What is ADHD?

It seems that the "What is ADHD" question is not veryreceiving treatment. European children are diagnosed
easy to answer, despite the plethora of studies,at a rate of about 10 percent of their American
research and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity testingcounterparts.
over the past decades.Either the United States has some pretty hyped up
In asking the question, "What is ADHD," it is easier tokids or American doctors are over-diagnosing
answer by describing what ADHD is not. AttentionAttention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder testing and research hasDisorder.
not proven that ADHD is a medical condition. There isSome people argue that Attention Deficit and Attention
no concrete research that supports that AttentionDeficit Hyperactivity Disorder are not disorders at all,
Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is abut simply personality types. Some people can sit still,
genuine disorder or a disease.pay attention, concentrate on specific tasks and exhibit
What we do know is that Attention Deficit Disorderproficient social skills. Others get fidgety, jump from
and ADHD is becoming a modern day Americanproject to project or just do not fit in the societal
plague. It is the fastest growing diagnosis given to"norm."
children and teens, often based on subjective AttentionThe argument is that ADHD people are not "sick" and
Deficit Disorder Hyperactivity testing of parent ratingsin need of dangerous drug therapy but simply have a
and doctor observations.different way of dealing with the conventional world.
Doctors use a standard checklist of characteristicsSure these high-energy and on-the-go kids can be
when Attention Deficit Hyperactivity testing to make aincredibly irritating to teachers, energy draining to
diagnosis and prescribe a standard course of stimulantparents and general all-around hassles in the grocery
drug therapy in the treatment of Attention Deficitstore but they are also unique, creative, expressive
Hyperactivity.and full of life. And boy, are they full of life!
ADHD symptoms commonly include aggressiveMaybe we, as a society, should encourage some of
behavior, constant activity, easy distractibility,these freethinking traits instead of expecting these
impulsiveness and/or the inability to concentrate. Thesechildren to sit quietly.
ADHD symptoms may include fidgeting or constantAfter all, had Albert Einstein, Lugwig Van Beethoven,
movement, excessive talking and difficulty participatingFrank Lloyd Wright, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci,
in "quiet" activities like reading.Thomas Edison and Henry David Thoreau grown up in
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder children alwaystoday's society, they likely would have been slapped
seem to be in motion. They dash around, wiggle,with the Attention Deficit label and placed on
squirm, fidget and talk nonstop. They are whirlwindsmedications to make them conform to societal
that leave messes, throw tantrums, start fights and actstandards.
obstinate.Should we stifle the natural enthusiasm and fervor of
It's hard to miss ADHD in children but if the parenthyperactive people with drug medications? Would we
happens to miss the signs, the child's teacher certainlyhave the genius of these incredibly unique minds if
will make a point of clearly pointing it out to the parent.stifled by altering drugs?
The most prevalent, and most controversial, treatmentYou have to wonder...
of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is drugIn the conventional treatment of Attention Deficit
therapy. The top drugs of choice being Ritalin, Adderall,Hyperactivity Disorder, the goal is short-term, as are
Dexedrine and Concerta.the effects. The goal is to make the child more
Now here's the scary part; These commonlycompliant (usually so they can sit quietly in school) and
prescribed drugs in the treatment of Attention DeficitADHD medications do work effectively for the
Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disordermajority of children.
fall in the same drug category (Schedule II) as cocaine,However, the price paid for compliant children can be
methadone and opium.detrimental to the child's mental and physical well being
Only a decade ago, Attention Deficit Hyperactivityis high.
Disorder testing and treatment of Attention DeficitYou want your child to be able to focus, sustain
Hyperactivity Disorder was virtually unheard of.attention and behave calmly and appropriately on his
The 1987 edition of the Webster's Dictionary, toutingown instead of relying on a pharmaceutical drug to do
50,000 entries and modern definitions, does not eventhat for him. We do not want a generation of children
include the word "Hyperactive" or "Hyperactivity." Theto grow up automatically thinking that drugs are the
American Psychiatric Association did not nameanswer.
Attention Deficit as a disorder until 1990.Treatment should address the root of the problem
Young boys, by nature have higher levels of energyinstead of temporarily masking the symptoms and it
than their female counterparts. Boys are diagnoses atshould produce lasting changes instead of "fixing" the
a rate three times higher than girls.problem for a couple hours.
When did active, high-spirited, strong-willed and oftA large body of research indicates that environmental
times uncooperative kids move from kids being kids tofactors - nutritionally deficient diets, lead poisoning, food
children having a mental disorder? If using ADHDallergies and such - cause ADHD symptoms.
medication sales as a marker, this shift began rightBy ruling out environmental toxins, food allergies and
about the time the American Psychiatric Associationother possibly causes and by increasing the body's
named this set of characteristics as a disorder.strength and wellness through sound diet and nutritional
Since 1990, prescriptions for ADHD medicationssupplementation, Attention Deficit problems can be
quintupled.gently and effectively addressed without the use of
As Attention Deficit Hyperactivity testing anddangerous medications.
treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderWe also believe that ADHD should stand for
reach all-time highs and continue to climb in this country,"Absolutely Delightful, Hardy and Daring" young children
other countries around the world seem relativelythat will one day grow into fine adults if raised in an
unaffected by this "disorder." This is America's plague.accepting, loving and stable environment.
This country uses 500% more Ritalin than all the restSo what is ADHD? Nothing to be feared, nothing to
of the world combined.dreaded, nothing other than a label placed on the
It is rare to find an Asian child undergoing Attentionsocietal wild children that need a little extra love and a
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder testing, much lesswhole lot of patience.