| There are many millions of youngsters which are | | | | Allergies and dietary changes are implicated in many |
| diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or | | | | cases of ADD and ADHD alike. So it may be wise to |
| alternatively, with Attention Deficit Hyperactive (AAHD) | | | | test for allergies and try elimination techniques in |
| every year. These disorders are quite similar in | | | | detecting dietary problems, especially during this initial |
| symptoms, with the main difference between ADD | | | | six month monitoring. You may be able to increase |
| and ADHD is in the degree of behavioral impairment. | | | | your child's ability to focus and be able to manage |
| Basically, ADHD is distinguished by a more acute level | | | | quite well, without the use of medications. |
| of hyperactivity. | | | | Some physicians recommend starting the day with a |
| The ADD patient suffers primarily from a lack of | | | | meal high in protein, which has been found to have a |
| focus, prone to a lack of organization, with problems in | | | | beneficial effect with some kids. Sugar should be |
| concentration. The ADD patient may continually lose | | | | restricted, as it's implicated in worsening of ADD and |
| things and avoid tasks requiring focus. | | | | ADHD symptoms. Ask your physician to test for |
| A straightforward diagnosis of ADD would likely not | | | | lactose intolerance, which can complicate the |
| include behaviors of impatience, fidgeting excessively | | | | management of symptoms. |
| while sitting in a chair or burning 5000 calories a day | | | | While caffeine is a natural stimulant, it has instead, a |
| running around the house, which are behaviors | | | | calming effect on ADD and ADHD patients. Just three |
| characterizing ADHD. | | | | quarters of a cup of coffee contains about the |
| So the main difference between ADD and ADHD is | | | | equivalent of stimulant as is found in an average dose |
| that, with ADHD, the patient has most symptoms of | | | | of Ritalin, a commonly prescribed pharmaceutical. |
| ADD, plus those pertaining to physical hyperactivity. | | | | On the herbal front, Gingko Biloba berries have been |
| It should be noted that some cases of misdiagnoses | | | | used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese |
| of ADD or ADHD have been reported, where | | | | medicine as an aid to focus and concentration |
| ultimately the child is found to have bipolar disorder, as | | | | problems. Talk to a qualified herbalist about this |
| some of the characteristics are similar. You'd be smart | | | | possibility. |
| to discuss this possibility with your physician, to be sure | | | | When you look over the difference between ADD |
| you've covered all the bases. Another fact to store | | | | and ADHD and the behaviors which characterize both, |
| away: long term studies of psychological treatment for | | | | you'll note that a child's personality can influence rowdy |
| both ADD and ADHD have proven ineffective. | | | | behavior or impatience. Children also go through |
| If a condition of difficulties with attention and/or | | | | various stages of development and different times |
| hyperactivity exists in a child, physicians usually | | | | and to different degrees than others. So when you're |
| recommend that the situation be monitored for at least | | | | considering the difference between ADD and ADHD, |
| six months to be sure it is not a self-resolving issue. | | | | consider also if your child's behavior is actually not |
| The differences between ADD and ADHD | | | | normal. Some kids are fidgety and have a harder time |
| notwithstanding, the six month monitoring applies. | | | | concentrating than their peers, but they grow out of it. |