Attention Deficit Disorder Myths

ADD symptoms have been described in medical literature for over 100 years. In 1902, pediatrician George Still described a group of children who were hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive. He labeled them "morally defective."

ADD is now recognized as a medical disorder

• ADD affects approximately 6% of the population, with less than 2% receiving treatment..


• Many with ADD are never hyperactive, and don't get diagnosed.


• Females have ADD in almost the same number as males, yet are diagnosed 4 or 5 times less often.


• Many in the non-hyperactive group just get labeled as "willful," "lazy," "procrastinators," or just "not that smart."

Poorly skilled teachers or parents can certainly make ADD symptoms worse, but ADD is largely a genetic disorder. ADD behaviors often make even skilled parents and teachers appear stressed and inept.

As already mentioned, mental health professionals diagnosed ADD and other mental disorders based soley on family history and symptom clusters because there was no way to provide exact physical evidence of a "mental problem," or better defined, the problem area of the brain. There was no way to take a peek inside the brain to confirm diagnosis. There was no way to "see" what specific part of the brain was not working properly.

Why is it important to know where the brain malfunction is taking place?

Each brain area controls different functions

The main brain areas are:

• Prefrontal cortex - controls concentration, attention span, judgment, organization, planning, and impulse control


• Anterior cingulate gyrus - the brain's gear shifter


• Temporal lobes - houses memory and personal experience


• Basal ganglia - produces dopamine which drives the prefrontal cortex.


• Deep lymbic system - the brain's mood control center.

Because damage could not be physically diagnosed in these different areas of the brain, there were only 2 main types of ADD - the classic Attention Deficit Disorder, and the other with added Hyperactive responses, or ADHD.

This lack of physical diagnostic information has led to ineffective treatments for some individuals. One brain area may need stimulation, while another area needs the exact opposite. It needs to be slowed down. The usual medications are stimulants, and only worsen the ADD type that needs slowing down.

So what has changed to improve ADD diagnosis and treatment?

The advent of the SPECT scan. More accurately put, using SPECT scans for brain imagery. Brain SPECT scans are pictures of actual brain function. When the brain is healthy, the outer surfaces of the brain are smooth, with no dents or holes. When the brain is damaged, dents of varying sizes and depths show up, and when it is severely damaged, holes are visible.

This relatively new brain imagery not only assists in locating exact areas of brain malfunction in ADD, it also clearly shows areas damaged by Alzheimer's Disease, alcohol, drugs, substance abuse, and actual physical injury to the head.

Brain SPECT scans also provide physical clues to conditions freely labeled as "mental problems" including depression, manic depressive, bi-polar and compulsive-obsessive disorder. SPECT scans show even anger has a physical brain connection, which can aid in anger management.

Dr. Daniel Amen is a board certified psychiatrist that has spent almost two decades researching brain imagery, in the form of SPECT scans. He has a vast amount of experience as a psychiatrist treating brain disorders. He has documented 1,000's of cases that include SPECT scans. He also has practical experience with ADD with his own children.

He has written a number of books on the brain, and appears occasionally on PBS in the United States. If you ever get a chance to see him or hear him speak, even on television, clear your schedule, and attend. It could be life-changing. Why? Because Dr. Amen is a top expert in the field of brain issues. An even more compelling reason - Dr. Amen is so very down-to-earth, a genuine, caring person. He is a great storyteller. You will laugh, maybe cry, and you will walk away with new insights and more options.

He is also unique in his treatment approaches. Treatment is never "one size fits all." Even more impressive, he suggests natural remedies. He also understands that there are times when nothing is as effective as stimulant drugs, but he uses them as part of a total treatment approach.

The very best news: His book, "Healing ADD" provides enough information that you can start on a course of improved brain function on your own. He then provides information on finding the best medical help: what to look for, and how to find what you need in your area. Of course you can also choose to go to one of the Amen clinics.

While many people acknowledge the existence of ADD, they also believe it is a relatively minor problem. While it is true that parents and teachers get the front-line effects from kids with ADD and ADHD, ADD is a serious societal problem.

Sobering statistics:

• 35% never finish high school (25% repeat at least one grade).


• 52% of untreated teens and adults abuse drugs or alcohol.


• 43% of untreated hyperactive boys will be arrested for a felony by age 16.


• 50% of inmates according to multiple studies have ADD (75 % in one study).


• 75% have interpersonal problems; untreated ADD sufferers have a higher percentage of car accidents, speeding tickets, and driver's license citation issues.


• Untreated ADD sufferers also have more medical visits, and emergency-room visits.


• Parents of ADD children divorce 3 times more often than the general population.

Brain SPECT scans help us understand which treatments work, and which don't. We know now that with certain types of ADD, pushing to just work harder actually decreases the brain's ability to function, which means the harder you try, the worse it gets.

Simply stated, the most effective treatment for ADD is that which heals the part of the brain not reaching optimum performance. Translated into practical terms, the best treatments to optimize brain function is not just reliance on natural remedies or medication.

It involves changing to a brain-healthy lifestyle. A good treatment program will include dietary changes, exercise, supplements, natural remedies, medication, neurofeedback, eliminating anything toxic, and working on breathing patterns and sleep. It also includes psychological education - correcting automatic negative thoughts, and breaking up erroneous belief patterns. And let's not forget a good social support system.

For certain types of ADD, closely monitored medications are a necessity. Dr. Amen presents valuable information on not only finding the right drug, but also the right doctor, and the right dosage. His detailed expert advice can be found in "Healing ADD - The Breakthough program that allows you to see and heal the 6 types of ADD." Order Healing ADD here and get free shipping on any book.

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