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ADHD Test |
Daredevil Derrick
Ever since Derrick was a young child he was always getting into mischief. Derrick was a smart kid that knew right from wrong but despite this moral grounding, he always seemed to be in trouble. You always knew where Derrick was, just follow the trail of messes and broken toys. Early in his life family and friends marveled at Derrick’s witty-one liners, daredevil tactics and farcical humor. Despite his ability to entertain, Derrick was equally impulsive, inattentive, messy, moody and anxious. Soon the “cute, clever little daredevil” became the kid in the principal’s office every day of the week. The troublemaker role eventually became the outcast role leading to experimentation with drugs and alcohol. Derrick finally found a place where he felt normal, a place of cocaine, opiates & alcohol.
Case description
Derrick had been to countless psychiatrists and therapists over the years to help him “fix” his problems. During this period, between the ages of about seven to fifteen, Derrick was given several medication regimes to no avail. Sometimes the ADHD medication would work for a few days but after a few weeks, for the most part, he would have adverse reactions to both ADHD medications & anti-depressants. A few more medication concoctions and therapy sessions later yielded nothing more than the same pattern of behavior, with zero clinical improvement. It was after the aforementioned failed intervention attempts that Derrick began to use drugs & alcohol more heavily. He felt hopeless, scared and alone.
Imaging ADHD/Comorbidity
1. Decreased tracer activity in both inferior orbital areas. More pronounced hypoperfusion during concentration task.
2. Flattening of the prefrontal pole and significant hypoperfusion in both temporal lobes, worsening with concentration.
3. Decreased Cerebellar perfusion, more pronounced hypoperfusion during concentration task.
4. Increased tracer activity in the thalamic nuclei with noted asymmetry that improves slightly during concentration.
5. Significant uptake in the basal ganglia with more pronounced hyperperfusion on the right side. Minimal change during concentration.
LifeBridge Treatment Plan
Derrick has had multiple head injuries and broken countless bones from acting impulsively. After obtaining a full history of his failed medications our expert psychopharmacologist consultant placed Derrick on a unique titration of a newer anticonvulsant, an antidepressant and finally a stimulant (ADHD medication) after some stabilization occurred on the other medications. Derrick began a treatment regime with Interactive Metronome Therapy (IMT), a neurofeedback tool used to help diagnose and treat rhythm and timing processes associated with his executive dysfunction etc. The particular planning and movement sequences challenged in (IMT) correlate heavily with the inability for Derrick’s brain to perform tasks such as focus, impulse control, emotional control and overall planning & sequencing.
Treatment Update
After just 5 full-sessions of (IMT) Derrick’s mother noticed improvement in his self-control, confidence, focus and fluidity of thought processes. Derrick was also prescribed Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and with a consistent regime of 40 sessions within a 24-day period, we observed increased brain activity in areas surrounding some of the trauma indicated on his follow up SPECT scan. We were able to visibly observe Derrick’s clinical improvements as his brain was working toward correcting itself. To date, Derrick has refrained from all further legal issues and was able to negotiate a plea agreement because of the changes he has made in his life. Derrick has passed his last 10 monthly urine screens and he frequents AA, CA & NA meetings. While Derrick’s life is far from perfect, he has worked very hard to maximize his brain functioning and in doing so, he has maximized his ability to function as a productive member of society.
