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, http://amenclinics.com/ac/
It is my hope that this information will help you in your search, to help someone you love.
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, http://amenclinics.com/ac/
It is my hope that this information will help you in your search, to help someone you love.
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Comment by Kevin Broccoli on October 21, 2008 at 9:37am - Forgot to ask: I'd like to link to this post from my blog. I don't see a trackback or permalink URL to do so. Is there an easy way to link?
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Comment by Kevin Broccoli on October 21, 2008 at 9:34am
- Ellen: Thanks for the informative post. I read a little about SPECT imaging from Dr. Howwell's book about Attention Deficit Disorder, Driven from Distraction. My wife and I homeschool her little brother. (We have a blog about it called "Homeschooling ADD Kids".) He was diagnosed with ADD some time ago, and has all the symptoms. I do wonder if a SPECT scan is worthwhile when ADD is so evident.
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Comment by DDS Marketing on September 17, 2008 at 4:05am -
Hi Ellen,
It's amazing to me that we scan with MRI and CT scans to see exactly what's going on with the body, yet a brain scan isn't widely used. The SPECT scan is a huge benefit to see what's really going on in the brain, along with the proper diagnosis.
All the best,
D
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Comment by Megan Calhoun on September 17, 2008 at 12:20am - Link correction: http://amenclinics.com/ac/
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Comment by Ellen on September 16, 2008 at 11:59pm - WOW! You have no idea how perfect your timing is. I am going to visit the Amen Clinic site right now. Thank you for the valuable info. Hopefully will lead to clarity for me and my 9 year old daughter...Ellen
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