Odd Kidout

The most common diagnosis for children today is ADHD. While the United States contains 5% of the world's population we consume 90% of all the Ritalin produced in it. Even more disturbing is the fact that the increase in children under the age of 5 mushroomed 107% for girls and 78% for boys between 1991 to 1995. While these drugs help 60 to 75% of children taking them many parents are concerned about the negative side effects associated with them. The most common medications prescribed for ADHD are Ritalin and Adderall. These drugs are known as psychostimulants. While many children taking these drugs experience improved focus better grades in school and generally feel better about themselves they do...

Probably the most famous treatment for persons with ADHD is pharmacotherapy. Why is that, you may ask. Well, that is because when children, let us say your child is diagnosed with a condition, the first professional that you may think can help you are doctors. Yes, that is correct; they can help you. However, you should know that the help they can provide you is limited. They may know a lot about ADHD but the treatment approach that they are trained to perform is limited into prescription of medicines. However, they know the right persons who can attend more to your child's problem that is why there are things like referrals. Now, let us first have an overview of ADHD. It is a neurobiologic disorder...

Diet and food dye ADHD have been in the news a lot recently. Sugar has just been absolved in a recent debunking of the myth that sugar can cause hyperactivity. However the problem of food dye ADHD remains in that it is well known that kids after eating foods and snacks with lots of bright colours and additives seem to get a 'hyperactive high'. A recent study (published in the medical journal 'The Lancet') shows that some very common food dyes and the preservative sodium benzoate which is found in lots of food that kids eat can lead to increased hyperactivity. The foods to mainly watch out for are: soda pop, salad dressings and fruit juices. It makes sense anyway (whether you have an ADHD kid or not...

One of the most interesting facts on ADHD was the story of boy who was misdiagnosed with ADHD and suffered nasty side effects from ADHD medications for a number of years. Thanks to his parents who did some research on ADHD and the facts, they found that the symptoms were caused by a parasite ! Bear in mind that ADHD can mimic other conditions. Here are a few :- the child may be epileptic, may have hearing problems, may have Tourette's syndrome or may have a sleeping disorder. One of the other interesting facts on ADHD is that the drugs industry have made enormous profits from ADHD, simply be producing a class of drugs which range from psychostimulants to anti-depressant drugs and non-stimulant ADHD...

People tend to confuse between Psychoses or what is also called a Psychotic Disorder, to Schizophrenia. In one word the schizophrenia is the disease or illness and the psychosis is the active manner of it. Here are 7 differences that will help you differentiate between psychosis and schizophrenia: 1) The active signs When you suffer from psychosis, you have what is called active signs. Those signs are hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, hearing voices, imagining things and thoughts and so on. All of these are the active signs and reflects a psychotic disorder or psychosis. These active signs usually appear for about a maximum of 5% of your life. 2) The negative symptoms When your psychosis is under...

If you have an alphabet kid, he or she may have been labeled with ADD or ADHD, OCD, Aspergers, NLD (non verbal learning disorder) or a host of the so-called co-morbid disorders which pediatricians are so fond of using. But is there a difference between ADD vs ADHD? The short answer is no. So, thankfully, that is one less acronym we have to deal with. But the ADD vs ADHD confusion, how did this come about? Attention deficit disorder (ADD) was first used about thirty years ago. Because it was observed that many children fidget constantly and are hyperactive while adults multi task, it was felt that there was something missing in the definition. That was in 1994 and the definition was then changed to...

ADHD child or gifted child: It can make a world of difference! I have a personal story to share with you. It's a story that at first you might not find that remarkable, but if you keep on reading, I promise you will start to understand the significant value in asking questions and believing in yourself and your child's abilities. In the beginning... When I started school in the first grade, my parents had a problem with me from day one. I came home bored out of my skull. Imagine that, a first grader being bored with school and insisting they would never return. After some phone calls, and a few laughs, it was determined that I would undergo testing in the next few weeks to find out what my...

I recently read a short article proclaiming that there couldn't possibly be a connection between ADHD and gluten. While it seem like a logical conclusion in some ways, when dealing with a mysterious and somewhat biologically unknown condition of the brain such as ADHD it is difficult to know for sure. In this informational article we will cover gluten, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the gluten diet giving you the information you need to form an opinion as to the relationship as to whether gluten ADHD is real or imagined. Gluten is protein found in grain (barley, rye, wheat) that can cause damage to the lining of the small intestines over time. The resulting condition is known as Celiac...

These 10 Tips Provide Specific Treatment Considerations for Any ADHD Symptoms Associated with Sleep Disturbance. Untreated each of these issues aggravates symptoms of ADHD. 1. Measure TAH: Evaluate the Onset of Sleep, and the Duration in Total Average Hours -TAH. Sleep, according to circadian rhythm research, is best begun before midnight, and should last, according to research, 8.25 TAH. Less than 7 TAH should always be systematically addressed, at any age. Consistent length of unbroken sleep is important, and better than napping to correct the next day. 2. Assess Sleep Levels - Level 1: Falling asleep, Level 2: Staying asleep, Level 3: Waking too early in the AM and being unable to fall back...

It has been noted that there is a strong connection between Aspergers and ADHD medication. The reason why is because people with Asperger's syndrome experience many of the same issues as those with ADHD. The inability to concentrate and focus on one project at a time is one of the most prominent problems. Other characteristics of Asperger's syndrome are social awkwardness, an intense interest in only one or two specific subjects, difficulty catching onto humor, an inability to relate to other people's feelings, fast and monotone speech, strange posture, and other very rigid behaviors. Like ADHD, Asperger's syndrome also affects the child's ability to concentrate. It is not their fault, nor does it...

A Hunter Gatherer is a person who lives solely from what nature provides. He hunts animals and fish for food and clothing and collect plants, insects, honey, sap to supplement his dietary needs and in many instances to provide him with his medicinal needs. Until the last great ice age all humans living were hunter gatherers. There was plenty of large game species for everybody. The hunter gatherer clans would migrate along side their prey to ensure a permanent supply. Man had tamed wolves by this time so he would take them along with him on his hunts and train them to work in unison with him in a mutually beneficial way. The trained wolves would also help to protect him from attack from dangerous...

Children who do not have a dominant hand are said to be cross dominant. Cross dominance also refers to a condition where the person's dominant eye, ear, foot, or hand are not on the same side. There is some very good evidence that being cross dominant can cause cognitive problems. A recent study has linked a lack of hand dominance to ADHD. Is being ambidextrous really a liability? Can it be treated? Some scientists feel that treatment for cross dominance is a waste of time while others claim that cross dominance can be corrected. There has been a fair amount of skepticism surrounding both vision therapy for cross dominance and other therapies that propose to address the problems associated with...

-> What's the difference between autism and Asperger's syndrome? What do they have in common? That's a question that concerns many people. Asperger's syndrome and autism are both on the spectrum of Autism Disorder which also includes Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, etc. All these types of autism disorder present at least some of those symptoms: echolalia (repeating words said by others), abnormal social behavior, restricted range of interest, poor motor coordination and self-stimulating behavior. Asperger's syndrome is a mild form of autism. People suffer asperger's don't have communication delays as people with other...

Have you heard of the term mood swings? What about manic depression? If you have, then it wouldn't be difficult to explain what bipolar disorder means. All these terms mean the same thing. This is a serious mental illness and is categorized as bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2. Bipolar disorder is characterized by an abrupt change of moods from an energetic mania (and hypomania) to the lowest depressive state. Both bipolar disorder categories share the same characteristics in mood swing levels. However, the drawing line between the bipolar type 1 and the bipolar type 2 is on the varied episode levels of each mood swing. Bipolar Type 1 The type 1 bipolar disorder is characterized based on the...

Alzheimer's disease conflicts damage to the brain which will lead to function loss in cognitive functioning. But what is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's? Many people think that Alzheimer and Dementia are one and the same. This is clearly not true, there is actually a big difference between the two. The big difference between Alzheimer and Dementia is the fact that Alzheimer is a disease. This disease causes damage to the brain which will lead to a variation of function loss in the brain. Alzheimer itself is not Dementia. The result of the brain damage is. Dementia is a syndrome, a collection of symptoms. Because of this there are no 2 people with the same expression of the disease...

Are you frustrated with the choices for treating your ADHD child? Parents usually get scared when they learn about the different side effects that ADHD medication can cause. In this situation, alternative methods for ADD and ADHD treatment and management should be considered and more information should be gathered about other options. ADD and ADHD alternatives to prescription medication include psychotherapy, dietary management, vitamin supplementation, biofeedback training, yoga, and homeopathic remedies. Psychotherapy includes behavioral therapy, family therapy, support groups, and social skills training. These help with personal and social functioning by improving behavior and teaching ways on...

As you may be aware there are numerous alternative methods for ADD and ADHD. You may have heard some of these advertised though one of the many major media outlets. Some claim to work every time with the use of a few simple words. Others have a recorded message that is sure to alter behavior is only given a chance. In reality what may work for one may not for another. In this informational article titled "Alternative Methods for ADD and ADHD" I will be focusing on behavior modification therapy. The idea of behavioral modification has been around for a while now. It is not without its detractors but is generally considered to be the primary non prescription drug treatment used in convention ADHD...

According to recent surveys, millions of young people and adults struggle to face each new day as they cope with ADD, ADHD, or both. According to Frank Coppola, ADD is better described as an "attention abundance disorder, where everything is just so interesting...remarkably at the same time." In the medical community, these conditions are better known as Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Adults and children with these disorders not only have problems keeping their thoughts under control, but also have difficulty remaining still. ADD and Neurofeedback Brain biofeedback, as neurofeedback is also called, could be considered the perfect match for the patient with...

It's been known for many years that gluten allergy and ADHD may be a factor with symptoms in both children and adults. Allergies of all types are at epidemic proportions. Food allergies alone have increased by approximately 700 per cent in the last ten years, and fatal allergies are far more common than ever before. One reason that the threat of allergies is often underestimated is because allergies are often not the only element that contributes to ADHD. Allergies can get lost in the crowd of combined factors that make up the condition of ADHD. The vast majority of children with ADHD as well as asthma and autism have serious allergies. These conditions usually can not be overcome without addressing...

Today, we see children and adults dealing with disorders known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Forthe individual living with either chronic neurobiological disorder, life can bemore than challenging. The confusion comes into play when the two terms (ADD and ADHD) are interchanged. While there are similarities, each represents somethingunique and its own set of obstacles. In this article, we will address thedifferences between ADD and ADHD to help you better understand each. Again, while there are distinct differences between ADD and ADHD, you will oftenhear the terms "ADD" and "ADHD" used to refer to one or both. Because of so manysimilarities...

The chance that your child will be killed by an add/adhd drug are about million-to-1. This is as likely as winning the lottery and as life changing. If you are faced with a life or death condition, these are good odds and acceptable. Add/adhd is not life threatening. Add/adhd is a attention disorder problem, a behavior problem, a poor grade problem, and more noise than you like problem. Add/adhd untreated will not lead to death. Why would you expose your child to even a one-in-a-million chance. Perhaps for a little ease. Or more likely, we have been convinced by others, who are not motivated by the welfare of our children. These people accept the odds as part of doing business. There are many ways...

Color dyes such as: Yellow Lake 6, Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 and many others are in most foods and personal products. Check the ingredients on your favorite cereal, candy, juice, chewable vitamin, soda, toothpaste and shampoo. You will find color dyes listed on most of these labels. If we could read the small-print ingredients on make up and lipstick, we would find color dyes among many other hazardous ingredients. Color dyes have been implicated in the rise of ADD/ADHD cases. Dr. Feingold did research on over 1200 children with ADHD and found half of them had allergic reactions to color dyes that aggravated ADHD symptoms. We took our four kids off color dyes and found that it improved mood and behavior...

The strange truth about Adult ADHD symptoms and trying to focus on a task is that, while everyone is trying to cut down on our sensory stimulation so we can "focus," what people with Adult ADHD symptoms really need is more stimulation! Learn this little-known secret for focusing on even "boring" tasks... In my last article I told about a kid with ADHD symptoms who I was working with in my practice. I taught him to connect his love of hockey with doing science homework, which he was currently getting F's in because he was bored. He used hockey cards and posters and music to do this and he ended up getting A's in Science as a result. That's an example of someone with ADHD symptoms connecting something...

Moms want to be a good mom,a productive member of society andattractive. Sometimes the attractive part has to be put off toaccomplish all of her other jobs. If the less attractive part isextra pounds, which will creep up on you slowly and steady two orthree pounds per year, this can also be a health problem. So we buy bigger clothes to mask the weight gain and try not tofocus on how we look in the mirror, because it is "my" fault that Ihave gained weight. I am in control of myself and allowed this tohappen. This is true, but your focus has been and will be on children,job, home, spouse, etc. Not on how to find the two to three hoursper day for three or four times a week to work out and regain...

Phosphatidyls serine, choline, and inositol are phospholipids important in the repairing of cellular membranes. Converted by hormones into "messengers", they communicate to every cell in the body what its duty is. Phosphatidyl is the most abundant phospholipid in the human brain. Some clinical studies show that PS-Phosphatidyl stimulates both the output of a chemical called acetylcholine, and the synthesis and release of dopamine. It is also believed to reverse memory loss. Test trials with human subjects report both improved lucidity and a general improvement on mood and outlook. The nutrient, according to recent studies, also helps people to cope with daily living, and helps most people...

ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is quite common in children and adults. According to several surveys, ADHD may occur in as many an 8-10% of school going children. Experts are not clear about whether children outgrow the symptoms of ADHD. That means that the disorder may be more prevalent among adults than previously believed. Symptoms of ADHD In children, the most common symptoms are associated with lack of attention and concentration. They may be hyperactive and might tend to become bored or frustrated easily. Most sufferers act impulsively. The defining feature is that these symptoms interfere with the normal activities of the child. For instance, he might be disruptive in...

You have attention deficit disorder or someone close to you does, or you probably wouldn't be reading this article, right? Let's talk a bit about organization, ADD, and how you can avoid the dreaded "stuff everywhere" syndrome. The most notorious place for attention deficit induced clutter is in your bedroom. Clothes are probably scattered over most of it, shoes may be piled sky-high, and what's a laundry hamper? Right? We know how this feels, and had the same kind of problems, but we learned that if you can create an ADD-friendly system to handle the clutter, life will be much smoother for you and for your loved ones. If your bedroom is large enough, buy three big trash cans, about the 30 gallon...

"The pervasive prescribing of psychiatric drugs to children and adolescents is one of the greatest public health crises in the history of modern medicine." states Grace E. Jackson, M.D. in her book, Drug Induced Dementia: A Perfect Crime. "We will quite likely see an epidemic of early-onset dementia in 40 to 60 year olds as these children and adolescents grow up," Dr. Jackson adds. "Tragically, many will die prematurely a result of the physical harm caused by these drugs." These statements are cause for great concern and frustration for parents and children who cope daily with ADD/ADHD. Psychostimulants, tranquilizers, neuroleptics, antidepressants, and anti-hypertensive medications are among the...

Corbels and brackets are architectural elements that can serve both a functional and a decorative role in your kitchen. If your countertops are made of a heavy material such as granite or marble, corbels and brackets are absolutely essential from a structural standpoint. If your countertops are a bit lighter, corbels and brackets may only be ornamental in nature. What Separates Corbels and Brackets Both corbels and brackets are pieces that protrude from a wall and may be designed to support some sort of weight. In kitchens, corbels and brackets are typically used beneath countertops, islands, bar tops and shelves. The key difference between corbels and brackets is their width; corbels are generally...

Psychiatric medications are just like any other medications: they must always be adjusted correctly to work correctly. The patient's size and weight no longer matters. Today, medication adjustments are all about this little known Mind Bio-marker: the Therapeutic Window We used to think that weight and body size were the two most important variables to understand proper dosing. Today those somatic parameters are old news. What does matter a great deal in 2008: metabolic rate, how the meds are burned, and if they are burned correctly. It sounds complicated at first, but in the end, it's really easy, and the benefits are clearly measurable. We are now taking medication understanding from using only...

There is a strong debate between pro-drugers and non-drugers about ADD/ADHD treatment for our children. Both sides seem concerned about the effect of ADD/ADHD of their lives. The pro believe that we must drug our children to insure calmness, the ability to learn, and growthinto adulthood. The non believe that giving drug to children is overkill and dangerous. They believe that ADD/ADHD can be control with care and diet. The pros have wide support from the medical field who spend millions of dollar on research, development, and distribution of drugs in hope to earn a profit. They also have support from people who have bought into their belief system for what ever reason. The nons have little socially...

Key Points to Recognizing the Underdose, it Just Isn't working Remember from previous articles here the importance of dialing in ADD/ADHD stimulant medications precisely. You can't have them precisely adjusted if you don't have clear targets, clear symptoms that your are addressing. The current diagnostic coding [DSM-IV] makes symptom recognition confusing and limits treatment objectives to only descriptive diagnosis, superficial assessment, not functional. See my other articles and my website below for more discussion and podcasts on precise functional diagnosis and better targets. Without clear targets the team has no clear treatment objectives to see if the meds are working. First Consider the...

There are many theories regarding the causes ADD also known as attention deficit disorder or ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Many studies have been conducted to uncover the cause of these disorders which affect approximately 2 million school age children in America alone. Some great breakthroughs have been made that help explain the disorder but only one thing is known for sure about the cause, and that is a definitive cause is still unknown. There is no diagnostic test for ADD or ADHD. It is a clinical diagnosis made by looking at frequent symptoms and behaviors experienced by a child and ruling out any other disorder or disease that may cause the same behaviors and symptoms. Most...

There are many supplements on the market today, from Acai, Mangosteen, Noni, etc. Pycnogenol is one of the most popular anti-oxidant supplements today. For a good reason! The Native Americans used pine bark extract to help ward off colds and other skin ailments. There are many uses for this miracle pill, and new discoveries are being made each year of its use. Scientists are just realizing the incredible benefits of taking Pycnogenol. It is derived from the bark of the French Maritime Pine tree and is a water extract. It has a very high level of antioxidants and has proven effective in preventing a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease and different types of cancers. It helps prevent...

Hypoglycemia is a condition where there is low blood sugar. Symptoms of this include anxiety, trembling, heart palpitations, sweating, and dilated pupils. Many symptoms can occur or become more severe after eating. It is important to consult a physician if these symptoms are present to rule out more serious complications. However, there are many natural ways to reduce effects and control the condition. A healthy diet is essential in treating hypoglycemia. Eliminating sugar from the diet, or greatly reducing it proves to have positive results. This includes candy, cookies, pastries and other types of sweets commonly eaten. Care should also be taken to reduce the amount of alcohol and caffeine intake...