ADHD Guide

Ashley asked:


I am working on a presentation about ADD/ADHD and I need some personal feedback. What do YOU think about this ADD/ADHD phenomenon? Do you think it’s over-diagnosed? Do you think it even exists? Are you diagnosed with it? Can you tell me about some of your struggle?

Any opinion about Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Nellie

grumpylover1978 asked:


Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a growing concern in the United States. How does ADHD differ from disruptive behavior disorder? How can these two disorders affect a classroom? Do you believe doctors over-prescribe medication for ADHD? Explain your answer.

Jane

Robert William Locke asked:


Did you know that 8% of major league basketball players were on ADD (attention deficit disorder) psychostimulant medication during the 2008 season? They had to get exemptions because these drugs are normally banned in the major league games. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is an umbrella term for behavioural disorders among both children and adults and the side effects of these drugs have been the source of a controversial debate. Other conditions which fall under this umbrella are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ODD which stands for Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Strattera Comes Under Fire

There is a heated debate in the Australian Parliament at the moment about one of these drugs for attention deficit disorder which is called Strattera. There have been 56 reports that Starattera can cause suicidal thoughts and even cause patients to inflict injuries on themselves. Under the Australian Health Scheme, the government has funded resources for this drug to the tune of $100 million dollars to cover the period 2004 -2007. Debate has raged on whether the government should be spending such a lot of money on a drug which can lead to suicides especially as they have now added in an a higher dose version of the drug! There must be a safer way and it is outlined below.

ADHD Alternative Therapy

ADHD is the type of disorder where hyperactivity is a prevalent symptom although it may co-exist with inattentive ADHD where the child/or adult is spaced out and has great problems in focusing and concentration. Inefficient and messy multi-tasking may well be a symptom of this behaviour disorder. As well as treating this condition with one of several drugs similar to Stattera (Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall are others), there are several other alternative therapies which can either replace these potentially harmful drugs or be used in conjunction with other therapies.

Exercise Is Great For Hyperactive Children

Exercise for hyperactive kids has had a good deal of publicity lately. A recent study carried out by the State University of New York at Buffalo showed that exercise had a beneficial effect on the children’s behaviour and attention deficit disorder problems were much reduced after the exercise program had finished. The children who were tested were aged between 5 and 12 and they had to do just forty minutes of exercise for 5 days a week for a six week period. The experts there believe that when we exercise, positive changes occur in brain chemistry. We also know that aerobic exercise releases the ‘feel-good’ endorphins which increase feelings of pleasure. Other neurotransmitters affect mood, anxiety and attention span.This explains why hyperactive kids are always more manageable after a period of exercise.

The problem is that the children of to-day lead increasingly sedentary lives and the only parts of the body exercise are the wrists and the hands ! Apart from parenting techniques, diet and exercise, there are difficult decisions to take about which treatment can be adopted for attention deficit disorder.

Obviously more and more parents are becoming alarmed at the side effects of ADHD psychostimulants. What is the alternative ? The link below will take you to a site which has all the answers for a safe attention deficit disorder therapy which will guarantee a quiet life for all the family.



Alvin

Diana Ketchen asked:


If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, you may be a little dismayed at all the chemical and drug solutions that are heading your way. There are a number of different ways that doctors will suggest that you treat ADHD, but one thing that you might not have been offered are methods that are geared towards treating attention deficit disorder naturally . Treating attention deficit disorder is something that can do wonders for some people, and while your health or that of your child is a very personal thing, there are definitely a few things to keep in mind.

When you are looking into ADHD natural cures, remember that although it is often treated as a disease that it might be more appropriately called a spectrum disorder. The causes and symptoms of ADHD can vary wildly from individual to individual, and you will also find that the right cures for one child will do nothing for another. Take some time and consider some basic steps that can bring you closer to treating attention deficit disorder naturally.

A good first step to take when you are looking for natural cures for ADHD is looking at sugar intake . A high consumption of sugar can lead to quick and abrupt changes in the sugar levels in the body, leaving the adult or the child subject to irritability and mood swings. This can actually be so bad that it can lead to aggression and extreme hyperactivity. When the sugar is cut back or tapered off, you may find that quite a few of the symptoms that go along with ADHD are lessened or even disappear entirely.

An important aspect when you are looking into treating attention deficit disorder naturally is that there needs to be a lot of attention paid to what kind of foods are eaten. Some foods can actually trigger ADHD symptoms in people, and they can range from preservatives to dye to artificial sweeteners. Similarly, other people are triggered by orange juice, wheat, eggs or even dairy products. Keep an eye on what you are eating or what your child is eating; starting a food journal can be quite productive in this way.

When you are looking towards ADHD natural cures, you should also check out certain supplements. For instance, one common supplement that has been shown to work with children and adults who have ADHD is fish oil. The essential fatty acids in it can reduce hyperactivity . Similarly, evening primrose oil, cod liver oil and flax seed oil have also been known to have salutary effects.

Take some time to learn about ADHD natural cures; they are definitely out there, and you may not have been as briefed on them by your doctor as would have been ideal. Because this is a spectrum disorder, take some time to get to know about it, and to figure out what works for you or for your child. This is something that can help you more than you think.



Arlene

Michelle Bery asked:


A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) carries with it a whole new set of challenges. Suddenly, behavior that was hard to explain now fits within a standard definition of a widespread disorder. More and more children and adults are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, and consequently, Attention Deficit Disorder research has become the focus of an entire generation.

For those looking to educate themselves on the signs, symptoms, and treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder, they now - more than ever - have access to readily available Attention Deficit Disorder research. Attention Deficit Disorder research provides an inside look into the signs and symptoms that medical professionals consider when making a diagnosis.

Additionally, with the help of Attention Deficit Disorder research, health care professionals who treat the condition have learned of new and better ways to manage the symptoms for their patients of all ages. Continued Attention Deficit Disorder research has shed an ever-increasing light on the disorder, and consequently has generated new funding and amplified enthusiasm for finding new treatments.

Luckily, the growth of the Internet has allowed Attention Deficit Disorder patients - as well as the parents of children who suffer from it - to easily find all they need to know with one click of the mouse. In addition to ample Attention Deficit Disorder research, those online can find a comprehensive list of those professionals who test for and treat Attention Deficit Disorder in their immediate area.

Additionally, your primary health care provider can provide you with access to the most up-to-date Attention Deficit Disorder research available. If you are interested in learning what current statistics that research has yielded, visit a medical professional well-versed in treating Attention Deficit Disorder.

Because of the widespread focus on Attention Deficit Disorder, you’re likely to find an enormous amount of literature and periodical pieces available on the subject of Attention Deficit Disorder research as well. Gather as much information as you can find to help you on your journey.

And, as is often the case, the most well-informed will often be the patients themselves. Seek out other Attention Deficit Disorder patients or parents who are helping their children. You’re likely to learn an enormous amount about current Attention Deficit Disorder research.

For the millions who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder, strides made by Attention Deficit Disorder research means much more than medications and more accurate testing; for them, Attention Deficit Disorder research means renewed hope for the future.



Russell

Jon Arnold asked:


Studies have shown that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are increasing at an alarming rate. Some think that it is because it is not really rising but that it is gaining more visibility with better tools and methods to detect it, but doctors disagree, saying that the number of identified incidents is definitely on the rise.

In the past couple of decades, doctors and professionals have been working hard to find alternatives treatments for this disorder. Many parents, as well as doctors, are reluctant to simply treat the disorder with drugs and other stimulant medications, and have been looking for effective alternatives, including researching possible natural remedies, where some herbal remedies are showing a lot of promise without the harmful and often undesirable side effects. It is clear that alternative treatments for ADD and ADHD need to be researched and developed.

Studies have shown stark contrasts when the EEG of non-ADD children are compared with those of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The affected children show in a statistically significant way that they show excessively slow brainwave activity, particularly in the alpha and theta ranges) than non-affected children. The end result is that this slowdown tends to affect the child’s emotional and frequently also physical maturity levels.

It can be stated as fact that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurological conditions. For many years this diagnosis was disputed in the medical community, but more and more professionals have come to realize that based on what we know about the affliction today, this is indeed fact, which compounds the problem because it makes it more difficult to treat without causing negative impacts in other areas of the afflicted person. Again, this is what the most recent studies have indicated, although there is still disagreement on this since there are no medical tests available to definitively test such a broadly defined area.

Signs of ADD and ADHD would include:

Inattentiveness. The child affected by Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is clearly inattentive to a greater degree than a normal child would be inattentive. The affected child is not able to concentrate or focus on a particular activity or thing for longer periods of time. Sometimes part of the problem is thought to be having a lack of flexibility with attention focus. This can (although not necessarily always) create a need for the child to have special educational needs.

Forgetfulness. The child affected by ADD or ADHD will frequently forget things they have just learned or have just been taught. A particular place where this is noted is with teenagers who are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, who are about 400% more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease. Doctors attribute this to the fact that teenagers forget about the dangers of unprotected sex due to their inability to focus.

There are other symptoms, but a concrete diagnosis should be left to professionals since the various symptoms, which are much more than those listed here, can also indicate other disorders, where treatment options would be very different.

The bottom line is that understanding the affliction and early diagnosis are keys to helping the afflicted person cope with and deal with this disorder.



Jeffrey

Michael S asked:


I find that I can’t concentrate on things for an extended period of time. Since I’ve moved to Chicago, I get frustrated with my self becuase I find that when I am speaking with people, I get tongue tied and I studder becuase what I am thinking wont come out as quickly. When it comes to my design projects, if I’m not fully into my project I can’t concentrate more than a few minutes and reading a book… well that’s a daunting task.

Bryan

Asdfjkl; asked:


…
I was asking more along the lines of how do they test you for it? What do they do to find out?

Agnes