Amen clinic

[Eataash]

I’ve been reading Daniel Amen’s book and his story about using SPECT scan and also his mention of supplements. Has anyone try his clinic or ready his books? Any thoughts?

[JamiHIS Administrator]

Dear Eataash:

Thank you for contacting CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD. I understand you are looking for more information about brain imaging scans to diagnose and treat ADHD. The standard diagnostic process for ADHD does not include brain imaging scans. These types of scans can be costly and often insurance does not cover them as they are not part of the standard of care for ADHD.

ADHD is diagnosed through the following measures:

"Although there is no single medical, physical, or genetic test for ADHD, a diagnostic evaluation can be provided by a qualified mental health care professional or physician who gathers information from multiple sources. These sources include ADHD symptom checklists, standardized behavior rating scales, a detailed history of past and current functioning, and information obtained from family members or significant others who know the person well. Some practitioners will also conduct tests of cognitive ability and academic achievement in order to rule out a possible learning disability. ADHD cannot be diagnosed accurately just from brief office observations or simply by talking to the person." chadd.org/for-adults/diagno...

Here's some more information about this topic:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog...

Russell Barkley, a well respected and preeminent researcher on ADHD talks about the use of brain scans in this video: youtu.be/R_HCw-QePaA(Not working as expected?).

Also, here is some more information about supplements: chadd.org/about-adhd/comple....

Please speak with your doctor before you take any supplements because they can cause interactions if you are taking any other medication or have certain medical conditions.

I hope you find this information helpful. If you have further questions, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Jami

Health Information Team Manager

CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD

[BLC89]

Hello Earaash,Yes we went to Amen clinic and tried the supplements. My son still takes tumetic he said that helped a bit.

I found the clinic to be hugely expensive and only marginally informative. The boast about the thousands of brain scans and what they've learned is convoluted.

There is not a brain scan that identifies ADHD. It is only because they know you have ADHD that they then look for commonality and with thousands of scans, guess what? They find others similar to yours.

My son was told he has "brain damage" implying there is nothing to be done. My son has had a couple of concussions (3) and is only 17 at this point. Knowing the brain continues to grow throughout life it seemed extremely gloom & doom to say his brain is unchangably damaged.

We have had other scans, due to the concussions, and there had been no mention or even passing comment of brain damage.

It was discouraging and they wanted us to do different treatments and spend more money. It didn't make a lot of sense given their gloom & doom prognosis.

I have seen other reports that aren't very positive. Do your homework before you invest ours is just one story. Good luck,

BLC89

[Eataash in reply to BLC89]

Thank you! This was very helpful. It seemed more like a marketing scam for the Spect scan than real treatment.