All You Need to Know About Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by behavioral and learning disorders %26 particularly by a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility. It is a condition in which it is hard for children to control their behavior and/or pay attention %26 was first described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in the year 1845. While a section of scientific society is contentious about its existence %26 prefers to call it a “fictitious disease”; some recent research suggests that ADHD does exist. This condition becomes apparent in some children in the preschool and early school years. It is one of the most common behavioral disorders in childhood %26 its prevalence is estimated to be between 5-7 percent %26 approximately 2 million children in the United States are suspected to have ADHD. About 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD retain the symptoms %26 as a result, over the past decade, ADHD has been increasingly diagnosed in adults.Over the last few decades, various theories have been hypothesized about the causes and effects of ADHD some of which have been highlighted below:Genetics: ADHD has been often found to run in families %26 various studies indicate that around 25 percent of the close relatives in the families of ADHD children also have ADHD; so there are likely to be genetic influences. By studying the genetic isolates of Paisas of Colombia, researchers have been able to describe specific genetic aspects of ADHD.Brain Damage: While the majority of ADHD is believed to be genetic in nature, around one-fifth of all ADHD cases were considered to be acquired after conception due to brain injury caused by either toxins or physical trauma prenatally or postnatally. Some children who have suffered accidents leading to brain injury may show some signs of behavior similar to that of ADHD.Alcohol %26 Tobacco: Various studies have shown a possible correlation between the use of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy and risk for ADHD in the offspring of that pregnancy. This could be related to the fact that nicotine is known to cause lack of oxygen – hypoxia, in the uterus.The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms appear early in a child’s life. Everyone wants his/her kids to graduate from Harvard. But kids are kids after all %26 many normal children may show these symptoms at one or the other time. Parents shouldn’t just hastily assume that as ADHD %26 force their kids to pop in ADHD drugs impulsively!So, it is important that the child receive a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis by a well-qualified professional. Even if a child has ADHD, he/she can achieve his/her full potential by receiving help, guidance, and understanding from parents, friends, counselors, and the public education system!

Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, characterized by significant difficulties with functioning in areas such as impulse control and motivation, is becoming a much more common diagnosis in adults in recent years. Research suggests that children who have ADD and ADHD do not simply “outgrow” the disorder, but rather become adults who may learn to control or hide their difficulties, in their work and personal lives. Relationships are never perfect, nor are they necessarily easy, and adults with ADD and ADHD often have additional challenges that, if not addressed, may lead to the proverbial relationship revolving door. Despite the difficulties, individuals with ADD and ADHD can and certainly do succeed in relationships. Here are some key points that may help increase your chances of success:

Work on YOU first

I tell clients time and again, finding a relationship isn’t hard, but finding a healthy one that fits your needs (and theirs) is impossible unless you have solid knowledge of yourself. One of the most common problems in relationships is the feeling that once you find someone, the relationship should become all-encompassing. There are two glaring problems with this logic. First, people pick up on insecurity pretty quickly and that is at the core of much-too-fast relationships in which one person feels smothered while the other feels so insecure that they are literally afraid to acknowledge their own needs. Second, when someone ignores their needs for the (perceived) sake of a beloved, they end up harboring resentment towards the other person. These are characteristic of toxic relationships that are doomed, simply because someone isn’t being themselves. If you can’t enjoy the pleasure of your own company, you will create realistic expectations that someone else will have to be the source of that pleasure. Choosing to be single is hard, but if you’re fresh out of a relationship, it may be the best time to enjoy your hobbies, interests, learn a new craft, or start an exercise program. The more comfortable you become with your own company and being single, the less you will feel compelled to seek out a relationship when you aren’t ready.

Boredom in a relationship is NORMAL!

Sure, we’d all love to maintain that euphoric rush that is characteristic of a new relationship, who wouldn’t? We are attracted to that feeling, which is a result of stimulation of our emotional and chemical systems. That feeling, however, is a direct result of novelty; as our minds and bodies work to assimilate the new information into our existing schemas. We can’ reinvent novelty, and we can’t force ourselves to believe a relationship is new when we’ve been together for some time. Think about this though, we can’t make that cognitive change in ourselves when we become familiar with any aspect of our lives, including jobs, hobbies, and friends. What then, can we do to reignite a spark in a relationship; thereby lessening the chances that we will impulsively seek out that initial euphoria, perhaps in ways that are not healthy? One thing that seems to be extraordinarily effective, time and again, is to create change within the relationship itself. This reinvention of the fundamentals can often strengthen the bond within the relationship and can provide enough novelty to make you both feel like you’ve met for the first time again.

Take responsibility

Relationships are a two way street, both individuals involved are just that: individuals. In the context of a relationship, two people are growing together in an evolutionary process of figuring out what feels best for each of us. At times, understandibly, we expect someone to whom we feel extraordinarily close to understand us, to realize that if we feel overwhelmed in our lives or work, we may choose behaviors that may hurt someone else. In these cases, we are choosing to act out our feelings on someone else who, in reality, can’t solve the problem. Individuals who have ADD/ADHD may lash out impulsively, may choose to indulge their immediate need for self-gratification, and may choose to blame the very people closest to them. This is an easier risk, since the people who love us the most are perceived to be the least likely to judge us or our behaviors harshly. They love us after all, right? Unfortunately, this behavior is an easy way to defer one’s own responsibility for choices they’ve made. Even after the fact, often under the guise of superficial guilt, we may continue to rely on the fact that we have ADD/ADHD as a means of explaining away what we’ve done. In many cases, once we’ve filed bad behavior into the ADD/ADHD folder, we feel that we’ve done enough so that when the impulse returns, we give in yet again. Keep in mind that patterns of behavior are just that, patterns and we all have the ability to identify them and realize when the temptation comes around again. Taking responsibility means making fundamental changes in our behavior that directly impact the pattern in a positive way. By doing so, we not only accept what we’ve done, but we learn from it and decrease the likelihood that we will resort to it again.

Make a real committment

Individuals who have ADD/ADHD have a wonderful ability to impart all their abundant energy to focusing on something. At the same time, we also seem to have a bit of difficulty when it comes to taking that step from being an active partner in a new relationship to being equally active once its clear that the relationship is moving forward. This tendency may be a result of earlier problems in connecting with others on deeper levels, it may be a sensitivity to rejection or it may also be a genuine fear of underachieving. It is important in any relationship to realize that both parties are new to the relationship, and are therefore at the same level of novelty. Most likely, both parties are also experiencing some level of fear along with the wonderful emotional fulfillment that grows deeper as the relationship progresses. If one person in a relationship puts on the brakes, out of fear, the relationship also stalls. Taking things slow is healthy, and helps each of us grow at a pace that fits our level of comfort, but there is also something to be said for walking into the face of fear. The one thing to ask oneself in cases of hesitation of commottment is “what is it that is stopping me from putting my personal 100% into this relationship?”. The answer to that is a great way to gauge where the problems may lie. If we are experiencing something that upsets or bothers us, a deeper level of committment may be encouraged by discussing one’s concerns openly, either with the other individual in the relationship or with a professional.

Change your perceptions

Taking charge of your life means making an effort to listen to what we say and considering what we think. With boredom often comes the lens of negativity and without thinking, we resort to making negative attributions. Its an easy habit to fall into, mainly because its a way for us to perpetuate our belief that things aren’t going well in our lives. Its our unconscious way of saying “see, this isn’t going right, this is proof that something is wrong”. As I mentioned earlier, our partners/spouses are often the target of our frustrations, and also the target of our negative attributions. This behavior takes the blame (and the responsibility) off of us and places it on an external source. Getting rid of or rejecting the source is easier than doing the hard work it takes to solve the issue, but time and again, we’ll find ourselves back in a similar situation because we haven’t ever faced the real problem. I’m a big believer in seeing the positive side of things and people, even if we initially don’t do so. One of the easiest things to do initially is to force ourselves to create a positive thought or comment and consciously add it to whatever negative thought or comment we produce. This takes some work, we often aren’t aware that we’ve fallen into the negative zone. Over time, however, we can become more aware of what we think and say, how they effect the way we feel and also the effect they have on others. No one wants to stick around that person who continually points out the bad stuff, it brings us down. Positive people are infectious, very attractive, confident and fun to be around. Even if their lives aren’t perfect, they will tell you whats great about the world. Positive perceptions change our lives in ways we can only begin to imagine. Give it a try!

It’s all over the news, ADHD is everywhere. Kids have it in record numbers, adults have it too. Is ADHD the latest craze? Is ADHD real or is it just an excuse? What is ADHD anyway?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is commonly referred to as ADHD, ADD, AD/HD or Attention Deficit Disorder. It is estimated that 17-20 million Americans are affected by ADHD.

When most people hear the term “ADHD” or “ADD” they picture a child, usually a boy, bouncing off the walls. They picture a little boy who is unable to pay attention to what he is supposed to and is disruptive in class. They picture someone who is totally disorganized, always running late and always forgetting the one thing they were supposed to bring with them.

In reality these children (and as they grow up, these adults) have brains that work differently. The brain of someone with ADHD is simply not wired to handle boring or routine tasks. The brain of someone with ADHD needs excitement to keep it alert. The brain of someone with ADHD can’t spend the time to prioritize what they need to focus on. The ADHD brain focuses on the most interesting thing it can find. And, unfortunately, just because something is interesting does not mean it is the most important thing.

ADHD is characterized as having chronic difficulties in at least one three areas; attention, (hyper) activity, and impulsivity.

• Attention: People that have trouble focusing on the task at hand. People who day dream, people whose mind jumps from one topic to the next. Conversely, issues with attention also include people who hyperfocus on something that really excites or interests them ‘ think of a child who can’t pull themselves away from a good game they are playing or an adult who gets so wrapped up in a project at work that they “forget” to eat or don’t hear the phone.

• Activity: Can’t physically sit still, always plays with something in their hands, constantly fidgeting. Again here the converse exists, someone who is so lethargic that they can’t seem to get out of their own way. Hyperactivity also exists in thoughts. A person whose thoughts skip from one topic to the next.

• Impulsivity: The inability to plan. This is the person who just jumps right in without thinking the action through. The child who blurts out the answer in class or interrupts their friends while they are in the middle of something. These are people who start one project and jump to the next.

Children with ADHD often have a great deal of trouble in school. The school environment generally requires active kids to keep still and keep their hands to themselves. They are asked to focus on tasks and subjects that they may not be interested in and are asked to wait their turn before speaking. Many ADHD children spend their time in school hearing things like “if only you tried harder you’d do so well”, “you’re being lazy”, “just do it, it’s not so hard” or “you are not working up to your potential”.

When not recognized, ADHD frequently leads to frustration, underachievement and forgotten dreams. ADHD can lead to low self esteem and under use of potential. It can lead to underemployment, substance abuse and failed relationships. But this doesn’t have to be the case.

What we often don’t think of, or don’t realize, when we think about people with ADHD is that they are often the brightest amongst us. They tend to come up with the most and best ideas when brainstorming, they are likely to volunteer for the new project that nobody else will dare to.

People with ADHD often thrive in situation where they have many things going on at one time…they rule the multitask world. Some of our countries greatest thinkers have many ADHD traits. Think of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein. Edison was kicked out of school because his teachers thought he was a slow learner, would not pay attention and could not sit still. Many people with ADHD are very smart. They are extremely creative, out of the box thinkers. They understand subjects on a different level than their peers. Their brain jumps from one idea to the next so they are often awesome barnstormers, negotiators and problem solvers. But they do learn differently and that is not always acceptable in the mainstream.

An ADHD child often grows up into an ADHD adult. By adulthood the ADHD adult has usually learned many strategies to help them compensate for some of the things they have trouble with. The attention, impulsivity and activity issues are still there but frequently show up in other ways. Major characteristics of ADHD in an adult include some of the following:

• Has difficulty sustaining attention, is easily distracted and fails to give close attention to detail.

• Does not appear to listen

• Struggles to follow through on instructions or follow rules

• Has difficulty with organization

• Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort

• Talks excessively and may interrupts or intrudes upon others

• Procrastination; inability to complete things

• Has difficulty making decisions

• Difficulty expressing thoughts in speech or in writing

• A sense of failure; not living up to one’s potential

• A sense of being different, unconventional

• A sense of internal restlessness; constantly active ‘ like being driven by a motor

• Has trouble falling asleep or waking up alert

• A sense that their mind is always active; thoughts jump from one topic to the next

• Easily bored; intense need for excitement

• Very impatient; low frustration tolerance

• Difficulty with personal or work relationships

• Frequently late or rushed

• Impulsive spending and money management problems

• Frequently changing jobs, interests or activities

• Frequently losing or misplacing things

• Perfectionist tendencies

It is important to be aware that everyone at some time displays some if not all of the typical characteristics associated with ADHD. The difference is that with ADHD these characteristics are long lasting and control your life. ADHD symptoms usually arise in early childhood. If you think you may have ADHD take this test [ http://www.carriethru.com/resources/adhd-test.htm ] then talk to a doctor or therapist specifically trained to recognize ADHD.

There are several alternative treatment options available to the parents of children correctly diagnosed with ADHD or ADD. Attention Deficit Disorder or that with Hyperactive tendencies are a set of mental illnesses that are routinely mis diagnosed.

This is due to the fact that many of the symptoms of ADHD and ADD are considered by many normal characteristics in growing kids. The challenge to develop any treatment options therefore is to accurately determine the degree of hyperactivity that pushes someone over the edge of normalcy and into the realm of a mental disorder.

One thing that you should be aware of is that the medical community is not in full agreement about ADHD in general or the use of some treatment options. There are those that believe that mediation used to treat this disorder have unacceptable risks. Another important factoid is that the treatment of all but the most pronounced mental disorders and diseases is a relatively new frontier.

Not in the sense of age as we’ve been working to find treatment options for all mental disorders for decades. But it’s more a frontier in the sense of understanding the causation and our ability to measure the severity of the problem. This is why jumping to an aggressive treatment option may not be in the best interest of the child that’s been diagnosed with ADHD or the family involved

If you have a child who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short, there are another of options open for treatment. The most common ADHD treatments usually involve as their biggest part the use of drugs like Ritalin or Dexedrine. On the street, these are known as Speed or methanphetamines.

Other treatment options for ADHD involve therapy and counseling for not only the one identified as having the ADD problem but also the whole family and especially the parents. Counseling can be used to help better identify emotional disturbances, and can assist with teaching the kid some study skills and organizational skills.

Note that teaching study skills etc. is normal stuff that should be done by parents. For many children however, because of the lack of parenting skills, the kid is diagnosed as having the problem.

The problem is that many ADHD treatments address the physiological part of the condition and ignore every other part. This is a problem, because ADHD children have trouble forming strategies to organize their lives and so they need, in addition to the drugs, some coaching in study skills that other students may be able to learn on their own. It is not enough just to medicate as an ADHD treatment option alone.

There are a number of other options that should also be considered. The most popular one at the moment is to have your child tested for allergies. Food allergies have been known to cause many problems for growing children and could be a root cause of ADHD as well.

Another option is to explore the use of natural remedies. vitamins and minerals may help keep your child off the pharmaceutical industries profitable drugs. Understand if needed, fine, but so many times, there are alternative options that work without the use of expensive drug solutions.

Other people recommend meditation techniques as ADHD treatment options. They say that the best way to treat ADHD is to take advantage of the mind’s natural flexibility and to rework the way it runs through self programming. Through daily meditation, focus, relaxation, and an end to the anxiety that is so common with ADHD sufferers.

One of the best things about the Internet and about serious, scholarly, and devoted professional help sites is being able to find the accurate, timely, and truly informative articles related to your search. You can spot a helpful ADHD article just this way. While we can find amazingly suitable materials in the regular bookstore on ADHD (Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder), such as Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo’s lifesaving book, or those equally useful works by Thom Hartmann, Shari Holden, and others, the ADHD article is quicker, more easily accessible by anyone anywhere in the world (online, I mean), and is just as valuable as written by an ADHD specialist, expert, and/or professional.

You can start with the ADHD site or ADHD ezine (online magazine), for example to find almost any ADHD article perceived as relevant to you:

* BTE, http://borntoexplore.org, provides information and a number of helpful, informative ADHD articles for scholarship and personal use.

* ADDitude magazine is online and by subscription, and has so many practical and realistic ADHD articles for the professional, the student, the parent, and the adult that you will definitely want your own copy! I came by the magazine through the college where I worked, and since then has read every magazine issue cover to cover. I then had to subscribe to resist the sinful temptation of keeping the copies I borrowed.

You will also want to have a look at the following ADHD article databases:

* The absolute premier site for ADHD articles is ADD Consults (http://addconsults.com). It will take you a little time to figure out how the system is constructed, but once you decide on a subject area, or sub-topic, you will get ADHD articles on everything from ADD strategies to co-morbidity information to ADHD articles about children and adults with ADD. The articles are upscale and professional, clinical, and/or personal, and are a must read! The site is built by Terry Matlin, MSW, ASCW, and features the astoundingly superbly brilliant support of ADHD article writers who are big names in the field—Edward Hallowell, John J. Ratey, Sari Solden, Thom Hartmann, and Michelle Novotny, to name just a few!

And once you find the primary source that is most user-friendly and most helpful to you, do not hesitate to sign up for a free newsletter, one which offers an ADHD article or two weekly or monthly (whenever the newsletter is delivered to your inbox):

* Terry Matlin, ACSW, also offers a newsletter which features an ADHD article, book reviews, and blurbs on many ADHD aids/products for the ADHDer, as I call her or him (as I call myself).

* Breath and Shadow, a monthly (or thereabouts) newsletter created by ROSC as the Journal of Literature and Disability Culture, is for writers and artists with any or all disabilities, and issues a monthly newsletter with a predetermined theme, but occasionally you might get an ADHD article.

As you can see, you can find the most scholarly ADHD articles, or the most personal and still accurate and relevant ADHD article written by a non-credentialed individual who is or knows someone who has to put up with the frustrations and challenges as well as special and unique gifts of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a.k.a ADD. Come on, any sites to share with me, anyone?

Omega 3 Benefits Your Body Can’t Be Without

One set of nutrients that play a vital role in protecting the body are the Omega-3 fatty acids and the Omega 3 benefits are many. Basically, these are a class of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids which must be supplied to the body through the foods you eat. Keeping in mind that cells are the very building blocks of the body, it is important to remember that these fatty acids play a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of healthy cell walls. The body’s organs can be negatively impacted if cell membranes form improperly, due to a domino effect of harmful changes in cell chemistry.

For those people suffering from the inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, they may find relief from the painful symptoms by simply adding Omega 3 fatty acids to their diet. They play a vital role in the regulation of several bodily processes, blood clotting, blood pressure, inflammatory as well as allergic response, and nerve transmission, for example, because they facilitate the production of hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins.

One of the important Omega 3 benefits is a greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease prevention. This is because the have the ability to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and even lower blood pressure. They also help raise the good cholesterol level (HDL), prevent thickening of the arterial walls, and inhibit platelet segregation (and hence prevent blood clots).

Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the likelihood of obesity and diabetes by helping blood insulin levels to stay stabilized.

Sometimes known as a brain food, it can help give the brain a boost - improving intelligence, memory and concentration. It has been established by systematic clinical investigations that Omega 3 fatty acids are helpful in treating various mental ailments including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, dyslexia, psychosis, migraine, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), etc.

Omega 3 promotes healthy cell walls, thereby providing protection against undesired mutations in the DNA that may trigger the growth of cancerous cells, reducing your risk to commonly occurring cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. Your immune system will be boosted by getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids which will mean an increase in your ability to fight off colds and other respiratory diseases.

Eating the right foods and taking supplements is the only way to ensure you enjoy these Omega 3 benefits. With current high interest and higher gas prices families may find serving salmon or scallops on a regular basis difficult, but don’t despair - less costly alternatives like tofu, dark green veggies, even nuts and seeds offer an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements also have value but should not be taken without consulting your doctor if blood-thinning medicine has been prescribed for you.

Hyperactive And Misunderstood: Working With Adhd Children

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be very, very difficult for parents to handle - as any parent of an ADHD kid will tell you. It can be really hard to understand your child’s problems, which further complicates that situation - because you love your child so much and will do anything to help them. You might be blaming yourself for your kid’s problems, wondering if you’re feeding your child the “wrong” things, or if you’re a bad parent, or even thinking -”that’s just the way he/she is” - and thinking that something is very wrong. If there are behavioral problems,plaguing your child,that are frustrating and hard to deal with, there might be another deeper underlying issue that would be worth checking into. The culprit could be Attention deficit disorder. Once the real problem issue is understood, one can stop asking themselves the painful questions. Symptoms of ADHD can manifest along with several different behavioral problems. Some of the symptoms of ADHD include, and inability to be still, or stay on task. Once they are on task, completing that task could another battle. Other symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity, which could also make it incredibly difficult for adults to control them.The cause of ADHD, often, is genetic and inherited from one’s parents. If the father has it, and you see that your kids show the symptoms, it might benefit everyone if they are examined. Two potential explanations exist for ADHD. Research has shown that these attention deficit disorders may occur due to chemical imbalances in the part of the brain that lets people organize thoughts. They do not have a sufficient amount of the proper type of chemical, and so they find that they have trouble reasoning. The second cause of ADHD involves the levels of brain activity. Children with this disorder have particular areas in the brain which are less active than in those children who do not have ADHD. Since these parts of the brain are less active, it causes the child to have a much shorter attention span, impulsive behavior, and stunted emotional expression as well.ADHD is often caused by genetics, in other words it is an inherited trait from parents. If the father has ADHD and one of his children begins to exhibit signs of it, it is wise to have the child checked for the disorder. Two possible explanations exist for ADHD. Research indicates that that first cause is when there is a chemical imbalance in the area of the brain that enables thought organization of those who have ADHD. The lack of this chemical makes it difficult for the person to reason properly. The other cause is related levels of activity in the brain. Those with the disorder have certain areas of their brain that exhibit less activity than compared to children that don’t have the disorder. The lack of activity in the brain causes a shortening of the attention span in the child, stunting of emotional expression, and behavior that is impulsive.Still, there is hope for children with ADHD and their parents. First, they could have a physician prescribe medication to help manage the symptoms. Or, they could attempt to manage their child’s ADHD without any medicine. Parents must make sure their children always get the right amount of sleep, exercise well, and provide them with the proper nutrition. You would be amazed over the difference in behavioral problems that this can make. Diet especially can be used as a way to control Attention deficit disorder. These children can be more sensitive to sugar and processed foods, manufactured dyes, yellow foods, and chocolate. You should also add more fruits and vegetables, decent protein choices, and more mineral supplements. Pair this with natural homeopathic remedies available for ADHD.ADHD cannot usually be managed with disciplinary measures or environmental changes. Because of this it is very important to get children correctly diagnosed. Once you have a correct diagnoses you will see long term improvements in their behaviors as long as you use holistic, natural and herbal remedies.

Attention Problems Plaguing Children May Be Treatable with Natural Supplements

In recent years fewer disorders affecting children have received more publicity than ADD and ADHD. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are essentially the same; a biological condition based in the brain. New findings show that managing this condition may be as simple as a natural supplement and nutritional balance. Parents and teachers alike have been at a loss over the behavior of children and their inability to focus. The incapacity to complete schoolwork and behavioral problems disrupt the learning process of the individual as well as other students in the classroom environment. Estimates are up to 5% of school children, more than two million, are affected by ADD/ADHD. Since their recognition and initial research, ADD and ADHD has been treated by using pharmaceuticals with varying results. Complaints of sleeplessness, paranoia, anxiety, weight loss and many others comprise the side effects of these medications. These medications are not designed to treat or cure ADD/ADHD, only to lessen symptoms. There is a growing body of evidence that these drugs may lead to long term dependence, causing issues in school and the workplace. Preliminary studies suggest stimulant medications such as Ritalin could be carcinogenic. Doctors and researchers are looking into natural treatments and gentler options for the relief of ADD/ADHD symptoms and potential causes. What has emerged is the importance of nutritional support for brain function and how essential nutrients can alleviate symptoms. In turn, helping children focus with the benefit of supplements may be the breakthrough needed to give parents and school systems a much needed reprieve. The importance of nutrition and the balance of our bodies has increasingly become the focus of medical study. Researchers look at deficiencies to find what plagues us. Everything we ingest, and equally as important, what we don’t, has an impact on how our minds and bodies behave. Giving the mind and body a fighting chance is imperative to thinking well, which is just one of the reasons Grape Seed Extract is gaining steam as a promising treatment for ADD. Grape seed extract is an antioxidant with twenty times the working power of vitamin C and more than double that for vitamin E. Investigation into supplements such as DMAE, DHA, grape seed extract, magnesium, phosphatidylserine, and zinc has also proven to be promising. Acting as an anti-oxidant against free radicals in the brain, DMAE helps to regenerate and strengthen acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is involved in carrying messages between brain cells and plays a large roll in learning and memory. Taking supplements of DMAE has been shown to raise levels of this crucial neurotransmitter in the brain and leads to increased memory, concentration and focus. In studies, 70% of patients who took DMAE experienced improvement in attention span and learning ability. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are vital for brain function. One such omega-3 that has proven effective for ADD/ADHD is DHA. DHA is found in cold water fish and can be found in seaweed as well, which is used for vegetarian supplements of DHA. DHA is necessary for proper brain function, and the Western diet generally does not provide the necessary levels. Fish oil supplements contain DHA and are recommended for the treatment of ADHD.Diets high in copper and low in zinc create excessive aggression and behavioral challenges. Zinc supplements were given to children diagnosed with ADHD in Tehran and after six weeks all showed improvement. A number of studies point to a definite link between zinc deficiency and ADD/ADHD. Children with ADD or ADHD are found to nearly always have a magnesium deficiency as well. This mineral is needed to metabolize sugar and in turn for proper brain energy and to fight mental stress. A lack of magnesium almost always leads to hyperactivity and aggression. Researchers find that magnesium taken internally can lead to a nearly immediate decrease in ADD or hyperactive behavior. Phosphotidylserine has performed well in clinical trials to treat ADD and ADHD. It promotes cell integrity and balance in the brain, leading to active and increased cell to cell communication and improved receptor function. Study participants were more lucid, possessed better memory and were better able to cope while taking phosphotidylserine. As more studies are done, the findings reveal that many of the potential triggers of ADD and ADHD lie within the brain chemistry. A diet containing too many simple carbohydrates and not enough protein or nutrient intake can often induce symptoms mirroring that of ADHD. Additionally, additives and preservatives in quick-fix foods often served at schools and by busy parents can aggravate the symptoms of ADD and ADHD. It is important to remember that supplements are not like drugs; they won’t deliver an immediate result and other health factors must be considered along with their intake.

Information on Child ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the name of a group of behaviors found in many children and adults. This is mostly occur in boys than in girls. These behaviors contribute to significant problems in relationships, learning and behavior. About half of children who have ADHD continue to be easily distracted, have mood swings, hot tempers and are unable to complete tasks. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The causes of the child ADHD are food allergies, depression, genetics, diet, undetected seizures. The very real need for structure with a child with ADD the desperate need for rebuilding and maintaining self esteem and far from least, names of organizations and educational institutions which would be of value not only to your child but to yourself as a parent. Childhood ADHD is diagnosed after a child has shown six or more specific symptoms of inactivity and/or hyperactivity on a regular basis for more than six months in more than two settings.Types of Child ADHDThere are three types of the child ADHD. They are as follows Combination of Inattentive/Hyperactive/Impulsive Child ADHD Combination of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type Child ADHD Inattentive Type Child ADHD Symptoms of Child ADHDDifficulty following instructions Loses things necessary for tasks or activities Low concentration Have difficulty playing quietly. Talks excessively Forgets things Do not finish tasks. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities. Prevention for Child ADHDSet specific times for waking up, eating, playing, doing homework, doing chores, watching TV or playing video games, and going to bed. Post the schedule where your child will always see it. Explain any changes to the routine in advance. Use More Immediate Consequences - ADHD children require more immediate feedback or consequences for their behavior and activities than do normal children.This feedback must be clear, specific, and occur as close in time after the behavior that is the target of change as circumstances permit, if it is to be maximally effective in developing and maintaining positive behaviors in ADHD children. Reward your child when he or she tries to finish school work, not just for good grades. You can give extra rewards for earning better grades. Diagnosis of Child ADHDThe diagnosis of ADHD involves the gathering of information from several sources, including school, caregivers, and parents. Your childs primary care doctor can determine whether your child has ADHD using standard guidelines developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. These diagnosis guidelines are for children 6 to 12 years of age. Treatment for Child ADHDAll doctors across the board - agree that ADHD medications are not the cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and A.D.D., but simply a means of minimizing the symptoms. A team effort, with parents, teachers and doctors working together, is the best way to help your child. The long-term treatment with a combination of medications and behavioral therapy is far superior to just medication treatment. Some children benefit from counseling or from structured therapy.

Can ADHD Vitamins Be Used For The Treatment of ADHD?

Can Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder be treated by merely using what is sometimes termed “ADHD vitamins”? This question makes frequent appearance in blogs and health-related forums. ADHD is a mental-related problem in which people affected by it have problems of attention, impulsivity with or without hyperactivity. The causes of ADHD is still not known, but many scientists believe it is due to heredity factors. The other possible causes being bandied about include premature birth, lead exposure, and watching too much television when young.Over the years, countless studies have focused on the potential benefits of nutritional supplements as treatment for ADHD. Vitamins and minerals have been quite widely researched to ascertain their abilities to control implusivity, hyperactivity and enhance mental focus. The results thus far are mixed, but some doctors have gone ahead and prescribed ADHD vitamins to their ADHD patients.Omega-3, which can be found in fish, such as salmon and tuna, other marine life such as algae and krill, certain plants, and nut oils, is more often than not the first ADHD vitamin to be prescribed for people with ADHD. Omega-3 seems able to bring about better mental focus. Restoration of proper fatty acid balance is considered important as ADHD children often face problems in converting essential fatty acids. A study published in Nutritional Neuroscience in 2003 revealed that omega-3 fatty acids tended to break down more readily in the bodies of those with ADHD as compared to normal people. In addition to that, a study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry in 2004, reported that ADHD kids were more likely to have low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids than their normal peers.Vitamin B complex, magnesium and calcium has been reported by some people to be effective as a form of treatment for ADHD. The rationale is that both calcium and magnesium have a calming effect while B vitamins are required for proper brain function.Organic spirulina is another type of ADHD vitamin that some people recommend. Spirulina, which is a microscopic blue-green algae, is full of nutrients (such as B vitamins, proteins, enzymes) and very easily digested. It also conatins gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that the body converts to a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin E1 which has anti-inflammatory properties.It is advised that people with ADHD should stay clear of the following in their diet: apple cider vinegar,butter, bacon, candy, ham, chocolate, luncheon meat, milk, margarine, salami, hot dogs, soy sauce, mustard, and of course junk food. Foods containing artificial colourings, flavourings, preservatives and monosodium glutamate are also deemed unsuitable for people with ADHD.In addition to ADHD vitamins, people with ADHD are well advised to indulge in some form of outdoor physical exercises for a more balanced treatment of their ADHD problem. One of the key benefits of outdoor exercises is that it nurtures social interactions.