ADD/ADHD
ADD & ADHD Overview
ADD and ADHD stands for (Attention deficit disorder / Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) a condition that affects millions of children and adults in all walks of life.
What is the difference between ADD and ADHD? While commonly called ADD the proper term is ADHD because it properly describes all off the attributes of the condition being attention deficit, (has trouble paying attention) and hyperactivity (not being able to sit still, being fidgety, and impulsive behavior).
There is no cure for ADD but there are medications that can help you or your child focus and become less hyperactive. Diagnosing ADD early can help alleviate many of the issues that come with the condition so it’s important to look for the signs and symptoms and consult your physician if you think there may be reasonable reasoning for testing.
ADD/ADHD Symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD have been found in children as young as infancy and is generally diagnosed in children below the age of seven. Children might not show a combination of all symptoms of the condition but lean towards one side or the other. The earliest symptoms being excessive inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. While these are common traits in young children it’s important to realize the difference between being hyper and not totally attentive and having a condition that could affect them for the rest of their life.
Symptoms and signs of excessive inattention include
- Has problems with staying focused on everyday tasks such as chores.
- Often doesn’t pay close attention with schoolwork making mistakes that are careless and could be easily avoided.
- Has issues with organization.
- Often goes from one task to the next and back again without following through with either.
- Often looses personal items such as favorite toys, pencils, clothes.
- Has trouble following instructions and following through with them.
- Becomes frustrated and lashes out during mentally strenuous activities such as homework.
- Doesn’t process information as quickly as other children their age.
Symptoms and signs of excessive hyperactive and impulsive behavior include
- Gets in and out of their seat frequently and unexpectedly.
- Acts, looks, and feels restless.
- Is overly loud and creates attention towards themselves.
- Talks excessively
- Doesn’t wait their turn and often interrupts games and conversations.
- Fidgets and squirms in their seats
It’s true that these are attributes of most children as they are curious and constantly moving so it may be hard to tell the difference between just being a kid or having a condition that will affect their everyday life. There is a line that can be crossed though and you should consider talking to your doctor about these symptoms and get a proper diagnoses of the possible condition early so it can be treated if necessary.
What Causes ADHD
Studies suggest that genes, like many conditions and diseases, play a large role in ADHD. While many parents blame themselves for mental aspects of their children there is no direct correlation between parents and children that are affected with ADHD. Researchers studying the condition suspect that many factors can be responsible including diet, altered brain function and anatomy, heredity, maternal toxins such as drug use, alcohol, diet while pregnant, and smoking, and even environmental toxins introduced at a young age.
As with many psychological issues it’s hard to pinpoint an exact cause in order to prevent the condition but keeping a healthy diet while pregnant, staying away from toxins in your body while pregnant, proper diet of your children, and mentally stimulating games at a young age can help in prevention of ADHD.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
Since children mature at different rates and are often hyper and less attentive then adults if the condition is mild it may be harder to diagnose. Your child will first undergo a complete medical physical to determine if the symptoms point to a different condition such as mild seizures which may cause the inattentiveness and is quite common, hearing or seeing disabilities, and other mental disabilities such as autism. Even non-medical aspects will be looked at in the beginning stages of testing such as a change in life like a lost loved one or pet that might cause them to act out.
Children are usually diagnosed between the ages of three and seven and must adhere to the criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for diagnosis. The DSM states that they must exhibit symptoms over a long period of time, and must exhibit six or more signs and symptoms from these categories for a positive diagnosis.
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork.
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention during playtime.
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork or chores (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
- does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities.
- Is often easily distracted.
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
- Is often forgetful in daily activities
- Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate
- Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
- Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
- Often talks excessively
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (for example, butts into conversations or games)
- Often has difficulty awaiting turn
- Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
Doctors may also use questionnaires to determine these behavioral problems by talking with the parents, teachers, and other people that are close to the child.
After a positive diagnosis your doctor may check for other conditions that resemble ADHD which could be more serious. Such as:
- Learning or language problems
- Mood disorders (such as anxiety or depression)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Seizure disorders
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Vision or hearing problems
- Tourette syndrome
- Sleep disorders
- Asperger’s disorder
- Autism
ADD Treatment and Medications
If you or your child are diagnosed with ADHD you may be prescribed medications and/or may undergo counseling as treatment. The most common medicines for treating ADHD are stimulant drugs (psychostimulants) and non-stimulant drugs atomoxetine (Strattera). Some of which include the medications Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, Concerta, Strattera, Desoxyn, Dextrostat, Focalin, Focalin, Metadate, Methylin, Vyvanse, and Daytrana.
These drugs work by boosting the balance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and improve the symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Although only temporary they are effective. Determining the correct amount of medication may take some time since every person is different and live in different situations. Side effects of the drugs vary and are usually not too serious including decreased appetite, twitching, heart problems, weight loss, and Problems sleeping.
Other indirect medications may be prescribed such as antidepressants to treat depression and help control behaviour, and Clonidine to reduce tics or insomnia caused by other ADHD medications.
These medications are safe if taken in the correct amount and not abused so it’s important to keep them on a specific regiment and keep the drugs out of the childrens hands directly. Many of these drugs have become popular among young adolescents as a way to get high as they can speed up the heart and make one feel powerful and hyper as they are an “upper” and also can be addictive to people not diagnosed with ADHD. It’s important to talk to your children about this and make sure that they only have access to the amount of medication needed for the day by administering them yourself or letting the school nurse keep a supply for the school day.
Home Remedies and Treatments for ADD
There are things you can do to help control you or your childs ADHD. Eat right and don’t consume stimulants that are known for creating hyperactivity such as caffeine, smoking cigarettes, and sugar. Keep busy with regular exercise that gets the heart rate up for at least twenty minutes a day (make sure to consult your doctor first), and practice focusing on projects that require long mental strain. While working on mental abilities make sure to be sportive of your child and let them know that it’s okay if it takes a little longer for them to figure out the problems or have to reread the assigned work. Play games with them and continually remind them to get back in the game and pay attention (while remaining sportive) at the same time punish out lashes that are highly inappropriate.
