Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) have been widely used labels since the early 1990s. They are considered catch-all diagnoses by many clinicians. Frankly, ADD/ADHD is poorly understood within the health care profession. Many clinicians have difficulty with classification of different behavior disorders, which are then lumped under the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.
ADD and ADHD are caused by biochemical imbalances in the brain. In the brains of ADD/ADHD sufferers, chemicals known as neurotransmitters are not being adequately produced/processed. To stimulate the brain to cause alertness, these chemicals need to be in abundant supply. (ADD is specifically caused by too little norepinephrine production, and ADHD is linked to a decreased amount of dopamine). When norepinephrine and dopamine are in short supply, the brain essentially falls asleep. Information cannot be processed electrically and inappropriate messages will get transferred to the rest of the body. Without the correct stimulation, messages are interrupted and incorrect information gets processed. The message can be sent to or interpreted in the wrong location.
Clinically, patients with ADD/ADHD have difficulty focusing on one task. They can also miss messages from the environment. They appear to have a loss of memory and poor listening skills. Poor sleeping habits are common due to the brain's inability to shut down. Intervention strategies must address the specific areas of the brain. A specific evaluation must be done to correlate exam findings to provide strategies to maximize their full brain potential.
As a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, I take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of attention deficit disorder. After a thorough neurological examination, I determine which part of the nervous system is not functioning properly.
To stimulate brain function, pathways must have neurological activation. Left-sided structural adjustments will stimulate pathways that fire to the right brain. Other effective modalities can also be utilized to stimulate brain function. One example is visual stimulation (watching black and red or blue and green checkerboards) in the left or right vision field. Auditory stimulation in one ear can also be utilized at different intensities and frequencies, based on the patient need. Metronome clicks, gentle ocean sounds, rain showers, or Mozart are a few examples of auditory stimulation. Continually monitoring the patient's blood pressure, respiration rate, pulse, pupillary reflex and V/A ratio are mandatory to avoid over-stimulating the brain.
To truly understand ADD/ADHD, we must address attention as a global process, not just an issue of being able to focus on and sustain attention to a task. Attention is required in both cognitive and behavioral processes. How the information is utilized by the individual's brain is critical to correct diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, one of only 700 in the country, with over twenty years of experience in private practice. He has completed over 850 hours of neurological studies and 3800 hours of postgraduate education. His book "What Do You Do When the Medications Don't Work? - A Non-Drug Treatment of Dizziness, Migraine Headaches, Fibromyalgia, and Other Chronic Conditions" outlines his groundbreaking work in the treatment of chronic pain and is a national best-seller. It is available wherever books are sold.
© 2005 Michael L. Johnson, D.C., D.A.C.N.B.
How Effective is the Nutraceutical ATTEND with ADHD?
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder called ATTEND, and the other Nutraceutical products made by VAXA International in Tampa, FL.
In fact, I spent nearly two years studying the effectiveness of ATTEND on children and adults with ADHD.
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.
Parenting Child With ADHD
Lets be totally, brutally honest: raising a child with ADHD can be very draining and place a heavy strain on your emotions.m Many people keep asking on how to parent an ADHD child. Frustration and impatience can slowly develop for parent of child with ADHD, and stress just seems to well up inside of you, and the best and most effective way on parenting children with ADHD is a near impossible question to answer.
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part three
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
Tips for High School Teachers with ADHD Students: Presenting Your Lesson
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Tips for High School Teachers with ADHD Students: Organizing Your Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Has ADHD Put Your Career in Danger? 3 Steps to Get You Back on Track
"Roger, you must get those contracts completed for this month's sales and don't forget, we have a meeting tomorrow at 9:00. Don't be late again!"Roger was a super salesman, but he risked losing his job because he was too busy rushing from client to client to get his paper work completed.
Solutions to ADHD and ADD
Being an intricate and frequently misconstrued impairment, the attention deficit disorder has been undergoing research from time immemorial. According to studies by experts the source of the disorder is psychological the possibility of having several consequences that come along with the disorder has been evident. So you might probably be thinking whether there was a distinction between ADHD and ADD?
Can Recommended ADHD Diets Help Minimize Symptoms?
A growing number of parents are turning to diet to help ease the symptoms of their child's ADHD. More often, ADHD-related diets are used as a way to either minimize dependence on medications or as the first step to manage ADHD symptoms before turning to drugs. But how effective are ADHD diets recommended by many experts in the field?
"What's Not ADHD?"
Let?s look at five behavioral issues which are not ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). While these difficulties may be found along with ADHD, it doesn?t mean that they are symptoms of ADHD.
Important Pointers When Parenting A Adhd Child
Parenting a ADHD child can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride emotionally. ADHD children can be funny, inspirational creative, and gifted in lots of ways, as well as having challenging behaviors.
Teacher Tips: Improving Compliance in the Classroom with ADHD Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Tips for the Classroom Teachers with ADHD Students
Thank you for all that you do in the classroom! It is hard enough being a classroom teacher today, but when you add to the difficulties two or three children with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or minor head injuries from FAS, managing a classroom can be a real challenge!
The ADHD Information Library has designed a web site just for you classroom teachers. We have taken 500 classroom interventions that we have gathered over the years from dozens of sources, and placed them on the site for you to visit, consider, and use if appropriate.
Treatment Options for ADHD
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very effective in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms. Although it has potential side-effects which many families would like to avoid, we have seen it help a lot of people.
The What and Hows of ADD/ADHD in Children
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and unfortunately most of its causes are unknown. It can persist through adolescence and into adulthood.