| The neurological attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, | | | | Psychostimulants such as Ritalin are the most |
| or ADHD, is characterized by hyperactivity and | | | | commonly used medicines in treating ADD and ADHD. |
| inattentiveness in those who suffer from it. Manifesting | | | | Some doctors may recommend beta blockers and |
| in early childhood, ADHD symptoms include | | | | antidepressants for certain individuals with ADD. |
| forgetfulness, distractibility, and an inability to control | | | | Medication, however, can present several side effects. |
| impulses. Without hyperactivity or spurts of often | | | | Common effects of psychostimulants may include |
| uncontrollable energy, the disorder can be referred to | | | | lower appetite and weight loss, insomnia, irritability, and |
| as ADD, or attention deficit disorder. Both ADHD and | | | | nervousness. Some children may also develop tics, or |
| ADD are not incurable, however, and research seeking | | | | jerky muscle movements, although such side effects |
| to understand attention deficit disorder and treatment | | | | are made mild when medication dosage is lowered. |
| techniques is constantly finding ways to improve the | | | | Medicines are not the only way to ease attention |
| lives of those who have the disorder. | | | | deficit disorder and treatment with them is best |
| Before medication can be carried out, however, a | | | | accompanied by therapy. Therapy for ADD is |
| proper diagnosis of ADD must be made. Symptoms | | | | two-fold: the person with ADD is given motivation and |
| of ADD can be divided into two principal classes: | | | | pointers on how to function well in society, and the |
| inattention and hyperactivity. Although ADD is hardly | | | | person's family is given support and pointers on how to |
| characterized by hyperactive behavior, there are a | | | | deal with the person with ADD. There are many |
| few behavioral patterns that fall under this class that | | | | methods in which counseling and therapy can be |
| may need to be addressed when a diagnosis is made. | | | | carried out. |
| Inattention is manifested most commonly in the | | | | Psychotherapy gives ADD adolescents, older children, |
| classroom, although for ADD to be conclusively | | | | and adults a chance to discuss bothersome issues, |
| diagnosed, the symptoms associated with attention | | | | while learning what behavioral patterns are impacting |
| must be manifested in other environments as well, and | | | | their lives negatively. Psychotherapy also gives people |
| for over a period of three months or more. An ADD | | | | with ADD pointers on how they can deal with ADD |
| child will often have a hard time starting an activity, and | | | | symptoms. Psychotherapy may be used in conjunction |
| will sometimes keep away from mentally challenging or | | | | with behavior therapy and social skills training, where |
| stimulating tasks, such as a major school project, that | | | | parents and ADD children are taught how to control |
| might require full attention and organizational skills. An | | | | ADD behavior and practice proper social behavior. |
| ADD child will also have a hard time following | | | | Family therapy and parenting skills training support |
| instructions, doing tasks neatly or in an organized | | | | psychotherapy for attention deficit disorder and |
| manner, and finishing tasks. | | | | treatment using medication. Aside from training parents |
| Hyperactivity, on the other hand, may be manifested in | | | | and siblings to understand ADD, therapists may also |
| ADD children as distractibility. ADD children will often be | | | | recommend support groups to help the person with |
| hard to speak with, as they may not appear to be | | | | ADD. Such support groups may help the person with |
| listening. However, as soon as they do get to start a | | | | ADD realize his or her full potential. |
| conversation, they will speak in excess - only to be | | | | Therapies for attention deficit disorder and treatment |
| distracted if something catches their attention. All these | | | | using medication can be supported with the proper |
| symptoms and more are characteristic of attention | | | | nutrition, although the link between ADD and nutrition |
| deficit disorder and treatment is geared toward | | | | has yet to be fully cemented. Doctors may |
| improving them. | | | | recommend removing preservatives or artificial colors |
| Medication is important in dealing with attention deficit | | | | and flavors from diets of people with ADD. They may |
| disorder and treatment using such medicines has been | | | | also recommend increased zinc, multivitamin and |
| well studied and documented. Many medications are | | | | omega-3 fatty acid intake. |
| geared toward stimulating neurotransmitter production, | | | | Much research is still ongoing to completely understand |
| specifically targeting the production of dopamine and | | | | attention deficit disorder and treatment techniques may |
| nor-epinephrine. These medicines are not sedatives or | | | | soon change. If you suffer from ADD, or if you have a |
| tranquilizers, and they do not serve to bring the | | | | family member that does, then consult with your |
| nervous system to a halt. What they do is to target | | | | doctor on the proper treatment regimen. As long as |
| portions of the brain that serve to increase focus and | | | | you follow medication recommendations and attend |
| concentration, so that those with ADD can give better | | | | therapy sessions, ADD may soon be less of a |
| attention to their tasks. | | | | problem. |