ADD Is A Gift

Stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy, which are accompanied by increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Historically, stimulants were used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, and a variety of other ailments. As their potential for abuse and addiction became apparent, the use of stimulants began to wane.

Now, stimulants are prescribed for treating only a few health conditions, including narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression that has not responded to other treatments. Stimulants may also be used for short-term treatment of obesity and for patients with asthma.

Stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) have chemical structures that are similar to key brain neurotransmitters called monoamines, which include norepinephrine and dopamine.Stimulants increase the levels of these chemicals in the brain and body. This, in turn, increases blood pressure and heart rate, constricts blood vessels, increases blood glucose, and opens up the pathways of the respiratory system. In addition, the increase in dopamine is associated with a sense of euphoria that can accompany the use of stimulants.Research indicates that people with ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, when taken in the form and dosage prescribed. However, when misused, stimulants can be addictive.

The consequences of stimulant abuse can be extremely dangerous. Taking high doses of a stimulant can result in an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure or seizures. Taking high doses of some stimulants repeatedly over a short period of time can lead to hostility or feelings of paranoia in some individuals.

Stimulants should not be mixed with antidepressants or OTC cold medicines containing decongestants. Antidepressants may enhance the effects of a stimulant, and stimulants in combination with decongestants may cause blood pressure to become dangerously high or lead to irregular heart rhythms.

Treatment of addiction to prescription stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, is based on behavioral therapies proven effective for treating cocaine or methamphetamine addiction. At this time, there are no proven medications for the treatment of stimulant addiction. Antidepressants, however, may be used to manage the symptoms of depression that can accompany early abstinence from stimulants.

Depending on the patient’s situation, the first step in treating prescription stimulant addiction may be to slowly decrease the drug’s dose and attempt to treat withdrawal symptoms. This process of detoxification could then be followed with one of many behavioral therapies. Contingency management, for example, improves treatment outcomes by enabling patients to earn vouchers for drug-free urine tests; the vouchers can be exchanged for items that promote healthy living. Cognitive-behavioral therapies, which teach patients skills to recognize risky situations, avoid drug use, and cope more effectively with problems, are proving beneficial. Recovery support groups may also be effective in conjunction with a behavioral therapy. Now that you have an overview of various drugs that can become addictive, let’s see if you or a loved one might have a problem.

Jonas Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/all-about-stimulants-usage-749357.html

How does the idea of using fish oil for depression treatment sound to you? You can say ‘it is a good idea’, or ‘it is a bad idea’, or you can even say ‘I have no idea whatsoever’. No matter what your answer is, you are not alone. A lot of people do not have a clear understanding of fish oil and the role it plays in treating depression. Let us take a look.

Fish oil, as you all know, is rich in omega 3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA. According to health experts, these omega 3 fatty acids play a major role in improving brain function. They play a very important role in the growth of neurons in the frontal cortex of the brain, which is referred to as the ’seat of personal behavior’. They prevent the disruption of the dopamine system and promote mental health. A number of clinical studies have shown that a regular dose of omega 3 fatty acids will prevent mental disorders like depression, anxiety, irritability, and aggression. This is why fish oil depression treatment is usually pretty effective.

When consumed on a regular basis, high quality fish based oil supplements can reduce suicidal tendencies and irritability in people who are depressed. They are very essential for pregnant women to stay healthy and to avoid postnatal depression. It has also been proven that omega 3 fatty acids significantly reduce the risks of childhood mental disorders like ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. This is why fish based oil is considered a very good for children and adults alike.

To get the best results in fish oil depression treatment, you should take high quality fish based oil capsules. Look for fish oil supplements which contain plenty of DHA and EPA - preferably in 2:1 ratio. A lot of fish based supplements these days contain very little amount of these omega 3 fatty acids and you cannot expect good results from taking such supplements. So, always make sure the product you choose contains at least 250 mg of DHA and 120 mg of EPA.

One of the most important things you should know about depression treatment is that it is a combination of the right kind of medications, a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, high quality health supplements, and some important lifestyle changes. So, while using fish oil for depression treatment is certainly effective, it definitely should not be considered an alternative for medications. You must always consult your doctor and follow his advice without fail to improve your mental, emotional, and physical health and to get over depression.

V K Rajagopalan
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/fish-oil-for-depression-treatment-how-effective-is-it-1249825.html

Bipolar Disorder can now be diagnosed in children, due to the advances in medicine today. It was thought before that the disorder only started from as early as adolescence to adults. Identifications tests are now being used to detect this disorder in childhood, which means that treatment can begin at an earlier age.

A child that is diagnosed early has a much better chance of getting treatment for their symptoms. They are able to get help to cope with the problems of the illness, so that stability can be achieved and realise when they are as well as they can be. As they get older they will be more self aware of their disorder and be more well adjusted as adults. The right treatment will enable them to lead a normal life as their illness is controlled.

Those children already diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in the United States have been found to be significantly more likely to develop the disorder. There are children and adolescents who already suffer from relapsing bouts of depression, which could indicate early signs of bipolar disorder, although they have not experienced a manic episode yet.

If more studies are conducted in medicine, the more we would be able to identify how common this disorder is surfacing amongst the younger generation.

The characteristics of the mental illness of Bipolar disorder is by depressive episodes and mania (or extreme euphoria). There are variations to this order in children compared with that of adults. Children will generally alter in mood constantly with rapid cycles of depression and mania. These rapid mood cycles give rise to ongoing irritability, with periods inbetween where they will feel well.

Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed in adults by using DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV). It is difficult to use this to diagnose children as detailed criteria has been established yet.

Children who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder are commonly found to have the following behaviour patterns:

1. overanxious at being apart from family even during a short time
2. apathy, depression, passiveness
3. problems with authority
4. wetting the bed
5. craving for carbohydrates and sweet things
6. experiencing delusions and hallucinations
7. insomnia
8. irritability
9. a fast change of mood over a few hours or days
10. a temper that is destructive extensively
11. grandiose ideas
12. night fears, ranting
13. inappropriate sexual behaviour
14. very talkative with fanciful ideas

Whilst a child is an infant, signs of the disorder are recogniseable. Once a child is later diagnosed, parents have cited behaviour which has been erratic such as unusual clinginess and far reaching tantrums like seizures.

Children or Paediatric Bipolar Syndrome is classified into four sections just like the adults: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

A patient with Bipolar I has episodes of serious depression and pychotic manic episodes which switch from one to the other.

A patient with Bipolar II switches from periods of hypomania to episodes of depression. A person can be highly creative with hypomania. With hypomania a person can feel more elated or quite irritable, and also they find that they have more mental energy as well as physical.

Cyclothymia is a milder mood disorder where there are recurrent mood disturbances.

The last is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is where a doctor is unable to classify a disorder under any of the three as mentioned before classifications. A person experiences mood swings like a manic depressive but there are also other symptoms which cannot be categorised as either Bipolar I, Bipolar II or Cyclothymia.

If a child is going through a worrying time, and their welfare becomes a concern, the parents will want to seek professional help. This is necessary particularly if a child starts to talk about suicide. A doctor will refer your child to a psychiatrist, and this can be done as an emergency case if necessary, so the disorder can be dealt with and treated immediately.

It is a good idea for any adult who has children and suspect they may have some kind of disorder, to note their behaviour in a diary, for example, to keep a record of how the child behaves, their speech, any strange activity and their sleep patterns. This is important and will help any doctor to evaluate your child and prescribe the correct treatment. Your observations could help with a quick diagnosis.

Your child can be helped with the right course of medication, psychotherapy to include the child and family, awareness of the disorder, a good diet for nutrition, noting the symptoms and behaviour, daily exercise which aids in getting good sleep and coping mechanisms for stress.

By the parents and medical professionals working together, the best care can be given in treating your child. With the family getting involved throughout the treatment plan, this will help the children immensely. They are reassured that you as parents are by their side with all the love and support you can give, which will lessen recurring episodes, the incidences and the intensity of any symptoms by recognising them before they get any worse by knowing what plan of action to take. Community help is also available to help the individual and family with extra support.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/14-symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder-in-children-how-to-cope-with-it-739494.html

Bipolar Disorder can now be diagnosed in children, due to the advances in medicine today. It was thought before that the disorder only started from as early as adolescence to adults. Identifications tests are now being used to detect this disorder in childhood, which means that treatment can begin at an earlier age.

A child that is diagnosed early has a much better chance of getting treatment for their symptoms. They are able to get help to cope with the problems of the illness, so that stability can be achieved and realise when they are as well as they can be. As they get older they will be more self aware of their disorder and be more well adjusted as adults. The right treatment will enable them to lead a normal life as their illness is controlled.

Those children already diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in the United States have been found to be significantly more likely to develop the disorder. There are children and adolescents who already suffer from relapsing bouts of depression, which could indicate early signs of bipolar disorder, although they have not experienced a manic episode yet.

If more studies are conducted in medicine, the more we would be able to identify how common this disorder is surfacing amongst the younger generation.

The characteristics of the mental illness of Bipolar disorder is by depressive episodes and mania (or extreme euphoria). There are variations to this order in children compared with that of adults. Children will generally alter in mood constantly with rapid cycles of depression and mania. These rapid mood cycles give rise to ongoing irritability, with periods inbetween where they will feel well.

Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed in adults by using DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV). It is difficult to use this to diagnose children as detailed criteria has been established yet.

Children who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder are commonly found to have the following behaviour patterns:

1. overanxious at being apart from family even during a short time
2. apathy, depression, passiveness
3. problems with authority
4. wetting the bed
5. craving for carbohydrates and sweet things
6. experiencing delusions and hallucinations
7. insomnia
8. irritability
9. a fast change of mood over a few hours or days
10. a temper that is destructive extensively
11. grandiose ideas
12. night fears, ranting
13. inappropriate sexual behaviour
14. very talkative with fanciful ideas

Whilst a child is an infant, signs of the disorder are recogniseable. Once a child is later diagnosed, parents have cited behaviour which has been erratic such as unusual clinginess and far reaching tantrums like seizures.

Children or Paediatric Bipolar Syndrome is classified into four sections just like the adults: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

A patient with Bipolar I has episodes of serious depression and pychotic manic episodes which switch from one to the other.

A patient with Bipolar II switches from periods of hypomania to episodes of depression. A person can be highly creative with hypomania. With hypomania a person can feel more elated or quite irritable, and also they find that they have more mental energy as well as physical.

Cyclothymia is a milder mood disorder where there are recurrent mood disturbances.

The last is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is where a doctor is unable to classify a disorder under any of the three as mentioned before classifications. A person experiences mood swings like a manic depressive but there are also other symptoms which cannot be categorised as either Bipolar I, Bipolar II or Cyclothymia.

If a child is going through a worrying time, and their welfare becomes a concern, the parents will want to seek professional help. This is necessary particularly if a child starts to talk about suicide. A doctor will refer your child to a psychiatrist, and this can be done as an emergency case if necessary, so the disorder can be dealt with and treated immediately.

It is a good idea for any adult who has children and suspect they may have some kind of disorder, to note their behaviour in a diary, for example, to keep a record of how the child behaves, their speech, any strange activity and their sleep patterns. This is important and will help any doctor to evaluate your child and prescribe the correct treatment. Your observations could help with a quick diagnosis.

Your child can be helped with the right course of medication, psychotherapy to include the child and family, awareness of the disorder, a good diet for nutrition, noting the symptoms and behaviour, daily exercise which aids in getting good sleep and coping mechanisms for stress.

By the parents and medical professionals working together, the best care can be given in treating your child. With the family getting involved throughout the treatment plan, this will help the children immensely. They are reassured that you as parents are by their side with all the love and support you can give, which will lessen recurring episodes, the incidences and the intensity of any symptoms by recognising them before they get any worse by knowing what plan of action to take. Community help is also available to help the individual and family with extra support.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/14-symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder-in-children-how-to-cope-with-it-739494.html

 As a physician who treats ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders one always see such a variety of symptoms and severity of symptoms.  As ASD is thought to be multifactorial it is always important to get as specific as possible with the treatments so as not to waste the time and resources of both the doctor and family.  We use a sensory motor hemispheric approach but always try to eliminate any of the common scientificly established links to autism and the conditions associated with this spectrum of disorders.  As such, one of the supplements found to help children suffering with these conditions are Omega 3 fatty acids.  Let’s go to the literature.

              

 Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in children with autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.                 

                1: Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 15;61(4):551-3. Epub 2006 Aug 22.   

Amminger GP, Berger GE, Schafer MR, Klier C, Friedrich MH, Feucht M.

Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. paul.amminger@meduniwien.ac.at

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that fatty acid deficiencies or imbalances may contribute to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-week pilot trial investigating the effects of 1.5 g/d of omega-3 fatty acids (.84 g/d eicosapentaenoic acid, .7 g/d docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation in 13 children (aged 5 to 17 years) with autistic disorders accompanied by severe tantrums, aggression, or self-injurious behavior. The outcome measure was the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) at 6 weeks. RESULTS: We observed an advantage of omega-3 fatty acids compared with placebo for hyperactivity and stereotypy, each with a large effect size. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a trend toward superiority of omega-3 fatty acids over placebo for hyperactivity. No clinically relevant adverse effects were elicited in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may be an effective treatment for children with autism.

Plasma fatty acid levels in autistic children.

1.      Prostaglandin Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2001 Jul;65(1):1-7.

Vancassel S, Durand G, Barthelemy C, Lejeune B, Martineau J, Guilloteau D, Andres C, Chalon S.

Laboratoire de Nutrition et Sécurité Alimentaire, INRA, domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas cedex, France. vancasse@jouy.inra.fr

Phospholipid fatty acids are major structural components of neuronal cell membranes, which modulate membrane fluidity and hence function. Evidence from clinical and biochemical sources have indicated changes in the metabolism of fatty acids in several psychiatric disorders. We examined the phospholipid fatty acids in the plasma of a population of autistic subjects compared to mentally retarded controls. Our results showed a marked reduction in the levels of 22: 6n-3 (23%) in the autistic subjects, resulting in significantly lower levels of total (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (20%), without significant reduction in the (n-6) PUFA series, and consequently a significant increase in the (n-6)/(n-3) ratio (25%). These variations are discussed in terms of potential differences in PUFA dietary intake, metabolism, or incorporation into cellular membranes between the two groups of subjects. These results open up interesting perspectives for the investigation of new biological indices in autism. Moreover, this might have new therapeutic implications in terms of child nutrition. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of Egyptian children with autism.

1.      Clin Biochem. 2008 Sep;41(13):1044-8. Epub 2008 Jun 12.    

Meguid NA, Atta HM, Gouda AS, Khalil RO.

Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

OBJECTIVE: Estimation of free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in blood and evaluation of behavior of autistic children before and after taking fish oil (Efalex) were performed. DESIGN AND METHODS: 30 autistic children (18 males and 12 females) aged 3-11 years and 30 healthy children as control group were included in this study. Tandem mass spectrometry and CARS were used to estimate the free PUFAs from dried blood spot and to evaluate the autistic behavior respectively. RESULTS: Before taking Efalex, linolenic acid showed a significant reduction (71%), followed by docosahexaenoic acid (65%) and arachidonic acid (45%), while linoleic acid was the least affected PUFA (32%). After taking Efalex, 66% of autistic children showed clinical and biochemical improvement, linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid showed the highest levels after Efalex supplementation. CONCLUSION: PUFA supplementation may play an important role in ameliorating the autistic behavior.

These studies support that children with ADHD Aspergers tourettes, OCD and Autism should consider Omega 3 supplementation as part of their treatment program and discuss these issues with their physician.

For more information about Dr. Mane’s approach in treating children suffering Autism and ADD/ADHD visit our website at http://www.manecenter.com/ADHD.htm.

Dr. Mane offers one on one consultation as well as Group Seminars.  If you are interested in scheduling a consultation or to attend a seminar please call 813-935-4744. 

Nelson Mane
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/tampa-dr-nelson-mane-states-autism-treatment-essential-fatty-acids-681576.html

Many people suffer from tragic food allergies and some don’t even have an idea that it exists in them. The allergy is a result of the body’s reaction on introducing the kind of foods which cannot or are difficult to get digested by the system. As soon as this food get digested and penetrates to the bloodstream, few food nutrients or other components of food are eliminated by the body. The antibodies and many other elements have the tendency to fight back. From then, the symptom of allergy becomes apparent.

Major symptoms of this allergy caused by food are swollen and itchy eyes, swollen hands, closing of throat and larynx, burning sensation of lungs as a result due to thinning of the body’s tissue lining.

When dealing with the allergy, whatsoever the conditions may be, be it severe or moderate, it should be learned. This includes learning about the suitable options for fighting and preventing food allergies and finding out the causes for the allergic reactions. There is a book entitled to food allergy survival guide which could answer all your problems.

The book shares the kinds of food consumed by the people and gives you detailed sections on how to precede with main allergens like diary, eggs, gluten, wheat, peanuts, corn, fish, yeast and shellfish. Every section includes explanations regarding the variety of foods that should be avoided by people who suffer from allergy dealing with restaurants, reading labels correctly in relation with dangerous types of foods, preparing variety of foods and practicing healthy and easy alternatives.

This guide is highly and technically sound. It is comprehensive and readable. People who suffer from the allergy will never feel left out because it helps them to widen their horizons and maximize their hopes of eating the food they truly love. This happens when they follow cautions properly. This is indeed a great and an informative book where you could get common answers to general questions, how to take advantage of learning food issues and health, advice from experts, delicious recipes and complete nutrition guides.

Food allergy survival guide tackles few very important health problems that includes effective ways of proceeding with skin tests for determining allergy and sensitivity, food triggers, how allergies caused by food are related with chronic illness like asthma, arthritis, ADHD, diabetes, kinds of food which affects the baby’s health while breastfeeding, changes in emotions and behaviors as allergic reaction takes place, how to distinguish sensitivity of food, queries which should be asked to an allergist, food intolerance, practicing processed kinds of food, food allergy, how to maintain eating health foods by way of non allergic substitutes and how hypersensitivity of food is connected to immunological process.

Most interestingly the best part in this book is recipe area having recipes completely free from main allergens. It is simple to learn baking and cooking healthy foods by retaining texture, richness and flavor. These foods need not be tasteless or boring just because you have an allergy. Mouth watering and nourishing recipes are good like divine macaroons, ultra fudge brownies, banana bread, pound cake and chocolate cake. One hundred or more recipes eliminating cheese have been provided by Jo Stepaniak. Never worry because every recipe is provided with nutritional comprehensive analysis.

When compared to the rest of the books on dietary health, this guide on food allergy is leading the race. So, if you belong to those people affected with food allergy you must consider buying it. Medications, practice and knowledge are at your hands. One can easily deal with this allergy with a positive and a bold attitude.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/food-allergy-survival-guide-food-allergies-ruining-your-appetite-no-more-708839.html

Chances are that if you have a child, or an adult relative for that matter, with ADHD, you have tried prescription medication at one time or another to control the symptoms. You have probably been disappointed in the side effects of these medicines. Some fog your child’s or loved one’s brain up too much along with other side effects. More and more people are turning to ADHD natural remedies to help their children and loved ones. Some of these natural remedies for ADHD will be listed here for you to have some information on.

Some herbal supplements that are effective natural remedies for ADHD.

One herb that helps to increase the serotonin level in the brain is St. John’s Wort. It helps in ADHD and in cases of depression. Also it helps in Attention Deficit Disorder. Ginkgo Biloba mixed with American Ginseng have been used to treat children with ADHD. Ginkgo is very good for many of the brain’s functions. Grape seed extract works at controlling the production of the dopamine that is in the brain. ADHD sufferers usually produce this at an accelerated rate.

These are just a few of the many herbs and natural remedies for adhd. There are several others that have been found effective over the years.

Some of the other ADND natural remedies are:

Behavioral therapy has become quite popular in treating adhd in children and sometimes in adults too. Through a trained professional the patient (especially if they are a child) can learn how to change their behavior and get along better with other people. Thank goodness they had this therapy for my son because it made a world of difference in his behavior, especially at school. It is a good choice among adhd natural remedies.

A thing that you can do is look at the patient’s diet and weed out all the foods that can cause a problem. Most additives such as food dyes and MSG can cause problems. White bread is a refined carbohydrate and should be eliminated. In fact all refined carbohydrates should be monitored closely. Junk foods should be left off for all these reasons. You can substitute healthier foods that will not affect the patient’s ADHD in a negative manner.

It is Your Decision

In the end it is your decision whether to administer prescription medicine (relieving the symptoms but with side effects) or ADHD natural remedies (which gets to the root of the problem with no side effects) to help your loved one. Just know that there are alternatives, such as natural remedies for ADHD, out there. With a bit a research you can find one that works for your loved one.

Diana Ketchen
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/parents-are-turning-to-adhd-natural-remedies-737514.html

Chances are that if you have a child, or an adult relative for that matter, with ADHD, you have tried prescription medication at one time or another to control the symptoms. You have probably been disappointed in the side effects of these medicines. Some fog your child’s or loved one’s brain up too much along with other side effects. More and more people are turning to adhd natural remedies to help their children and loved ones. Some of these natural remedies for ADHD will be listed here for you to have some information on.

Some herbal supplements that are effective natural remedies for ADHD.

One herb that helps to increase the serotonin level in the brain is St. John’s Wort. It helps in ADHD and in cases of depression. Also it helps in Attention Deficit Disorder. Ginkgo Biloba mixed with American Ginseng have been used to treat children with ADHD. Ginkgo is very good for many of the brain’s functions. Grape seed extract works at controlling the production of the dopamine that is in the brain. ADHD sufferers usually produce this at an accelerated rate.

These are just a few of the many herbs and natural remedies for adhd. There are several others that have been found effective over the years.

Some of the other ADND natural remedies are:

Behavioral therapy has become quite popular in treating adhd in children and sometimes in adults too. Through a trained professional the patient (especially if they are a child) can learn how to change their behavior and get along better with other people. Thank goodness they had this therapy for my son because it made a world of difference in his behavior, especially at school. It is a good choice among ADHD natural remedies.

A thing that you can do is look at the patient’s diet and weed out all the foods that can cause a problem. Most additives such as food dyes and MSG can cause problems. White bread is a refined carbohydrate and should be eliminated. In fact all refined carbohydrates should be monitored closely. Junk foods should be left off for all these reasons. You can substitute healthier foods that will not affect the patient’s ADHD in a negative manner.

It is Your Decision

In the end it is your decision whether to administer prescription medicine (relieving the symptoms but with side effects) or ADHD natural remedies (which gets to the root of the problem with no side effects) to help your loved one. Just know that there are alternatives, such as natural remedies for ADHD, out there. With a bit a research you can find one that works for your loved one.

Diana Ketchen
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/parents-are-turning-to-adhd-natural-remedies-737514.html

Sorting out the myths and legends from the hard facts can be a daunting task when we are talking about attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Because the exact cause of attention deficit disorder is not known and because treatment with psychostimulant drugs is hotly debated, a whole series of urban legends have grown up around this condition.

First Fact ADHD is on the increase and how ! Just look at the figures for Holland- they have reported a 25% increase in cases in the last six months ! The number of children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder are now double the figure they were three years ago. Numbers in Australia, UK and USA are also increasing rapidly. Why? Nobody is sure .. it could be that there are more accurate diagnostic methods available or that more and more parents are becoming aware of the problem. Some argue that parents cannot tolerate hyperactive children and prefer to have them sedated by drugs and drive them to school !

Second Fact ADHD drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera and Concerta do NOT

cure ADHD. They can only alleviate symptoms by activating or calming certain neurotransmitters in the child’s brain so that the child can improve concentration, stop twitching, over-excitability and reduce erratic behaviour. Sadly, the drugs also affect the way your child thinks and your child’s ideas and creativity can be affected. Even more alarming is the fact that the long- term psychological effects on children are not known or if they are, they have not been published !

Third Fact The above ADHD drugs DO have a wide range of side effects. The pharmaceutical companies play them down as much as they can but the FDA has its work cut out in issuing warnings and guidelines to pediatricians and family doctors. The side effects range from cardiac arrest to increased suicidal thoughts and a whole lot of other things in between !

Fourth Fact The bad news is that those children who took psychostimulant drugs as kids for ADHD have a much higher chance of ending up as drug users in adult life. More bad news is that these drugs are now sold by adolescents in the school parking lot.

Fifth Fact These ADHD medications DO help children to stay calmer but unfortunately they will not help them to learn coping skills in getting their homework done or in not forgetting things. This is where parenting skills are so important and the real solution is not drugging the nation’s children but rather helping the child to manage school and social relationships and above all in self- management.

The only solution to successful ADHD treatment is medication combined with behaviour therapy, some dietary restrictions and plenty of exercise and a supportive school and family life. But which medication ? This is a burning question and many parents are now refusing to have their children’s future compromised in the ways I have outlined above. There is a much safer natural treatment which is certainly not addictive and will never fetch a high price on the school parking lot! The site below will answer questions you cannot ask your doctor on treating attention deficit disorder.

First Fact ADHD is on the increase and how ! Just look at the figures for Holland- they have reported a 25% increase in cases in the last six months ! The number of children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder are now double the figure they were three years ago. Numbers in Australia, UK and USA are also increasing rapidly. Why? Nobody is sure .. it could be that there are more accurate diagnostic methods available or that more and more parents are becoming aware of the problem. Some argue that parents cannot tolerate hyperactive children and prefer to have them sedated by drugs and drive them to school !

Second Fact ADHD drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera and Concerta do NOT

cure ADHD. They can only alleviate symptoms by activating or calming certain neurotransmitters in the child’s brain so that the child can improve concentration, stop twitching, over-excitability and reduce erratic behaviour. Sadly, the drugs also affect the way your child thinks and your child’s ideas and creativity can be affected. Even more alarming is the fact that the long- term psychological effects on children are not known or if they are, they have not been published !

Third Fact The above ADHD drugs DO have a wide range of side effects. The pharmaceutical companies play them down as much as they can but the FDA has its work cut out in issuing warnings and guidelines to pediatricians and family doctors. The side effects range from cardiac arrest to increased suicidal thoughts and a whole lot of other things in between !

Fourth Fact The bad news is that those children who took psychostimulant drugs as kids for ADHD have a much higher chance of ending up as drug users in adult life. More bad news is that these drugs are now sold by adolescents in the school parking lot.

Fifth Fact These ADHD medications DO help children to stay calmer but unfortunately they will not help them to learn coping skills in getting their homework done or in not forgetting things. This is where parenting skills are so important and the real solution is not drugging the nation’s children but rather helping the child to manage school and social relationships and above all in self- management.

The only solution to successful ADHD treatment is medication combined with behaviour therapy, some dietary restrictions and plenty of exercise and a supportive school and family life. But which medication ? This is a burning question and many parents are now refusing to have their children’s future compromised in the ways I have outlined above. There is a much safer natural treatment which is certainly not addictive and will never fetch a high price on the school parking lot! The site below will answer questions you cannot ask your doctor on treating attention deficit disorder.

Robert William Locke
http://www.articlesbase.com/adhd-articles/five-undeniable-facts-about-attention-deficit-disorder-726341.html

The drug industry has done a fantastic job in marketing ADHD! According to a New York Times report they have marketed ADHD so well to parents, teachers, doctors and pediatricians that over 9 million prescriptions for their psychostimulant drugs have been written this last year. Not bad in a recession. Side effects of Ritalin( one of the first psychostimulant drugs) have been the subject of much controversy. Now 4.4% of the population suffers from ADHD and it has become almost fashionable - partly due to a relentless advertising campaign for these drugs.

Ritalin is basically a substance called methylphenidate. That can improve mood, attention span and even help college students to study all night before an important exam. The effect can last a short time and then another dose has to be given- otherwise there will be a ‘crash’ when depression and drowsiness will set in. Not surprising that they are referred to as ‘uppers’. Only problem is that the patient is addicted and needs ever increasing doses so drug addiction is another spectre for ADHD children who may have been on these drugs for a number of years. Patients have to be monitored if Ritalin has been given for a number of years - another headache for parents

Other side effects of Ritalin are :- stunted growth, insomnia, skin rashes, anorexia, some irregular heart beating, angina, blood pressure problems. The list goes on and perhaps the most frightening thing of all is that not only is the list of Ritalin side effects rather scary but also we do NOT know the long term physical and psychological effects of this drug. Also we do not know how safe Ritalin is in the long term either so that is disturbing. There is a risk of suicide if patients stop taking Ritalin suddenly and there are all sorts of problems associated with withdrawing Ritalin.

Parents with ADHD children are now becoming wise to the fact that these psychostimulants cause more problems than they solve and also that they do not want to put their children at risk. They also refuse to be brainwashed by the drug industry and are now seeking out information themselves. ADHD blogs and forums are great places to find information and finally a surge in ADHD natural cures and remedies is evident. Join the thousands of parents who want a safer, less risky ADHD natural cure which also costs a lot less. You may have questions about how effective these natural ADHD cures are and if they are a really valid alternative. Given the side effects of Ritalin, I would certainly say they are. The link below will provide all the answers.

Robert William Locke
http://www.articlesbase.com/adhd-articles/the-awkward-truth-about-adhd-psychostimulants-doctors-dont-want-you-to-know-743645.html