Find expert answers to your health questions

Douglas Severance

Bio

Dr. Severance, a Sharecare Editorial Advisory Board member, is a family practice physician with a private medical practice in San Ramon, California. He is board certified by both the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He has been medical director for several detoxification and rehabilitation programs, both inpatient and outpatient, since the 1980's, and has practiced family medicine since 1979.

Education:
• MD: Loma Linda University

Residency:
• Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Internship:
• Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Certification:
• American Board of Family Practice
• American Board of Addiction Medicine
• American Society of Addiction Medicine

Specialties:

  • family medicine

Location:

Activity

  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How can I cope with ADHD as a teen?
    If you are a teenager who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learn as much as you can about your condition. Understanding ADHD can help you understand yourself -- why you have trouble concentrating in class, for instance, when the other students do not. Learning about ADHD will...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How does IDEA affect people with ADHD?
    IDEA stands for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This is a federal law enacted in 1990. The law ensures that all students with disabilities who require special education services have access to free appropriate public education (FAPE).

    Having ADHD does not automatically...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How do genes influence ADHD?
    Genetics are thought to influence attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Multiple international studies show that certain genes inherited from parents may contribute to a person's likelihood of developing ADHD. By identifying the specific genes involved, researchers hope to eventually prevent...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How are FAPE and ADHD related?
    Free appropriate public education (FAPE) is a special service offered for children and adolescents who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities. Under this service, people with ADHD and learning disabilities have access to educational opportunities that are equal...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What is cerebellar training for ADHD?
    For people with reading and learning disorders, cerebellar exercises are used to develop the neural pathways and address slow information processing. Known as brain-focused training, these exercises may benefit people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although further studies...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How can I start the IEP process for my child with ADHD?
    For kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to be considered for an individualized education plan (IEP), they must first be selected for the program. This starts with a referral from parents, teachers, or doctors. Specific data about the student’s progress or problems are then c...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How can we help my teen with his school experience?
    For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the classroom is often where problems first and most often appear. When it comes to specific ADHD treatments, each child and family is different. Also, the child’s severity and type of ADHD may play a part in the decision. To treat...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    Will my child with ADHD need a special school environment?
    Even among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), everyone learns differently. Some children may require specialized classrooms, while others may be able to function well in a normal classroom. If a student is having trouble, they should talk to the teacher. The teacher help...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What are side effects of electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia?
    For the most part, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective medical procedure used to treat schizophrenia. Like most medical procedures, ECT can produce some undesirable side effects. One of these side effects is that people may react to the anesthesia used in the procedure....  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    Is electroconvulsive therapy safe for patients with schizophrenia?
    Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe treatment for people with schizophrenia. During ECT, electrodes on the scalp send an electric current to the brain, causing a seizure. This treatment is mostly helpful for people who are not responding to other standard schizophrenia treatments, such as...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How does electroconvulsive therapy treat schizophrenia?
    Scientists do not know exactly how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) helps people with schizophrenia. According to the Mayo Clinic, ECT changes the brain chemistry in people with schizophrenia. During ECT, a person is sedated under general anesthesia. Electrodes are placed onto the person's...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    How can I help prevent my child from schizophrenia?
    Unfortunately, you cannot prevent childhood schizophrenia, just as adult schizophrenia cannot be prevented either. It is a brain disease that has no cure, although treatment with medication and therapy does help many people recover and live productive lives. The best way to help a child with...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What side effects affect children on schizophrenia medications?
    All medications for schizophrenia have a risk for side effects. Schizophrenia medications for children, called antipsychotics, are the same medicines used for adults. These drugs reduce schizophrenia symptoms such as psychosis, lack of motivation, and loss of interest. To understand the different...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What professionals help children with schizophrenia?
    Many professionals are trained to help children with schizophrenia. In a hospital setting, these professionals work together as part of a child's treatment team. In an outpatient setting, the child will meet individually with his treatment team members. A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor...  Full Post
  • Douglas Severance
    Douglas Severance answered:
    What tests are done for children with schizophrenia?
    The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that research studies have shown that many children are misdiagnosed with mental illnesses. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia are similar to symptoms found in other illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and drug addiction. Further,...  Full Post