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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

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You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

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Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

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I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

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Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

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We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

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Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA