The ADHD Lifestyle Part I: Diet

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The ADHD Lifestyle Part I: Diet

The ADHD Lifestyle Part I: Diet

The brain is vital organ that, like the other organs in the body, depend on nutrients for healthy function and endurance. Those with ADHD are even more dependent on proper nutrients and sleep. Cognition, memory, and mood may all be affected by eating well. More importantly, unhealthy eating and poor sleep can exacerbate ADHD symptoms and make a profound difference in academic success. Studies have shown that the elimination of processed sugars and other unwholesome foods improve ADHD symptoms in the majority of study participants. Why does diet make such a profound impact? Food influences the chemicals in the brain that are involved in ADHD. Importantly, serotonin and dopamine are the major players here. In addition to influencing ADHD symptoms, serotonin levels can also influence sleep behavior.

While not technically a drug, healthy nutrients in everyday food can be thought of as a potent “medication” that may profoundly impact the performance of one with ADHD. In this light, it is important for one to take his or her “daily dose.” This includes plenty of drinking water, complex carbohydrates, and lean protein gradually and consistently taken in on daily basis. Such behavior will increase positive sleeping behavior while keeping serotonin and dopamine at advantageous levels. Conversely, simple sugars like candy or soda, may create an initial spike in these neurotransmitters, but this will be followed by a sharp decline that will leave on craving even more unhealthy food. The result is a “domino effect” and putting the brain in a chemical state that may strengthen the negative behavioral symptoms of ADHD.

Three quick pointers:

*Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol. Importantly, stay hydrated while avoiding sugary drinks. Sugar drinks are a waste of calories!

*Eat smart: not all calories are the same! It is important to intake a proper amount of daily calories to feed the brain. However, not all calories will affect ADHD symptoms uniformly. Unfortunately for those with ADHD, impulsive tendencies often lead to consumption of simple carbohydrates such as soda, candy, and processed snacks that cause sharp unsustainable increases in blood sugar. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, will have result in more favorable and sustained neurotransmitter levels. Foods high in protein will help control blood sugar levels. When one consistently practices good habits, some of the cravings for “junk food” will be better controlled. Go for those sweet potatoes and blueberries next time you are at the grocery store!

*Get sleep! Food and sleep are intimately related and, together, they both profoundly affect the behavioral and emotional state of those with ADHD.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with brain injuries. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

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The ADHD Lifestyle Part I: Diet

Defining ADHD in Light of Brain Injuries

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Defining ADHD in Light of Brain Injuries

brain injury adhd

According to the most recent studies, experts define ADHD as a developmental disorder affecting proper use of executive functions. One can think of executive functions as the brain’s “command center,” controlling focus, organization, memory, action, and effort. In short, it is the self-management system of the brain that is tasked with operating unconscious decisions in daily life. As a developmental disorder with a hereditary component, ADHD will present itself as the brain is maturing in childhood. ADHD symptoms are chronic and will often interfere with daily functioning in routine tasks. However, these impairments are situation-dependent. For instance, one with ADHD may show reduced symptoms for an extremely exciting and adrenaline-inducing task, but show carelessness for more mundane, yet essential, tasks.

One of the controversial questions facing experts is: is it possible for adults to develop ADHD later in life if it is truly a developmental disorder? What is definitely true is that adults with no childhood ADHD will report ADHD symptoms later in life: problems starting tasks and projects, estimating time, prioritizing schedule, and completing work without procrastination. Specifically, adults that have experienced menopause or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to present with ADHD-like symptoms. Regardless if one wishes to define these cases as ADHD, it is true that events preceding and during adulthood can affect brain function and chemical balance enough to severely impair executive functions. However, treating an adult with TBI and ADHD-like symptoms may add an extra layer of considerations and complexity. For instance, a lot of traditional ADHD treatments may exacerbate TBI symptoms and make the overall condition worse.

A 2015 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research links TBI with ADHD-like symptoms by interviewing patients in Ontario, Canada. However, the results are not black and white. Some interpret the data and conclude that TBI’s influence the brain’s chemical and structural makeup lead to ADHD-like symptoms. TBI, in these cases, transform one’s psycho-neurological makeup leading to ADHD in adults. Other doctors, however, argue that ADHD patients are more likely to partake in high risk behavior that would lead to TBI’s in the first place. It is a classic debate of the chicken and the egg. Proper classification can be tricky, as both TBI and ADHD exhibit symptoms such as impulsive behavior, memory impairment, organization, and use of executive functions. One who is experiencing ADHD symptoms with a TBI should seek professional consultation to make sure both are treated sufficiently without stressing one or the other.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with brain injuries. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

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Defining ADHD in Light of Brain Injuries

How Do You Know If You Have A Concussion?

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How Do You Know If You Have A Concussion?

concussion - what a neuropsychologist can do for you? brain injury

The dreaded “C-word” is thrown around in everyday life, most notably in sports. However, many can be left unsure if they have a concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Often, there are often no physical signs during a concussion. The most important thing to understand about a concussion is that it is a brain injury and, as a consequence, must be caused by direct or indirect impact on the brain. Brain injury caused by factors other than impact, such as an infection or blood supply to brain, are not concussions.

Well, then how do you know if you have a concussion? All concussions involve a traumatic impact to the head accompanied  by either loss of consciousness (LOC), alteration of consciousness,post traumatic amnesia or focal neurological signs. These are telltale signs that you should be concerned about the prospect of a concussion. However, an important rule of thumb is to seriously consider the possibility of a concussion anytime impact to the head is involved. As stated previously, a concussion is caused by physical injury to the brain. Note that impact can caused by collision between the brain and the skull, which is possible during periods of rapid acceleration changes (such as car accidents). When evaluating for signs of concussion, keep in mind that not all concussions are the same. Therefore, a two people with concussions may experience completely different symptoms. Moreover, the length, onset, and severity of symptoms is rarely, if ever, the same. Since some of the symptoms of a concussion can present weeks after the initial impact, it is important to continue to monitor symptoms beyond the immediate aftermath of an injury.

Often, children and adults will complain about “not feeling themselves.” The following are additional common symptoms of a concussion:

*Persistent headaches

*Difficulty or slowness in remembering, concentrating, making decisions, thinking, speaking, acting, or reading

*Confusion

*Low energy

*Fluctuations in mood

*Disrupted sleep patterns

*Light-headedness, dizziness, or loss of balance

*Nausea

*Sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions

*Compromised vision, smell, or taste

*Ringing in the ears

If you or loved one are suspicious of having a concussion, make an appointment for professional evaluation right away. This will help avoid further damage. For employees and athletes, professional guidance is crucial to “return to the field.”

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with brain injuries. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

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How Do You Know If You Have A Concussion?

Military Study: Aerobic Exercise as an Effective Treatment for mTBI

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Military Study: Aerobic Exercise as an Effective Treatment for mTBI

military TBI brain injuries led

David K Johnson, PhD and the Department of Defense have teamed up to investigate the healing effects of aerobic exercise on mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). The researchers are focusing on United States soldiers who have experienced brain injuries from improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, in Iraq and Aphganistan. While rarely resulting in penetrating harm, IEDs are a common tool of terrorist organizations and their detonation can result in severe head trauma followed by up to six minutes of loss consciousness. Johnson’s results, which show beneficial improvements to soldiers’ conditions upon significant exercise, may have broad implications to those diagnosed with mTBI that are fit enough for aerobic exercise.

Although a specialist on Alzheimers, Johnson appreciates the possible overlaps with mTBIs in younger patients when it comes to the biochemical processes in the brain. When talking about his study, which was spearheaded by a $500,000 grant to improve the life quality of US soldiers, Johnson explains that, “An awful lot of the biochemical process in mTBI appears to be related to Alzheimer’s disease […] we know aerobic exercise can reduce the amount of biochemicals associated with Alzheimer’s disease, reduce the plaques and tangles, so we think it will work with mTBI as well. Aerobic exercise helps the brain heal itself.” To further test this hypothesis, Johnson is working with one hundred volunteers at Fort Riley to test for cognitive fitness before and after structured aerobic training.

mTBI is the most common brain injury. Athletic activity and warfare dramatically increase the chance of mTBI, most often due to non-penetrating impact on the brain. The good news is, however, that young athletes, soldiers, and veterans that have mTBI can still partake in aerobic exercise unless physically barred from running. Johnson and his team are hopeful and eager about their study. Moreover, by looking for physical and chemical signatures, more can be understood about prolonged brain injuries. “Because mTBI shares so much biologically with early Alzheimer’s disease,” Johnson explain, “I hope that what is working in our older adults also works in these young men and women.”

SOURCE: 

https://news.ku.edu/2016/12/06/researchers-use-aerobic-exercise-promising-treatment-wounded-warriors-mild-traumatic

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with brain injuries. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

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Military Study: Aerobic Exercise as an Effective Treatment for mTBI

Mindfulness Meditation Helps Your Mind & Body

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Mindfulness Meditation Helps Your Mind & Body

psychologist toms river nj, Mindfulness Meditation A new study suggests there’s some science behind the claims made for mindfulness meditation. The benefits of mindfulness meditation, increasingly popular in recent years, are supposed to be many: reduced stress and risk for various diseases, improved well-being, a rewired brain. But the experimental bases to support these claims have been few. Supporters of the practice have relied on very small samples of unrepresentative subjects, like isolated Buddhist monks who spend hours meditating every day, or on studies that generally were not randomized and did not include placebo­ control groups.

The study published in Biological Psychiatry brings scientific thoroughness to mindfulness meditation and for the first time shows that, unlike a placebo, it can change the brains of ordinary people and potentially improve their health.

Excerpt from New York Times. read the full story here

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with brain injuries. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

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Mindfulness Meditation Helps Your Mind & Body