| ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADHD- | | | | Allergies can also be a cause, particularly allergies to |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is difficult to | | | | food coloring, cow's milk, certain nuts, citrus fruits, and |
| treat because it encompasses so many symptoms, | | | | tomatoes. Other causes of ADD are said to be metal |
| some of which are contrary to each other. Those with | | | | toxicity in the body, nutritional deficiency, and |
| ADD can demonstrate symptoms both passively and | | | | consumption of artificial flavors and preservatives. |
| aggressively, though the one symptom that seems to | | | | Another possible complicating factor to keep in mind in |
| be common in all those with ADD is difficulty in sitting | | | | the diagnosis and treatment of ADD is soft drink |
| still and concentrating. However, diagnosis and | | | | consumption, as sodas contain phosphates which can |
| treatment of ADD cannot be based on that one | | | | upset calcium-phosphorous levels, exaggerating muscle |
| characteristic alone. So then, how do professionals go | | | | activity. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or "SAD", can be |
| about the diagnosis and treatment of ADD? According | | | | mistaken for ADD. SAD is a depression, or prolonged |
| to the American Psychiatric Association, there are 14 | | | | feeling of sadness, due to lack of sunlight. In the |
| symptoms of ADD, eight of which should be present | | | | treatment of ADD, it is important that other conditions |
| for a diagnosis to be made. | | | | which might have similar symptoms, such as SAD, are |
| What are some recognizable features of someone | | | | eliminated. |
| with ADD? Well, patience for waiting in lines, or waiting | | | | Are there any natural treatments of ADD( Such |
| for responses in conversation will often be lacking. The | | | | substances as fish oil, primrose oil, and flaxseed oil can |
| inability to finish through with projects before beginning | | | | be very beneficial. Supplements that contain a full, |
| new ones is also a symptom. In addition, sufferers | | | | balanced, compliment of nutrients, antioxidants and |
| display impulsive behavior, sometimes putting | | | | vitamins are also recommended. Foods cooked in |
| themselves in danger. It is important to take all this | | | | trans-fats, as well as foods containing additives, colors, |
| information under consideration in the treatment of | | | | or artificial ingredients such as aspartame should be |
| ADD( | | | | avoided. These substances could exacerbate or set |
| Long-term treatment of ADD can be a challenge, as | | | | off ADD behaviors. Treating ADD naturally is a |
| sufferers get bored easily and may have a difficult | | | | balancing act of eliminating harmful substances, while |
| time sticking to a treatment plan. The fact that the | | | | supplementing with beneficial nutrients and minerals. |
| treatment is greatly needed may still not make it less | | | | Most sufferers of ADD are children, thought the |
| difficult for patients to follow through. Stimulation from | | | | disorder definitely occurs among adults as well. Adults |
| external sources can be distracting for ADD sufferers | | | | with ADD may display such characteristics as poor |
| due to less than ideal neural coordination. These | | | | management of time and money, which of course can |
| distractions can come in the sound, visual, or emotional | | | | lead to disastrous effects at home and at work. |
| form. Blocking out distractions and focusing can result | | | | These adults are likely to have a poor self-image and |
| in frustration. All of these factors should be taken into | | | | can be easily frustrated or bored. In the treatment of |
| account when planning ADD treatment( | | | | ADD, age of the sufferer should b paid attention to, |
| What causes ADD/ADHD? One theory is that brain | | | | and it will likely be helpful to try and boost the patient's |
| coordination is impaired by eating too much sugar, as | | | | self-esteem. |
| sugar inhibits the brain's response to norepinephrine. | | | | |