Author: Mobile Health Consult

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. It is called a “spectrum” disorder because people with ASD can have a range of symptoms. People with ASD might have problems talking with you, or they might not look you in the eye when you talk to them. They may also have restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. They may spend a lot of time putting things in order, or they may say the same sentence again and again. They may often seem to be in their “own world. “The causes of ASD are not known. Research suggests that both genes and environment play important roles.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is an impulse-control disorder characterised by sudden
episodes of unwarranted anger.  It involves repeated, sudden episodes of impulsive, aggressive,
violent behaviour or angry verbal outbursts in which the person react grossly out of proportion to
the situation. Road rage, domestic abuse, throwing or breaking objects, or other temper tantrums
may be signs of intermittent explosive disorder. These intermittent, explosive outbursts cause
significant distress, negative impacts on relationships, work and school, and can even have legal
and financial consequences.
Intermittent explosive disorder is a chronic disorder that can continue for years, although the
severity of outbursts may decrease with age.

Symptoms

Feelings of irritability, impulsivity, aggression or chronic anger at most time. Aggressive
episodes may be preceded or accompanied by: rage, irritability, increased energy, racing
thoughts, tingling, tremors, palpitations and chest tightness.
The explosive verbal and behavioural outbursts are out of proportion to the situation, with no
thought to consequences, and can include: temper tantrums, tirades, heated arguments,
shouting, slapping/shoving or pushing, physical fights, property damage and threatening or
assaulting people or animals.

Causes

The exact cause of the disorder is unknown, but it's probably caused by a number of
environmental and biological factors.

 Environment.

Most people with this disorder grew up in families where explosive
behaviour and verbal and physical abuse were common. Being exposed to this type of
violence at an early age makes it more likely these children will exhibit these same traits
as they mature.

Genetics.

There may be a genetic component, causing the disorder to be passed down
from parents to children.

Differences in how the brain works.

There may be differences in the structure, function
and chemistry of the brain in people with intermittent explosive disorder compared to
people who don’t have the disorder.

Treatment

It is important for anyone with Intermittent Explosive Disorder to be treated by a mental health
provider who is experienced with the impulse-control disorder. At Mobile Health Consult, our
effective psychotherapies emphasizes key components of helping you out of this disorder. These
include:

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched helpful form of
   therapy for IED. This involves cognitive restructuring.
   With CBT, children, adolescents and young adults learn about the connections among their
   thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Once these connections are made, patients and therapists
   actively collaborate to meet specific goals, such as helping patients notice and change their
   unhelpful thoughts, improving their problem-solving abilities and increasing their
   involvement in positive activities that promote healthy choices.
2. Neurofeedback Therapy is a therapeutic intervention that provides immediate feedback
   from a computer-based program that assesses a client's brainwave activity. The program
   then uses sound or visual signals to reorganize or retrain these brain signals.
3.  Brain Entrainment Therapy is a brain training therapy that provides pre-set brain training
   protocols to improve cognitive functions by enhancing alertness, attention, concentration,
   memory and reduce hyperactivity.
4.  Biofeedback Therapy is an excellent intervention for ADHD. It utilizes deep
   diaphragmatic breathing techniques and provides physiological feedback. It can help
   improve attention, concentration, reduce impulsivity and ability to focus on cognitive tasks.

Additional components of treatment include alternative modalities such as education about
symptoms, teaching skills to help identify the triggers of symptoms, and skills to manage
the symptoms. We take a personalized approach to each patient and family, understandingthat not all children, adolescents, and young adults are the same, and treatment should be
sensitively designed for each patient. People diagnosed positive on IED who continue to
engage in these activities find that over time they are less likely to suffer risk factors or side
effects.

For consultations on Intermittent Explosive Disorder, visit our website on
www.mobilehealthconsult.org and remember to follow us on twitter @mobilehealthng;
instagram @mobilehealthconsultng; facebook @mobilehealthconsult

Everyone experiences feelings of worry and anxiety from time to time. These feelings can range from a little sense of uneasiness to full-blown panic (or somewhere in between), but it however depends on the person and the situation. It is only natural for unfamiliar or challenging situations to trigger feelings of anxiety or nervousness in anyone. You may feel it when you have a competition to participate in, for example, or when addressing an audience, etc.

As much as adult experience feelings of anxiety, it is one of the most common emotional issues faced by children — being singled out to face other students in class to answer a question, participating in a competition, when facing an important test or switching schools, for example. Children with anxiety problems may not be aware of what is causing the emotions, worries, and sensations they have. These experiences can trigger anxiety, thus making them to focus on the “what if’s”: What if I mess up? What if people laugh at me or make jest of me? What if things don’t go as I planned? What if I fail?

There is great beauty in going through life without anxiety or fear. Half our fears are baseless, and the other half discreditable. – Christian Nestell Bovee

Anxiety can be
experienced in diverse ways — physically, emotionally, and in the way people view the world around them. Anxiety mainly relates to intense worry about what might happen, i.e. worrying about things going wrong or feeling like you are in some kind of danger.

CAUSES

There are several factors that could cause anxiety in an individual, particularly children. These factors can range from genetic factor, environmental factor (learned behavior), past traumatic event, stressful life situations, etc.

• Genetic factor: A child can be predisposed to developing an anxiety disorder as a result of having a family member who suffers from it. However, it is also important to note that not everyone with a family member who has an anxiety disorder will develop problems with anxiety.
• Past traumatic event: events that occur in a child’s life can cause anxiety disorders in childhood or later in life. The loss of a loved one or parents’ divorce and major life transitions (like moving to a new town or new school, etc.) are common triggers. Children who have experienced abuse are also vulnerable to anxiety.
• Environmental factor: Growing up in a family or in an environment where people are fearful, constantly worried or anxious also can “teach” a child to view the world as a dangerous place. Likewise, a child who grows up in an environment that is actually dangerous (if there is violence in the child’s family or environment, for example) may learn to be fearful, worried or expect the worst.

There’s just so much going on in my mind, sometimes I can’t keep up with what’s going on around me. – Amanda Jade Briska

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. There are different types of anxiety disorders, each with its unique causes and symptoms. But they all have something peculiar in common — prolonged, intense, overwhelming, unrealistic, excessive worry that is out of proportion to the present situation and affects a person’s daily life and happiness. Symptoms of an anxiety disorder can occur suddenly or can grow little by little and eventually become full blown.

TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS AND THEIR SYMPTOMS

• Social Anxiety Disorder: this is characterized by an intense fear of social and performance situations and activities such as being called on in class or starting a conversation with a peer. This can significantly impair your child’s school performance and attendance, as well as his or her ability to socialize with peers and develop and maintain relationships.
• Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is diagnosed if your child suffers at least two unexpected panic or anxiety attacks, which means they come on suddenly and for no reason. This is followed by at least one month of concern over having another attack, losing control, or “going crazy.”
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): If your child has generalized anxiety disorder, he or she will worry excessively about a variety of things such as grades, family issues, relationships with peers and performance in sports. Children with GAD tend to be very hard on themselves and strive for perfection. They may also seek constant approval or reassurance from others.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder: This disorder is most common in children between ages seven to nine. However, older children can also suffer from this disorder too. When separation anxiety disorder occurs, a child experiences excessive anxiety away from home or when separated from parents or caregivers. Extreme homesickness and feelings of misery at not being with loved ones are common. Other symptoms include refusing to go to school, camp, or a sleepover, and demanding that someone stay with them at bedtime. Children with separation anxiety commonly worry about bad things happening to their parents or caregivers or may have a vague sense of something terrible occurring while they are apart.
• Selective Mutism: this is characterized by refusal to speak in situations where talking is expected or necessary, to the extent that the refusal interferes with school and making friends. Children suffering from selective mutism may stand motionless and expressionless, turn their heads, chew or twirl hair, avoid eye contact, or withdraw into a corner to avoid talking. These children can be very communicative, expressive and display normal behaviors at home or in another place where they feel comfortable.

Other Symptoms include;

• Inability to relax
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Irregular breathing (rapid pulse or pounding, skipping, racing heart)
• Nausea, chest pain or pressure
• Feeling a “lump in the throat” or dry mouth
• Feelings of dread, apprehension or losing control
• Trembling or shaking, sweating or chills
• Fainting or dizziness

EFFECTS

Some amount of anxiety is normal and can even be motivating. It helps us stay alert, focused, and ready to do our best. But when it becomes intense, or happens a lot, it can become overwhelming. It can interfere with a child’s self-confidence, self-esteem, sense of self-worth, social skills, relationship management skills, ability to get things done and, in severe cases, can start taking over the good and enjoyable parts of their life.

TREATMENT

• Support: ranging from discussing practical solutions and contributing stresses, to educating family members.
• Psychotherapy: also referred to as talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy.
• Biofeedback Therapy
• Audio-Visual Entrainment Therapy
• Mindfulness Meditation Therapy

If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.

– Amit Ray

For more information on the therapy procedures visit our website on https://www.mobilehealthconsult.org and remember to follow @DrMorayoJimoh on twitter.