| ADD/ADHD is considered to be a physiological | | | | can each cause similar symptoms. Also, since allergic |
| disorder involving neurological transmitters in the brain | | | | reactions reduce the levels of neurotransmitters and |
| that are either working overtime or undertime or are | | | | even they can be the cause for the symptoms. Or the |
| an insufficient amount. Since 70 percent of the brain is | | | | ice cream bar with it 12 or so teaspoons of sugar or |
| meant to restrain the other 30 percent, if there's an | | | | the 12 ounce soda with its 6 or more teaspoons of |
| imbalance of those transmitters, emotional and/or | | | | sugar might cause little Jason to go haywire, if he has |
| psychological difficulties or less than proper behavior | | | | a sensitivity to sugar. And then there's giftedness? A |
| might be apparent.To understand the subject, one has | | | | gifted child does not have to be a genius. They can be |
| to understand the confusion surounding it. ADD is | | | | way above "average" in one area and be average or |
| Attention Deficit Disorder. ADHD is Attention Deficit | | | | struggling in others. If the giftedness is overlooked it |
| Hyperactivity Disorder. ADBD is Attention Deficit | | | | can leave the child with the exact symptoms of one |
| Behavior Disorder. ODD is Oppositional Defiant | | | | diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. So, it's easy to see that |
| Disorder. And CD is Conduct Disorder. If little Jason | | | | there are a number of things that could be causing |
| forgets what you told him four seconds ago, he might | | | | Little Jason's problems.Serious StatisticsAccording to |
| have ADD. If he has forgotten what you've told him | | | | the National Institute of Mental Health, 3-5 percent of |
| four seconds ago and he's climbing all over the chair | | | | the general population has ADHD. There are 2 million |
| he's been sitting in, he might have ADD/ADHD. But, if | | | | children with it and that number doubles every 3-4 |
| he's forgotten what you told him, is finished climbing all | | | | years. The American Psychiatric Association reports |
| over the chair, and is now picking it up and throwing it | | | | that "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 has | | | | their 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 a | | | | 20.4 percent smoked." There are a lot of factors to be |
| great possibility that he has ODD. This seems clear | | | | considered when diagnosing someone, especially a |
| enough.However, it isn't all that clear due to the | | | | child, as having ADD/ADHD disorder.With all that said, it |
| diagnosis being so lax and the medicines being so | | | | is easy to understand why some people feel that |
| quickly prescribed. Ritalin has often been prescribed for | | | | prescribing drugs is a bandwagon many have jumped |
| a child or adult with ADD/ADHD. Ritalin is a central | | | | on without knowing the cost of the ride, the destination |
| nervous system stimulant. It amplifies the release of a | | | | of the trip, or even if the journey was necessary in the |
| transmitter. But it is also on the US Department of | | | | first place.Finding a BalanceThe main positive thing |
| Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration's "DRUGS | | | | about 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, and | | | | broad-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. And | | | | But alternatives such as rearranging his diet, |
| remember little Jason? Well, he's the kid who might be | | | | biofeedback and giving him extra attention in order to |
| given this Schedule II drug. Among the other | | | | help him deal with a world that he feels out of step |
| medications that have been used to treat ADD/ADHD | | | | with should also be considered, because simply |
| are Cylert, Dexedrine, Concerta, anti-depressant | | | | handing him his pills everday is never going to be |
| Wellbutrin, chewable Methylin or non-stimulant | | | | enough.Regenia G. Butcher is an author on a site for |
| Strattera.Confusing SymptomsThe main symptoms of | | | | Creative Writers ( ). She is also a crafter and is |
| ADD/ADHD include: forgetfulness, not being able to | | | | currently working on a "quirky" word reference book. |
| focus, restlessness, impulsiveness and depression. But | | | | She usually not only sees the glass half full, but |
| thyroid or hearing problems, hypoglycemia, lousy | | | | rejoices that there IS a glass. |
| nutrition, anxiety, depression, or a stressing homelife | | | | |