When you think of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, you typically picture the hyperactive child that can’t sit still and disrupts their classroom. However, did you know that ADHD actually affects many adults as well? It’s estimated that around 5% of adults in the U.S. suffer from ADHD. Unfortunately, many are not diagnosed or treated for it.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may have trouble completing work on time, remembering information, concentrating, organizing tasks, and following directions. ADHD can cause problems with relationships, work, and family life. It can make staying organized and even managing day-to-day life very stressful and overwhelming. A traditional practitioner may recommend medication for managing ADHD, but it may be beneficial to research the side effects of drugging the brain before committing to treatment. The good news is that there are effective ways to manage ADHD without the use of drugs.
Working with a functional neurologist is a great place to start when looking for natural ways to manage ADHD because it is actually a brain disorder. Functional neurologists have extensive training on brain function and they focus on helping patients with ADHD in safe and drug-free ways. The first step is to determine the root cause of your condition.
A functional neurologist will take the time to give you a complete physical and neurological evaluation, which may include a brain map to help determine where imbalances may be occurring. They may also recommend laboratory testing in order to see if any other body systems could be contributing to your ADHD. A comprehensive evaluation allows them to recommend the therapies that will be most beneficial for your specific needs.
Many functional neurologists use Neurofeedback to help patients with ADHD. Neurofeedback works by encouraging improved brain efficiency through photic stimulation and neurointegration. Here’s how it works: the patient sits in a comfortable chair, with headphones and a pair of goggles on with blinking lights in them, and with both wired to a device called a neurointegrator. While enjoying a non-violent movie, the computer measures how the brain is tuning in or out, and when the brain is tuned in, it is rewarded by getting the movie in normal full brightness, but when the brain is not fully tuned in, the movie will dim, and the sound will fade proportionately. This is occurring while the photic glasses are blinking in a predetermined pattern, based on the neuromap, to “teach” the brain to perform better. As this process goes forward, symptoms improve as the brain repairs itself, resulting in decreased symptoms of ADHD.
This is just one form of therapy that may be recommended to you when you work with a functional neurologist.They will also focus on other natural therapies and lifestyle changes that will benefit your condition. If you suffer from ADHD, take the time to learn how functional neurologymay be able to help you manage your condition without having to use medication.