| ADD/ADHD is considered to be a physiological | | | | depression, or a stressing homelife can each |
| disorder involving neurological transmitters | | | | cause similar symptoms. Also, since allergic |
| in the brain that are either working overtime | | | | reactions reduce the levels of |
| or undertime or are an insufficient amount. | | | | neurotransmitters and even they can be the |
| Since 70 percent of the brain is meant to | | | | cause for the symptoms. Or the ice cream bar |
| restrain the other 30 percent, if there's an | | | | with it 12 or so teaspoons of sugar or the 12 |
| imbalance of those transmitters, emotional | | | | ounce soda with its 6 or more teaspoons of |
| and/or psychological difficulties or less | | | | sugar might cause little Jason to go haywire, |
| than proper behavior might be apparent.To | | | | if he has a sensitivity to sugar. And then |
| understand the subject, one has to understand | | | | there's giftedness? A gifted child does not |
| the confusion surounding it. ADD is Attention | | | | have to be a genius. They can be way above |
| Deficit Disorder. ADHD is Attention Deficit | | | | "average" in one area and be average or |
| Hyperactivity Disorder. ADBD is Attention | | | | struggling in others. If the giftedness is |
| Deficit Behavior Disorder. ODD is | | | | overlooked it can leave the child with the |
| Oppositional Defiant Disorder. And CD is | | | | exact symptoms of one diagnosed with ADD |
| Conduct Disorder. If little Jason forgets | | | | ADHD. So, it's easy to see that there are a |
| what you told him four seconds ago, he might | | | | number of things that could be causing Little |
| have ADD. If he has forgotten what you've | | | | Jason's problems.Serious StatisticsAccording |
| told him four seconds ago and he's climbing | | | | to the National Institute of Mental Health, |
| all over the chair he's been sitting in, he | | | | 3-5 percent of the general population has |
| might have ADD/ADHD. But, if he's forgotten | | | | ADHD. There are 2 million children with it |
| what you told him, is finished climbing all | | | | and that number doubles every 3-4 years. The |
| over the chair, and is now picking it up and | | | | American Psychiatric Association reports that |
| throwing it to hear what kind of noise it | | | | "28 percent of all children under 18 years of |
| makes as it hits the floor, he could have | | | | age live with one parent, and 84 percent of |
| ADBD. Then, finally, if little Jason has done | | | | those live with their mother." And according |
| all of the above and is standing in front of | | | | to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, "5.5 |
| you, with every molecule of his being fixed | | | | percent of women used drugs while they were |
| in protest, saying, "So! Whatta ya gonna do | | | | pregnant, 10.8 percent drank alcohol, and |
| about it?!"...there's a great possibility | | | | 20.4 percent smoked." There are a lot of |
| that he has ODD. This seems clear | | | | factors to be considered when diagnosing |
| enough.However, it isn't all that clear due | | | | someone, especially a child, as having ADD |
| to the diagnosis being so lax and the | | | | ADHD disorder.With all that said, it is easy |
| medicines being so quickly prescribed. | | | | to understand why some people feel that |
| Ritalin has often been prescribed for a child | | | | prescribing drugs is a bandwagon many have |
| or adult with ADD/ADHD. Ritalin is a central | | | | jumped on without knowing the cost of the |
| nervous system stimulant. It amplifies the | | | | ride, the destination of the trip, or even if |
| release of a transmitter. But it is also on | | | | the journey was necessary in the first |
| the US Department of Justice - Drug | | | | place.Finding a BalanceThe main positive |
| Enforcement Administration's "DRUGS OF | | | | thing about the situation is that more people |
| CONCERN" list. Right beside Cocaine, Heroin, | | | | are becoming aware and are asking for better |
| Marijuana, Ecstasy, PCP, Steroids, and | | | | diagnosis and more broad-range treatment of |
| Methamphetamines. It's on their "DRUGS OF | | | | ADD/ADHD. If little Jason actually does have |
| ABUSE" list and the "SCHEDULE II STIMULANTS" | | | | the disorder, chances are one of the |
| list as well. So, Ritalin hangs around with a | | | | medications might be the "wonder drug" that |
| serious crowd. And remember little Jason? | | | | helps. But alternatives such as rearranging |
| Well, he's the kid who might be given this | | | | his diet, biofeedback and giving him extra |
| Schedule II drug. Among the other | | | | attention in order to help him deal with a |
| medications that have been used to treat ADD | | | | world that he feels out of step with should |
| ADHD are Cylert, Dexedrine, Concerta, | | | | also be considered, because simply handing |
| anti-depressant Wellbutrin, chewable Methylin | | | | him his pills everday is never going to be |
| or non-stimulant Strattera.Confusing | | | | enough.Regenia G. Butcher is an author on a |
| SymptomsThe main symptoms of ADD/ADHD | | | | site for Creative Writers ( ). She is also |
| include: forgetfulness, not being able to | | | | a crafter and is currently working on a |
| focus, restlessness, impulsiveness and | | | | "quirky" word reference book. She usually not |
| depression. But thyroid or hearing problems, | | | | only sees the glass half full, but rejoices |
| hypoglycemia, lousy nutrition, anxiety, | | | | that there IS a glass. |