ADD/ADHD Predicament

ADD/ADHD is considered to be a physiologicalcan each cause similar symptoms. Also, since allergic
disorder involving neurological transmitters in the brainreactions reduce the levels of neurotransmitters and
that are either working overtime or undertime or areeven they can be the cause for the symptoms. Or the
an insufficient amount. Since 70 percent of the brain isice cream bar with it 12 or so teaspoons of sugar or
meant to restrain the other 30 percent, if there's anthe 12 ounce soda with its 6 or more teaspoons of
imbalance of those transmitters, emotional and/orsugar might cause little Jason to go haywire, if he has
psychological difficulties or less than proper behaviora sensitivity to sugar. And then there's giftedness? A
might be apparent.To understand the subject, one hasgifted child does not have to be a genius. They can be
to understand the confusion surounding it. ADD isway above "average" in one area and be average or
Attention Deficit Disorder. ADHD is Attention Deficitstruggling in others. If the giftedness is overlooked it
Hyperactivity Disorder. ADBD is Attention Deficitcan leave the child with the exact symptoms of one
Behavior Disorder. ODD is Oppositional Defiantdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD. So, it's easy to see that
Disorder. And CD is Conduct Disorder. If little Jasonthere are a number of things that could be causing
forgets what you told him four seconds ago, he mightLittle Jason's problems.Serious StatisticsAccording to
have ADD. If he has forgotten what you've told himthe National Institute of Mental Health, 3-5 percent of
four seconds ago and he's climbing all over the chairthe general population has ADHD. There are 2 million
he's been sitting in, he might have ADD/ADHD. But, ifchildren with it and that number doubles every 3-4
he's forgotten what you told him, is finished climbing allyears. The American Psychiatric Association reports
over the chair, and is now picking it up and throwing itthat "28 percent of all children under 18 years of age
to hear what kind of noise it makes as it hits the floor,live with one parent, and 84 percent of those live with
he could have ADBD. Then, finally, if little Jason hastheir mother." And according to the National Institute of
done all of the above and is standing in front of you,Drug Abuse, "5.5 percent of women used drugs while
with every molecule of his being fixed in protest,they were pregnant, 10.8 percent drank alcohol, and
saying, "So! Whatta ya gonna do about it?!"...there's a20.4 percent smoked." There are a lot of factors to be
great possibility that he has ODD. This seems clearconsidered when diagnosing someone, especially a
enough.However, it isn't all that clear due to thechild, as having ADD/ADHD disorder.With all that said, it
diagnosis being so lax and the medicines being sois easy to understand why some people feel that
quickly prescribed. Ritalin has often been prescribed forprescribing drugs is a bandwagon many have jumped
a child or adult with ADD/ADHD. Ritalin is a centralon without knowing the cost of the ride, the destination
nervous system stimulant. It amplifies the release of aof the trip, or even if the journey was necessary in the
transmitter. But it is also on the US Department offirst place.Finding a BalanceThe main positive thing
Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration's "DRUGSabout the situation is that more people are becoming
OF CONCERN" list. Right beside Cocaine, Heroin,aware and are asking for better diagnosis and more
Marijuana, Ecstasy, PCP, Steroids, andbroad-range treatment of ADD/ADHD. If little Jason
Methamphetamines. It's on their "DRUGS OF ABUSE"actually does have the disorder, chances are one of
list and the "SCHEDULE II STIMULANTS" list as well.the medications might be the "wonder drug" that helps.
So, Ritalin hangs around with a serious crowd. AndBut alternatives such as rearranging his diet,
remember little Jason? Well, he's the kid who might bebiofeedback and giving him extra attention in order to
given this Schedule II drug. Among the otherhelp him deal with a world that he feels out of step
medications that have been used to treat ADD/ADHDwith should also be considered, because simply
are Cylert, Dexedrine, Concerta, anti-depressanthanding him his pills everday is never going to be
Wellbutrin, chewable Methylin or non-stimulantenough.Regenia G. Butcher is an author on a site for
Strattera.Confusing SymptomsThe main symptoms ofCreative Writers ( ). She is also a crafter and is
ADD/ADHD include: forgetfulness, not being able tocurrently working on a "quirky" word reference book.
focus, restlessness, impulsiveness and depression. ButShe usually not only sees the glass half full, but
thyroid or hearing problems, hypoglycemia, lousyrejoices that there IS a glass.
nutrition, anxiety, depression, or a stressing homelife