subject: Alternative Attention Deficit Disorder Treatment [print this page] Studies also indicate that as much as 75% of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is heritable to the genetics factor.
The most common of the symptoms associated with ADHD are impulsiveness, which means that they act purely on impulse with no thought for their actions what so ever. They have also scattered thoughts, organisation of their critical faculties as well as the tendency to interrupt people or even themselves during conversation.
When a significant number of Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms are present, a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder is made. Only then can you begin appropriate treatment - including therapy and effective medication.
Ritalin, one of the more commonly known Attention Deficit Disorder drugs, has the same effect as Adderall. It has proven very effective in alleviating hyperactivity and emotional outbursts. Other forms of this Attention Deficit Disorder drug are Concerta and Metadate.
Hyperactivity, another one of the symptoms of attention deficit disorder can play havoc with family life. A great coping mechanism is to get 'green time' and sports activities into the daily routine. You will be richly rewarded as the 'feel good' endorphins do wonders for the child's mood, as indeed it does for any adult who practices any physical activity. Choosing the right type of sport is very important though. It seems that where concentration is demanded (for example in football, basketball and baseball), ADHD children definitely do less well. They tend to excel in swimming (look at Michael Phelps), martial arts, gymnastics and wrestling.
Not really thinking about the reasons or consequences of an action and exhibiting the above traits is now being regarded as less than normal by the medical fraternity, which has coined a phrase called ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder, which is a result of a neurological imbalance, but not really a disease as such.
Most health professionals will agree that there are also a number of non-medication based steps you can take to alleviate some of your symptoms. Getting regular vigorous exercise has been shown to help a lot of people with ADD. Also a diet high in lean protein is recommended. Keeping lists, writing notes, breaking large tasks down into smaller parts and taking other similar steps to counter your disorder will certainly help as well.
Where do they get the drugs? The shocking statistic is that a lot of them like Valium, ADHD meds (amphetamines), antidepressants come from their parents' medicines cabinets! Apart from locking their cabinets, parents should be on the lookout for symptoms of drug dependency. If the teenager withdraws from social networks and old friends, sports and church activities, that may be a sign. Also problems with inattention at school may be commented on by his/her teacher. Irritability, lack of focus and certainly mood swings may be other indicators. These are also symptoms of attention deficit disorder to a certain extent which muddies the picture considerably.
Nobody seems to know what exactly causes attention deficit disorder ADHD but there are a lot of theories out there. Whatever the cause, ADHD presents problems, challenges and even opportunities to parents and the children themselves. The first problems parents have is coping with behaviour which can ruin family routine and cause problems with other siblings. Parents have to know how to cope with behaviour which will not only disappoint them but also infuriate them! Parents often seek help and have to learn that an ADHD child is coping with a disorder which often involves an overload in terms of sensory signals coming at them. About half of kids will outgrow ADHD but the other half will have to bear the brunt of ruined marriages and careers unless they have been taught self-control or time management skills in childhood.
While prescription medications can be a good treatment choice for certain kids, these medicines make other kids much worse. Imagine giving your child a medication that is supposed to help him, but just increases his suffering. Some kids are prescribed drug after drug in the hopes of finding one that works. This is because all drugs have side effects; some kids can just tolerate them better than others.
