From Anxiety to ADHD: What Functional Neurology Treats
For parents and caregivers, we understand that witnessing adverse changes in your child’s behavior can be distressing and confusing. Whether it’s an increase in anxiety and irritability, sudden attention difficulties in school or with daily tasks, or extreme changes in eating or sleeping habits, watching your child struggle to be the version of themselves that you know them to be is heartbreaking. You start down the Google rabbit hole - then maybe you ask your pediatrician, or parent groups on Facebook, or binging other mom’s videos on TikTok.
I’m assuming you’re reading this blog post because you’ve already been down the rabbit hole to try to figure out what’s going on with your child (or maybe more than one of them). Regardless of how drastic or subtle the change is that you’re seeing in him/her, identifying the source of the change is arguably the most crucial step in finding effective intervention. There are a number of factors that could create such drastic changes in a child, and a number of symptoms that you might be surprised to find out are interconnected. Every child’s body is a fascinating balance of resilient yet vulnerable - their worlds are small, yet change can happen at the drop of a hat. But read that sentence again - children are resilient. You just have to find the source first.
This blog post will explore the types of symptoms and diagnoses commonly addressed through functional neurology, including developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, and emotional regulation challenges. We’ll delve into how functional neurology seeks to identify underlying neurological dysfunctions and restore balance, ultimately aiming to improve not just behavior, but overall growth, development, and well-being. For pediatric patients, we’d like to help shed light on the diagnoses that we could help manage, and the strategies we use to create meaningful change.
What Symptoms Can Functional Neurology Change?
When it comes to addressing behavioral and neurological challenges, functional neurology looks at the whole picture of the brain and the functions of each of its parts. It targets the source of the symptoms, rather than just managing the symptoms themselves.
Learn more about our functional neurology services here.
When a red flag pops up within a child or adult and someone raises a concern, we immediately recognize that the symptom can be coming from a wide range of factors, and the presence of multiple symptoms allows us to get even more specific with the diagnosis - even if the symptoms don’t seem related.
From difficulties with attention and learning to issues related to emotional regulation and sensory processing, the spectrum of challenges is broad.
So what kind of symptoms do functional neurologists work with and sustainably resolve?
Emotional Regulation Issues
Emotional instability
Excessive worry
Moodiness and irritability
Anxiety attacks
Unusual reactions
Sudden fits of rage or anger
Behavioral Changes
Obsessions or compulsions
Hyperactive or impulse behavior
Unusual or sudden behavior changes
Repetitive behaviors
Intensive interests
Physical / Motor Symptoms
Lack of motor coordination
Motor or vocal tics
Changes in motor skills
Balance issues
Delayed milestones
Lifestyle Changes
Sleep disruptions
Memory difficulties
Social challenges
Unusual eating habits
Difficulty with reading or spelling
Delayed speech or language development
If you or your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms, please reach out to a healthcare professional near you to express your concerns and try to get connected with the appropriate provider. You know your child best - if something seems off, trust your gut, and follow through.
We’re Here to help
Out office is located in Valparaiso, Northwest Indiana—just a short drive from Chicago. If you’re in the area, we’d love to meet you and discuss how we can support you, or your child’s health journey.
