| Studies have shown that Attention Deficit Disorder | | | | affliction today, this is indeed fact, which compounds |
| (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | the problem because it makes it more difficult to treat |
| (ADHD) are increasing at an alarming rate. Some think | | | | without causing negative impacts in other areas of the |
| that it is because it is not really rising but that it is | | | | afflicted person. Again, this is what the most recent |
| gaining more visibility with better tools and methods to | | | | studies have indicated, although there is still |
| detect it, but doctors disagree, saying that the number | | | | disagreement on this since there are no medical tests |
| of identified incidents is definitely on the rise. In the past | | | | available to definitively test such a broadly defined |
| couple of decades, doctors and professionals have | | | | area. Signs of ADD and ADHD would include: |
| been working hard to find alternatives treatments for | | | | Inattentiveness. The child affected by Attention Deficit |
| this disorder. Many parents, as well as doctors, are | | | | Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is |
| reluctant to simply treat the disorder with drugs and | | | | clearly inattentive to a greater degree than a normal |
| other stimulant medications, and have been looking for | | | | child would be inattentive. The affected child is not able |
| effective alternatives, including researching possible | | | | to concentrate or focus on a particular activity or thing |
| natural remedies, where some herbal remedies are | | | | for longer periods of time. Sometimes part of the |
| showing a lot of promise without the harmful and often | | | | problem is thought to be having a lack of flexibility with |
| undesirable side effects. It is clear that alternative | | | | attention focus. This can (although not necessarily |
| treatments for ADD and ADHD need to be | | | | always) create a need for the child to have special |
| researched and developed. Studies have shown stark | | | | educational needs. Forgetfulness. The child affected by |
| contrasts when the EEG of non-ADD children are | | | | ADD or ADHD will frequently forget things they have |
| compared with those of children diagnosed with | | | | just learned or have just been taught. A particular |
| Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit | | | | place where this is noted is with teenagers who are |
| Hyperactivity Disorder. The affected children show in a | | | | diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, who are about 400% |
| statistically significant way that they show excessively | | | | more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease. |
| slow brainwave activity, particularly in the alpha and | | | | Doctors attribute this to the fact that teenagers forget |
| theta ranges) than non-affected children. The end | | | | about the dangers of unprotected sex due to their |
| result is that this slowdown tends to affect the child's | | | | inability to focus. There are other symptoms, but a |
| emotional and frequently also physical maturity levels. It | | | | concrete diagnosis should be left to professionals since |
| can be stated as fact that Attention Deficit Disorder | | | | the various symptoms, which are much more than |
| (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | those listed here, can also indicate other disorders, |
| (ADHD) are neurological conditions. For many years | | | | where treatment options would be very different. The |
| this diagnosis was disputed in the medical community, | | | | bottom line is that understanding the affliction and early |
| but more and more professionals have come to | | | | diagnosis are keys to helping the afflicted person cope |
| realize that based on what we know about the | | | | with and deal with this disorder. |