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.

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.

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

Is Ritalin “Kiddy Cocaine” ? Ritalin is a stimulant that is used for children and adults with ADHD. The real name is methylphenidate. The brand name being Ritalin. Ritalin is similar to an amphetamine but not an actual amphetamine. It is a stimulant medication. Children who have a difficult time sitting still, talk excessively in class, have somewhat disruptive behavior, and can’t focus, as well as a number of other possible symptoms, when the problem is to the point of being excessive and disruptive, as well as persistent, that is, it is an ongoing problem for several months or more, can be classified as ADHD, which means Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADD, was the term that was most common some years ago, Attention Deficit Disorder. There are different forms of Attention Deficit Disorder, but there are basically three main categories, with hyperactivity, without hyperactivity, and combined type. See What Causes ADHD, by Joel Nigg, Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, 2006 for a more detailed explanation. Is Ritalin “Kiddy Cocaine,” as some have dubbed it ? Well, yes and no. Ritalin and other stimulants have chemical properties similar to cocaine. They react with the same basic chemical structures in the brain, and stimulate the mind through elevating the level of dopamine, which is the same neurotransmitter involved in the rush of cocaine. Indians in Peru have long used coca as a stimulant to help them in day to day tasks requiring endurance and energy. It is used as a performance enhancer. Children, in general can focus better with stimulants, in a similar way. However, Dr. Russell Barkley, who is a leading authority in the field of ADHD explains, that while cocaine and stimulants share the same chemical properties, cocaine is snorted and finds its way rapidly into the bloodstream and brain, producing, not only stimulating effects, but also, a head rush that becomes very addictive. Stimulant medications, are released gradually when taken orally, so while the dopamine level is raised in the brain, it is done so more gently, and therefore, there is usually no head rush or high that results from taken Ritalin or other stimulants for attentional disorders. If you were to say that stimulants were “time-released” cocaine, that might be closer to the mark. Also, if one was to snort stimulant medications of mainline them, one might achieve a similar feeling as cocaine as well. At one time in U.S. history, cocaine was obtained legally at pharmacies. This practice ended in 1904 with the Harrison anti-narcotics Act. So, like many medications, when used medicinally or therapeutically there are both similarities and differences between stimulant medications such as Ritalin and amphetamines, and the illegal drugs that they mirror. Please see: The Association for Natural Psychology for more articles on mental health, pharmaceuticals and natural ways of addressing symptoms of mental health disorders and difficulties. Such subjects as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, child and teen issues in mental health, ADHD, eating disorders and more are considered. Symptoms and solutions are considered for each disorder. All Natural Mental Health Solutions References: Barkley, R. (2001). Medicating Kids. Interview: Frontline, PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/interviews/barkley.html Nigg, J. (2006). What Causes ADHD? New York: Guilford Press. Ratey, J. Hallowell, E., (1995). Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood.

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.

I was working with a client who had recently been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADD). She went on to say that she was happy she had ADHD because now she had a built in excuse to be disorganized. Certainly people with ADHD have trouble being organized but is it an excuse?

I have ADHD, do I have to be disorganized too?

Just because you have ADHD doesn’t mean you have to be disorganized. In fact there are many people with ADHD who are incredibly well organized. Being organized has helped them thrive. However, if you have ADHD it is often more difficult for you to get organized and stay that way.

What does being organized mean?

Being organized is not about putting things away and everything being neat and ready for company. It is about how you function in your environment. It means that you control your environment, your things and your time, instead of your environment controlling you. Organization is how you manage your things, your time, and your tasks.

What about ADHD contributes to disorganization?

ADHD involves your brain’s frontal lobe which acts as the “executive functioning” area of your brain. This is the part of your brain that allows you to make decisions, set rules, prioritize, assign responsibilities, help you focus and remember.

So What?

Getting organized involves several steps that are often done in a specific order.

1. Decision Making — Decide what you need and what you don’t need.

2. Setting Rules — Categorize what you have left.

3. Assigning Responsibilities — Assign a place to keep these things and put them away

4. Focusing and Remembering — Keep everything organized on an on-going basis.

To follow these steps to get organized and then to stay “organized” once you must have systems in place and keep on track while you are performing tasks which are less than stimulating. When you look at it this way it is no wonder that people with ADHD have trouble being organized.

People with ADHD have trouble focusing on routine tasks…is there anything more routine (and boring) than opening mail, paying bills and filing? How about doing laundry and putting away clothes?

People with ADHD have trouble filtering out distractions. Going through old clothes in your closet is just not that exciting. How can you stay focused on the one thing that you are trying to get done when you hear “You’ve got mail!” or the phone rings? Not only do you lose your place on the stack of papers you were working on but you get pulled completely off task. It might be hours, days or even weeks until you get back to that pile.

If it is so hard to be organized why should I bother?

One of the ironies of ADHD life is that the more organized you are and the more routines you have in your schedule and life, the easier it will be for you to function. What organization does is allow you to NOT have to focus on this minutia. Once organizing becomes routine you don’t have to think about where something goes or where to find something that you put away. Once you have a schedule for getting up and out of the house in the morning you don’t have to worry about what to do 1st, 2nd and 3rd or whether or not you will make it to work on time. Once you have schedules and routines you don’t have to hunt all over the house for your bills and when you finally track them all down pay them — late.

So how do I get organized?

• Realize that you are NOT perfect. You don’t have to have a perfect system and there are no set rules to follow. The system you create only needs to make sense to you.

• Be yourself. Don’t try to fit someone else’s mold. Instead, create systems and routines that reflect your personality and make them fun. Remember that one great thing about ADHD is the ability to be creative and brainstorm. Come up with the wackiest way to organize your environment. That will probably the way it will work best for you.

• Learn to say “NO”. Before deciding to take on a new responsibility make sure you have the time and ability to add it to your current schedule. If you don’t have the time decide which activity from your current schedule you will stop.

• Use broad categories for filing and organizing. Depending on how you think you can file all banking things together and all credit cards together. They don’t need individual files unless that would help you.

• Label everything. Remember people with ADHD tend not to remember “unimportant” details like which drawer they put their bank statements in or which refrigerator drawer holds the fruit or which list is for phone calls. Labeling helps you to find things and put them away.

• Create Mini-Tasks. Break up all tasks into mini-tasks that take 10 ‘ 15 minutes each. Smaller tasks are easier to do and to schedule.

• Manage organization energy bursts. Work for 5, 10 or 20 minutes and then, even if you aren’t done, stop. If you have a list of mini-tasks set up you should have a list of things you can accomplish fairly quickly.

• If it works stick with it. When you are faced with organizing something new, look at the systems you have that work and try to figure out why it works. Build onto these systems or create new ones that are similar.

• Use memory tricks. Don’t just try to remember things, use multiple senses. Say it aloud to yourself, tell someone, sing it, write it down and keep the note somewhere that you will really see. If it is a routine or habit you are trying to create make a rhyme out of the sequence of things you want to accomplish, create a sign and post the new habit where you will be doing it.

• Ask for help. Often having someone to keep you company is enough to get many people moving and stay on task. Maybe you can volunteer to keep a friend company if they keep you company?

• Get your kids help. Tell your kids what you are going to do. They love catching parents “misbehaving.” Most people will do anything to avoid being caught by their children.

• Be Flexible. Remember life happens. Sometimes despite your best planning things don’t always work out the way you want them to. There are many ways to be organized — you just need to find the way that works for you.

Hyperactivity is not just how little boys are made. Little girls can have hyperactivity issues as well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is being diagnosed in about 3-5% of our nation’s children currently. The number of parents who are having to deal with children displaying hyperactivity for at least a portion of the day, if not all of the day, is steadily rising. Instead of drugging our nation’s children to treat their hyperactivity we have natural options available. Homeopathy hiperactivity treatments can be used in addition to proper diet.

Hyperactivity can be annoying to the parents and other adults who have this child in their lives. Think of how annoying it must be for the child to be going from one thing to another all of the time. Helping these children to overcome their hyperactivity through homeopathic remedies is an important and rewarding experience.

Many children who are displaying hyperactivity are living on a diet that is high in sugars and processed foods and lacking in proper nutrients. It is possible that these children are unable to stay focused and calm themselves down because their body lacks the proper strength. If you do not feed your children a balanced diet with the nutrients their bodies need for growth you are asking for problems.

On top of the over abundance of highly processed sugared foods that our children have available to them, the soil we grow our foods in has become depleted and nutrients that our bodies require aren’t in as high of concentrations as they were a fifty years ago. Now we need to supplement our diets with vitamins and minerals to get the nutrients that used to be in fruits and vegetables.

When a child doesn’t get the nutrients he or she needs hyperactivity can become a sign of a dietary deficiency. Homeopathic treatments and dietary changes can help hyperactive children get back on track. Helping your children to choose wholesome, fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks and including whole grains in their diets will help their overall health as well as help them to overcome hyperactivity.

For natural help with hyperactivity and ADHD go to http://www.realhealingfoods.com/BrightSpark.htm