By: Dr. M. Kyu Chung
Children who have extreme behavior such as tantrums, melt downs, when seen by a psychiatrist get categorized as having a psychiatric condition such as Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Pathologic Demand Avoidance (PDA). The problem with these diagnoses is that there is no attempt at looking for a physical cause for their conditions. They then are treated with either behavioral therapy and/or medications. Also, for every child who is severe enough to be given these diagnoses, there are many more that have lesser degrees of symptoms who are assumed to be somehow a part of their personality or just simply a very moody difficult child.
We at the Chung Institute of Integrative Medicine have found an effective solution for many children with these symptoms. We believe the problem is due to physical reversable abnormalities in the brain due to inflammation. The inflammation can be from abnormal reactions to foods, Lyme disease, other tick-borne illnesses, inflammation from bacteria, viruses, mold, parasites or vaccines. This inflammation then can be treated and reversed with simple Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) and/or with avoidance of the offending item.
Many parents have kids who are “difficult” and during ages two and three are presumed to have a case of bad “terrible two’s”. We have found that many of these children have a physical cause for their behavior that can be reversed.
Case examples from the Chung Institute:
Case 1: Child with extreme mood swings
A four-year-old boy was brought to the office for assessment of severe mood swings, tantrums and meltdowns that lasted for many hours. This had begun with general irritability as an infant and progressively got worse as he got older. He exhibited rigid behavior and the mother thought that he fit the diagnosis of “Pathologic Demand Avoidance” disorder. He refused hygiene activities, going to school, and had little desire to walk, jump, or play.
Autonomic Response Testing (ART) revealed that his brain had evidence of inflammation. A sample taken from deep inside his nasal passage with a thin nasal swab tested abnormal on ART and suggested that this was likely a source of his brain inflammation. We made a Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) solution from this swab and began having him take it once weekly.
At his two month follow up visit, his mother noted marked improvement of his behavior and mood. He was “happier”, no longer angry, no more sensory issues, no more issues with hygiene. He went to school without difficulty and appeared much happier.
4 month follow up: Marked continued improvement. The mother now says he is a loving pleasant child. see video testimonial.
Case 2: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder/Intermittent Explosive Disorder (DMDD/ IED) due to gluten intolerance:
We have seen several children whom we detected severe gluten intolerance via ART whose chronic labile anger resolved completely with the elimination of gluten