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!

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.

We all know that ADD or attention deficit disorder is a common disease amongst little children and it can affect adults too. However, in order to treat this disease we have to first understand it better. We have got to dig deeper into the minds of an ADD patient, and find out what makes them so.

First things first, recent observations have shed light into the theory making it now fact that more than 70% of children who suffer from ADD have one or both parents who have had the disease. This is interesting because bad parenting can now be ruled out as a reason why many kids end up suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

Talking about bad parenting, up to a certain extent, trouble at home with a child’s parents can be included as an aggravation for the ADD affected child. Where as good parenting can help calm the child. Keep in mind though, parenting is no cause of the disease, it can either help in the cure or it can make things harder.

Moving on, another reason for causing ADD is the diet. Records of many ADD patients have given enough evidence that a poor diet, lacking some key nutrients such as zinc and amino acids, can actually cause ADD. This without doubt comes as pure logic that these two elements are necessary for proper brain and body functioning. A recent study on ADD sufferers shows a great improvement when these missing nutrients from a previous diet is supplied.

Another very common cause of ADD is exposing children to excessive television and video games. Doctors have linked this with poor parenting. It was practical that kids who were exposed to television as toddlers, wound up with ADD. The symptoms only begin to show at the age of seven when children cannot concentrate in school. The reason behind this discovery is because TV life and video games move at a much more rapid rate than real life. This hardwires the infant’s brain into thinking that real life unfolds at the same rate, and this becomes normal.

Television causes a baby’s brain to become over stimulated causing permanent changes in neural patterns. It’s a fact that from birth until the age of three, infants become conditioned in very unique ways, but when you allow the child to watch TV all day their neural paths are not created which is very essential for the brain. Again this happens between birth and the age of three. Television stunts this neural pathway development of a child’s brain and ends up with defects such as ADD.

So as you can see the roots of ADD come from several causes and although heredity is a major cause, it can’t be ruled as the main one. All the sources of ADD development mentioned above play a role together on the level of severity on the affected persons.

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.

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.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the term used for a neurological condition marked by difficulties with attention and concentration and usually difficulties with self-control and overactivity or restlessness. It is also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) because many individuals with ADD are or were overactive and impulsive. About 5% of all people have ADD.

ADD is recognized by mental health professionals as one of the most common disorders of childhood, and was previously thought to resolve in adolescence. Over the past decade there has been a growing awareness that for many if not most individuals with ADD it persists into adulthood. Effective treatment for adult ADD is a relatively new area of study.

ADD affects many aspects of life. It affects academic and vocational success, personal and family relationships, emotions and self-esteem. ADD individuals often share a number of positive qualities such as creativity, spontaneity, inventiveness, and sensitivity to others. But it also leads to disorganization, procrastination, difficulty with task completion, and feeling overwhelmed.

The Nature of ADD

ADD is commonly described as a disorder consisting of chronic difficulties in the areas of attention/concentration, impulsivity, and overactivity. In addition to these “core” symptoms, other symptoms and problems include distractibility, forgetfulness, lack of persistence with tasks, frequent boredom, failure to delay speech or action when appropriate, fidgetiness, restlessness, being “always on the go,” disorganization, difficulty coping with stressful situations, temper outbursts, and frequently changing moods. Not every ADD individual displays all these symptoms. Some ADD individuals have mainly the attentional difficulties and do not have the overactivity and impulsivity. These symptoms frequently lead to low self-esteem, problems with planning and executing tasks, a disorganized lifestyle, poor problem-solving skills, frequent job or relationship changes, social and relationship difficulties, a chronic pattern of underachievement, and/or inconsistency in work production and performance. Children often display problems with behavior, socialization, and school performance. Many individuals with ADD may have a coexisting problem such as anxiety or depression, a learning disability, or drug/alcohol abuse. It may be that they focus on and seek help for this problem, not recognizing its link to ADD.

Causes

ADD is widely recognized among experts as having a biological, neurological basis. It is currently understood as the result of a part or parts of the brain not regulating self-control of attention, impulses, and activity level as it should, likely due in part to a lack of certain neurochemicals. While it is usually an inherited condition, it may be exacerbated by environmental and other factors such as parenting, adversity, or educational environment.

Progression

ADD individuals are generally born with ADD. It usually becomes manifest in early childhood. Often it becomes more apparent during elementary school years because of the demands of school experience. For some individuals it may not become apparent until later in life. During adolescence changes in the ADD manifestation often occur. It may be less outwardly obvious, especially when hyperactivity diminishes. For some individuals, it seems to end. For the majority, it usually continues to impact in many ways throughout adulthood, although greater control may be achieved in various ways.

Diagnosis

ADD is widespread in our society. It seems males are much more likely to be diagnosed with ADD than females. There is no definitive test for ADD, and it is one of the most difficult diagnoses to assess. ADD can only be diagnosed by a mental health or medical clinician trained and experienced in the area of ADD. Comprehensive interviews covering childhood and adult history of academics, relationships, behavior, etc. are necessary to establish a diagnosis. Rating scales and certain tests are often helpful and employed. Because the main symptoms of ADD overlap with other conditions as well as with “normal” experience, a qualified professional is required to rule out other conditions that may produce symptoms resembling ADD. ADD should not be self-diagnosed. If you think you have ADD it is recommended that you consult a professional.

Treatment

ADD is not an all or nothing condition, but occurs in degrees. It is possible to have a mild case that can be relatively easy to manage. Some people have severe symptoms and problems that can impair their functioning greatly. Even severe ADD can, with effort, medication, and support, be managed effectively.

People with moderate to severe problems related to ADD should consider treatment with a professional with training and experience in ADD. Medications can be helpful. Counseling is often indicated to deal not only with the symptoms, but also the resulting issues related to emotions, self-esteem, relationships, work performance, school performance, etc. Parent counseling has been shown to be effective in helping children with ADD. Coaching is another service providing support for ADD. Greater effectiveness and reaching of potential can be had. There is much that can be done to help the individual struggling with ADD.

Learning new ways to gain control of ADD-related problems is an important part of coping with ADD. A first step is to gain insight and understanding of how ADD impacts in your life. This understanding can then be used to identify the challenges and eventually to develop new strategies and skills for dealing with your (or your child’s) ADD symptoms and problems. An ADD coach or therapist specializing in the treatment of ADD can be very helpful in this process.

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and it is a chronic condition that can have a great impact on a child if a child does not get help, or if the right ADHD treatment is not prescribed. Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity, inappropriate behavior, and hyperactivity. These children have difficulty staying on task and completing projects, which if not identified and treated early can be a huge barrier throughout the school years and eventually on the job. Before there was a diagnosis, these children were just seen as having lots of energy, or were just wild and always getting into trouble. Now that ADHD treatments are available, parents have the option of getting their child help so that they can be more productive in school and have fewer disruptions at home. A child with ADHD can create a lot of stess for parents as well as the rest of the family. Without treatment, a child with ADHD will conttinue to be desruptive to the family.

Not all parents and professionals agree on what type of ADHD treatment is the best, or if it should be used at all. Some parents feel that it is unnatural to treat a child with prescription medication that could have significant side effects, or otherwise harm the child. Side effects are dose dependent and can be lessened by reducing the dosage or switching to a different medication. Many times behavior modification therapy is not effective on its own, which is why ADHD treatment usually requires use of a stimulant drug. Stimulants have a paradoxical effect on children; these drugs do not increase hyperactivity, which is a normal response in adults, but help the child focus, control behaviors, and improve self-esteem. Stimulants used in ADHD treatment help children to complete tasks, learn more efficiently, and interact more positively with their peers.

Physicians and psychiatrists develop individualized ADHD treatments for each child, because not all experience the same symptoms or have the same level of severity. There can also be other conditions that are present as well, such as mental or physical disorders that need to be addressed in addition to ADHD treatment. Such conditions may have a great impact on how the child responds to therapy, and if not treated simultaneously will tend to slow down progress. There are a number of sites on the internet that discuss ADHD, the symptoms, and how to go about getting help for your child. ADHD treatments and the controversies surrounding them are also discussed in depth. If you suspect your child has ADHD have him or her evaluated by a professional as soon as possible, so that your child can get the treatment he or she needs. And because ADHD trends to run in families, if you, your child, or someone in your family has ADHD, you may want to look for symptom of ADHD in other family members. To learn more about ADHD I found a great site called “Living With ADHD at http://www.learnaboutadhd.com/ADHD/

Author:

Roosevelt Simmons

http://www.yourhealthwatch.com

Every day across America, nearly a million American kids age 12 to 17 abuse a pain reliever for the very first time just to get high. If you do the math, that’s nearly a million kids a year risking their lives — or at the very least, risking a life interrupted or ruined by prescription drug addiction. Teenagers are abusing more prescription and over-the-counter drugs than all illegal and illicit drugs except marijuana, according to federal statistics. In 2006, more than 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs. And kids as young as 12 and 13 told researchers that prescription drugs are their “drug of choice.” The drugs that lead to prescription drug addiction for thousands of these young people are powerful narcotic painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet. These are the heroin-in-a-pill type drugs that can cause breathing collapse and coma, that have led to tens of thousands of cases of prescription drug addiction across the country. OxyContins were responsible in part for the death of actor Heath Ledger, and literally thousands of other “just plain folks” across the country in recent years. Anti-anxiety drugs and depressants, especially the benzodiazepine drugs — Xanax is a popular brand, as are Valium, Librium and many others — are particularly dangerous. They rapidly create dependencies that can lead to prescription drug addiction — some people are hooked after just a day or two on Xanax — and they are really difficult to get off of safely. And benzos can cause death when mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Stimulants are another type of drug that kids are abusing to get a buzz, particularly the kinds prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall and Ritalin are two of the most abused, and these, because of their side effects, are basically cocaine-in-a-pill. Kids are trading and selling their ADHD prescription drugs with other kids, and stupidly risking their friends’ lives. Speed drugs can cause seriously abnormal heart rhythms, seizures and death. Meanwhile, a recent University of Texas study showed conclusively that methylphenidate, the active ingredient in Ritalin, causes chromosomal damage — the organized structures of DNA in our cells. No one has a clue yet what damage that will do long-term, but messing with someone’s DNA can’t be harmless. But while that research continues, millions of parents keep feeding these drugs to children. It’s time for a reassessment. Teens are also abusing over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as cough and cold remedies, which contain dextromethorphan and other drugs which are, like those prescription drugs, extremely deadly when combined with other drugs or with alcohol. OTC drugs can cause blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, coma, and even death. And they’re a stepping stone to prescription drug addiction, too. Thousands of kids wind up in hospital emergency wards every year fighting for their lives because they overdosed on prescription or OTC drugs mixed with alcohol — all for fun! These drugs are readily available from home medicine cabinets or from friends, and even from on-line pharmacies. A lot of kids still think they’re a safer way to get high than street drugs, and many of them who wouldn’t touch cocaine or heroin don’t realize they are abusing almost identical drugs, and risking prescription drug addiction or death. What’s needed is for parents to start talking to their kids, and to clearly spell out all the very real dangers of prescription and OTC drugs. And they need to show strong disapproval of drug experimentation and abuse, and create and enforce anti-drug rules. Parents need to be firm, but they need their kids to understand that rules are to protect them — kids should be healthy, not in the morgue with a tag on their toe or in medical drug detox recovering from addiction.