A Book Review: Younger Brains, Sharper Brains by Eric R. Braverman, M.D.
by Maggie Dail, M.A., Learning Specialist
Chapter 5 – Identifying Attention Problems
“The dopamine family of brain chemicals delivers your brain’s voltage, or power. Voltage is the intensity at which the brain responds to a stimulus and the effectiveness of its ability to process the information that monitors your physical and mental health. Your brain’s power determines your ability to stay focused, stay on task, concentrate, and get a job done.” P. 63
Deficiency of dopamine indicates a brain burning too much or not producing enough. As we age, we typically produce less. We may sleep longer and still wake up tired. We may even feel sluggish.
Low dopamine levels may lead to…(p. 64)
Attention deficit disorder
Decreased alertness
Distractibility
Failure to finish tasks
Failure to listen and follow instructions
Forgetfulness
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Poor abstract thinking
Poor concentration, especially with numbers
Four Core Forms of Attention Errors: (p. 65-66)
Omission – not answering a question or running a red light
Commission – inappropriate response, walking into traffic even seeing red light
Reaction Time – long delay even with an appropriate response
Variability – inconsistent responses
These difficulties lead to the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.. Attention is a subcategory of memory. Those who have attention problems generally have difficulty with communication.
Communication Difficulties (p. 68)
Difficulty finding the right word (dysphasia)
Difficulty following or joining a conversation
Difficulty initiating a conversation
Losing train of thought in middle of conversation
Repeating questions, stories, or statements
Struggling with vocabulary
Using words incorrectly
Next time we will finish the discussion on Attention.