Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Binge Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are a well-known and well-publicized category of psychological disorders in Mansfield and elsewhere. When most people think of eating disorders, they think of anorexia nervosa, a disease characterized by fasting, highly restrictive diets, and distorted body image; or bulimia nervosa, a similar disorder characterized by alternating periods of binge eating and purgative activities, such as forced vomiting or laxative abuse. However, eating disorders come in other forms as well. One eating disorder that is decidedly common, but can be easily overlooked, is binge eating disorder, BED. Similar to individuals with bulimia nervosa, people with binge eating disorder engage in episodes of binge eating, but they do not engage in attempts to compensate for the overeating by purging or fasting. As in other eating disorders, people with BED experience significant emotional distress and negative self-image in relation to food and eating, and are often abnormally preoccupied with issues of body weight and size. BED is a serious disorder that causes significant emotional distress, as well as being highly correlated with obesity. Evidence suggests that for many people with BED in Mansfield and across the nation, cognitive behavioral therapy may be a highly effective approach to treating this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

To be formally diagnosed with binge eating disorder, all of the following DSM-V criteria must be present:

·         Each binge involves eating considerably more food than a normal person would generally consume in that same time frame; it is also accompanied by a feeling of loss of control.

·         Episodes of binge eating occur at least twice a week, for six consecutive months

·         Binge eating is not associated with inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or purging

·         The binge eating causes the person to worry

In addition to these four criteria, three of the following criteria must also be present:

·         The person feels disgusted, depressed, or guilty after an episode of binge eating

·         The person eats an unusually large amount of food at one time

·         The person eats more quickly than normal during a binge

·         The person eats to the point of feeling uncomfortable and nauseous due to the amount of food consumed

·         The person eats when they are bored or depressed

·         The person eats large amounts of food when they’re not hungry

·         During periods of normal eating, the person often eats alone due to guilt and shame about eating

Treating Binge Eating Disorder with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Studies indicate that for many people with binge eating disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective mode of managing this disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses goal-oriented procedures to address dysfunctional ways of feeling and thinking that contribute to maladaptive behavior patterns. Pathological binge eating behaviors are often associated with negative thoughts and emotions. For example, the person’s binging, which they feel they have little control over, causes them to feel guilty and ashamed, thus contributing to negative self-image and poor self-esteem as well as physical problems with weight and obesity. Negative emotional states, like depression or stress, may also contribute to the binging behavior. People suffering from BED may also experience negative, ruminating thoughts that reinforce poor self-image and low self-esteem.

Cognitive behavioral therapy in Mansfield and elsewhere can help people with binge eating disorder in the following ways:

·         Recognize underlying emotions and thought processes that trigger them to binge

·         Reassess their reasons for thinking and feeling this way

·         Learn strategies to stop themselves from engaging in the binging behavior

·         Cultivate a more realistic and positive self-image

What is Complex PTSD?

Although complex post traumatic stress syndrome (C-PTSD) is not yet formally recognized as a diagnostic designation, a case is being made in the psychiatric community for the recognition of this disorder as distinct from the currently defined form of PTSD. PTSD, as it is currently defined and diagnosed in Mansfield and elsewhere, is a result of exposure to acute trauma. It often occurs in individuals who have either witnessed or experienced tragedies, such as combat, a violent death, assault, or a natural disaster. C-PTSD is distinct from PTSD in that complex PTSD results from repeated trauma. It often develops as a result of prolonged sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional abuse. It can also occur in people who have survived a long-term hostage situation.

Causes of Complex PTSD

Whereas traditional PTSD is associated with acute psychological trauma, complex PTSD results from prolonged and systematic trauma exposure. Complex PTSD is often associated with relational abuse, such as spousal or child abuse. One of the distinguishing characteristics of C-PTSD, as opposed to “simple” PTSD, is the presence of disorders and problems with interpersonal attachment. Attachment in individuals who suffer from complex PTSD tends to take a pervasive insecure or disorganized form.

Diagnostic Criteria for Complex PTSD

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has put forth a potential set of diagnostic guidelines for complex PTSD:

I.                    Alteration in Regulation of Affect and Impulses

a.       Affect regulation

b.      Modulation of anger

c.       Self-destructive behavior

d.      Suicidal preoccupation

e.      Difficulty modulating sexual involvement

f.        Excessive risk-taking

II.                  Alterations in Attention or Consciousness

a.       Amnesia

b.      Transient dissociative episodes and depersonalization

III.                Alterations in Self-Perception

a.       Ineffectiveness

b.      Permanent damage

c.       Guilt and responsibility

d.      Shame

e.      Nobody can understand

f.        Minimizing

IV.                Alterations in Relationships with Others

a.       Inability to trust

b.      Revictimization

c.       Victimizing others

V.                  Somatization

a.       Problems with the digestive system

b.      Chronic pain

c.       Cardiopulmonary symptoms

d.      Conversion symptoms

e.      Sexual symptoms

VI.                Alterations in Systems of Meaning

a.       Despair or hopelessness

b.      Loss of previously sustaining beliefs

Many researchers advocate differences in diagnostic criteria for children versus adults. In this conceptualization of complex PTSD, the disorder is further divided into an adult symptom cluster and a childhood symptoms cluster.

A child and adolescent symptom cluster for complex PTSD would encompass the following domains:

·         Attachment

·         Biology

·         Affect or emotional dysregulation

·         Dissociation

·         Behavioral control

·         Cognition

·         Self-concept

An adult symptom cluster for complex PTSD symptoms would include:

·         Difficulty regulating emotions

·         Variations in consciousness, including psychogenic amnesia, dissociation, or intrusive flashbacks of traumatic episodes

·         Changes in self-perception, often involving a chronic sense of helplessness, along with irrational self-blame and feelings of shame and guilt

·         Varying changes in perception of the person perpetrating the abuse; this may involve attributing too much power to that person, being preoccupied with revenge, or even idealizing that person

·         Alterations in relationships with others; this may take the form of isolation and withdrawal, inability to trust, or reliance on the idea of a “rescuer”

·         Loss of faith or overwhelming sense of despair

Treating Complex PTSD

As with diagnostic criteria for complex PTSD, researchers advocate differences in treatment approaches in children versus in adults, in order to account for differences between childhood and adult reactions to and results of trauma. Some of the principles and guidelines that have been proposed for treating complex PTSD in children include:

·         Identifying and assessing current threats to the child’s safety and well-being

·         Relational and strength based diagnosis and treatment

·         Treatment aimed toward enhancing the child’s self-regulatory abilities to improve their coping abilities

·          Determine when and how it is appropriate to fully address traumatic memories

·         Preventing and managing psychosocial crises and ongoing relational issues

In adults, complex PTSD researchers have proposed six core components for treatment:

·         Safety

·         Self-regulation

·         Self-reflective information processing

·         Integration of traumatic experiences

·         Relational engagement

·         Positive affect engagement

Is There A Difference Between ADD and ADHD?

With all the media publicity that attention deficit disorders have received in recent years, many people in Foxboro and elsewhere may wonder about the difference between Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD—especially parents who are concerned that their child may have one of these disorders. Although ADD is still used colloquially, it is technically not a diagnostic term used by clinicians. Only ADHD is technically a diagnostic term, and it is divided into three subtypes: ADHD- Predominantly Inattentive, ADHD- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive, and ADHD- Combined Type. The designation ADD could perhaps best be applied to people with the Predominantly Inattentive subtype of ADHD, who often lack the hyperactive component commonly associated with the disorder.

Do Doctors Even Use The Term ADD?

Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, is an older term that is sometimes still used by doctors, although not as a formal diagnosis. The terminology was officially changed in 1994 with the release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, DSM-IV. Currently the formal designation for an attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity is ADHD-PI instead of ADD. Presumably, this convention reflects the fact that ADD and ADHD are subtypes of the same disorder rather than two distinct disorders.

ADHD- Predominantly Inattentive Type: “ADHD” Without the “H”

When most people think of ADHD, they picture that hyperactive, bouncing-off-the-walls child who can’t sit still long enough to pay attention in the classroom. However, not all people with ADHD are hyperactive. People in Foxboro, and throughout the nation, with ADHD-PI, the closest formal designation to what is usually meant by ADD, are often quite opposite. They tend to feel tired or lethargic much of the time, and may feel mentally sluggish or slow.

People with ADHD-PI do exhibit the inattentive symptoms of ADHD, including:

·         Failure to pay close attention to details

·         Tendency to make careless mistakes

·         Difficulty following instructions and keeping track of assignments

·         Difficulty concentrating on planning and executing tasks

·         Difficulty concentrating on conversations with others

·         A tendency to daydream when it is not appropriate to do so

·         Tendency to misplace objects

·         Inability to “multitask”

·         General forgetfulness

·         Difficulty remembering relevant information

Because children with non-hyperactive ADHD-PI do not tend to be as disruptive in the classroom environment as ADHD children, their difficulties are more likely to be overlooked. Like ADHD, ADHD-PI can severely impact academic performance, work performance, and self-esteem. People with lifelong ADHD-PI often fear structured or planned work activities due to their difficulty concentrating. Because their problems in school are often not recognized as an attention deficit disorder, they are often chastised because their behaviors are misattributed to laziness, carelessness, lack of effort, or lack of proficiency. As a result, they often develop a low self-concept and may underestimate their own capabilities, leading to academic and occupational underachievement relative to their actual intelligence and capabilities. They may also become more prone to depression or other mood disorders. For this reason, it is important that teachers and parents in Foxboro and elsewhere recognize the existence of ADHD without hyperactivity. Like ADHD, ADHD-PI responds well to stimulant medications and to neurofeedback therapy, a scientifically proven approach now available in Foxboro that does not produce any unwanted side effects.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ADD & ADHD IN BOSTON

5 Health Risks of Chronic Stress

Many, if not most, people in Mansfield struggle with stress on a daily basis. Whether it’s a deadline at work, a car breaking down, bills, or relationship problems, the number of factors that cause stress in modern life are too numerous to list or count. A 2012 study by the American Psychological Association (APA) reported that 20%, or one fifth, of Americans self-rated their day-to-day stress levels as an 8, 9, or 10 on a scale of 1-10. Some researchers go so far as to classify stress as a nationwide public health epidemic.

What is stress? Stress is an organism’s reaction to environmental conditions or stimuli that the body interprets as dangerous or threatening. The human body responds to such “stressors” by engaging the sympathetic nervous system in what is sometimes called a “fight-or-flight response.” The stress response is mediated in the brain; mostly in the midbrain areas associated with emotion. Stressors are associated with the release of certain hormones. One of the best-known of these is a hormone called cortisol, a glucocorticoid steroid. Stress is a natural reaction that evolved in order to prepare us for threats to our health and safety. Nowadays, this reaction is triggered by work, relationships, and other more modern concerns.

If you’re like most people in Mansfield, you experience some level of stress on a fairly regular basis. Maybe you deal with a lot of stress. Maybe it’s rare that you don’t feel stressed out. You’re probably well aware that being stressed out is highly unpleasant and psychologically damaging, but you may not be aware of the many physical health risks associated with stress.

Health Risk #1: Stress makes you more likely to get sick.

The steroid hormone cortisol is released as part of the body’s “stress response”. The main function of cortisol is to redistribute energy, in the form of the sugar glucose, to parts of the body where it is needed in order to fight or flee from a threat. Cortisol also inhibits the immune system by inhibiting the proliferation of T-cells, a type of white blood cell instrumental in fighting off disease. The effects of cortisol on the immune system mean that chronic stress makes you more likely to come down with something. It is also part of why shingles most often occurs as a result of stress.

Health Risk #2: Stress Increases Your Risk of Developing Anxiety or Depression

People who have depression or anxiety in Mansfield tend to produce less serotonin and more cortisol in their brains. Elevated cortisol levels from chronic stress can also impede the synthesis of serotonin, due to its effects on tryptophan, a precursor molecule for serotonin. People who are chronically stressed are more likely to develop a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety.

Health Risk #3: Stress Increases Your Risk of Heart Disease

In excess, such as when it is secreted in a stress response, cortisol raises blood pressure, meaning chronic stress in Mansfield is a risk factor for hypertension. Over time, stress increases a person’s susceptibility to cardiovascular problems.

Health Risk #4: Stress Impairs Your Memory

Chronic stress has a detrimental effect on your ability to learn and remember information. This is even truer for individuals who have, or are at greater risk for, mild cognitive impairment. In senior citizens, cortisol associated with chronic stress is associated with the development of dementia.

Health Risk #5: Stress Makes You More Likely to Gain Weight

Excess cortisol due to chronic stress may make people more likely to gain weight. One reason for this is that stressed people are more likely to overeat for a number of reasons. Being stressed makes it harder to stick to disciplined eating habits, as well as causing people to be more likely to indulge in “comfort food” that may temporarily alleviate the stress. Not only is this associated with weight gain, but cortisol is also associated with weight gain specifically in the abdominal area. Excess abdominal fat is known to be more of a health risk than fat stored in other areas of the body.

CHRONIC STRESS MANAGEMENT IN BOSTON

Five Foods That Secretly Contain Caffeine

If you are the parent of a child with attention deficit disorder (ADD) in Foxboro, especially the hyperactive subtype of ADD, you’re probably careful not to give your child foods or drinks that contain caffeine. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, and can sometimes exacerbate hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention in children with predominantly hyperactive ADHD. If you’re familiar with ADD and ADHD medications, this may surprise you. After all, the medicines that treat ADD and ADHD are also stimulants; however, unlike the methylphenidates and amphetamines used in ADHD drugs, caffeine doesn’t target the parts of the brain to have the same counterintuitive effect on hyperactive ADD symptoms.

Of course, you know that coffee, tea, and cola contain a significant amount of caffeine—often in combination with high levels of sugar that further contribute to your child “bouncing off the walls.” However, there are other products on the shelves of Foxboro grocery stores that secretly contain caffeine, although you might not realize that they do. These five foods actually contain caffeine, so you may want to choose other options for your ADD child to keep their energy levels in check. 

#1: Non-Cola Soft Drinks 

Most people in Foxboro are aware that colas like Coca-Cola and Pepsi contain a sizeable amount of caffeine. Not every soft drink contains caffeine; many lemon-lime sodas like Sprite and 7-up, as well as some grape and orange sodas, are caffeine-free. However, many other non-cola soft drinks do contain some amount of caffeine. You may want to avoid these or choose a caffeine-free version or alternative. Some of these sodas include:

·         Sunkist: 41 mg/12 oz

·         Dr. Pepper: 41 mg/12 oz

·         Barq’s Root Beer: 22.5 mg/12 oz

·         Mountain Dew: 54 mg/12 oz

·         Mello Yellow: 52.5 mg/12 oz.

Most soft drinks list the caffeine content on the can or bottle, so it always helps to check before letting your child drink it.  

#2: Chocolate 

Caffeine occurs naturally in cocoa beans, so most chocolate products contain some caffeine. The caffeine content varies from product to product, ranging from 9 or 10 mg in many products to as much as 31 mg in a bar of Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate. Dark chocolates tend to have more caffeine than milk chocolate. Most chocolate purchased in Foxboro doesn’t contain quite enough caffeine to present a real problem for children with ADHD, but you may still want to limit chocolate because of the high sugar content. 

#3: Chocolate or Coffee-Flavored Ice Cream 

Many ice creams that have chocolate, as well as those that are coffee-flavored, actually do contain some amount of caffeine.

#4: Pain Relievers 

You may be surprised that some over-the-counter pain relievers in Foxboro have caffeine in them, especially pain medicines designed for headache and migraine relief. You may associate caffeine with causing headaches rather than curing them, but caffeine can actually help increase the effectiveness of the active ingredients (usually an NSAID) for treating headaches, as well as helping the body absorb the medicine faster. Some over-the-counter pain medicines that have caffeine include:

·         Excedrin Migraine Relief: 61 mg

·         Aspirin-Free Excedrin: 65 mg

·         Bayer Select Maximum Strength Headache Relief: 65.4 mg

·         Goody’s Extra Strength Tablets: 16.25 mg

·         Goody’s Headache Powder: 32.5 mg

·         Midol Menstrual Maximum Strength Caplets: 60 mg 

#5: Energy Mints and Energy Gum 

This one is probably obvious, but watch out for products with “energy” in their name if you’re trying to avoid things that contain caffeine. There are several kinds of mints, gum, and even chocolate candies that have added caffeine. They can be potent, with some containing as much as 50 mg of caffeine in a single breath mint.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR ADD IN FOXBORO

Sleep and the EEG

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a valuable diagnostic tool for physicians and researchers in the Boston area. One of the areas of science and medicine in which the EEG is extensively used is in the study of sleep and sleep disorders. Sleep is divided into phases, which are identifiable by the patterns observable on EEG recordings. Sleep stages are divided into REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, with NREM further divided into three stages.

NREM Stage 1

Stage 1 NREM sleep, is a phase in between sleep and wakefulness. On an EEG, stage 1 sleep is associated with a transition in the brain from alpha waves (8-13 Hz) to theta waves (4-7 Hz). During this stage, a person’s muscle tone decreases and they lose most of their consciousness of the external environment.

NREM Stage 2

In Stage 2 NREM sleep, conscious awareness of the external environment disappears completely, although a person can be roused from stage 2 sleep fairly easily. In EEG recordings of people in stage 2 sleep, two distinctive patterns can be observed: sleep spindles and k-complexes. Sleep spindles consist of 12-14 Hz waves that last for about half a second. Scientists in Boston theorize that sleep spindles represent the brain inhibiting certain processes that might otherwise interrupt sleep. K-complexes consist of a brief, high-voltage peak followed by a slower complex. They occur every 1.0-1.7 minutes and are often followed by sleep spindles. They can occur spontaneously, but also occur in response to external stimuli such as sounds.

NREM Stage 3

Stage 3 NREM sleep in Boston is also called “slow-wave sleep” or “deep sleep.” The transition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 is marked by an increase in delta waves, which come to predominate during slow-wave sleep. EEG activity is synchronized, and consists of low-frequency, high-altitude wavelengths. Dreaming sometimes occurs in Stage 3 NREM sleep, although it is less common than in REM sleep. Slow-wave sleep is believed to be associated with consolidating memories within the brain.

REM Sleep

REM (rapid eye motion) sleep is characterized by rapid, random movement of the eyes. It generally comprises 20% to 25% of total sleep in adults, occurring in four or five periods during the night. Infants spend as much as 80% of their sleep time in REM. It is during REM sleep that dreams are most likely to occur. On an EEG, REM sleep can be seen to involve higher-frequency, lower-amplitude neural oscillations than NREM stages of sleep. REM EEG patterns are also more random and variable than EEG patterns during NREM sleep. Currently, evidence suggests that REM sleep may be important for consolidating procedural and spatial memory, whereas slow-wave sleep is more strongly associated with consolidating declarative memory. REM sleep is also thought to play a significant role in neural development, especially in infants.

EEG FOR INSOMNIA IN BOSTON 

Holistic Medicine that Works: Five Relaxing Herbal Remedies

If you’re stressed out or having trouble sleeping in Mansfield, there are some easy-to-come-by herbs that may help you get into a calmer state of mind. Many herbal remedies with long histories of medicinal use have been scientifically investigated, revealing natural occurring compounds that give the plants their effects. These five herbal remedies are often used as holistic medicine treatments to soothe anxiety and to remedy mild to moderate insomnia. If you’re feeling stressed, a calming herbal tea that incorporates some of these ingredients may help you to feel more relaxed and better able to deal with the problems causing the stress.

#1: Valerian Root

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is an effective holistic medicine remedy for sleeplessness and anxiety. If you live in the Mansfield area and you’re struggling with mild insomnia, valerian root might just do the trick. Valerian root contains certain natural chemical compounds, including valerenic acids and sesquiterpenoids that have affinities for GABA receptors in the brain. GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) is an important neurotransmitter. Benzodiazepines, a popular but troublesome class of prescription drugs used for anxiety and sometimes for insomnia, work via the same receptors. In addition to its sedative and anxiolytic effects, valerian also has some muscle relaxant qualities. Valerian root is often sold in capsules, and is also used as an herbal tea.

#2: Chamomile

Chamomile (Asteraceae family) is a tried-and-true holistic medicine remedy for relaxation. Chamomile contains numerous chemical compounds with medicinal effects, some of which act on GABA receptors. Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory effects and can soothe gastrointestinal discomfort. Chamomile tea is easy to find in Mansfield; you can usually find it at the grocery store.

#3: California Poppy

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a flowering plant in the poppy family that is native to California. Historically, its leaves have been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. Although California poppy is related to opium poppy, it contains a different and much milder class of alkaloid chemicals. An aqueous extraction of the plant has sedative and anxiety-reducing qualities. In a study of the effects of California poppy extract on mice, it was shown to have affinities for the same receptors as benzodiazepines.

#4: Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as maypop, was first used medicinally by Native Americans and then later by European colonists. The fresh or dried leaves of this plant are often used to make a tea that soothes anxiety and insomnia. Many passionflower species, notably P. incarnata, contain a group of chemical compounds called beta-carboline harmala alkaloids. These chemicals function as MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors, lending them antidepressant effects. Clinical investigations of the efficacy of passionflower for anxiety have produced promising results. In one study, P. incarnata extract worked as well as oxazepam, a benzodiazepine, but with fewer adverse side effects.

#5: Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) contains compounds, notably rosmarinic acid that inhibits an enzyme called GABA transaminase. This results in reducing anxiety and sedative effects. Studies indicate that lemon balm extract reduces stress, as well as improves mood and even enhances mental performance. These effects are attributed to the plant’s effects on muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. 

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY IN BOSTON

Three Neurological Disorders That Affect Your Ability to Hear Music

When anyone in Foxboro sustains localized brain damage, strange things can happen to the person’s language, vision, cognition, and other capabilities. Some types of acquired neurological disorders can actually affect a person’s ability to hear and appreciate music. Usually these effects result from localized lesions in the brain that are created by a stroke or a traumatic brain injury. Music is a way to express emotions, and individuals generally differ in their musical abilities, proclivities, and tastes. Some people in Foxboro can sing perfectly, whereas others can’t quite carry a tune. Some people are more attuned than others to the beat and rhythm of music. Many music aficionados like rhythmic, pulsating electro, whereas others prefer smooth jazz. Despite these differences, nearly everyone enjoys music to some extent. Like language, music has its basis in the brain. The brainstem, primary auditory cortex, secondary auditory cortex, and other areas of the brain are largely responsible for the recognition of aspects of music like pitch, tone, rhythm, and melody. When one of these areas is damaged, it can result in neurological disorders that are characterized by the loss of the ability to recognize, produce, or appreciate music. 

#1: Amusia

Amusia, also called musical agnosia or musical deafness, can be congenital; however, it is usually acquired due to a brain injury. Amusia is strongly associated with deficits in pitch processing, which also creates difficulties in some aspects of language intonation recognition and spatial processing. Signs of amusia include:

·         Inability to recognize familiar melodies

·         Loss of ability to read musical notation

·         Inability to recognize out-of-tune or “wrong” notes in a piece of music

·         Loss of ability to sing or play an instrument

Like many neurological disorders, amusia can vary in presentation depending on the size and location of the lesion that caused it.

#2: Selective Musical Alexia or Musical Agraphia

Musical alexia and musical agraphia are neurological disorders involving, respectively, a loss of the ability to read musical notation and to write musical notation. Depending on where and to what extent the brain was damaged, a person in Foxboro can lose only one of these abilities while retaining the other. A loss of the ability to read or write music can also occur without an overall loss of musical ability and music recognition. 

#3: Auditory Arrhythmia

Auditory arrhythmia can result from damage to the right temporoparietal area of the brain. It is characterized by a disturbance of the person’s sense of rhythmic patterns in sounds, including music and language. A person with auditory arrhythmia will be unable to perform a basic “tapping task” in which a neurologist instructs them to tap their finger in time. This condition is thought by researchers to result from impairment of the brain’s central timing system. Although auditory arrhythmia is not restricted to music per se, it can severely impact a person’s ability to play or to write music because they can no longer keep time. 

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children

Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children with Family-Based Exposure Therapy 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a relatively common anxiety disorder. OCD is characterized primarily by intrusive thoughts (“obsessions”) that cause significant and overwhelming anxiety, which often causes the person to engage in certain repetitious behaviors (“compulsions”) to try to temporarily relieve that anxiety. Although obsessive-compulsive disorder in Mansfield and the Boston area is more commonly diagnosed in adolescents and adults, this condition can also occur in children. OCD in children is arguably more difficult to deal with than obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults, and children often do not respond as well to psychiatric medications. However, a recent study has found compelling evidence that one form of behavioral therapy, called “Family-Based Exposure Therapy”, may be a particularly effective approach to pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder treatment. 

How is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Diagnosed in Mansfield? 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Mansfield is diagnosed, usually by a psychologist or psychiatrist, based on an accepted set of diagnostic criteria. The ICD-10 lists the following criteria for a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

A. Obsessions and Compulsions.

·         OBSESSIONS are defined as:
 1.) Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, are intrusive or inappropriate, and cause marked anxiety or distress.
2.) The obsessions are not exaggerated real-life worries
3.) The person attempts to ignore or suppress the obsessive thoughts, or to neutralize them with a different thought or action.
 4.) The person recognizes that obsessional thoughts arise within their own mind, rather than delusionally believing they have been “inserted” by an outside party

·         COMPULSIONS are defined as:
 1.) Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, often according to rules that must be rigidly adhered to
2.) These behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress preventing a dreaded turn of events, BUT these behaviors are excessive or irrational and not connected to the thoughts and anxieties in a realistic way.

B. The person has recognized that the obsessions and compulsions are not reasonable or rational. (This does NOT apply to children.)

C. The obsessions and compulsions are distressing, time-consuming, and interfere with a person’s normal activities.

D. The obsessions and compulsions are not restricted to another comorbid disorder (such as generalized anxiety or major depression).

               

To diagnose a child in Mansfield with obsessive compulsive disorder, a psychiatrist or psychologist must rule out other possible diagnoses, including autism-spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorders, and other anxiety disorders. 

Family-Based Exposure Therapy: A Promising New OCD Treatment for Pediatric Patients 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children can be difficult to approach and treat. In Mansfield adults, SSRI medications are sometimes incorporated into treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although these medications can be effective for anxiety and depression in adults, however, they are not recommended for children. A better approach for treating obsessive compulsive disorder in children is to use behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or talk therapy.

Recently, a study conducted by the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center has found that a technique called “family-based exposure therapy” was an especially effective approach for treating obsessive compulsive disorder in children between the ages of 5 and 8. Although CBT therapies have been well substantiated in adults and adolescents, there had previously been little research into their efficacy for young children.

Exposure therapy is often used to treat anxiety disorders in Mansfield, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. Exposure therapy is based on behavioral principles of “respondent conditioning”, famously discovered by Pavlov. This therapy approach aims to identify the thoughts and feelings leading to the anxiety response when a “trigger” is presented, and at reducing those responses though exposure to the stimulus. The “family-based” aspect refers to keeping the child’s family informed and involved in the treatment.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR OCD

Warning: These Five Herbal Supplements May Be Harmful to Your Health

Many people in Mansfield use herbal supplements to either to treat a health condition or to increase their overall wellness. Although most herbal supplements are not FDA approved for the treatment or prevention of any diseases, and have not undergone rigorous, controlled peer-reviewed testing, most are benign; however, there are some supplements that could actually hurt you. There are five herbal supplements that may actually be harmful to your health and you may want to avoid if you’re interested in exploring alternative treatments like herbs and other supplements. 

#1: Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver consists of particles of silver suspended in a liquid solution. In the early 20^th century colloidal silver was sometimes used for antibiotic purposes, but by the 1940s it had been supplanted by newer, safer antibiotics. However, in the 1990s colloidal silver experienced a resurgence as an alternative remedy. No one has yet produced any evidence that silver has any health benefits, although much evidence of its adverse effects has been produced. A 2012 study indicated that when applied topically to a wound, silver may actually worsen healing time. Silver is essentially toxic. Silver does not play any role in the human body, and can accumulate to toxic levels over time. The chronic use of silver-containing products can cause a condition called argyria, in which silver or silver sulfide particles accumulate in the skin and can cause cosmetic disfigurement. Because no one has found colloidal silver or other silver-containing supplement products to be effective, and because they can actually harm your health or even cause an allergic reaction, you’re much better off using a clinically proven antibiotic instead. 

#2: Aconite

Aconite is derived from a poisonous plant called monkshood (Aconitum napellus). It has been used traditionally in both Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat pain-related conditions such as arthritis; however, no supporting evidence of any anesthetic or analgesic effects has ever been produced via scientific study. In fact, it has been shown to be toxic to animals, including humans. Aconite can cause nausea, diarrhea, and heart arrhythmias, as well as muscle weakness and dizziness. Since this poisonous substance has no proven health benefits, it’s best avoided. 

#3: Greater Celandine

Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus) is used as a mild sedative, as well as a treatment for liver ailments and gallstones. However, little evidence has been produced for these benefits, while evidence does suggest that this plant may be hepatotoxic and cause liver disease. This plant is best avoided. 

#4: Germanium

Germanium—not to be confused with geranium, the flower—is a trace element; #32 on the periodic table. It has been promoted as a treatment for a variety of disparate ailments, including leukemia, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, fatigue, hepatitis, and Parkinson’s disease. None of these claims has been verified with scientific evidence, but germanium has been linked to liver and kidney damage. Germanium really doesn’t belong in your body and has no proven health benefits, so health-conscious Mansfield residents may want to avoid this one. 

#5: Comfrey

Comfrey is the common English name for plants in the genus Symphytum. Although this family of plants has a history of use in herbal medicine, it may not be good for your health. Although some evidence of the benefits of topical use has been produced, comfrey should not be ingested. This plant contains large amounts of a substance known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic. Ingestion of comfrey can lead to veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a condition in which small veins in the liver become obstructed. Although topical solutions containing comfrey might be beneficial, you should never ingest it. 

Most herbal supplements you’ll find are helpful at best and benign at worst; however, there are a few traditional medicinal herbs and supplements that have actually been shown to have negative health effects. These include silver, aconite, greater celandine, germanium, and comfrey. To preserve your liver and heart health, you should steer clear of supplements containing these ingredients, and find scientifically verified alternatives instead.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN BOSTON