults) with Attention Deficit Disorder. This is why we have identified six different "types" of ADHD, and describe each at the ADHD Information Library. Along with a description of each different type of ADHD is a specific treatment strategy to consider using specific amino acid combinations from targeted nutraceutical medicines that are widely available today on an over-the-counter basis. These strategies can be highly effective when specifically targeted to the right "type" of ADHD.
When EEGs of ADHD children are compared to non-ADHD children, often we find that the Attention Deficit Disorder children show excessive slow brainwave activity (theta and alpha ranges) compared to non- ADHD children's brain activity. The slow brainwave activity indicates a lack of control in the cortex of the brain. Lack of control... pretty descriptive of Attention Deficit Disorder kids. Medications, EEG Biofeedback training, Attend Nutraceuticals, and some other interventions, try to change this and normalize this, at least temporarily.
What causes these various systems of the brain to get out of balance with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder individuals? Why would these systems become under aroused or over aroused? Is there one central system that controls or regulates these other systems?
The answer may be found with the Reticular Activating System which we will discuss in the next article. You can learn more information about the neurology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder the ADHD Information Library.
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 several different "styles" or "profiles", 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.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAlthough many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
Many families, ours included, have learned that breakfast is eaten... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
Family meetings provide opportunities for feelings to be aired and... Read More
The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of all... Read More
It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after... Read More
10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More
At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
In the movie, Finding Nemo, Nemo's father, Marlyn asks the... Read More
Angie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More
The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid... Read More
"Get down from the table top right now! What are... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
(Isaiah 11:6 KJV) The wolf also shall dwell with the... Read More
Child Car Seat Safety:We know you love your children, but... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at... Read More
Antigo wedding limo .."Not another meeting!"That tends to be the reaction from many... Read More
My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More
Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
"Before every action, ask yourself: Will this bring more monkeys... Read More
Article based on a friend's experienceI just wanted to share... Read More
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More
Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More
The school holidays are a great time for the kids,... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
Get into their world. The world that teens are growing... Read More
Checking accounts are an absolute necessity these days. You can... Read More
When choosing the perfect jogging stroller, a very important question... Read More
Past experience with federal education programs predicts that the No... Read More
Parental example, whether for good or for bad, is undoubtedly... Read More
Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More
Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
Family meetings provide opportunities for feelings to be aired and... Read More
Be sure to respect the intellectual changes that mark adolescence.... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as... Read More
Parenting |