| Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as | | | | of the commonly prescribed treatments from |
| ADD, is thought be to genetic, based on | | | | doctors include drugs such as Ritalin and |
| information collected in various studies. | | | | amphetamines, perhaps combined with some |
| This means that children inherit it from | | | | psychotherapy sessions. Although somewhat |
| their parents, and it can show up in a child | | | | difficult to diagnose due to the wide range |
| even if neither parent has ever been | | | | of symptoms, all of which we all experience |
| diagnosed with it. Studies continue to find | | | | from time to time, an accurate diagnosis is |
| out new things about this affliction, and | | | | possible and should be done. ADD and ADHD |
| therefore the diagnosis of it as well as | | | | symptoms include chronic tardiness and |
| proper and preferred treatment of it continue | | | | forgetfulness, undue anxiety, low |
| to change and evolve as doctors being to | | | | self-esteem, issues with anger management, |
| understand it better. ADD is not limited to | | | | impulsiveness, chronic boredom, mood swings, |
| children, and many people who have this | | | | difficulty maintaining focus, depression, and |
| affliction lead a normal life without even | | | | interpersonal relationship difficulties. |
| being aware that they have it. Many parents, | | | | Scientific studies do not agree on the |
| and sometimes even doctors will jump to the | | | | generally best treatment for ADD and ADHD |
| false conclusion that a child has ADD. This | | | | disorders. A big reason for this is because |
| is sometimes also known as Attention Deficit | | | | the disorder can range from being very mild |
| Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Although it | | | | or hardly noticeable to being extremely |
| is a quick diagnosis, sometimes the symptoms | | | | noticeable almost to the point of disruption |
| normally shown for ADD can be simply | | | | in a classroom setting. Many doctors are |
| attributed to allergic reactions or certain | | | | quick to prescribe drugs for treatment, but |
| foods or ingredients. The fact that ADD is a | | | | many times very effective treatment can be |
| "quick diagnosis" is a problem, because many | | | | achieved by changing the child's diet. |
| times that diagnosis is not correct, and the | | | | Removing things such as sugary breakfast |
| root cause of a problem with a child is not | | | | cereals, soft drinks, cookies, and chocolate |
| diagnosed further to find the real reason for | | | | from a child's diet can many times be as |
| behavior differences or mimicking the classic | | | | effective as prescription drugs, depending on |
| symptoms of ADD. Just because a child is | | | | the severity of the disorder and the |
| having a problem academically, emotionally, | | | | willingness of the parent to take what many |
| or socially does not automatically mean that | | | | may consider "drastic measures" to remove |
| the child has ADD. Most typically, children | | | | such "staples" from their child's diet. Logic |
| between 8 and 10 years old are the ones most | | | | would dictate that it would be much |
| frequently diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. At | | | | preferable to try this approach and watch |
| that age, children are starting to develop | | | | closely for results that might show up as |
| social skills and therefore the effects of a | | | | positive improvements, rather than throwing |
| child who is not developing those skills as | | | | prescription drugs such as Ritalin down the |
| fast as his peers is readily apparent. There | | | | throats of tens of millions of our children. |
| are no sure-fire cures for ADD or ADHD. Some | | | | |