Type 1 or Type 2 ADHD ?

You might have known what Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is, but did you know the distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 ADHD? 

How Is ADHD Usually Diagnosed?

Most psychologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians diagnose ADHD based on a set of inattention and hyperactivity symptoms along with other criteria outlined in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders- Fifth Edition (DSM-V). For someone to be diagnosed with ADHD, the behaviors must have lasted for at least six months, and symptoms must be present in school and in other aspects of the individual's life.

Inattention symptoms of ADHD include:

• Not paying attention to detail
• Making careless mistakes
• Failing to pay attention and keep on task
• Not listening
• Being unable to follow or understand instructions
• Avoiding tasks that involve effort
• Being distracted or forgetful
• Losing things that are needed to complete tasks

Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms of ADHD include:

• Fidgeting
• Squirming
• Getting up often when seated
• Running or climbing at inappropriate times
• Having trouble playing quietly
• Talking excessively or out of turn
• Interrupting

Based on the above symptoms listed in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the American Psychiatric Association has identified three subtypes of ADHD: 

1. ADHD, Combined Type: Both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms

2.ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: Inattention, but not enough (at least 6 out of 9 for children less than 18 years old) hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms

3. ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not enough (at least 6 out of 9) inattention symptoms

How can newmindcentre.com help you?

Pills are not the only way to manage your child’s inappropriate or maladaptive behaviors.  In November 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics approved biofeedback and neurotherapy as a Level 1 or “best support” treatment option for children suffering from ADHD. For parents looking for an effective, non-drug treatment of ADHD, neurotherapy is one worth serious consideration.  

FYI, I am a certified neurotherapist too. Contact me for more information.  

Neurotherapy for ADHD

Neurotherapy trains children to become more aware of their physiological responses and how to gain control of the brain’s frontal lobe, which is the executive functioning center. Electroencephalography (EEG) neurotherapy is a specific technique under biofeedback therapy, and it is the recording of electrical activity within the cells of the scalp. Neurotherapy focuses on the central nervous system and the brain’s activity in order to give moment-to-moment information.
Children with ADHD have higher rates of EEG abnormalities compared to children without ADHD, such as higher theta wave rhythms (drowsiness), lower sensorimotor rhythms (movement control), and lower beta waves (attention and memory processes). Neurotherapy provides audio and visual interpretations of these brain waves, and children learn how to maintain the appropriate levels for functioning.
During a neurotherapy session, EEG sensors are situated on the scalp. Specific brain wave activity is then detected, amplified, and recorded. The information is instantaneously fed back to the therapist and client on a screen. The therapist informs the client what they are observing, and trains them on how to control the brain activity so that it reaches the desired range. With the help of a video game program, the child learns to maintain low activity of the delta waves and an increase in beta waves, or the game will not continue to play. With this, the child exercises the brain and increases his focus and attention.
It also has been studied and reported that the brains of children with ADHD are lacking the regulation from the frontal region, allowing the mid-brain to quickly react without a type of checking system. Neurotherapy restores the strength of the frontal region of the brain, and builds a better connection between the mid-brain and forebrain, allowing focus, attention, impulses, and emotional reactions to become manageable. Children build memory for how they were able to achieve the desired results within the sessions and use it outside of the sessions to produce lasting results.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a psychostimulant drug commonly used for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. Research suggests that neurotherapy is an equally effective treatment. Children are typically given three doses of 10 mg Ritalin per day on school days.Neurotherapy  training is shown to be a favorable option that provides the same results as medication. For parents who prefer other options aside from medication, neurotherapy is a non-invasive, safe, effective, and long-lasting treatment option. Typically, the child will participate in 10 to 20 sessions or more depending on severity of symptoms, and each session lasts 30 to 60 minutes.


All retrieved from:
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/types-of-adhd 
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/06/10/neurofeedback-therapy-an-effective-non-drug-treatment-for-adhd/

Success Story (Insomnia - Mdm Wong)

Success Story (Insomnia - Mdm Wong)

I have been having insomnia for the past few months. It is usually triggered by an involuntary jerk during sleep. I do not know the cause of its occurrence, hence underwent MRI and EEG Scanning.

The result from the MRI scanning showed that I had been suffering from slip disc. However that cannot be the cause of my insomnia issue. On the other hand, the EEG scan revealed that I have some unusual spikes near my temporal lobe area.

Upon the release of the result, I decided to try the TCM method. Therefore I signed up for Acupuncture and took on some Chinese medication as well. I also tried physiotherapy; Ultrasound.

I also went to Singapore for further consultation and the doctor revealed that I had neuralgia issue.

Therefore, he recommended me to do laser therapy to stabilize my nerve.  However, I decided not to undergo this process as I was worried about the side-effect that it may cause and the cost was ranging to about RM 20,000.00

Finally my husband convinced me to give a try on Clinical Hypnotherapy. I think it’s not a harm to try and my husband told me that the clinical hypnotherapy that he found was through a website and he choose this therapy because it is convincing, professional and it gives him a sense of confidence.

Although the location was in Kuala Lumpur and we stay in Johor, we didn’t mind to travel weekly for the session since there was a need. The uniqueness about these therapy session was that they actually combine brain trainer with clinical hypnotherapy to deal with my issue. Surprisingly, just after 6 session, my family member and I saw the significant changes in me.

My husband also told me that I became more stable emotionally. No more depression and anxiety. And my behaviour became normal again.

From my personal view, I also found that I became more stable emotionally and had less negative thought. In addition, I also realize that I became more positive now. I am no longer afraid to sleep anymore. This is a significant improvement to me because I can finally experience good sleep again. I have also learnt how to relax and remain calm at night. I managed to do so because the Clinical Hypnotherapist also taught me ‘How to cope with stress, anxiety, and fear by using effective relaxation technique.’

Now, my next goal is to deepen my sleep quality. I will continue to use clinical hypnotherapy, brain trainer and Serumi Ion service to enhance my sleep quality.

By Madam Wong

 






Remark: Our client's information will be kept strictly confidential all the time. All reviews have been acknowledged and provided by past and current clients of Spectrum of Life proactive healthcare centre (Clinical Hypnotherapist Koo). Patients names in stories are changed to protect their identities.

Sleep disorder-Insomnia

Definition 
Insomnia is a persistent disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep or both, despite the opportunity for adequate sleep. With insomnia, you usually awaken feeling unrefreshed, which takes a toll on your ability to function during the day. Insomnia can sap not only your energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of life. How much sleep is enough varies from person to person. Most adults need seven to eight hours a night. Many adults experience insomnia at some point, but some people have long-term (chronic) insomnia. Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be secondary due to other causes, such as a disease or medication. You don't have to put up with sleepless nights. Simple changes in your daily habits can often help.  

Symptoms 
Insomnia symptoms may include: 

• Difficulty falling asleep at night 
• Awakening during the night 
• Awakening too early 
• Not feeling well rested after a night's sleep 
• Daytime tiredness or sleepiness 
• Irritability, depression or anxiety 
• Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering 
• Increased errors or accidents 
• Tension headaches 
• Distress in the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract) 
• Ongoing worries about sleep 

Someone with insomnia will often take 30 minutes or more to fall asleep and may get only six or fewer hours of sleep for three or more nights a week over a month or more.  

Causes
Common causes of insomnia include:

• Stress. Concerns about work, school, health or family can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult to sleep. Stressful life events — such as the death or illness of a loved one, divorce, or a job loss — may lead to insomnia.
• Anxiety. Everyday anxieties as well as more-serious anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, may disrupt your asleep. Worry about being able to go to sleep can make it harder to fall asleep.
• Depression. You might either sleep too much or have trouble sleeping if you're depressed. Insomnia often occurs with other mental health disorders as well.
• Medical conditions. If you have chronic pain, breathing difficulties or a need to urinate frequently, you might develop insomnia. Examples of conditions linked with insomnia include arthritis, cancer, heart failure, lung disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), overactive thyroid, stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
• Change in your environment or work schedule. Travel or working a late or early shift can disrupt your body's circadian rhythms, making it difficult to sleep. Your circadian rhythms act as an internal clock, guiding such things as your sleep-wake cycle, metabolism and body temperature.
• Poor sleep habits. Poor sleep habits include an irregular sleep schedule, stimulating activities before bed, an uncomfortable sleep environment, and use of your bed for activities other than sleep or sex.
• Medications. Many prescription drugs can interfere with sleep, including some antidepressants, heart and blood pressure medications, allergy medications, stimulants (such as Ritalin), and corticosteroids. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications — including some pain medication combinations, decongestants and weight-loss products — contain caffeine and other stimulants.
• Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Coffee, tea, cola and other caffeine-containing drinks are well-known stimulants. Drinking coffee in the late afternoon and later can keep you from falling asleep at night. Nicotine in tobacco products is another stimulant that can cause insomnia. Alcohol is a sedative that may help you fall asleep, but it prevents deeper stages of sleep and often causes you to awaken in the middle of the night.
• Eating too much late in the evening. Having a light snack before bedtime is OK, but eating too much may cause you to feel physically uncomfortable while lying down, making it difficult to get to sleep. Many people also experience heartburn, a backflow of acid and food from the stomach into the esophagus after eating, which may keep you awake.

Insomnia and aging

Insomnia becomes more common with age. As you get older, you may experience:

• A change in sleep patterns. Sleep often becomes less restful as you age, and you may find that noise or other changes in your environment are more likely to wake you. With age, your internal clock often advances, which means you get tired earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning. But older people generally still need the same amount of sleep as younger people do.
• A change in activity. You may be less physically or socially active. A lack of activity can interfere with a good night's sleep. Also, the less active you are, the more likely you may be to take a daily nap, which can interfere with sleep at night.
• A change in health. The chronic pain of conditions such as arthritis or back problems as well as depression, anxiety and stress can interfere with sleep. Older men often develop noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which can cause the need to urinate frequently, interrupting sleep. In women, menopausal hot flashes can be equally disruptive.
  Other sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, also become more common with age. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing periodically throughout the night. Restless legs syndrome causes unpleasant sensations in your legs and an almost irresistible desire to move them, which may prevent you from falling asleep.
  
• More medications. Older people typically use more prescription drugs than younger people do, which increases the chance of insomnia caused by a medication.

Sleep problems may be a concern for children and teenagers as well. However, some children and teens simply have trouble getting to sleep or resist a regular bedtime because their internal clocks are more delayed. They want to go to bed later and sleep later in the morning.

Treatments

Behavior therapies

Behavioral treatments teach you new sleep behaviors and ways to improve your sleeping environment. Good sleep habits promote sound sleep and daytime alertness. Behavior therapies are generally recommended as the first line of treatment for people with insomnia. Typically they're equally or more effective than sleep medications.

Behavior therapies include:

• Education about good sleeping habits. Good sleep habits include having a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulating activities before bed, and having a comfortable sleep environment.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy helps you control or eliminate negative thoughts and worries that keep you awake. It may also involve eliminating false or worrisome beliefs about sleep, such as the idea that a single restless night will make you sick.
• Relaxation techniques. Progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback and breathing exercises are ways to reduce anxiety at bedtime. These strategies help you control your breathing, heart rate, muscle tension and mood.
• Stimulus control. This means limiting the time you spend awake in bed and associating your bed and bedroom only with sleep and sex.
• Sleep restriction. This treatment decreases the time you spend in bed, causing partial sleep deprivation, which makes you more tired the next night. Once your sleep has improved, your time in bed is gradually increased.
• Remaining passively awake. Also called paradoxical intention, this treatment for learned insomnia is aimed at reducing the worry and anxiety about being able to get to sleep by getting in bed and trying to stay awake rather than expecting to fall asleep.
• Light therapy. If you fall asleep too early and then awaken too early, you can use light to push back your internal clock. You can go outside during times of the year when it's light outside in the evenings, or you can get light via a medical-grade light box.

P/S: Positive effects of behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be deepened when combined with clinical hypnotherapy. Biofeedback is a holistic non-invasive training tool for your brain and overall well-being, why don't you try it too? Contact us now for more information.


All retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/basics/definition/con-20024293