Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also
called ADHD or called ADD - attention deficit disorder with
hyperactivity, is the newest name given to a group of disorders of
certain mechanisms in the central nervous system. (see
symptoms below) With the long list of names this disorder has been
given over the years, it can be confusing as to exactly what the
criteria are for a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD. In the 4th edition of its
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the American
Psychiatric Association describes three different categories of
ADHD-ADHD inattentive, ADHD hyperactive impulse, and a third category
that is a combination of the first two. This webpage will use the term
ADD when referring to the inattentive form without hyperactivity, and
ADHD for both the hyperactive-impulsive and combined forms.
ADD/ADHD is the fastest growing childhood disorder in the United
States, reportedly affecting an astounding 9 to 10% of all school-aged
children. 10 times more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADD or
ADHD. Although primarily thought of as a childhood disorder, ADD/ADHD
can be found in adults as well. It causes a variety of learning and
behavioral problems, often making it difficult not only for the
affected individual, but for the entire family. Although the ADD/ADHD
child is often labeled as having a learning disability, the child
usually is of average or above-average intelligence and is also highly
creative. Factors that have been linked to the development of ADD/ADHD include
heredity, anxiety, allergies, smoking during pregnancy,
hyperinsulinemia, oxygen deprivation at birth, environmental stress or
pollutants, artificial food additives, injury, infection, lead
poisoning, allergies, and prenatal trauma.
In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on the role of diet and
nutrition in ADD/ADHD. Many people with these conditions react to
certain preservatives, dyes, and salicylates in foods. These items can
throw off the balance in the chemistry of the brains, often producing
undesirable changes in behavior. A low-protein diet may be a
contributing factor. Though the topic has been hotly debated for
decades, studies have definitively shown that food additives can be a
factor in hyperactivity.
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Nutrient /
Supplement |
Helpful notes |
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Magnesium |
low intake of magnesium has been linked to attention deficit
disorder and it has a calming effect, a good source of magnesium is a
quality multi-vitamin
& mineral supplement especially one with
calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex which all work with
the mineral magnesium . |
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Calcium |
a companion to
magnesium and also has a calming effect. |
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Inositol |
Preliminary double-blind studies suggest that
inositol may aid problems like depression, panic disorder, and attention deficit disorder.
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Vitamin C |
vitamin C is an
anti-stress vitamin found in a
good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. |
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Multi-Vitamin
& Mineral Supplement |
vitamin B complex, vitamin C,
magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D,
boron, inositol, and with anti-oxidants like pine bark, green tea, and
grape seed extract. These nutrients in this type supplement are required for
general good health and well being. |
|
Kava
kava |
herb that
helps to sooth and calm |
|
Aloe Vera |
this herb helps to reduce stress
and works well in combination with the herbs kava kava and chamomile for people with ADD. |
|
Gotu
kola |
herb helps
with hyperactivity |
|
Licorice |
herb helps
with hyperactivity and works well in herbal blends |
SYMPTOMS OF ADD - Attention
Deficit Disorder
- Difficulty solving problems or managing time
- Extreme distractibility , trouble focusing
- Procrastination - putting things off
- Forgetfulness, a tendency to lose things frequently
- Disorders of speech and hearing
- Difficulty in organizing or finishing tasks
- Absent mindedness, inability to remember things, sequences,
or events
- Sloppy and/or impulsively done schoolwork that contains
obvious mistakes
- Lack of concentration
- Continuous "brain chatter"
- Learning disabilities
- Emotional instability, daily or hourly mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
- Lack of goals
- In adulthood, failure in career or relationships
SYMPTOMS OF ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Problems adapting to new things
- A tendency to disturb other children
- Self-destructive behavior
- Difficulty doing assignments or chores on one's own
- Temper problems
- Impatience, difficulty waiting
- Low tolerance for stress and otherwise ordinary problems
- A tendency to become frustrated quickly
- Inability to sit still for any length of time
- Impulsive, unpredictable, or daring behavior
- Clumsiness or awkwardness
- A tendency to talk too much
- Disruptiveness in the classroom
- A tendency to blurt out answers without having heard the
entire question
- Failure in school despite average or above-average
intelligence
The ADD child may be harder to diagnose than the ADHD child
because the hyperactivity is more obvious than the
inattentiveness However the procrastination, difficulty in
concentrating, and inability to start or finish projects that
is characteristic of the disorder can have damaging effects
that can last through adulthood ADHD produces hyperactive,
restless, impatient, and impulsive behavior Despite this,
children with ADHD can have the ability to pay attention and
complete assignments, often spending hours doing things that
interest them. Adults with ADHD seem to constantly be going
and getting things done, but they often grow impatient easily
and have a tendency to lose their Tempers quickly. The
combined form of ADD/ADHD can be the most debilitating.
Children with this type of the disorder often have low
self-esteem, are impatient, do not follow rules or act
responsibly, are often clumsy, think that they are always
right, do not want to accept change, and do not adapt well.
With the enormous increase in the number of recently diagnosed
cases of ADD and ADHD, many researchers feel that it is being
over diagnosed. It is difficult to diagnose accurately because
many of the symptoms appear in normal, healthy children at
many times during childhood In fact, over 60% of parents
suspect that their child has ADD or ADHD at some point during
the child's upbringing What may merely be creativity or a high
energy level can be misdiagnosed as ADD or ADHD A diagnosis of
ADD! ADHD should made by a team of specialists who are experts
In the disorder, and it is wise to get a second opinion if
your child is diagnosed as having ADD.
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