| Attention deficit disorder is a serious | | | | tasks as they are completed. This will help |
| disorder and it is not going away. It causes | | | | alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that |
| depression, inattentiveness, relationship and | | | | surrounds ADD. |
| behavorial problems, deviant behavior | | | | |
| (crime), can lead to drug abuse, alcoholism | | | | 6. Realize. Realize that ADD is not |
| and even suicide. To better understand this | | | | retardation. ADD does not mean someone is |
| disorder and correct it there are 8 steps we | | | | slow or unlearned. On the contrary, some of |
| must follow: | | | | the smartest geniuses in history have had |
| | | | ADD. ADD makes it 10 times harder to stay |
| 1. Education. ADD can manifest itself in | | | | focused on mental tasks than normal people, |
| several different ways all depending upon the | | | | but when treated properly and taught how to |
| areas of the brain affected. Basically, ADD | | | | cope with their condition ADD sufferers in |
| is caused by abnormalities in the cortex | | | | numerous tests have been proven to be able to |
| region of the brain. These abnormalities are | | | | compete equally with non-sufferers and, in |
| mostly genetic, but can also result from head | | | | some cases, greatly out perform. There was a |
| trauma. The afflicted area is underdeveloped | | | | documented case of one individual whom, due |
| slightly - not enough to cause autism or | | | | to his undiagnosed ADD, never paid attention |
| retardation. This underdeveloped area in the | | | | in elementary, middle, or high school. This |
| cortex directly affects attention span, | | | | individual ended up dropping out of |
| energy (lethargy), even quality of life. This | | | | highschool and was seen as a deviant. This |
| is an actual confirmable medical condition. | | | | individual then through proper diagnosis |
| | | | learned they had ADD, learned how to deal |
| 2. Get medical help. Do not wait. ADD can rob | | | | with it. Then took it upon themselves to |
| the sufferer of quality of life. Go to a | | | | learn what they didn't in the public school |
| doctor that specializes in conditiond like | | | | system. In two weeks they were able to obtain |
| ADD. Upon confirming the diagnosis for ADD | | | | a real diploma, not a GED, and go to college. |
| they will among other things refer you to | | | | Whats even more amazing is that this dropout |
| support groups. This is important as ADD can | | | | eventually ended up attending an Ivy league |
| be very trying on a family. They will also | | | | University! Just like underdeveloped muscles, |
| determine if medication like Ridalin and | | | | the brain through much effort can be taught |
| Adderall are necessary. | | | | to overcompensate for underdeveloped areas. |
| | | | |
| 3. Nutrition. Eat a well balanced diet. Take | | | | 7. Learn. Learn the art of memorization and |
| multi-vitamins and drink plenty of water. | | | | studying. For ADD sufferers studying and |
| Multi-vitamins are a necessity as many of our | | | | mental tasks are 10 times harder to focus on. |
| foods are lacking in nutritional value. | | | | By learning memory techniques like |
| Recent research has shown that omega-3 fatty | | | | associations, linking, lists, etc... and |
| acids (like those found in salmon) not only | | | | learning to become adept with them will make |
| promote a healthy heart, but also increase | | | | ADD easier. A great book to read is Harry |
| brain functioning and health. Many people in | | | | Lorayne's Memory Book. It should be required |
| Okinawa on a diet compromising mostly rice | | | | learning for everyone in highschool. If the |
| and fish lived to be 100+ years old and | | | | learning process can be made into a a game |
| maintained full mental acuity. They were | | | | understanding, comprehension, and attention |
| found to have much lower incidences of mental | | | | will all increase. |
| diseases and conditions including ADD. Take a | | | | |
| multivitamin, eat well balanced meals, and | | | | 8. Meditation, controlled discipline and |
| take omega-3 supplements. | | | | prayer. Stress and anxiety have been shown to |
| | | | play a large role with ADD sufferers. Both |
| 4. Hydration. The brain is 85% water and when | | | | meditation and prayer have been shown to be |
| the water intake is insufficient the brain | | | | very benefitial as they increase the |
| will become dehydrated and sluggish. During | | | | attention span and have a dramatic soothing, |
| dehydration the neurons and synapses in the | | | | calming effecton the sufferer. Discipline is |
| brain cannot transfer important chemicals and | | | | very important with the ADD sufferer. Hidy |
| impulses for memory, thought and cognition. | | | | Ochai, an internationally reknowned karate |
| Proper hydration is even more important in | | | | master states in his books that proper |
| ADD sufferers as they have underdeveloped | | | | discipline in kids with ADD is essential to |
| lobes of the cortex that are more sensatized | | | | proper adult development. Karate is a very |
| to the effects of dehydration. It is | | | | effective tool for the ADD sufferer. As it |
| generally accepted that 8-10 glasses of water | | | | provides exercise, discipline, goal |
| per day is warranted for proper mental | | | | development and accomplisment, focus and self |
| functioning and will help with ADD sufferers | | | | respect. ADD sufferers will do well to learn |
| as the symptoms of ADD will worsen due to | | | | what meditation, controlled discipline, and |
| dehydration. | | | | prayer can offer them. |
| | | | |
| 5. Plan. Plan your day. ADD sufferers tend to | | | | These eight steps are essential for the |
| be the biggest procrastinators. They can't | | | | attainment of the proper quality of life for |
| focus as well and tend to put things off. Use | | | | ADD sufferers. ADD can be treated and dealt |
| a day planner and make lists, checking off | | | | with. |