Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
ADHD

ADHD

Please discuss Attention Deficit Disorder and Tourettes Syndrome and what causes it. 

Thanks, L


Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a disorder, typically occurring in childhood but can persist throughout life. The key symptom domains of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD can present in three ways, primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive or a combination of both. The central problem underlying ADHD is dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex (inattentive and impulsive symptoms) and motor cortex (hyperactive symptoms).

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain right behind the forehead. The circuits of the prefrontal cortex are where we plan, organize, prioritize, focus, attend, switch attention, reason, strategize and self-restrain. The prefrontal cortex is our governor, the part of the brain that says no to unhealthy impulses or desires, the part of the brain that causes us to stay on task when we don’t feel like it, the part of the brain that chooses to do homework rather than go out and play.

Recent research is suggesting that the impairments to these brain regions results in altered perception of time such that even a few seconds to a child with ADHD could be perceived as unbearably long. When boys with ADHD were compared to boys of the same age without ADHD on tests measuring time perception, the boys with ADHD showed impairments. However, when the ADHD boys were treated with methylphenidate (Ritalin), a medication increasing dopamine availability in the brain, their test performance was indistinguishable from the non-ADHD boys. Because new, exciting or risky behaviors increase dopamine release in the brain, children with ADHD may be “self-medicating” by their constant behavior choices.

Whenever the prefrontal cortex is impaired our ability to plan, organize, prioritize, reason, make healthy decisions, self-restrain, focus or attend is impaired. But not everything that impairs the prefrontal cortex causes ADHD. Alcohol intoxication impairs prefrontal cortex, higher cortical function and time perception, but this impairment lasts only as long as the intoxication. When sober the prefrontal cortex function is improved. But long term heavy alcohol use can permanently damage the prefrontal cortex and cause impairment similar to what is seen in ADHD.

With this in mind what are some contributing factors to ADHD?

  1. Genetics: Genes are the blueprints that direct our biological machinery and we inherit our genes from our parents. Twin studies document that ADHD does run in families and genetics are a factor in up to 75% of cases. Areas of interest include the genes that code for the dopamine receptors, dopamine reuptake pumps, enzymes that break down dopamine and the dopamine metabolic production pathway. But genes interact with environment which can alter gene expression thereby increasing or decreasing the risk.
    1. Researchers have documented that children with a variance in the gene that codes for the Dopamine-4 receptor have thinner prefrontal cortexes and higher rates of ADHD. However, the brain thinning was not permanent and by the time these same children were adults the brain development was normal and the ADHD symptoms had improved. This means some children will outgrow their ADHD symptoms. (Shaw P, Gornick M, Lerch J, Addington A, Seal J, Greenstein D, Sharp W, Evans A, Giedd JN, Castellanos FX, Rapoport JL. Polymorphisms of the dopamine D4 receptor, clinical outcome and cortical structure in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 2007 Aug; 64(8):921-931).
  2. Environmental factors:
    1. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption while pregnant has been linked to increased risk of ADHD in children.
    2. Complications of pregnancy and premature birth.
    3. Exposure to high concentrations of lead during childhood can damage brain development and increase risk of ADHD.
    4. Theatrical television watching in children during developmental years has been associated with increased risk of ADHD regardless of the rating of the programming. In other words, watching G rated theatrical programming during the developmental years alters normal brain development increasing the risk of ADHD. This negative effect on the brain was found to be dose dependent, meaning the more hours of television watching the greater the risk of ADHD. Educational television did not show this association.
    5. Emotionally unhealthy childhood environments, abusive environments, removal from parents and other such experiences can alter brain development impairing prefrontal cortex and increasing risk of ADHD.
  3. Traumatic brain injury can increase the risk of ADHD, though the percentage of children with ADHD due to brain injury is small.
  4. Sugar: studies have failed to document a relationship between sugar consumption and ADHD. No credible evidence has documented a link between sucrose and ADHD. All studies done thus far document just the opposite, no link exists. In one study of children whose parents considered them sugar sensitive the children were given the sugar substitute Nutrasweet. All the children were given Nutrasweet but half the mother’s were told their children were given sugar. The mothers who thought their children were given sugar rated them as more hyperactive than the other children and were more critical of their behavior when compared to the mothers who thought their children received Nutrasweet.
  5. Food additives: Recent research in Britain has suggested a potential link between the consumption of artificial food coloring and certain preservatives and hyperactivity. More research is underway to confirm this association.

Untreated ADHD results in children growing up with greater risk of substance use disorders, mood disorders, relationship problems and underachievement. Children with untreated ADHD are at risk of losing confidence in themselves as their easy distractibility undermines their ability to attend and thus learn on pace with children without ADHD. This causes internalization of false self image lowering expectation on self with increasing feelings of worthlessness and low self esteem. Adequate treatment can resolve or prevent this by allowing children with ADHD to attend, focus, organize, plan and therefore accomplish on par with their peers.

If you or your child has ADHD what should you do?

  1. First get an evaluation by a qualified professional. Not everything that looks like ADHD is ADHD. Things to rule out include anemia, sleep disorders, thyroid disorders, substance abuse, hearing and vision impairments, child abuse, poisoning and other psychiatric disorders.
  2. Once ADHD is confirmed discuss with your healthcare provider treatment options which generally include some form of medication. Studies indicate that the core features of ADHD respond best to medication interventions. In fact non-pharmacological interventions show no greater improvement on the core symptoms of ADHD than no treatment at all. Non-pharmacological therapies do show improvement in socialization.
  3. Preventative measures include:
    1. Restricting theatrical television in children.
    2. Avoiding toxic substances (alcohol, tobacco, lead, poisons).
    3. Providing a healthy and nurturing environment.
    4. Providing balanced nutrition with adequate vitamins and minerals and omega 3 fatty acids
    5. Ensure normal sleep wake cycles and no sleep disorders exist
    6. Regular exercise
  4. Therapy can benefit the child in social integration and adaptation.

Tourette Syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder which causes motor and vocal tics and can include recurrent expression of foul language. For more on Tourette Syndrome please visit the NIH website on this disorder at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/tourette.htm

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.