Published: June 22, 2009 09:08 am      

National health study links some ADHD meds to rare deaths, physical deformities

MIDDLETOWN, CT – In a society where it’s easy to pop a pill to solve a problem, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Robert Reynolds is taking the road less traveled. Specifically, Dr. Robert Reynolds is leading the medication-free revolution for treating children with mental conditions and behavioral disorders across the state. His Middletown clinic is becoming more popular as new findings such as those from the recent National Institute of Health study link various anti-psychotic medications to physical deformities and even death. 

“Our methodology in treating various mental and emotional problems has always been skills before pills,” said Dr. Reynolds. “Brain mapping and EEG neurofeedback have been proven to help Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bi-polar disorder, autism and other learning and behavioral issues that generate the same result as medications but without the life-threatening side effects.”

A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry is the first to suggest that stimulants such as Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall may cause death in children without underlying heart problems. Approximately 2.5 million children in the U.S. take such medications. The study found that an alarming number of children who had died of “unexplained causes” had been taking stimulant medications.

“This study is extremely disturbing because it doesn’t include children with pre-existing factors like asthma, congenial heart disease, structural heart abnormalities or other problems that have been associated in the past with death in children taking stimulants”, said Dr. Reynolds.

In addition, Dr. Reynolds points to other major devastating side effects of such medications, including a recent report on Risperdal, a pill used for ADD and bi-polar disorder, which has caused development of breasts in young male patients.

“It’s difficult enough for a boy to deal with the stigma of mental illness, but when a physical abnormality is added, the results can be detrimental!” adds Dr. Robert Reynolds.

Dr. Robert Reynolds’ approach is designed to improve mental functioning in children by re-training the brain through brain mapping and neurofeedback training. 

Brain mapping is a non-invasive technique that takes a picture of an individual’s brain wave activity, thus identifying the proper place on the cortex, or surface of the brain, to target the neurofeedback training. Neurofeedback therapy is a powerful method for regulating brainwave activity through the use of game-like displays on a computer monitor.

“Simply stated, a child learns to control the activity of the brain to enhance mental conditioning and competence,” said Dr. Robert Reynolds.  “For them, it is like playing a video game with their mind. For parents, it can mean a dramatic improvement in their child’s academic performance, emotional state and behavior.”

Dr. Robert Reynolds emphasizes that many people with a mental problem can improve in many aspects of life through brain mapping, neurofeedback and other integrative therapies offered by his Connecticut Educational Services clinic.

 

Dr. Robert Reynolds has been on the leading edge of neurofeedback training since 1978 and was the first practice to offer the treatment in Connecticut. As a result, his clinic has become a sought after resource in helping students, families, schools and individuals cope with attention, learning and behavior challenges across the lifespan. Connecticut Educational Services utilizes the most advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques and provides all evaluations and treatments through highly trained licensed professionals.

Throughout the year, Dr. Robert Reynolds provides free educational seminars for parents of children with mental health conditions, as well as in-service school training that focus on classroom behavior management. For a list of upcoming informational seminars or for more information, call Connecticut Educational Services at 860.343.0227 or visit www.ct-ed.com.