| ADD is when the reticular activating system in your | | | | short attention spans and poor memory retention. The |
| brain, which is a part of your body's central nervous | | | | symptoms of ADD are also easily confused with other |
| system, is dysfunctional. This area of the brain is | | | | diseases or attributed to different factors, making it |
| responsible for coordinating the information from one | | | | difficult to diagnose. For example, the main symptoms |
| region of the brain to another via norepinephrine, due to | | | | of ADD are forgetfulness, restlessness, depression, |
| external information. When it is impaired, there is | | | | inability to focus and impulsive behavior. However, |
| excessive stimulation causing the mind to be | | | | thyroid, depression, anxiety, or a stressful environment |
| overworked and unable to cope, leading to a lack of | | | | can also result in the same symptoms. Excessive |
| focus and other symptoms. | | | | sugar consumption can cause impulsive behavior and |
| There are many forms of ADD, such as Attention | | | | restlessness, and allergies can cause reactions that |
| Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit | | | | reduce the neurotransmitters in the brain causing the |
| Behavior Disorder (ADBD), Oppositional Defiant | | | | same symptoms. |
| Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD), to name a | | | | There are many treatments available for those who |
| few. Of these, ADHD is the most well know form of | | | | suffer from ADD, and the most common one is the |
| ADD, and affects approximately 5% of all children in | | | | use of antidepressant drugs. However, these |
| America, making it the most common neurological | | | | medications need up to 6 weeks to take effect, and |
| disease. | | | | have severe side effects such as increasing |
| Many factors contribute to ADD, and the breakdown | | | | depression, agitation, and suicidal notions. There are |
| of the reticular activating system. Excessive sugar | | | | also alternative treatments, such as herbs and nutrients |
| consumption reduces the brain's sensitivity to | | | | used to balance the brain chemistry that has been |
| norepinephrine, making it difficult for the brain to pass | | | | impaired. These are encouraged as they do not have |
| messages to different regions of the mind. Other | | | | side effects, and are specially designed to provide the |
| factors include oxygen deprivation during birth, genetics, | | | | necessary acids, hormones and neural growth needed |
| a dearth of nutrients in his diet, and substance abuse | | | | to assist the reticular activating system. |
| during pregnancy, among others. Statistics from the | | | | For those who are suffering from ADD, it is |
| National Institute of Mental Health show that up to 5% | | | | recommended to cut down on sugar intake as sugar |
| of the population has ADHD, and that up to 20% of | | | | consumption is linked to aggressive behavior. Individuals |
| pregnant mothers smoke during pregnancy, with 11% | | | | should also be tested for allergies, especially those |
| consuming alcohol. | | | | triggered by food dyes. In line with this, soft drinks |
| Common indicators that an individual is suffering from | | | | should be avoided. |
| ADD include learning disabilities, agitation, aggression, | | | | |