Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that is largely neuroligical in nature. ADHD is characterised by inattentiveness, restlessness and/or inappropriate impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Although commonly associated with children, this disorder can persist into adulthood. Symptoms often interfere with children learning and socialising.
Common traits are:
* being easily distracted * finding difficulty in following instruction and with organisation * excessive fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, excessive talking and reckless behaviour
ADHD symptoms can appear before two years of age but usually it is before five years of age. Boys are more affected than girls. 40% of cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are grown out of by puberty but cases do continue into adolescence and adulthood causing problems with concentration, insomnia and excessive thirst.
ADHD often goes undiagnosed. Children may be seen as trouble-makers or as unintelligent. Their parents may be blamed as being bad parents.
ADHD is generally thought to be a persistent and chronic syndrome for which there is no medical cure available. However the condition can be treated and symptoms reduced meaning diagnosis can be very beneficial.
Treatments
Treatments for ADHD include medication, using drugs such as Ritalin, Dexedrine and sometimes, anti-depressants and anti-psychotics. Although, drugs like Ritalin are extremely effective in some instances, they may have worrying potential side effects including, damage to the cardiovascular and nervous system. Recommendations are that children under five should not be prescribed them and those over should only be on them for a month at a time.
Other treatments include, management techniques, designed to help parents and teachers cope with the hyperactive child and psychological intervention, including, positive reinforcement to help the child understand the type of behaviour appropriate for him/her and psychodynamic therapy (one to one counselling).
Dietary and Lifestyle Conditions:
The Feingold Diet
The principles of the Feingold Diet are that the hyperactive child's behaviour is adversely affected by:
* All food and drink containing artificial colouring and flavouring, including tartrazines, sulphites, potassium and sodium nitrate, benzoic acid, BHA, BHT, MSG and butylene glycol As well as sugar, omit artificial sweeteners especially aspartame and foods containing them, as these tend to make symptoms worse.
* Natural foods containing salicylates, including apples, almonds, cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, pickles, grapes, peaches, plums, raisins, oranges, vinegar. Salicylic acid is also, commonly found in phenolic compounds added to food, aspirin, cough mixture and many other children's medication.
Therefore these foods should be avoided - or moderated if possible.
It may also help to keep to organic food in the diet and include:
? Wholegrain foods ? Seafood ? Legumes
which are high in zinc.
It is also recommended to take zinc as a supplement, as children with ADHD tend to be lacking in this mineral. in particulary boys do need extra zinc around puberty.
The following supplements may also help if your child is suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ? B vitamins ? Essential fatty acids ? omega 3 and omega 6 ? Evening primrose oil ? Iron (for deficiency only) ? L-carnitine ? Magnesium ? Vitamin B6 ? Zinc
This article is for information only and the author accepts no liability for any action taken. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from ADHD please seek advice from your physician.
Richard Hellyer is publisher of website http://www.iwant2Bhealthy.com where you can find ver 500 pages of unbiased information and resources on Diet and Nutrition. For information on Diseases and Conditions such as ADHD visit http://www.iwant2bhealthy.com/diseases_conditions/
Supplements And Vitamins Adhd Treatment - The Benefits Of Nutrition For Adhd Patients
If you are parent of an ADHD child or you have ADHD yourself it is likely that you have already tried a number of ADHD therapies. Medications may have been your first option and although these tend to work, the benefits are short lived and there are number of controversies surrounding them in relation to side effects. There are other alternative solutions to ADHD such as biofeedback, sensory integrative therapy, behavioral therapy, individual therapy, herbal remedies and nutritional intervention. The latter advocates that with the proper consumption of supplements and vitamins, ADHD symptoms can be improved.
To Embrace our Inner Child and Our ADHD child
We sometime take for granted the littlest things in life. Like a smile from our children and their laughter.
How To Identify Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Studies have shown that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are increasing at an alarming rate. Some think that it is because it is not really rising but that it is gaining more visibility with better tools and methods to detect it, but doctors disagree, saying that the number of identified incidents is definitely on the rise.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 101
Introduction
This is a type of mental disorder, which occurs primarily in school-aged children but can also be diagnosed for the first time in the late teens esp., if some of its symptoms are left unnoticed.
Causes of ADD/ADHD Behavior
Most medical professionals say that the cause of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder is genetic. But they also agree that there are other conditions which can lead to lack of focus and hyperactivity. Here are a few of them:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity in the Classroom: Hints for Classroom Teachers
Since one out of twenty children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the US, it is important for teachers to understand both the myths and realities of the disorder. Here are some thoughts that teachers should consider:
1.
An Overview of Alternative Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant medications for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if possible, a growing need for the development of alternative treatments for ADD ADHD has developed over the past twenty years. Although there are many products that claim to help any child with ADD ADHD, the truth is that there are only a few non-medication treatments for attention deficit disorder that have actually undergone even the simplest of clinical trials.
Natural Alternatives to Treating ADHD
First always consult your doctor before giving any medication whatsoever. All medications have side effects and only your physician is qualified to prescribe medicines and treatments and to recommend dietary changes. We do not recommend any medications nor condone any treatments - only your doctor is qualified to do that.
Anti-Social Behaviors and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Anti-social behaviors are common with ADHD individuals. About 60% of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder kids are also oppositional or defiant.
Dealing with ADHD
If you?ve been noticing peculiar behavioral patterns in your child, he may be exhibiting typical ADHD behavior. ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition in children which compels them to act differently than most kids their age. You may also be more familiar with ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder. This term was later changed to ADHD to create a more accurate description of this condition.
The Classic ADHD Child Reminds Me of Tigger
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What has become known as "classic ADHD" is characterized by Inattention, Impulsivity, Hyperactivity, Restlessness, and Disorganization.
How To Teach Adhd Child - Effective Teaching Techniques For Adhd Students
Approximately 3-5% of all children in the US currently suffer from ADHD which translates in real terms into 2 million children, and this quite a significant number. Despite this however, there is a very real lack of awareness or understanding on the part of schools, and teachers which means that children with ADHD are treated unfairly. It is not uncommon to hear teachers asking ways in teaching a student with adhd, teaching techniques for adhd or even the question on how to teach an adhd child
The Different Types, or Styles, of ADHD
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to the fact that there are different types, or styles, of ADHD. In the past we referred to Attention Deficit Disorder: Inattentive Type, or Impulsive/Hyperactive Type, or a Combined Type.
ADHD; A life saver
Studying the characteristics of ADHD; one would have to say that it might not be a negative trait at all. As a matter of fact squirrels and other fidgety creatures are able to stay more alert and not get eaten by predators as often as other critters.
Intro to Being an ADHD Parent
In my fifteen years of private practice working with children with ADHD, one of the common concerns that I observed by parents was the fear that they had done something, or failed to do something, that caused their child's ADHD. I guess it is normal to blame yourself when your child is having problems.