Guide To Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Treatment
Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a relatively newly-recognized condition. It is an attention disorder and can overlap with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the symptoms and effects of this condition have particular distinctions from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Individuals with sluggish cognitive tempo tend to daydream excessively, experience' brain fog' and fatigue, and have sluggish physical movements. They also struggle to remember information, stay alert in uninteresting situations, and follow conversations. In many cases, patients will process information slowly, become easily confused, and act withdrawn or apathetic as well.
Treatment for sluggish cognitive tempo is vital. Since this condition shares similarities with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, many patients find that ADHD treatment can be helpful. One of these options is ADHD medications for adults. Natural ADHD treatment and therapy may also be effective. Of course, it is best for patients to understand all of their options for sluggish cognitive tempo treatment to ensure they pick the best one for their needs.
Antidepressants
Sluggish cognitive tempo often occurs alongside depression and anxiety. These disorders feed into each other, each causing the other's symptoms to worsen. Anxiety inhibits processing and can have a detrimental effect on memory. Depression, on the other hand, leads to lethargy, withdrawal from social activities, apathy, and feelings of fatigue and sluggishness.
Sluggish cognitive tempo patients, especially children, often experience anxiety and depression because they struggled to keep up with their peers. Their social relationships may suffer, and they may not perform as well in school or at work as they want. Antidepressants can be used to treat comorbid depression, and some treat symptoms of generalized anxiety. A doctor may also prescribe specific anti-anxiety medications for anxiety symptoms.
ADHD Medication
Around half of the individuals with sluggish cognitive tempo also have some form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The attention-deficit type of ADHD is more common than the hyperactive type since an excess of physical energy categorizes the hyperactive type. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication can be used to treat comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sluggish cognitive tempo can still be treated through stimulants, even in individuals who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is important for focus, mood stability, and other physical functions. In sluggish cognitive tempo patients, low dopamine levels lead to lethargy and feelings of fogginess. Increasing dopamine levels can help individuals feel more alert, increase memory capacity, and make it easier to follow conversations and process information.
Special Education Program
A special education program can often be helpful for children with sluggish cognitive tempo. Though this condition is not a defined disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders right now, a psychologist or psychiatrist can offer a diagnosis. Children with diagnosed learning disabilities and mental disorders are legally entitled to accommodations and special education resources in the United States.
For some students, special education plans may include mild classroom accommodations. Examples include extra time on tests, the ability to leave the room if overstimulated, and extra help going over lessons. Students with more severe learning disabilities may benefit from schooling in a special education classroom with a specialized curriculum tailored to their needs. Parents of children with sluggish cognitive tempo should talk to the school administration about options available to accommodate their child's needs.
Good Sleep Hygiene Habits
Sluggish cognitive tempo causes feelings of sluggishness and fatigue. The fatigue may persist even if the patient gets enough sleep. In addition, they may sleep more than the average person. However, failing to get adequate sleep can make tiredness and concentration issues much worse. For this reason, good sleep hygiene habits are essential for treating sluggish cognitive tempo and any comorbid mental disorders. Individuals should go to sleep and wake up at the same time, even on weekends. They should also engage in daily physical activity and exercise.
If possible, individuals should try to go outside at least once every day. Their bedtime routine before sleep should be consistent as well. They should avoid looking at screens, consuming caffeine, having heavy meals, or exerting themselves physically before bed. Individuals should also remove screens from their bedroom and try to avoid napping during the day.
Follow A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is an essential part of treating sluggish cognitive tempo. Healthy eating is an essential part of any child or adult's development and mental functioning. However, it becomes even more critical when this condition is present. Affected individuals should prioritize foods with high protein levels, including low-fat dairy foods, soy, nuts, beans, eggs, fish, poultry, pork, and lean beef.
Patients may also want to take vitamin and mineral supplements to help with their concentration and cognitive function. Zinc is a regulator of dopamine in the brain.Magnesium also creates neurotransmitters that help concentration and attention. Ideally, individuals should avoid foods high in carbohydrates. While these provide a short-term energy boost, they often lead to a crash and more significant lethargy later.
Regular Exercise
Another vital part of sluggish cognitive tempo treatment is exercising regularly. Physical activity contributes to an individual's mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood. It also boosts cognitive function and self-esteem. All of these are crucial for any child or adult patient with this condition. In addition, exercising alleviates symptoms like social withdrawal and low self-esteem. Regular physical activity can be as simple and easy as a thirty-minute walk in the park or a soccer match with friends.
Being active has proven to be very positive for a patient's health, mentally and physically. Some of the reported benefits are weight reduction, improvement in mood, as well as increased energy, stamina, and dopamine levels. Additional health benefits are stress relief, reduction in cholesterol, and improved cardiovascular fitness. Research has proven that combining traditional mental health treatments with a consistent and regular physical activity plan can effectively treat and improve the symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo. Examples of traditional mental health treatments include psychotherapy and psychopharmacology.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Sluggish cognitive tempo is characterized by causing anxiety and depression in patients. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps patients change disturbing or destructive thought patterns that negatively impact emotions and behaviors. In this type of talk therapy, patients will typically meet with a mental health counselor to discuss stressful life situations affecting them and learn how to manage them better.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is often recommended to patients with eating or sleeping disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. It is a great tool to address emotional challenges. These challenges include coping with grief or loss, overcoming violence or abuse, treating mental illnesses when medications are not working, or solving relationship conflicts. Those who suffer from sluggish cognitive tempo may benefit from this type of therapy when treating overlapping anxiety and depression that comes with the syndrome. Research has found that using behavior modification methods at home and school for children with predominantly sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms.