| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | | | | Today however research and science regard ADD as |
| generally occurs in early in childhood. It is characterized | | | | a biological disorder caused by abnormalities in the |
| by the inability to sit still, focus on a specific task and | | | | brain. Research has shown that areas of the brain that |
| uncontrollable impulses. As well the child may not be | | | | control attention span limit impulsive behavior are less |
| able to multi task even two commands or requests | | | | active in people with ADD. In addition, ADD seems to |
| and be able to comprehend and complete such as | | | | run in families, suggesting that genetic factors may play |
| picking up shoes and placing them where they belong. | | | | an important role. One study showed that about |
| A child with ADD may require single commands. | | | | one-third of fathers who had ADD in childhood have |
| Children with these behaviors show them more | | | | ADHD. |
| frequently or severely more than other children. A child | | | | As of today there is no actual cure for ADD. |
| with ADD may also experience social dysfunction | | | | However there are several methods of treatment. |
| such as school work, friendships or family life. Attention | | | | Treatment ranges anywhere from medication, |
| Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has also been referred | | | | counseling, or social training skills. However treatment is |
| to as, hyper- kinesis, minimal brain dysfunction and | | | | depended upon the individual and support. But |
| minimal brain damage. | | | | whatever type of treatment is chosen by the parents |
| ADD is the most common mental disorder of | | | | and physicians the ultimate key is to remain consistent |
| childhood, affecting 3-5 percent of school age children. | | | | and follow through with what ever goals are set. |
| The disorder occurs more often in boys than in girls. | | | | Prescription medication is the most common treatment |
| The majority of children, who have ADD, usually | | | | for ADD. Medication can help reduce symptoms of the |
| outgrow it with age. However it has been proven that | | | | disorder. Physicians usually prescribe one of three |
| ADD can continue to follow them through adolescence | | | | drugs: Ritalin, Dexedrine or DextroStat and Cylert. |
| and even into adulthood. Some estimates show that | | | | These drugs generally are stimulants, but yet they |
| approximately 2 percent of adults have an Attention | | | | ease the hyperactivity and other symptoms in 90 |
| Deficit Disorder. | | | | percent of children with Attention Deficit Disorder. |
| Children and adults with ADD consistently show | | | | These drugs work by altering levels of brain chemicals |
| various degrees of inattention, hyperactivity and | | | | that transmit nerve signals. A newer stimulant used to |
| impulsiveness. Inattention means that people with ADD | | | | treat ADD is Adderall. Adderall is a combination of |
| have difficulty keeping their minds on one thing. They | | | | Dexedrine and amphetamine. |
| may get bored with homework or other tasks after a | | | | Most children with Attention Deficit Disorder need |
| few minutes, make careless mistakes, have trouble | | | | more than medication. Drugs only relieve symptoms of |
| listening and seem to daydream. However, children | | | | ADD, which usually return when medication is |
| with ADD sometimes can concentrate on and | | | | discontinued. Although drugs help a child to concentrate |
| complete new or unusually interesting tasks. | | | | and complete schoolwork, they cannot increase a |
| Hyperactivity involves almost constant motion, as if | | | | child's knowledge, teach academic skills, or directly alter |
| driven by a motor. Children may squirm and fidget at | | | | underlying disorders or other problems. Experts cite the |
| their desks in school, get up often to roam and around | | | | need for more information on whether medication |
| the room, constantly touch things, disturb other people, | | | | improves a child's chances for a successful career. |
| tap pencils and talk constantly. ADD also makes | | | | Children may benefit from several different kinds of |
| children unusually impulsive, so that they act before | | | | therapy. Psychological counseling, for instance, can help |
| thinking. They may run into the street without looking, | | | | them recognize and deal with negative feelings that |
| blurt out inappropriate comments in class, interrupt | | | | result from their symptoms. Social skills training can |
| conversations and be unusually accident prone. | | | | help them recognize how their behaviors effects other |
| Children with ADD often have learning difficulties | | | | people and help them develop more appropriate |
| because of their inability to pay attention, follow | | | | behavior. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder also |
| directions and complete tasks. As well, their disruptive, | | | | may benefit from special academic tutors who show |
| demanding behavior makes them unpopular with peers. | | | | them how to break school assignments down into |
| Children with ADD often receive constant criticism and | | | | small parts that can be completed at one time. |
| correction from teachers and parents, who believe the | | | | Because children with ADD often cause family turmoil, |
| behavior, is intentional. The combination of negative | | | | parents and other family members may benefit from |
| feedback, poor academic achievement and social | | | | therapy or support groups in which other parents |
| problems may contribute to low self-esteem and other | | | | share their experiences. Parental skills training can |
| emotional problems. | | | | teach parents to manage a child's behavior with praise |
| As of today, scientists still do not know what causes | | | | and other rewards and with penalties such as |
| Attention Deficit Disorder. There are many claims that | | | | "time-out" in which a child must sit alone to calm down. |
| have now been discredited with continuing research. | | | | Many children with Attention Deficit Disorder continue |
| One such theory was that ADD was caused by | | | | to have problems as adolescents and adults. Adults |
| refined sugar and food additives. Scientists questioned | | | | with ADD may be unusually impatient and restless and |
| this theory when studies showed that few children | | | | may become bored before finishing a task. They may |
| with ADD benefited from diets restricting sugar and | | | | constantly arrive late for appointments, lose things, |
| food colorings. Another theory that has been | | | | change jobs frequently and fail to organize their time |
| dismissed was that children with Attention Deficit | | | | or set priorities. Adults with ADD may also have |
| Disorder come from families that are dysfunctional or | | | | difficulty maintaining friendships and other relationships. |
| from poor parenting. But one major misconception of | | | | Studies suggest they are more likely than others to |
| ADD was that the disorder was developed from | | | | develop other mental illnesses such as anxiety and |
| minor head injuries or undetectable brain damage due | | | | depression, as well as substance abuse problems such |
| to complications at birth. | | | | as alcoholism and drug dependence. |