Dr. Rasmussen Talks about the Symptoms and Causes of Anxiety

Dr. Rasmussen discusses the cause and symptoms of anxiety and what you can do to overcome it. If you have more questions you would like him to address post a comment below or email him at admin@intralifeperformance.com.

Famous People with ADD

Some of the most talented, creative, and successful people in this world have Attention Deficit Disorder also known as AD/HD.

Did you know that one of the most famous people with ADD was Albert Einstein?  Many people have asked the question, “What would our lives be like today if Einstein, one of the greatest minds of the last century, had been prescribed Ritalin?” Would he have been creative enough to come up with the theory of relativity or discover the law of the photoelectric effect? Maybe so, but who knows?
Check out this list of famous people who either have or are thought to have ADD or ADHD.

Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
David Neeleman, Founder of JetBlue Airways
Paul Orfalea, Founder of Kinko's
Sir Richard Branson
Malcolm Forbes
Bill Gates

Inventors
Alexander Graham Bell
Thomas Edison
Benjamin Franklin

Explorer
Christopher Columbus

Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This is only a short list. So the next time you think of AD/HD as a curse, a disease or the worst thing that could have ever happened to you or your child, think again! You’re in good company with a lot of famous people.
List found at www.add-adhd-treatments.com/Famous-People.html. Thank you!

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Neurofeedback

Mother asking questions about neurofeedback.

1. Is neurofeedback like shock therapy?
Absolutely not. Surprisingly, this is somewhat of a common question because electrodes are applied to the head at the beginning of each session. The electrodes are only used to read the client's brain activity; nothing gets transmitted out of them and into the head.

2. How much does neurofeedback cost and does insurance cover it?
Very few insurance companies cover neurofeedback. Therefore, the cost of neurofeedback is generally out of pocket. Costs can vary from center to center ranging from $60 to $120 per session. Some centers, such as Intralife Performance Center, does offer financing options. Do not let the price scare you away. In the long run, neurofeedback actually is more cost effective. There is a great article written by Dr. Corydon Hammond which discusses the costs of medication treatments versus neurofeedback. You can read the article here.

3. How many sessions of neurofeedback do I need?
This really depends on the person and their goals. When you first meet with a neurofeedback clinician he or she should give you an estimate of what they think you will need. Beware that it is only an estimate and that you may need more or less than the given number.

4. What kind of results should I expect?
80-85% of our clients had a successful experience and feel that neurofeedback was worth the investment! It is difficult to give a concrete answer because results will vary based on a client's reason for doing neurofeedback, the severity of the situation, and the goals of the client training.

5. How often should I come?
This question depends on the client's time and finances. It is recommended to come at least once a week; however, if you would like to get through training faster a client can as often as everyday.

If you have any other questions that you would like answered, post them below and I will be sure to address them.

A Woman's Story: Finding Help for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Woman who found help for anxiety and panic attacks.

"About two years ago my life completely changed unexpectedly and took me down a path I would have never expected. I had been preparing to leave for a service mission in Guatemala that would last 18 months. Prior to my departure date I had spent months getting ready to leave. I could not wait to go.

November 18th finally rolled around and I was off to what I thought was going to be my greatest adventure of my life. The first week was wonderful. I loved everything that I was learning and I also enjoyed the people around me. I remember thinking nothing could get better than this. Then the second week rolled around and everything changed. I woke up one morning and remember feeling different than usual but I did not think too much about it. Another few days went by and I noticed that I was having a difficult time sleeping. Then another few days passed and I began to feel dazed and overwhelmed. Almost anything brought me to tears. I also noticed by appetite was drastically decreasing. I could not help but to question if I was dying. I knew something was wrong.

I went to my program director and told him what was happening. He recommended I see a counselor. The counselor said to come back in a week and see how things go. In my heart I was really hoping that things would get better and it was just a bad couple of weeks; I was not ready to go home, I had just left. That week went by and things just got worse. My body was achy, my chest felt like it was going to explode, I started to lose weight, and my head was spinning. Four weeks after my "adventure of a life time" I was home.

I couldn't understand why this was happening to me. I literally had fallen apart in less then three weeks. I felt so out of control and confused.

In my search for relief I came to learn that I was experiencing an extreme anxiety/ panic attack with mild depression. Everything that I read recommended doing medication. I was fearful of doing that because I was in such bad shape that I thought if the medication given to me made things worse (because some do that) I would not be able to handle the pain of the anxiety and depression anymore. I had heard about neurofeedback through a neighbor so I thought I would try it before I did  medication.

During my training I went twice a week consistently for four months then I came in for maintenance here and there. The first month was rough. My symptoms continued to persist; however, overall the intensity of the anxiety was less. The second month became more manageable. I had so many symptoms going on that even when the neurofeedback would eliminate one symptom the others would become more apparent and I would struggle with those. Within the middle of the second month my depression was completely gone. The third month I was much more capable of controlling the anxiety instead of it controlling me. This allowed me to do things with friends and get out of the house a little more without the anxiety getting to me. Also by this point the majority of my symptoms were gone. By the end of the fourth month most everything was back to normal. Every once in awhile I would have a hard day or two but I was able to take control of them and break the cycle relatively fast.

Neurofeedback was not a quick fix. It took effort and time which made some days difficult. However, I feel it was the best treatment option for me. I did not want a band aid such as Zoloft, I wanted something that I believed really changed my brain. Through the neurofeedback process I learned so much about myself and how to control what my brain does. I believe the training will last me a lifetime and will prevent me from future panic attacks. It has now been almost two years since my experience and I still feel great!"

-Testimonial from 23 year old female

About ADD: Symptoms and Treatment Options

What is ADD:

Young boy with ADD

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a disorder that is applied mainly to children and sometimes adults who consistently find it difficult to inhibit spontaneous responses over at least a six month period.

Symptoms of ADD:

1. Short attention span making focus and concentration difficult.
2. Inability to complete a task, especially tasks that are uninteresting.
3. Easily distracted while doing activities and tasks.
4. Impulsive.
5. Difficulty turning in paper and assignments.
6. Often misses or overlooks details.
7. Loses or forgets important things.
8. Has difficulty waiting in lines.
9. Says or does things without thinking through the consequence.
10. Blurts out answers.

It is important to note that everyone may experience one or a few of these symptoms. Seek out help if any of the above symptoms become debilitating and interfere with normal daily life.

Treatment options for ADD
There are various treatment options for ADD. First, is to medicate. Usually medicine is more accessible to the general population than other forms of treatment. It is also highly recommended by pediatricians because that is what they do... prescribe medication. Although medication can be a great "quick fix" there are also many side affects such as loss of appetite which leads to malnutrition, dulled personality that is often described as being like a zombie, and sleep difficulties.

A second option is neurofeedback which is a non-invasive approach that can help improve ADD permanently. It is becoming more popular due to people wanting an alternative method to medication.  Neurofeedback is a way to retrain different areas of the brain that regulate impulse control and executive functions. A benefit to neurofeedback is that there are no side affects. On the opposite side, neurofeedback does not give immediate day to day result when you first start training which can be difficult for parents to manage. 

Last, research shows that alterations to diet can improve certain behavior in those whom are diagnosed with ADD. Simply reducing certain foods such as processed sugar and red food dye and adding enzymes and vitamins can reduce or eliminate them all together. A benefit to changing your or a child's diet is that there is no harm to it!

Helping Veterans Who Have Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

In a previous post we talked about Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and the positive impact Neurofeedback can have in treating this debilitating condition. 

Here at IntraLife Performance Center, we've had great success in treating Veterans with PTSD! Here is a testimonial from the wife of one of our PTSD clients:

"Shortly after my husband returned from his 7 month deployment to Afghanistan, I noticed changes in his mood and his sleeping.  He was easily irritated and often fell into moods of depression with little provocation.  It was frustrating for both of us because he didn't know what was causing them and I didn't know how to help him out these moods.  A few nights a week, I would wake to him thrashing and trying to yell out in his sleep.  I felt helpless until he started Neurofeedback at IntraLife Performance Center.  Within a few weeks of treatment, his nightmares stopped almost all together and within a couple months, they stopped completely.  I noticed his whole personality shift back to what it was pre-deployment.  He was less irritable and happier.  I know Neurofeedback was the right answer for him and I'm so grateful we got the help he needed."

If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, especially service men and women, please let them know that they are not alone and that there is help!

For more information about Neurofeedback and how it can help PTSD, please visit Homecoming For Veterans, a non-profit organization that IntraLife Performance is a part of. It is just a small way we can give back to those who have given and continue to give to our country.

P.S. Here is another great article HERE that talks more about Neurofeedback as a lifeline for military members suffering from PTSD. Check it out!

Finding Help for ADHD/ADD Through CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Disorder)

CHADD Logo

Many parents find it difficult to know what to do after their child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is not uncommon to feel alone, confused, and overwhelmed. At IntraLife Performance Center we have had dozens of parents get involved with CHADD to find help. They found this organization is a great place to network with parents in similar situations and receive information on how to work with children who have ADD and ADHD. Here is more information about CHADD.

About CHADD
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation's leading non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others.



Mission/Objectives
CHADD's primary objectives are: to provide a support network for parents and caregivers; to provide a forum for continuing education; to be a community resource and disseminate accurate, evidence-based information about AD/HD to parents, educators, adults, professionals, and the media; to promote ongoing research; and to be an advocate on behalf of the AD/HD community.
The mission of CHADD is stated as CHADD CARES. Specifically, CHADD works to improve the lives of people affected by AD/HD through:

Collaborative Leadership
Advocacy
Research
Education and
Support

Membership
CHADD represents 20,000 members. Most are families of children and adults with AD/HD. About 2,000 CHADD members are professionals providing clinical and other services to persons with AD/HD.

For more information about CHADD, visit their website at www.chadd.org. What other organizations are out there to help parents with children who have ADHD or ADD?