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

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

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

Natural Relief for Headaches

Today in our busy society, the stress of family demands and work stress combined with not enough rest often manifests itself in the form of headaches. When a headache occurs, we tend to reach for painkillers, such as acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen; however, there are natural alternatives to these drugs.

Ginger Tea

Add about an inch of crushed ginger root to boiling water. This homemade tea will work to reduce inflammation in about the same amount of time it takes an aspirin to work. It has been used for centuries in Asia to treat a number of ailments including stomachaches, nausea, and diarrhea.

Capsaicin Cream

Apply a small amount of capsaicin cream to the inside of your nostril that’s on the side of your head where you are experiencing pain. The active ingredient in this cream is cayenne pepper, and the cream works to block nerve pain signals.

Feverfew

Feverfew has been shown to be effective for treating migraines by reducing inflammation, which takes pressure off the nerves and can help prevent migraines entirely.

Butterbur

Butterbur has been used medicinally since the middle ages, and butterbur extract can be taken daily to help reduce the number and severity of headaches. You may purchase it in capsules, powder, or tincture, and it is thought to have both antispasmodic effects and anti-inflammatory properties.

Magnesium

Magnesium helps to calm nerves, which tend to get overexcited during a migraine. Some studies have found that migraine sufferers tend to be deficient in magnesium. You can also increase your magnesium by taking a multivitamin that contains magnesium or by eating foods like broccoli, beans, soy milk, nuts, or spinach.

Hydrotherapy

Stand in water as hot as you can stand for two minutes (this increases blood flow to the skin), then as cold as you can stand for two minutes (this sends blood to the core of the body). Alternate back and forth for 20 minutes to increase blood flow and circulation, bringing nutrients to organs and carrying away toxins.

Cold (or Hot) Compress

Apply an icepack to your head, making sure not to put the ice directly on your head. You can wrap ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel. Apply heat to the back of the neck with a hot shower, bath, or heating pad. Heat can loosen up the muscles that tighten with tension headaches.

Progressive Relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation helps you to consciously concentrate on relaxing every muscle in your body beginning at your toes and working all the way up to your head. By reducing muscular tension, this will help reduce pain. There are two steps to progressive muscle relaxation:

1.      First, you deliberately apply tension to certain muscle groups

2.      Secondly, you stop the tension and turn your attention to noticing how the muscles relax as the tension flows away.

When headache pain invades your body, before you reach for a medicinal pain reliever, remember there are numerous alternative methods for relieving headache pain.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR HEADACHES/ MIGRAINES

Boston Neurofeedback - Interview with Dianne Kosto of BrainCore Therapy

BrainCore of Greater Boston offers neurofeedback to residents in Mansfield, Foxboro, and surrounding areas. BrainCore Therapy is a drugless, painless, and non-invasive approach to addressing the symptoms of many common neurological conditions including: ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Migraines, PTSD, and Autism. In this video, Stefan Georgi of Market Taffy, LLC chats with BrainCore of Boston founder Dianne Kosto about how neurofeedback works, and how residents of Boston can benefit from it. She also talks about her own personal journey, and why she believes neurofeedback saved her son's life.

Watch this video on YouTube: Boston Neurofeedback
Learn more about BrainCore of Greater Boston 

What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback and the Brain

What is neurofeedback? Neurofeedback therapy, also known as EEG biofeedback or simply neurofeedback, is a modern medical breakthrough which allows doctors to treat neurological diseases and disorders (or even minor problems) as they never have before. Doctors and patients, working together, are able to modify brainwave activity that has gone awry and subsequently caused unwanted issues or symptoms. Neurofeedback therapy is currently being used for a litany of neurological issues, and scientific research has back up the claim that it is an effective treatment method. Conditions neurofeedback is currently used to treat include:

• ADD/ADHD
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Chronic Pain
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches (Migraines, Tension Headaches)
• Insomnia
• Post Stroke Syndrome
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

 Now that you have a general overview, let’s ask a more practical question: “What is neurofeedback doing to in the brain?” First, let’s talk a bit about the amazing human brain. Believe it or not, your brain wants to function properly at all times. For whatever reason, genetics or environment, between the billions of neurons, synapses, and chemical reactions taking place everyday inside our heads, things can get a little off kilter. Brainwaves can become dysregulated, and may need a simple kick in the butt to get back on track. Once they do get back on track, however, they tend to stay there – and that is a true testament to how incredible our bodies are. Neurofeedback therapy serves as a catalyst for positive change in the brain, providing it with training so it can self-regulate. This remarkable therapy leverages the brains natural want to operate as one highly-functioning whole and harnesses that trait through guided brain exercises to treat some of the horrible disorders we listed earlier.

What is Treatment Like?

Now you may ask, “What is neurofeedback therapy like?” Well, here’s what is certainly is not: painful, tiresome, or harmful. The therapy is all completely noninvasive, has never produced a recognized side effect, and is meant to set you up for long-term independence – not a lifelong relationship with the doctor’s office. Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of each patient’s brainwave patterns, whereupon doctors will identify which ones have gone off track. After this doctors will develop a treatment plan and guide patients through targeted brain exercises using nothing more than EEG sensors and a monitor. No currents are ever sent into the brain, its patterns are simply read and interpreted – this is the feedback part of neurofeedback – so we know we are making lasting changes. The number of visits depends on the gravity of the neurological problem, but the bottom line is this: when treatment is complete, your brain will be keeping you out of the doctor’s office all by itself. What is neurofeedback not doing as a current part of your regimen?

Learn more about NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY