ADD and ADHD medication in Tokyo, Japan. ADD and ADHD Treatment in Tokyo, Japan. Doug Berger, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Berger is a bilingual American Board-Certified Psychiatrist experienced in the treatment of and medications for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), located in the Shibuya-Ebisu area of central Tokyo, Japan (Meguro-ku, Shibuya-ku, Setagaya-ku, Minato-ku area of Tokyo). Dr. Berger provides individual mental health counseling, marriage counseling, couples counseling-particularly Japanese-Western couples, divorce counseling, child and adolescent counseling, family therapy, and group psychotherapy in Tokyo Japan. He is also experienced in the use of ADD and ADHD medication in Japan.
See this ARTICLE ON ADD/ADHD written by Dr. Berger in the Tokyo Families Magazine.
Overview. While ADD/ADHD is thought of as a disorder of children and adolescents, a considerable number of adults also continue to experience many of the major symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity seen in children. This is commonly called Adult ADHD. Approximately 5% of school-age children are thought to have ADD/ADHD. There is a familial pattern with more persons in the same family having ADD/ADHD then seen in the general population. There are two major forms of Attention Deficit Disorder, the Predominantly Inattentive Type and the Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive type. Some persons may also have a combined type.
In the Predominantly Inattentive Type, young children may make careless mistakes in schoolwork, they have trouble sustaining attention, have trouble finishing and organizing tasks. They loose things, are forgetful, and are easily distracted.
In the Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive type, the child seems to be fidgety, constantly squirming in their seat, runs about and climbs excessively when it is in appropriate to do so and seems to always be "on the go". They impulsively interrupt others, can't wait their turn, and may have trouble controlling their aggression.
Adult ADD/ADHD. Although the intensity of the symptoms tends to lessen in adolescence, adults may also show significant impairment in social functioning.
Adults with inattention often can not finish course work or job projects, they are distracted and often forget where they have placed important objects. They are not able to tolerate the concentration needed to enter university, may barely finish high-school or college. They gravitate to activities they have interest in and have trouble to engage in uninteresting tasks no matter how much of a priority they are (i.e., paying bills, studying for examinations, making applications, etc.), and they often work in jobs that are far below their actual intellectual abilities. Inattention can lead to household clutter, not washing the dishes or doing the laundry when necessary etc. leading to fights with one's partner or spouse, and this is often a reason to present for help.
Adults with hyperactivity may be those persons who are constantly talking and get irritable when others have the floor, they are always making plans and doing exciting things. While they sleep well, they can't seem to relax when awake. They may be impatient with others who seem to do things slowly, and they can not tolerate slow activities (i.e., walking in the woods, uninteresting business meetings, etc.). Impatience, irritability, or tantrums resulting from an intolerance to pay quiet attention in certain situations may cause interpersonal conflict. If impulsivity is severe, these persons may gravitate to street-drug use or engage in dangerous or violent behavior.
The treatment of these persons first requires careful assessment of the problem and acceptance by the person that this is a problem they have had for many years, and if an adult, that they still have. Making the diagnosis in children requires careful evaluation as children by nature may have inattention or be very active as a part of development. Only after careful assessment of the child's behavior in school and at home should the diagnosis of ADD or ADHD be given. In adults, while the symptoms may be more subtle, a history of inattention and/or hyperactivity as a child along with some of the more common symptoms and behaviors as mentioned above can raise the suspicion of ADD/ADHD. In either case, there must be significant impairment in social functioning. While other illnesses like depression can co-exist with ADD/ADHD, careful assessment and the lookout for symptoms of ADD/ADHD that remain after the depression is successfully treated is an effective way to make the diagnosis. Treatment consists of gaining insight and education, help with organization and planning, special educational programs for children, and possibly medication treatment when these other methods fail. Dr. Berger is also experienced in the use of ADD and ADHD medication in Japan.
Unfortunately, many of the standard medications used to treat ADD/AHDHD in Western countries are not available in Japan (some are illegal to bring in or to or possess in Japan), and careful discussion with one's health care provider is necessary to determine how one's needs are best served.
Telephone inquiries regarding counseling and psychotherapy, or for advice on psychiatric medications, can be addressed to Dr. Berger at Tel: 03-3716-6624 (+81-3-3716-6624 outside of Japan). Long distance/International professional phone consultation is also available. Please leave a message on the answering machine, most calls will be returned within a few hours. Also, please note that as your call may be forwarded to a mobile phone, you may need to wait a few seconds for transfer, and because of this there is no fax function.
Send E-mail inquiries with the E-mail Submission Form. Please provide your telephone numbers (home, work, and cellular) if you send an e-mail. All inquiries will be replied to promptly either by Dr. Berger or one of his associates. Please call if you do not receive a reply within 2 days, as the server may be down on occasion.
All pages copyright by Douglas Berger, M.D., Ph.D.