This is too sad. There will be more school and job failure, unfortunate accidents from distractibility, road rage and auto accidents, beaten children, shame and rage reactivity.
Yet minimal effort by psychiatrists to find alternatives. Like, um, Neurofeedback Neurofeedback is effective for many with attention and distractibility and impulsivity issues. Low in side effects (usually only positive “side effects”, as in exercise). Safe option. I’ve watched it’s incredible impact fir 15 years, since adding it to my psychiatric practice. MPS has told me they don’t offer CME on Neurofeedback and biofeedback because the members are “not interested.”. And the interest survey MPS sends out, with my request, they added it —but for only one cycle. Few members fill out the survey…..Then for ? reason, it was removed from the survey the next year, despite it having a respectful level of interest, just not as high as interest in psychopharmaceuticals. Makes one wonder. Even my very squeaky wheel is easily ignored. Given the lack of other options, and the fact that NF is a safe and efficacious treatment — endorsed by our very own mental health advocacy group — (Mental Health Association of Maryland), You would think “inquiring minds” would want to know? To read the MHAMD scholarly report and review of efficacy research, Google “Brain Futures, Neurofeedback research report” Hit the boldfaced “download the full Neurofeedback report” to read extensive detailed report and their conclusions Re Neurofeedback being an efficacious treatment for an assortment of behavioral health problems.
And —if a member of the American Psychiatric Association and interested— check out my presentation —here’s a link to the APA Integrative Caucus portal. You may have to join the free caucus. The course title is Neurofeedback and Biofeedback in the Psychiatric Practice.
My presentation is not focused on ADHD, but both NF modalities I discuss can be helpful with attention disorders, depending on what part of the brain is dis-regulated. PirHEG often helps if stimulants are precisely helpful, if old concussions, if executive function and reactivity are a part of the overall presentation, particularly. And it is super for migraines, a hint the prefrontal cortex could use some help.
But — unlike w stimulants— when u stop the NF, if enough learning has occurred from training, not only do the improvements continue….with kids, the trajectory continues upward, unlike the flattened benefits and drop off when stimulants are discontinued.
Worth knowing about.
At least for informed consent discussions.
Is Kennedy Krieger — supposedly a bastion for innovative child psychiatry care consultation — offering NF yet for autistic spectrum and ADD symptoms?
Or heads still in the sand?
If not, how long will they wait?
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