ADD - AMEN Scans

Hi Doctor - I recently had a brain scan (SPECT) with Amen Clinics because I have had a long history of low focus, anxiety and depression (I'm in mid 40's). Had a very traumatic childhood too including my Father committing suicide. I see a psychologist weekly for inferiority and low self esteem. Noone (including my primary Doc) believes my scan results.

The scan results came back with "significant brain impairment". In order of severity, 1. low activity in PFC inferior orbital area (focus is very bad and they claim I have 2 ADD types - Limbic and Temporal Lobe), 2. Temporal Lobe dysfunction (my memory stinks and irritable), 3 PTSD (based on dysfunctions all over the brain and 4. Moderate Brain trauma to frontal pole and back of the brain.

I can absolutely attest to all this by the way I feel. Brain power is low. They put me on a regimin and claim I can get significantly better. I take supplements for overall Brain flow, 6 fish oils a day, Lamictal, Concerta, excercise 30 min a day and think better. I do feel somewhat better, but, have a very long way to go.

They claim I should do 60 to 80 sessions of Hyperbaric chamber and see a psychologist for EMDR. The chamber should increase oxygen, therfore increase blood flow in brain. Do you believe that and do you believe in EMDR?

Once Brain is more healed and balanced, they claim I should do neurofeedback.

Can all this heal my brain and get blood flow back into areas that have been innactive since childood? Am I kidding myself with supplements and fish oils to heal and balance brain?

Can my innatention and lack of focus be related to the low blood flow instead of ADD or is ADD lack of blood flow in critical areas of the PFC.

Thanks Doctor.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I suggest that you get another disinterested expert to read this scan. I do not believe that many neuroscientists or clinicians would make such definitive diagnoses based on a brain scan.

[Jaquta]

Hyperbaric chambers are frequently used for medical conditions.  That sounds like a lot of sessions but I'm not familiar with what is and isn't appropriate.

It's not important what the doctor believes in but what you believe in.

My last T had significant training in emdr and she firmly believed in it's ability to help people (providing it's done by a trained professional).  I expect that could be beneficial for the ptsd.  I have heard some people say they have found it quite traumatic too though.

One person I knew who had a TBI did neurofeedback and felt that it helped her.  So much so that she decided to train in that area.  I personally felt she was still pretty messed up.  Maybe I just saw her emotional issues though which perhaps wasn't a fair representation of her progress.

Fish oils, etc possibly aren't a bad thing.  There is research to suggest they improve mental function.

It's sometimes hard to know what causes what.  My mother has severe head injuries and she used to have seizures which were thought to be due to lack of oxygen.  Who knows?  It's much too complicated for me.

It probably wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion before embarking on a plan of action.

J