Most children and adults can focus and pay attention to a particular task or subject when called on to do so. While playing or socializing with friends, there is sharing and peaceful interchange; when interacting with family members, there is rational behavior; when taking an exam, most can concentrate on the questions, recall the studied information, and write the correct answer. For about one in ten, however, the ability to focus is blunted to a point of negatively affecting life. School or work is catastrophic, failure the rule; family life is chaotic, with upheaval common; peer group and sibling relationships are "war."
Such a major, life-disrupting problem with focus and attention may be what the medical, psychological, and educational communities have termed Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). If the child or adult also has a serious problem with impulse control and excessive, socially distracting physical movement, the diagnosis is likely to be Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD).
One problem after the other!
The medical community's "solution" for attention problems is drugs such as Ritalin®, Adderal®, and the newer drugs Vyvance® and Strattera®. As many have learned, these medications are not without problems. The side effects may dramatically decrease creativity, suppress appetite, and disrupt sleep patterns. But, it can be much more serious than this. These drugs can have very serious side effects, including the triggering of tics (sudden, violent jerking movements, often associated with loud vocalizations), Tardive Dyskinesia, a major neurological movement disorder, and hallucinations such as bugs and spiders. These problems may not show up immediately. The symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia and hallucinations, for example, may not emerge until months or years later.
Stimulants now have "Black Box" warnings about deaths from heart problems, including sudden death, and increased suicide risk. For specific information on these and other side effects, type the name of the drug followed by "side effects" into Google. Also, www.askapatient.com and other sites have comments from users and parents.
The possible long term side effects of the newer drugs, Strattera® and Vyvance®, are even more bothersome. As we have learned from Cylert®, there can be hidden dangers that are not revealed until years later. Cylert® was a medication many years on the market and commonly prescribed for those with ADD. While the numbers are low, it was found to produce life threatening hepatic (liver) failure in some.
Unlike drugs, NeuroMatrix Neural Efficiency Training™ offers brain health and a greater quality of life: improved intentional attention, focus and learning ability, enhanced sense of well being, improved cooperation, and better emotional resilience. Self esteem, school grades and family and social interactions are thus profoundly and positively affected.
Other reported benefits include:
