Some also feel that sugar could cause ADHD. Research has been conducted by giving children foods that had a high level of sugar in it every other day; however, no different behavior was found in these studies. Also, research has been done by British researchers, looking for a possible link between food additives—preservatives and food coloring—to the hyper activity found in ADHD children. No conclusive evidence has been found but research continues.

Children who suffer from this illness also have a hard time concentrating and often do poorly at school. Other symptoms associated with this illness are: a short attention span, poor coordination, a personality that is inflexible, poor self-esteem, taking too many risks, are impulsive, have poor sleeping patterns but usually have a high IQ. However, because the child can’t concentrate, he or she gets poor grades.

It is important to note that there is no test available that can diagnose ADHD but information that is shared with a health professional that comes from teachers, parents, physicians or other mental health professionals, can help. The health care physician will also ask the parents if the child’s behavior is continuous and appears on a daily basis or if the behavior is a temporary one. He or she will also ask if the ADHD behavior occurs on the playground, at home or in the classroom.

An evaluation by a family’s physician—one who understands a child’s behavior and development– will also help because an assessment of the child’s neurology will reveal any inadequacies and lead to an accurate diagnosis.
When a parent suspects that his or her child has ADHD, a parent’s interview is required. The interview will help the physician to understand if there were problems with the birth, if there were certain events that happened to the child as he or she aged, the child’s medical history and the home life of the child. The child’s teacher may also be interviewed to find out how the child behaves in class.

Children of ADHD can lead a relatively normal life but will—throughout his early and teen years– need the help and support of his or her family, doctors and educators.

Non Medication Treatments

Behavioral therapy is one of the biggest treatment options out there for those people who have ADHD. When dealing with children who have ADHD, the multidisciplinary approach is one of the best and most effective ways to treat ADHD. This includes, educating yourself and the child about the condition, medication, behavior management, teacher involvement, and counselor involvement as well as strict involvement with parents. Parents should be involved on all levels when the child has ADHD. This is because there is a lot that goes into treating the child. Strict enforcement of all the therapies is needed to control the condition, and allow the child to excel in other parts of their life that the ADHD seems to be getting in the way of.

Medication Treatments

Stimulants and other drugs have been proven to be safe to take when a person has ADHD. They should be taken with behavioral therapy for maximum results. There are a number of under the counter stimulant medications that can be prescribed depending on the person’s age, weight, and other health factors. The medications are shown to improve relationships and everyday life, as well as relieve symptoms of ADHD. The medication treatment should be closely monitored with children to ensure proper dosage. Nine out of 10 children improve with both medication and behavioral therapy. There are also anti depressants, and non stimulants that work as well, but are not shown to be as effective as using stimulants.

ADHD is tough to live with, but with the right kind of help the person can get the help they want to live a normal, happy, healthy life. This is something that a lot of people do not look into when the person is determined to have ADHD. You do not have to just deal with it. You can control it and take back your life. There is a lot of information out there to read up on before actually going for the jump to do something to correct the problem that you’re experiencing. Talking with someone might also help you make an informed decision on whether or not medication or other behavioral therapies are the right solution to your problem. Choosing the right method of improving the ADHD helps improve your overall lifestyle, health, and activities that are done throughout the day. Treating a child at a younger age will help them prepare for what they need to do in order to manage it as they become older.

Non Medication

A lot of times if you do not want to rely on medication for the symptoms of ADD, you can find ways to take care of the symptoms without having to take medications. Having strong behavioral management through the process will keep you focused. You do not need just one treatment; choose a few to go with for maximum results. Always keep a positive attitude throughout the entire process. This has a major effect on you, and everyone around you when trying to cope with ADD. Believe in yourself or your child, don’t sweat the small stuff, and always keep things in perspective. Change your lifestyle, or alter it to include healthier things. Regular exercise helps you get energy out while also making you feel better overall.

It improves concentration, reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity, elevates your mood, improves memory, and keeps depression away amongst other things. Eating healthier can also regulate your mood, and provide you with the right nutrients your body needs to regulate your chemicals. 3 meals a day of healthy food helps, and make sure you’re getting enough vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in every food group every day. Cope better by learning a regular sleep schedule. This also helps you sleep more restful and provides you with a great start in the morning. Therapy is the last thing on the list. Make sure to talk with someone about how you feel, and what your goals ultimately are on ADD. Choose a friend, family member, or therapist to talk too.

Medication

Medication is usually a last resort when it comes to treating ADD in an adult or child. It can be effective depending on the prescription, and the person who is taking it. Medication should be used last if you find that the above methods are not working for you or your child. You want to ensure that the medication prescribed is safe to take, and provides the most when it comes to treating the disorder that you have. Read the risks, side effects, and directions of use before taking it.

ADD can be a difficult condition to live with. Knowing all of the options that you have is beneficial to treating the disorder. Whether you or your child has the condition, there is hope and help out there. ADD affects a lot of people throughout the world today and there are constantly new medications or ways to improve your life and the way to cope and deal with the condition. If you feel it is affecting your regular life, you should look into all of the available treatment options.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a mental disorder that can start in childhood years but babies can get ADHD as well. This disease can change children’s thinking, the way they act, and feel. Generally, ADHD children have these problems more severely than a normal child that they cannot pay attention, have trouble concentrating, and are easily bored and frustrated with easy tasks. They move about consistently, impulsive and they don’t stop to think before they act. These behaviors affect children’s ability to function at home and at school.

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

Children who were diagnosed with ADHD and chances are you can carry some of they symptoms into adulthood. Even if you were not diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, does not mean you cannot be affected by the disorder through adolescence and as an adult. Instead of observing and describing the symptoms your teachers parents and family may have labeled you a goof-off, a dreamer, a slacker troublemaker or a bad student. As the years go by and the more challenges you add on such as a career, raising a family, keeping house, the more demand it is on your abilities it is to be able to focus, organize, and remain calm. This can be a challenge for anyone but if you have ADHD, it can be extremely challenging and sometimes devastating.

Symptoms:

ADHD was known as ADD (attention deficit disorder) in the early 20th century, and the symptoms were, then, changed and broken down to inattentive type, hyperactivity/impulsive, and a combination of the two types.

Inattentive Type
• Easily distracted, can’t remember things
• Cannot organize daily tasks and activities
• Cannot follow instructions completely
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to
• Fails to finish schoolwork

Hyperactivity/impulsive Type
• Wants to do several things at once
• Often leaves his or her seat
• Squirms in seat, fidgets hands and feet
• Difficulty waiting his or her turn
• Blurts out answers before the question is finished

Impulsive Type
• Problems with self-control
• Interrupt conversations
• Invade in people’s space
• Tend to be moody and overreact emotionally
• Ask too many personal questions

Children who have these some or all of these symptoms act more severely than their peers. Only trained doctors and nurse’s can diagnose a child with ADHD symptoms

Causes of ADHD:

ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, too much sugar or from a vaccine. The cause is not exactly known but some possibilities could be:

 Genetic
 Possible chemical change in the brain
 Mood disorders, anxiety, feel isolated, low self-esteem
 Learning disabilities such as dyslexia and handwriting

ADHD can be diagnosed in children, adolescence or as an adult. It is a psychiatric behavioral disorder that can affect activities at school and at home.

ADD is believed to affect roughly three to five percent of school age children. A neurobiological-based developmental disability, it is believed to be a disorder with a genetic component. Research indicates ADD is the result of a chemical imbalance or deficiency in certain neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are important to the way the brain regulates behavior.

Someone with ADD will have difficulty with concentration and behavior. Often this individual appears restless, and disorganized. In a classroom setting, a child with ADD has difficulty following instruction and completing tasks. Teachers and parents will notice distractibility problems. Common issues are lost books, forgotten assignments, points taken off homework that’s either unfinished or completed incorrectly.

Hyperactivity is easier to spot. The child will not want to remain seated, and needs to keep moving. Adults around the child might report constant tapping, squirming, excessive talking, speaking out of turn, interrupting, and not understanding social boundaries. Hyperactivity not only makes learning difficult for a child, it can also have an impact socially. The child might be viewed as a bully, or otherwise have difficulty making friends. These types of problems at school can cause a child with ADD to develop low self-esteem.

ADD isn’t always recognized in children. As an adult, the problems associated with the condition don’t go away. Poor organization skills, difficulty with punctuality, forgetting important tasks and appointments will spell disaster in a work setting. An adult with ADD will also still have problems with self-control. He or she may talk over other people, blurt out thoughts recklessly, act impulsively, or have trouble sitting still during meetings. Some adults with ADD develop what is referred to as hyperfocus, which is an intense form of concentration. While hyperfocus allows an ADD sufferer to work on a task for many hours, he or she will concentrate so deeply other assignments are forgotten. Socially and professionally adult ADD still causes havoc in the life of the person with the condition if it’s left untreated.

Treatment for ADD involves medication and behavior coaching. In most cases, stimulants like Ritalin or Dexedrine are prescribed. Both of these drugs have a long history of aiding focus and concentration by increasing the dopamine levels in the brain. Behavior therapy aids someone with ADD in recognizing the symptoms of the condition and overcoming them.

ADD can’t be cured, but it can be successfully treated. Understanding this condition, and receiving help with the symptoms gives a child or adult sufferer the opportunity for a productive and happier life.

http://borntoexplore.org/whatisadd.htm

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm

http://www.add-adhd.org/ADHD_attention-deficit.html

http://www.addwarehouse.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/article3.htm

http://helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm