ADHD / ADD and Ritalin Side Effects
ADHD
/ ADD is often the result of brain dysfunctional in one or more of the
stages. ADHD, We don’t see, not from eye failure but brain
failure. We are nervous and agitated beyond the situation or
scattered in thought. Finally we are so impulsive and scattered
that we are unable to follow through with directions - ADHD.
Stimulants
are the most important and most used drugs in treating ADHD or
ADD. It’s chemical name is Methylphenidate. Stimulants
increase activity in nerve cells in many different parts of the
brain. It also increases inhibitions, especially in the frontal
parts of the brain, stage three, shutting out unwanted stimuli, stage
one, or unwanted responses, stage four. We become more alert and
focused.
Stimulants also increase two
neurotransmitters. These are dopamine, important for paying
attention in stage one, and norepinephrine which affects the response
or reward cues, stage two, and signals threats, such as
punishment.
Research with stimulants indicate short-lived affects on cognitive
functions. But some individuals differ more than others do; some are
affected more adversely by higher doses. In order to control
hyperactivity, stage four, the dose may have to be high enough to
cause overdosing on cognitive or emotional functions, stage three and
two, causing a “zombie-like personality.” Before caretakers can
find optimal levels there can be a struggle between under dosing and
over dosing. A parent may want to control behavior and the teacher may
not want the cognitive functions to slack.
Side affects are usually mild and easily manageable. Stimulants
can produce a variety of effects. They may affect the sympathetic
nervous system producing racing heart, increased blood pressure or
insomnia. Affects on the parasympathetic nervous system can be
stomach upset and headaches.
ADD can also be a misdiagnosis of bi-polar. Bi-polar basically is the
the unbalance of neurotransmitters in our brains because the body can
not balance our salts and minerals. We then have too much or too little
energy. Our attention span may be ok or heightened. We may
have the right values but in the third stage we may not have enough
energy to think things out or because of too much energy our thoughts
are going too fast for us to monitor those thoughts so we exaggerate
our facts. Unable to monitor our emotions because
of scattered or fast moving thoughts we may have rages.
If you need help in sorting out some of the behaviors or your self or
of another you may ask me questions personally.
The environment, nature, and situations shape
personalities. In turn situations are shaped by personalities,
nurture. Our brain function also influences our personalities and
is a result of nature and nurture.
The brain goes through four stages from first awareness to final
action. It first perceives i.e. see, hear, smell, feel or
taste. Any objects or life form is then identified, say fire.
Next is the second step. A value must be assigned to the object or
live form such as good, bad, safe, dangerous, important, not important,
avoid, or go for it, etc. The third step is to figure out
how the object or life form fits into the scheme of things. Fire
at the tip of a candle is used differently than a flame in a fireplace,
or the fire in a burning home. The brain can then plan what to do
with or about the fire.
In the last and fourth stage we try to carry out our plans. Each
stage affects the other three stages. How balanced each stage is
with the others influences our personality.
If we see fire but do not fear it we may not prepare our plans to avoid
being hurt. If we do not see how to use fire we may not harness
it. ADHD children may be fascinated with fire but not see the
danger or proper use of the fire.
The four stages and our personality are also influenced by:
- Biology: inherited traits and abilities, changes in development, or injuries all affect how well we learn.
- Family values or emotional experiences from the past affect us. So does inherited feelings of anxiety and pain.
- How
you believe affects motivation and interpretation. How much love
or fear, if you grow and expand or not, or how you go about doing
things. It all helps curb or expand perceptions, emotions and
action.
- The habits and skill we have affect how we go about doing or not doing things.
Free
will results when each stage affects each other in such a way to help
us see, give correct values and build a spiritual philosophy and do the
right thing.
Free will is at it’s best when all
these factors are balanced. We are able to see, motivate,
speculate and conquer or assimilate. If unbalanced our
personalities are lacking what it takes to act for the good of others
or of ourselves. A pyromaniac may set fires that hurt others.
The following four sections address a little closer parts of these four areas. They are:
- ADD
- Christian counseling
- Suicide
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