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