| Let's face it: for such a commonly diagnosed | | | | behave the way he does. This is easier said than |
| disorder, ADHD is not all that well understood. | | | | done, so it's no wonder that parents and doctors |
| There is a lot of ADHD information out there, but | | | | all too often don't even worry about what caused |
| also a lot of controversy and unanswered | | | | the problem in the first place, and just focus on |
| questions. Not helpful, if you are a parent agonizing | | | | suppressing the symptoms instead. This is a huge |
| over choices that may affect your child's health | | | | mistake: without addressing the causes, we may |
| for years to come. Here are a few things you | | | | be condemning our kids to a never-ending cycle |
| really need to know about the ADHD disorder so | | | | of potentially dangerous treatments. |
| you can make informed decisions that'll give your | | | | 3. How Do You Treat ADHD? |
| child the happy childhood he or she deserves. | | | | That, too, depends on what you are trying to |
| 1. What is ADHD and How is it Diagnosed? | | | | accomplish. Most doctors in the US will focus on |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a | | | | suppressing the symptoms. They will first try the |
| mental disorder characterized by at least 6 | | | | ADHD child on stimulants (methylpehnidate or |
| symptoms in the categories of impulsivity, | | | | amphetamine); if those don't work, |
| hyperactivity and inattention. In true attention | | | | antidepressants and other meds may be added |
| deficit, these symptoms appear before the age | | | | into the mix. |
| of seven and persist for more than 6 months. In | | | | Some of the more commonly used ADHD drugs |
| ADHD cases, these symptoms impair the child's | | | | are Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, and Concerta. Each |
| functioning in at least two different settings, such | | | | kid will react to the medication very differently, |
| as home, school, and/or relationships with peers. | | | | so the doctor will have to experiment, adjusting |
| No single test can tell you if your child has ADHD. | | | | the dosages, trying and combining different drugs |
| It's a matter of excluding other possible causes of | | | | until he finds something that works without |
| different behaviors, observing the child, talking to | | | | causing too many problems. |
| parents and teachers, having them fill out | | | | Given all the ADHD information out there, we can |
| behavior checklists. All this ADHD information is | | | | safely say that ADHD medication is only a |
| collected so that your child's behavior can be | | | | band-aid, albeit a very dangerous one. Medications |
| compared to a list of symptoms in the three | | | | usually prescribed for ADHD can have many |
| categories we talked about earlier. | | | | alarming side effects: anxiety, anorexia, insomnia, |
| Make sure all possible causes, both physical and | | | | dizziness, stomach pain, headache, nervousness, |
| psychological, are properly considered and | | | | to name just a few. Sadly, some parents have |
| excluded before you accept the diagnosis of | | | | also noticed that their children act dull and |
| ADHD. Use your own judgment: does your child | | | | zombie-like on various medications. Drug |
| really behave very differently from other kids his | | | | interactions add another element of risk. Long |
| age? | | | | term effects on children's health are unknown, but |
| Be particularly cautious about jumping to any | | | | some studies have demonstrated increased risks |
| conclusions if you are considering prescription | | | | of depression and drug abuse in later life. |
| medication. Unlike natural treatments for the | | | | ADHD disorder can also be treated with natural |
| ADHD disorder, prescription medication can have | | | | remedies. High quality natural treatments can both |
| serious long term consequences for your child's | | | | alleviate the symptoms and address the causes |
| health. | | | | of the ADHD disorder. Homeopathic remedies in |
| 2. What Causes ADHD? | | | | particular cause no side effects, are non-addictive, |
| No one can tell you for sure, but there are plenty | | | | and have a long history of successful use. They |
| of theories. Possibilities include: artificial colors and | | | | can calm the nervous system, balance the moods |
| preservatives; food sensitivities; refined sugar; | | | | and correct behavioral problems. |
| poisoning with heavy metals; genetic causes; | | | | Your next step: give the ADHD information you |
| nutritional deficiencies; psychological reasons. | | | | have some serious, critical consideration. Weight |
| My answer would be, "it depends." I believe that, | | | | the benefits of heavy-duty prescription medication |
| in each of us, different environmental factors | | | | against its potentially dangerous side effects. |
| interact with our genetic predisposition in unique | | | | Explore natural treatments, such as homeopathic |
| ways. | | | | remedies, that can effectively treat hyperactivity, |
| The trick is to use the ADHD information we | | | | impulsivity, and erratic behavior without |
| have to figure out just what is making our child | | | | jeopardizing your child's health. |