ADHD Guide

Diana Ketchen asked:


While there are many reasons for ADD and ADHD, one of them that is both important and relatively easy to control is a modified attention deficit disorder diet.

Simply by removing certain foods from the diet, you can greatly reduce, if not completely eliminate, your child’s ADHD. A diet for attention deficit disorder may indeed take care of the problem altogether, although oftentimes, what happens is that symptoms are simply eased to the point of manageability.

Here are some things you should remove from your child’s diet, no questions asked. You should try removal of these items for at least two weeks before you decide the removal has no effect.

§ Sugar and most caffeine

Children with ADD already have difficulty controlling impulses. The inclusion of a lot of sugar or any caffeine in the diet can just make the symptoms worse. Therefore, removing these substances eliminates potential triggers for ADD symptoms. If you can’t go to absolutely zero sugar, cut it to just 10% of its previous levels.

§ Dairy products

Oftentimes, children’s ADD symptoms can be made worse or even manifest if they’re allergic to something. Dairy products are among the most common of allergens for children. Therefore, eliminate all dairy products, especially milk. If you need a milk substitute, try rice or almond milk, or a product called Better Than Milk.

Have your child drink a lot of water and eliminate other beverages that might also cause problems, like tea (because of the caffeine), soda (because of artificial colors, sugars, flavoring and caffeine), or sports drinks such as Gatorade. Try just water for two weeks. Your child will complain for a few days, but very soon will get used to the taste. It’s a good idea to buy a water filter if you use tap water so as to remove any unpleasant taste and odors. Again, this is healthier, and will also eliminate chemicals that are unhealthy. See? There is a plus side for an attention deficit disorder diet.

§ Junk food

No processed, salty, sugary, white flour foods. If it’s junk (meaning empty calories), your child can’t eat it. (That includes some breakfast cereals, by the way.)

§ Fruit juice

This might surprise you, but juice has a lot of sugar content, which can exacerbate your child’s ADD symptoms. If you must, dilute the fruit juice with water to at most 50% strength, less than that if you can.

§ Chocolate

A tiny amount is okay VERY occasionally, but no more than a tiny piece once a week.

§ NutraSweet or other artificial sweeteners

Absolutely no artificial sweeteners.

§ Processed meats or MSG

Avoid processed meats or foods with MSG in them.

§ Fried foods

At most, your child can have 10% of the previous amount eaten.

§ Food coloring

Many children are sensitive to food coloring used in food substances like Kool-Aid. Eliminate these for two weeks completely.

Now, you might think that this attention deficit disorder diet is very restrictive, and it is, based upon modern standards. However, good, simple, natural foods are available. They just require some cooking. Get yourself some recipe books or go on the Internet to search for recipes that use only whole ingredients with nothing added. Things like meat, potatoes, fresh and frozen vegetables with no salt, sugar artificially ingredients added, and so on.

After the elimination period, you can begin to add some of these listed foods back, slowly. Keep in mind, though, that these are not healthy foods for the most part, anyway, so you may want to just eliminate them permanently from your child’s diet and from the rest of your family’s, too.

Once you begin to add these foods back in (especially things like dairy, which can be quite healthful and which you may want to keep in your diet), watch your child for reactions. Usually, you should see this type of reaction within four days of the foods’ ingestion. You may see physical subtle signs like red blotches or red ears, or behavioral changes like explosive temper tantrums. After about a month, you should know what foods to avoid.

Feeding your child’s brain

A healthy brain needs healthy foods. Breakfast is best done as a high-protein, low carbohydrate meal. Shoot for 60% protein and 40% carbohydrates for this meal and choose things like eggs. If your child doesn’t like eggs, you can use protein supplements like shakes to help your child get extra protein. There are many “just protein” shakes on the market that have no artificial colors, flavors, or sugar. They can be quite bland, so you can be creative and make shakes from rice milk, a banana, some protein powder and a little carob powder, if you wish.

§ A good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement made for children

Remember to buy one that has no artificial colors and flavors added.

§ Fish oil

These come as capsules so your child doesn’t have to taste the “fish” taste if he or she doesn’t like the flavor. Fish oil feeds the brain with omega-3 fatty acids for proper food. Most children need between one and two capsules a day. (Avoid these capsules if your child has any type of blood coagulation problem or other condition that may result in blood thinning. It’s a good idea to check with your doctor, too.)

§ Fruits and vegetables

Go organic if at all possible. This helps ensure that your child has no pesticides in his or her diet, either.

You should see improvement in as little as two weeks to a month. Again, the diet for attention deficit disorder may not completely eradicate behavioral symptoms, but most likely, they’ll certainly lessen. An attention deficit disorder diet will be much more effective when combined with other natural ADHD alternative treatments, such as homeopathic remedies.

 

 

  

 

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John R asked:


I’m 17 and I am pretty convinced I have it but I want to hear about what ADD people usually do as a result of their condition, so maybe I will see my psychiatrist about it.

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Margaret. H asked:


This is an education on the autism symptoms in attention deficit children. It is important to know because early intervention by spotting the common symptoms will mean the difference between normalcy in life and a stunted social existence. No one can truly explain fully the roots of autism nor is there enough literature to properly diagnose and truly define the ailment. We know that autism can be traced to genetics and birth defect related diseases, and it affects many parts of the brain. Strictly speaking, it is a brain developmental disorder, which affects children at a very young age - below three years old. When observing your child, you must understand that autism has many variable symptoms, and cannot be defined by a single defining symptom.

There are many layers of behavioural and mental earmarks that will highlight whether or not a child has autism, and only a child psychologist can truly give a definitive diagnosis. But there are some commonalities when it comes to describing autism in children and the umbrella symptoms are all related to the nature of the condition as a social developmental and communication disorder. Children with autism are not able to function normally within their own social circles and have difficulty communication on the same levels with their peers and adults. In infants, autism shows up in symptoms of decreased social interaction.

These infants and toddlers seem to show less interest and reaction to social stimuli, they smile less often and are easily distracted. These infants are unable to maintain extended forms of eye contact unlike normal infants who will always fixate their eyes on the subject before them in an attempt to learn and interact with that person. Autistic infants will also be unable to communicate normally with their parents or people around them, they will seem shy and will try to use physical manipulations (touching another person’s hand) to gain attention. As they get older, these symptoms manifest more obviously, especially when they are faced with social situations. They are more likely to shy away from these experiences and keep to themselves, unable to function in normal interaction. They will not spontaneously approach people, seem unfriendly, seem stunted in response to social stimuli and of course, prefer the company of the primary care givers.

The thing about autistic children is that they form a deep bond and reliance with their parents, and are unable to sometimes get out of that emotional circle or protectiveness they have surrounded themselves with and associated with their care givers. If your child displays some of these symptoms, then early intervention is the most crucial form of treatment you can give them. The main goals of treatment with child psychologists is to identify and reduce the symptoms at an early age, increase their social interactivity and communication skills. Methods like applied behavioural analysis, structured teaching, speech therapy are important ways parents can reduce the autism symptoms in attention deficit children. With early intervention, these children will have a much better chance at having a normal life and even more productive adulthood.



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Robert William Locke asked:


Are Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) children at greater risk from drug abuse? The answer is yes and this also includes children with bipolar disorder and with ADHD which stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Actually, the only good news is that more parents are now talking to teenagers in general about the risks of drug abuse and figures are up slightly to 37% compared to 32% last year. Experts agree that if teenagers discuss drug abuse with their parents, they are far less likely to do it. These figures come from the Partnership for a Drug- Free America after they had surveyed 6,500 teenagers.

Attention Deficit Disorder children will have a number of challenges to face as they try to cope with time management skills and self-control. If they are not treated at all for ADD, they are likely to carry it into adulthood and if they are treated with ADHD psychostimulants, as the majority are, they are not going to be cured and there is still a risk of substance abuse. Their only hope is if they receive enough support at school and at home to help them acquire these skills which will help them cope with hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.

Where do they get the drugs? The shocking statistic is that a lot of them like Valium, ADHD meds (amphetamines), antidepressants come from their parents’ medicines cabinets! Apart from locking their cabinets, parents should be on the lookout for symptoms of drug dependency. If the teenager withdraws from social networks and old friends, sports and church activities, that may be a sign. Also problems with inattention at school may be commented on by his/her teacher. Irritability, lack of focus and certainly mood swings may be other indicators. These are also symptoms of attention deficit disorder to a certain extent which muddies the picture considerably.

The only way out of the jungle is to look at ADHD medication and decide if the risks of drug dependency and the side effects are really worth it. Parents are now looking at alternative attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment as there are too many unanswered questions about this condition. They want to know about side effects (there are none) but they also want to know the risks. As regards risks of drug dependency, there are none. But they want to know what are the actual ingredients that go into the preparation of these alternative medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. All the answers to these questions are in the link below.



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Zoey Eber asked:


Once you read this article, you’ll have a good working knowledge of some of today’s popular methods for treating attention deficit hyper activity disorder.

Attention deficit hyper activity disorder, also known as ADHD, is a condition affecting both children and adults. It generally involves the inability to complete tasks, and problems with sustained attention and concentration. Some other common symptoms are impulsiveness, overactivity, impatience, inattentiveness, boredom and interacting with others.

Unfortunately, there is no single, specific test for diagnosing ADHD. It is a very specialized area of study, typically performed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other ADHD specialist, that involves a detailed and tedious examination of current as well as past behavior.

Drug therapy, as well as behavioral modification, are some of the common methods of treating ADHD. But research is now showing some highly effective, more holistic methods of treating this condition. These natural alternatives are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are leery of the side effects of drugs. Regardless of the method of treatment, all programs should include close monitoring.

Prescription drugs in the forum of stimulants and nonstimulants are widely used in the treatment of ADHD. Stimulants are used to help the patient in focusing and avoiding distractions. These have demonstrated an effective rate of about 70%-80%. Examples of these drugs include Ritalin, Adderall, Methlin, Cyclert, Concerta, Focalin and Metadate.

Strattera was the first nonstimulant drug used to treat ADHD. Wellbutrin, Effexor, Catapres, Pamelor or Tenex are prescribed in cases where Strattera or any of the other stimulants are found to be ineffective or not well tolerated.

Drugs used in the treatment of ADHD as well as any other other medical condition have side effects that need to be considered. Some of those associated with ADHD drugs include social withdrawal, jitteriness, decreased appetite and weight loss, headaches, stomachaches and sleep problems. Patients with undiagnosed or pre- existing heart conditions have also been known to suffer increased blood pressure and heart rate from the ADHD drugs.

Behavioral therapy is widely used in the treatment of ADHD. This therapy emphasizes adjusting the environment, including establishing daily routines and creating more structure in the patient’s life. Although effective, this method of treatment typically requires more time than drug therapy.

Typically, childen with ADHD need help in organizing their lives. Simple things such as schedules, routines, structure and organization of tasks and belongings go a long way toward helping the child focus and avoid distractions. It is also important to remember to reward the child’s accomplishments in order to provide positive reinforcement.

ADHD in adults is treated with various techniques. Where self esteem is an issue, behavioral and cognitive therapy is used. If anxiety and stress are the problems, relaxation and other stress managment techniques are implemented. Behavioral coaching is used to help with organization of home and work activites, whereas job coaching is effective with improving work performance and relationships.

In the case of children, parents today have become extremely concerned with the potential dangers of drug therapy. For this reason, homeopathic treatments are becoming more and more popular. Not only have they been proven effective in treating a variety of illnesses and conditions, but they are safe. Please be sure that all homeopathic remedies are manufactured in an FDA approved facility under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist or homeopath.

Your next step? To take what you’ve just learned and make an informed decision about treatment for attention deficit hyper activity disorder.



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Robert William Locke asked:


Not just ADHD meds! Treating attention deficit disorder will require a lot more effort on the part of parents. Is there such a thing as ‘bedtime’ in your family and if there is, do you actually impose it ? There are so many distractions now that very often, we parents do not even stick to our bedtimes, let alone our children. We now know that the children of President Obama go to bed at 8 .p.m. If we have children of the same age, maybe we should be following the Presidential example.

Parents often overlook the importance of sleep in treating attention deficit disorder. One expert from the Pediatric Sleep Disorders Clinic at Hasbro Children’s hospital says that young teenagers need at least 9 to 9.25 hours sleep every night. Establishing a bedtime routine and sticking to it will help enormously. Many ADHD kids suffer from sleep disorders and a routine really helps. Exercise and sunlight during the day are a great way to start. Turning down lights in the house towards bedtime helps as does switching off all electronic media in the house an hour before bedtime. Then quiet activities, a sleep inducing drink (warm milk with honey) ,good old fashioned reading a book or reading the child a story will be a great help. A sleep disorder may be just that and if your child has no other ADHD symptoms, then you will just have to fix the sleep problem and not worry about attention deficit disorder treatment. The main symptoms of a sleep disorder are snoring, interruption of breathing (apnea), drowsiness during the day and difficulty in actually getting to sleep.

A new study from the University of Central Florida suggests that hyperactive children actually need to move around so that their short term memories can function better. The movement actually keeps them alert. ADHD kids when confronted with a small task like reordering letters began to squirm and started fidgeting while doing the tasks while the non ADHD children were sitting relatively quietly. The ADHD kids can still do the tasks but they may need extra help in breaking down the instructions and giving them checklists. The same technique can be used in helping them with homework and indeed with any small household or daily chores like getting ready for school and so on. This is just one of the many ways we can use in treating attention deficit disorder.

Not just ADHD meds is all very well but some form of medication is needed for attention deficit disorder treatment, even if you apply the techniques and routines I have mentioned above. In using ADHD psychostimulant medicines, many parents do not realise that kids’ brains go on developing right up to the age of 25 ! The drug companies refuse to inform us or simply do not know about the long term effects on the neural development of the psychostimulants, antidepressants and other drugs that they insist our children take. There are, of course, alternative therapies available for treating attention deficit disorder. A homeopathic ADHD remedy has no side effects and will certainly not be addictive. If you would like to know more before you decide, click on the link below.



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Robert William Locke asked:


Whoever invented the longest name for a mental disorder such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder maybe suffered from the condition himself and was not able to focus and was all over the place! Anyway now this condition is referred to as ADHD. That’s a relief. Now it has become a four letter word! Can ADHD behaviour therapy help?

ADHD behavior therapy together with medication is now recognized as the best way of treating ADHD . The great example is Michael Phelps who was diagnosed at the age of 9 years. He was put on medication but apparently that did not last long and then went on with ADHD behavior therapy.

As we are talking about Michael Phelps, it is interesting to note that the best sports for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children apparently are swimming, horse riding and martial arts. The latter is great for helping with focus and concentration which are two of the problems with ADHD children. They also learn to control their bodies and minds. So, whether you opt for ADHD behavioral therapy or not, keep in mind sports for kids is a great way to help with this condition. Buying an indoor jungle gym is a great way for hyperactive kids to let off steam and can be used in breaks from homework too.

ADHD behavioral therapy can help the parents with strategies in the following situations. The child is starting to lie and cheat and is also abusive towards his or her siblings. You can also learn about being a role model and the importance of practising what you preach. Children ape their parents in almost everything so if you never read a book and prefer to watch TV, then why should you be surprised to never find your child engrossed in a book ?

There are also great strategies to learn how to cope with a meltdown. You can learn about using the time-out technique and applying it to yourself when you are about to lose your self-control. If you despair of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications which are risky for your child’s health and have neglected considering how and why your parenting techniques are going to be crucial in your child’s development, then check out the links below. Learning and adopting ADHD behavioral therapy together with a natural cure for ADHD could be the best thing you ever did to treat your ADHD child.



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Zoey Eber asked:


Let’s face it, there are so many options for treating attention deficit hyper activity disorder today, you hardly know which way to turn. After reading this article you’ll have a basic knowledge of the currently used methods of treatment available today.

Generally speaking, ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyper activity disorder, involves problems with sustained concentration, attention, and difficulty in completing tasks.  This disorder affects children as well as adults. Boredom, excessive worrying, overactivity, impatience, impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and problems communicating with others are some typical symptoms.

Diagnosing ADHD involves a very detailed evaluation of both current and past behavior. There is no specific test for identifying this condition. It is a highly specialized field of study, usually undertaken by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other ADHD specialist.

There are many available options for treating ADHD, including drug therapy and behavioral modification. But there are a variety of highly effective natural alternatives that are also gaining popularity today. In any case, any type of treatment should include close monitoring in the way of follow-up visits.

There are several drugs used in treating ADHD, including both stimulants and nonstimulants. Stimulants prove to be effective in about 70-80% of patients, and are primarily used to help promote focus and block distractions. Among the more popular stimulants in use today are Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Methlin, Dexedrine, Focalin and Metadate.

Strattera was the first nonstimulant drug to be used in the treatment of ADHD. In rare cases where Strattera or any of the other stimulants are not well tolerated or prove to be ineffective, Wellbutrin, Pamelor, Effexor, Catapres or Tenex are used.

Drugs used in the treatment of any illness or disease, including ADHD, can have side effects. Common side effects associated with ADHD drugs include headaches, stomachaches, decreased appetite and weight loss, sleep problems, jitteriness and social withdrawal. Some of the stimulant drugs have also been known to cause increased blood pressure and heart rate in patients with undiagnosed or pre existing heart conditions.

Another popular alternative for treating ADHD is behavioral therapy. This treatment focuses on environmental adjustment, creating more structure and establishing routines in the patient’s life. This type of therapy usually requires more time than drug therapy.

Children with ADHD typically need more help in organizing their lives. This is usually achieved by establishing daily routines thru implementing schedules, and generally providing a structure to organize tasks as well as belongings. As children need routine in their lives, they also function better with structure. It is important to reward their accomplishments to provide encouragement.

A variety of methods are used for treating adult ADHD. Enhancement of self esteem is effectively achieved using behavioral and cognitive therapy. Anxiety and stress reduction can be accomplished using stress management and relaxation techniques. Behavioral coaching helps in organizing work and home activities, while job coaching helps in improving work relationships and performance.

Homeopathic alternatives are enjoying amazing popularity these days, and have been shown to be highly effective in treating all sorts of conditions and illnesses. Particularly in the case of children, parents are realizing the potential dangers involved with drug therapy and are opting for a more holistic approach in treating ADHD. Homeopathic remedies are safe and don’t compromise over the counter or other prescription medicines the child may be taking. When homeopathic remedies are to be used, it is important to ensure they are manufactured in an FDA registered facility with the supervision of a qualified pharmacist or homeopath.

In conclusion, after considering what you have just read, you are now in a good position to make an informed decision regarding treatment for attention deficit hyper activity disorder.



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Kathleen Chester asked:


ADD is short for Attention Deficit Disorder which is a behavioral developmental disorder. This disorder affects both children and adults, but is more commonly diagnosed in children. It is important to treat the condition, while still at a nascent stage in childhood, since it can cause problems if it is undiagnosed and left untreated in the long run. While adults are able to cope better with the disorder, coping with ADD in children can be very difficult for both parents and the child.

Symptoms in children

A child affected with ADD will have difficulty in concentrating or focusing on something. He will also find it difficult to organize things or follow instructions and directions. They have difficulty in controlling their natural spontaneous responses such as speech, movements, and attentiveness. They are unable to finish tasks, make plans, participate in activities around them or even sit still. They have a tendency to get distracted by the smallest of things and consistently make small careless mistakes in their activities that require patience and following instructions.

These children have lots of things simultaneously going on in their mind and are unable to concentrate on anything specific. Multiple activities like the teacher talking, two students whispering, and people walking on the corridor outside the classroom, all affect the ADD affected child’s concentration. While most children are able to block the other noises and concentrate on the teacher’s voice, the ADD affected child is unable to do so. They also have a tendency of losing their belongings and even very intelligent and bright children with this disorder may be getting low grades.

Symptoms in adults

ADD is also quite common among adults though in most cases it goes undiagnosed as the symptoms overlap with other adult disorders such as stress. Adults suffering from ADD are mostly restless and are unable to concentrate on their work. They also have difficulty staying organized and may even have difficulties in maintaining their relationships due to their compulsive behavior. However adults are much more equipped to deal with their problem and are mostly recommended to control their symptoms with proper diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes.

The other symptoms which are reflected both in children and adults affected with ADD are short attention spans, poor listening skills, tendency to be bored and being impulsive in speech and action. These symptoms are however noticed in various degrees in the patient and only a trained medical professional can diagnose how serious the problem is and treat it accordingly.



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Kathy Kafka asked:


Rooibos A.D.D. Tea is a blend of all natural herbs

designed to be beneficial in the treatment of A.D.D.

Studies have shown these herbs boost

concentration and memory, promote nutritional

delivery to the brain and balance neurotransmitters.

These herbs have been shown to be effective for

restlessness and release of anxiety.

Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D) – Also known

as A.D.H.D., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder can overlap with other physical and

psychological disorders.  There is rarely a case

of someone who is all A.D.D.  More often there

is a combination expressed by some underlying

cause.   A.D.D. is not simply a disorder of

childhood, but a lifelong condition.

A.D.D. is difficult for everyone involved to deal

with.  As well as the difficulty of living with the

symptoms, wider society may face challenges.

Some symptoms and characteristics of A.D.D. are

learning disabilities, frequent forgetfulness,

impaired judgment, excessive talking/interrupting,

trouble concentrating, shortened attention span,

mood disorders, alienation, motor problems,

and organization.  A.D.D. is also linked with an

increased risk of accidents, drug abuse, failure

in school, antisocial behavior, and criminal activity.

But others view A.D.D. in a positive light, arguing

that it is simply a different method of learning

involving greater risk-taking and creativity.

Rooibos Tea – has been shown to aid in health

problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure,

irritability, headaches, stomach cramps, disturbed

sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension, mild

depression or hypertention, liver diseases, allergies,

cataracts, mellitus, atherosclerosis, nausea and

vomiting, constipation, stomach ulcers, and heartburn.

Rooibos Tea has many amazing health benefits.  It

boosts the immune system and has 50 times the

antioxidant properties of green tea.  It is also called

Red Bush Tea or Red Tea.  The Japanese, from

extensive research call it Long Life Tea.  Rooibos

Tea aid in the body’s natural schedule, relaxing in the

evening and stimulating during the day.



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