ADHD Tips

The problem with adult attention deficit disorder medications is that they are not the definitive solution to ADHD. They have to be taken in conjunction with behaviour therapy and or life coaching which will really help the adult in time management and coping with day to day tasks.

The main medications recommended for adults now are :-Adderall XR, Concerta, Vyvanse, Strattera. These are all basically amphetamines and there is a very clear warning on all the drug packets that they have the potential for abuse and addiction. You just have to think of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash to realise what they can do to people. ADHD natural remedies do NOT have this problem but they do not have the Big Pharm to promote them.

When you read the ADHD blogs, you find heartbreaking stories about college students who probably have ADHD but are afraid or embarrassed to seek help simply because they will be seen as drug seekers! These drugs are a very hot product on university campuses at the moment. I know some students who are convinced they have ADHD and are considering getting the adult attention deficit disorder medications illegally with all the risks that could involve. These are genuine cases but then there are many students who use the drugs illicitly just to help them get through exams. They hardly know what ADHD is and have never had to take adult attention deficit disorder medications in their lives

I know there is a school in Indiana which has 3,000 students and one of the students there has said that probably up to 60% of the kids there are dealing in Adderall and other ADHD meds. Did you know that you can pay up to $15 for just two Adderall pills? Medications for attention deficit is turning out to be a profitable niche for many students. The situation on the university campuses is no different.

Before taking any adult attention deficit disorder medications the patient and indeed the parent of any child in the same position, has to consider the medical implications carefully. Basically these medications can be dangerous for patients with certain medical conditions such as heart and blood pressure problems. ECGs are standard practice now before medication is started. There has to be careful monitoring during treatment to make sure that there are no adverse side effects.

Medications for attention deficit are not getting a good press at the moment as their potential side effects and possible potential for drug abuse can no longer be ignored by the FDA who have to issue regular warnings on the drug packets. Many patients, both adults and children are now moving over to ADHD natural remedies which have no side effects, are non-addictive. They are prepared by qualified homeopaths in a FDA registered facility. To find out more, why not click on the link below?

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Attention deficit disorder (ADD) also referred as Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder usually found in children of elementary school age. This condition begins in childhood and is mostly detected between an ages of four to seven. This situation is typically characterized by learning and behavioral disorders. A child having this disorder needs to be brought up with extra attention and care.

Causes

There is no particular reason resulting in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Researchers have however pointed to several factors which may cause this condition. They include genetics, physical and social environment and diet. Studies also indicate that as much as 75% of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is heritable to the genetics factor.

Environmental causes include tobacco, alcohol or exposure to smoke during pregnancy. Other important cause which plays a role is complications faced during pregnancy and child birth.

Other important cause is delay or early development of brain structure. For example frontal cortex and lobe are the ones responsible for focused thinking and an ability to control. If there is a delay in there development it can result in ADD.

Symptoms

Common symptoms observed in a child with Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity. A child in this condition finds it difficult to perform an assigned task and lacks the ability to focus on important aspects. They may even be not able to complete the task as they move quickly from one given activity to another due to distractions caused by external environment.

Another symptom that can be observed is Inattention and forgetful behavior. A child suffering from ADD will find it extremely difficult to sustain attention in performing any task and even display inattentiveness when spoken directly to. This condition makes a sufferer forgetful even about daily repetitive activities.

Other symptoms include- Frequent daydreaming, difficulty in understanding and following instructions, fidgeting hands and feet, squirming in seat, and difficulty in remaining at one position, talking excessively, behaving aggressively and being restless all the time. Short term memory loss is also one of the symptoms of ADHD.

Treatment

Attention Deficit Disorder can be treated with therapy, medication or a combination of both. Studies have however proved that treating this disorder with both is more effective. A treatment strongly recommended for curing Attention Deficit Disorder is Homeopathy. It is very effective in improving concentration and attention span. Homeopathy is free of side effects and improvement in most of the cases is noted in about two to three months of starting medication.

Therapy includes counseling with psychologist or a psychiatrist for the patients suffering from ADD disorder. Psychotherapy teaches the patients to cope with prevailing symptoms. Behavior therapy is imparted to the parents or teachers so that they can deal with the child’s behavior.

Alternatively psychostimulants are prescribed to the patients by professionals. They are given to balance neurotransmitters or in other words brain chemicals.

If diagnosed and treated early, a child can grow up and adapt to normal routine life.

To Your Health!

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Copyright (c) 2007 Jennifer Koretsky

Adults with ADD are both blessed and cursed with the ability to hyperfocus.

Hyperfocus is a unique ability that we have to focus

so intensely that the rest of the world temporarily disappears. It’s the the opposite of boredom. Instead of having difficulty concentrating or getting started, the hyperfocused ADDer has trouble shifting focus away from the interesting subject at hand.

Hyperfocus can be a really good thing. If you’re highly interested in what you’re concentrating on, then the ability to hyperfocus is an asset. It can help you get through a difficult task, like a report for work or a household problem that needs to be fixed. It can also help tremendously during creative periods in which your juices are flowing and you’re having fun writing, painting, crafting, or expressing yourself in an artistic outlet.

This positive hyperfocus is what I call being in the flow. You enjoy what you’re doing–whether it’s work, problem-solving, or being creative. You’re productive and you enjoy not only what you’re doing, but also the fact that you’re making progress. Your thoughts and actions are flowing.

However, hyperfocus can also be a bad thing. Adults with ADD often go into hyperfocus mode when a stressful problem or situation presents itself, and the inability to tear yourself away results in more stress. This can happen when writing a paper for school, trying to solve a problem at work, attempting to fix a broken gadget, or even surfing the Internet.

Negative hyperfocus is what I call being in the stick. It’s really about an inability to shift focus, and the frustration that results. You want to finish a task or make progress but your frustration in the situation has you feeling unable to move on. You become determined to do what you set out to do at any cost. (Perfectionism often causes negative hyperfocus.)

In this state, you keep telling yourself, “Just two more minutes. I’ve got to get this.” But it’s never just two more minutes. Your thoughts and actions are stuck. You don’t feel good about making progress. You feel compelled to finish what you set out to do at all costs–including losing sleep, skipping meals, and compromising your mental health.

In short, positive hyperfocus feels good and makes you happy. Negative hyperfocus feels bad and makes you stressed.

Negative hyperfocus is very difficult to break out of. It takes a lot of awareness and a healthy dose of rationalizing self-talk. Forcing yourself (yes, forcing yourself) to get unstuck by stopping and de-stressing is essential to breaking the pattern.

It helps to remember that in that stressed out and frantic state, the things you actually accomplish are often inferior to what you would accomplish in a relaxed state. Operating from a calm and centered place is sure to produce better results than operating from a stressed and frantic place.

So the next time you find yourself hyperfocusing, stop and check in with yourself to determine if you’re fantastically flowing, or stressfully sticking.

Ask yourself: Do I feel good about what I’m accomplishing, or am I just stressed out? If the answer is “I’m just stressed,” then take a step to break the pattern. Walk away.

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The symptoms of attention deficit disorder are set out in the DSM Vol IV. Depending on the type of ADHD, symptoms will range from inattentiveness, hyperactivity, distractability to forgetting things, inability to focus and failure to concentrate. The method of diagnosis is not exactly rocket science and has been criticised as not being objective enough and neither is it a diagnostic test.

Parents will have to decide early on what kind of medication is going to suit their child best. Whatever the medication, it will not cure ADHD. But any medication should be safe in the long term, not lead to any type of addiction or substance abuse and above all, should not have nasty side effects like disturbing the child’s sleep. Most of the ADHD psychostimulants used in controlling the symptoms of attention deficit disorder fall short of those criteria and there is much controversy about how damaging they are. Parents should be able to find out about alternative treatments for ADHD such as homeopathy ADHD which has no side effects.

When ADHD is diagnosed, parents can do so much to help the child come to terms with attention deficit disorder symptoms and can do it so successfully that it can be seen as a gift rather than a curse. Giving positive feedback is one way. Never concentrate on the negative things but try to give praise every day. Spending time with an ADHD child is very important too.

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.

Even if some of the ADHD medications may help the child to stay alert and focus much better, again the parents can do so much to help. First they should check out what is going on in the school and actively seek out the teacher to find out exactly what strategies and behaviour plans she has implemented. They also need to resist any attempt by teachers who may recommend some ADHD medication such as psychostimulants. The parents have to make an informed choice. To help you do that, look at the link below for a safe and effective ADHD treatment which is excellent at controlling symptoms of attention deficit disorder.

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Did you know that children are not the only ones that suffer from attention deficit disorder. There are several very intelligent adults that are currently struggling with adult attention deficit disorder as well. Even though attention deficit disorder is nothing to be ashamed of, it is vital that you seek out treatment and help, because these things can improve the quality of your life significantly. Most of the sufferers have a tendency of trying to hide their condition, and because of that, over time their confidence levels decrease. After you have taken active steps to learn more about adult ADD and everything that it entails, and searched for a professional opinion, then you should find the following ways to counter adult attention deficit disorder will be very useful for you.

Overcome all of your inattentiveness. When you are unable to pay attention or focus, it can be a very annoying trait; however it is not really all that difficult to deal with. You have to train yourself to follow a certain schedule each and every day based on everything that you need to get accomplished. By doing this, you will have something concrete that you can focus on and follow; because you have already acknowledged all of the tasks that you are held responsible for. Now this will not always help. There will be days when you just cannot concentrate on what you know you should be doing that day. Despite this you do not need to lose the entire day to non-productivity. Consider treating yourself to a project that you would love to be working on rather than what you know you should be working on. This will redirect your thinking into a positive mode, you will become motivated and you will redirect that hyper energy into something positive and probably get the entire project done that day. This will make the next day seem brighter since you will feel that you have accomplished something and your focus will come back to what you know you need to do as well and your productivity will continue.

Face the actual problem. There is not anything that can be more comforting than facing up and admitting that you have a problem, and that does not mean you are not normal. By taking the time to admit that you really have a problem, you are going to find that it is a lot easier for you to take all of the active steps needed in order to treat your problem.

Kick the restlessness. Your body and mind are completely restless because they find that certain tasks on hand are too boring or that they lack the overall challenge. You should engage in frequent exercise sessions, like playing soccer four times a week or going to the gym.

When necessary, you need to distance yourself. Once you have talked with your family and friends, you should have the ability to identify certain situations and quiet possibly the warning signs that you are becoming agitated or that you are beginning to lose your focus. Once you feel that the symptoms are coming on, you should take a few deep breathes and start calming yourself down.

Get rid of the boredom. In the event that you are aware that your job is a little too boring for you, you need to try to find ways that you can make it challenging and interesting. There are different ways to challenge yourself in a job. If the job is boring, challenge yourself by trying to finish certain projects quicker. You need to find ways to motivate yourself during boring types of projects.

Overall, you can overcome your adult attention deficit disorder by following these methods and visiting your doctor on a regular basis.

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Adult attention deficit disorder, or adult ADD, can be a very frustrating condition to have. Almost all of the initial research and focus for the attention deficit disorders was focused on children and adolescents, but adults are just as likely to have the condition as youths. The disorder normally makes itself apparent during childhood, with difficulties at school being one of the most common hallmarks of the condition, which helps to explain why so much focus has been on children with the disease. But children with attention deficit disorder grow up to be adults with attention deficit disorder.

ADD is essentially the same condition as the one children have. If you are an adult and you are having trouble focusing at work, difficulty listening to people in everyday conversations, find yourself interrupting people a lot, losing things frequently, are easily distracted from tasks, are easily frustrated or find yourself feeling over stimulated often, you may have adult attention deficit disorder.

Treatment for the disorder mirrors the treatments used for children with the condition. The first step you need to take if you suspect you may have an adult attention deficit condition is to of course see a doctor. There are a bunch of other disorders that can mimic an adult attention deficit condition, such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder, and its important that these be ruled out before trying treatments.

Typically, most doctors today will begin your adult attention deficit disorder treatment by prescribing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro. SSRIs have been helpful for many in treating their adult attention deficit disorders. If you aren’t getting any relief in your symptoms with an SSRI, you may be prescribed a stimulant, such as Ritalin, Adderall or Concerta. These should be taken with caution as they are addictive drugs, and should be avoided entirely if you have a history of substance abuse.

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.

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease”.

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ADD is short for Attention Deficit Disorder which is a behavioral developmental disorder. This disorder affects both children and adults, but is more commonly diagnosed in children. It is important to treat the condition, while still at a nascent stage in childhood, since it can cause problems if it is undiagnosed and left untreated in the long run. While adults are able to cope better with the disorder, coping with ADD in children can be very difficult for both parents and the child.

Symptoms in children

A child affected with ADD will have difficulty in concentrating or focusing on something. He will also find it difficult to organize things or follow instructions and directions. They have difficulty in controlling their natural spontaneous responses such as speech, movements, and attentiveness. They are unable to finish tasks, make plans, participate in activities around them or even sit still. They have a tendency to get distracted by the smallest of things and consistently make small careless mistakes in their activities that require patience and following instructions.

These children have lots of things simultaneously going on in their mind and are unable to concentrate on anything specific. Multiple activities like the teacher talking, two students whispering, and people walking on the corridor outside the classroom, all affect the ADD affected child’s concentration. While most children are able to block the other noises and concentrate on the teacher’s voice, the ADD affected child is unable to do so. They also have a tendency of losing their belongings and even very intelligent and bright children with this disorder may be getting low grades.

Symptoms in adults

ADD is also quite common among adults though in most cases it goes undiagnosed as the symptoms overlap with other adult disorders such as stress. Adults suffering from ADD are mostly restless and are unable to concentrate on their work. They also have difficulty staying organized and may even have difficulties in maintaining their relationships due to their compulsive behavior. However adults are much more equipped to deal with their problem and are mostly recommended to control their symptoms with proper diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes.

The other symptoms which are reflected both in children and adults affected with ADD are short attention spans, poor listening skills, tendency to be bored and being impulsive in speech and action. These symptoms are however noticed in various degrees in the patient and only a trained medical professional can diagnose how serious the problem is and treat it accordingly.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is a common mental health disorder in children. The three cardinal symptoms of ADHD are impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattention. Nearly everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but the symptoms lasts more than 6 months in ADHD. Impulsiveness means that the child acts too quickly without first thinking. Hyperactivity means the child cannot sit still. He or she walks, runs, or climbs around when others are seated and talks when others are talking. Inattention means the child’s mind wanders frequently from the task at hand. The child may start a line of thought or a task without completing it because the concentration does not last long enough.  

Sometimes the symptoms of ADHD may at first look like normal behaviors. The symptoms usually start before the age of six. Children with ADHD may get distracted easily and forget things often. They may switch quickly from one activity to another, refuse to follow directions, daydream frequently, fail to finishing tasks such as house chores and homework, frequently lose toys, books, and school supplies, fidget and squirm, talk nonstop and interrupt others, run around a lot, touch and play with everything they see, blurt out inappropriate comments, and have trouble controlling their emotions.

There is no single test that can tell if a child has ADHD and so, it may take months for a doctor or other clinicians to know if the child has ADHD. Clinicians need time to observe the child for specific symptoms. Sometimes it can be difficult to diagnose a child with ADHD because symptoms may look like other problems. A child may seem quiet and well-behaved, but in fact he or she is having trouble paying attention. A child may act badly in school, but teachers don’t realize that the child has ADHD. So, if a child is frequently having trouble at school, the parent should let the child’s doctor know. Otherwise the symptoms will begin to affect the child’s functioning at home, school, and other social situations. And if untreated, ADHD can linger far into adolescence and adulthood. Any adults that think they may have ADHD should consult a doctor or clinician to be sure.

ADHD is more common in boys than girls, and affects 3 to 5 percent of children in the United States. If any parents or guardians suspect ADHD, they should have the child evaluated by a clinician such as a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, psychologist, pediatrician, neurologist, or a clinical social worker. The clinician will try to rule out other possible reasons for the child’s behavior, check the child’s school and medical records, talk to the teachers, have the teacher and parents fill out a behavior rating scale for the child, and finally, come up with a diagnosis.

No one knows for sure what causes ADHD. However, since it runs in families, genetics may be a factor. Also, it is believed that there may be a combination of factors. Possible factors include lead from toys, old paint and plumbing; smoking and alcohol during pregnancy; brain injury; and food additives such as artificial coloring. Although some people think refined sugar may cause ADHD, not many research studies support that opinion.

ADHD can be treated. Treatment usually is a combination of medications and therapy. The medications usually help to control the symptoms. In addition, ADHD parenting classes and the use of behavior structure by parents at home and teachers at school can be quite helpful.

For other psychiatric mental health related articles, visit Dr. Omotosho’s website at www.futurefocusbiz.com

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ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADHD- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is difficult to treat because it encompasses so many symptoms, some of which are contrary to each other. Those with ADD can demonstrate symptoms both passively and aggressively, though the one symptom that seems to be common in all those with ADD is difficulty in sitting still and concentrating. However, diagnosis and treatment of ADD cannot be based on that one characteristic alone. So then, how do professionals go about the diagnosis and treatment of ADD? According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are 14 symptoms of ADD, eight of which should be present for a diagnosis to be made.

What are some recognizable features of someone with ADD? Well, patience for waiting in lines, or waiting for responses in conversation will often be lacking. The inability to finish through with projects before beginning new ones is also a symptom. In addition, sufferers display impulsive behavior, sometimes putting themselves in danger. It is important to take all this information under consideration in the treatment of ADD(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Attention-Deficit-Disorder.html).

Long-term treatment of ADD can be a challenge, as sufferers get bored easily and may have a difficult time sticking to a treatment plan. The fact that the treatment is greatly needed may still not make it less difficult for patients to follow through. Stimulation from external sources can be distracting for ADD sufferers due to less than ideal neural coordination. These distractions can come in the sound, visual, or emotional form. Blocking out distractions and focusing can result in frustration. All of these factors should be taken into account when planning ADD treatment(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Attention-Deficit-Disorder.html).

What causes ADD/ADHD? One theory is that brain coordination is impaired by eating too much sugar, as sugar inhibits the brain’s response to norepinephrine. Allergies can also be a cause, particularly allergies to food coloring, cow’s milk, certain nuts, citrus fruits, and tomatoes. Other causes of ADD are said to be metal toxicity in the body, nutritional deficiency, and consumption of artificial flavors and preservatives. Another possible complicating factor to keep in mind in the diagnosis and treatment of ADD is soft drink consumption, as sodas contain phosphates which can upset calcium-phosphorous levels, exaggerating muscle activity. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or “SAD”, can be mistaken for ADD. SAD is a depression, or prolonged feeling of sadness, due to lack of sunlight. In the treatment of ADD, it is important that other conditions which might have similar symptoms, such as SAD, are eliminated.

Are there any natural treatments of ADD(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Attention-Deficit-Disorder.html)? Such substances as fish oil, primrose oil, and flaxseed oil can be very beneficial. Supplements that contain a full, balanced, compliment of nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins are also recommended. Foods cooked in trans-fats, as well as foods containing additives, colors, or artificial ingredients such as aspartame should be avoided. These substances could exacerbate or set off ADD behaviors. Treating ADD naturally is a balancing act of eliminating harmful substances, while supplementing with beneficial nutrients and minerals.

Most sufferers of ADD are children, thought the disorder definitely occurs among adults as well. Adults with ADD may display such characteristics as poor management of time and money, which of course can lead to disastrous effects at home and at work. These adults are likely to have a poor self-image and can be easily frustrated or bored. In the treatment of ADD, age of the sufferer should b paid attention to, and it will likely be helpful to try and boost the patient’s self-esteem.

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