Your Guide to the Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

For parents diagnosing ADD/ADHD in their children, it is of utmost importance to be familiar with the symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Children mature at different rates, but most small children show some of the symptoms. A lack of attentiveness becomes a problem when it is inappropriate for the child's age.

So what specifically are the symptoms of attention deficit disorder? According to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders for the year 2000, there are nine ADD symptoms and nine more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity used for diagnosing add ADHD. ADD is diagnosed when the symptoms of inattentiveness are present for 6 months or more. ADHD is diagnosed when ADD is present and the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity are also present.

To qualify as symptoms of attention deficit disorder, the child must display the characteristics often enough for them to cause problems for him or her socially and academically. If a child displays 6 of the following 9 characteristics, ADD is probable:

1) The child makes careless mistakes in schoolwork and does not pay attention to details.

2) The child has problems keeping his or her mind on play or work activities.

3) When you speak to the children with ADD, they don't seem to pay attention.

4) They don't finish their school assignments, but it is not because they are being oppositional. In other words, they can't finish their work, whether they want to or not.

5) The child is disorganized.

6) The child doesn't like school or other activities that require a lot of mental effort for a long period of time.

7) Children with ADD tend to lose things they need for school, such as pencils, assignments, and the like.

8) ADD children tend to be distracting.

9) And finally, they tend to be forgetful.

Diagnosing add ADHD requires the above set of symptoms of attention deficit disorder, along with at least six of these other symptoms displayed: fidgeting, not being able to stay in their seat, restlessness, inability to play quietly, acts like they are "driven by a motor", overly talkative, blurts out answers, can't wait their turn, and interrupts others' conversations.

There is more to diagnosing add ADHD, however, than just the presence of the symptoms of attention deficit disorder. For one thing, the symptoms must cause significant impairment to the child in school and in social activities. Also, the symptoms must be present in more than one setting. For instance, if the child only shows them at school and not at home, it indicates that the problem is something other than ADD.

Finally, for diagnosing ADD ADHD, it is essential that there is no other diagnosis of a mental condition. If the child can be diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mood disorder, or a developmental disability, that will stand as the primary diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of attention deficit disorder are often present in these conditions.

If your child is diagnosed with add or ADHD, the doctor will normally recommend stimulant medication. Before moving forward with this type of medication, educate yourself so you know what you are getting into. The side effects of stimulant medication are numerous and sometimes severe.

We have found that a more natural approach has given great results in improving behavior and concentration. By focusing on diet and using herbal supplements, our son's behavior has turned around completely. It is important to look beyond the doctor's recommendations when diagnosing add, ADHD and other behavioral issues. By doing so, you will avoid the pitfalls of stimulant medication and provide a healthier future for your child.

Terry Tobin has been a student of the link between nutrition and behavior for over 8 years. His research led him to finding natural ways of dealing with attention and mood issues in his own life and family. Terry is the editor of Help For ADHD where he shares what he has found to be effective, natural help for ADD and ADHD. If you or someone you know is dealing with ADD/ADHD and the behaviors associated with it, then visit Help For ADHD to learn more about effective ways to improve concentration and behavior and to learn about the line of natural ADHD remedies that Terry personally recommends.

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A sterling cast--including Vince Vaughn, Keanu Reeves, Vincent D'Onofrio, and especially Tilda Swinton--lifts this coming-of-age story above the norm. Justin (Lou Pucci, Personal Velocity) is 17, yet he still sucks his thumb. Depressed, he frets that his parents (D'Onofrio, Full Metal Jacket, and Swinton, Orlando) are going to split up, that he has no focus in life, and that the girl he longs for can never love him--until his orthodontist (Reeves, The Matrix) hypnotizes Justin into quitting his thumbsucking, and a questionable diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder results in medication that launches him into a wave of over-achievement. The script, though it has some clever flourishes, never lifts beyond typical adolescent turmoil, but thanks to wonderfully vivid and multi-layered performances (including Vaughn, Wedding Crashers, as a debate teacher with hair issues), the movie never flags. Swinton also executive-produced the movie; she clearly saw in this suburban mother a character she could invest with as much emotion and intensity as the angel Gabriel (Constantine) or the White Witch of Narnia (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). It's rich, intricate acting, never showy, yet mesmerizing. Thumbsucker also features Benjamin Bratt (Pinero) and Kelli Garner (Man of the House). --Bret Fetzer

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What Is Attention Deficit Disorder - ADD

I have a friend at work that has a grandson that has been diagnosed with child attention deficit disorder. After chatting with her about it for a while I began to wonder how it is possible to tell the difference between someone with ADD and someone who is just plain difficult. It seems to be most difficult to tell with boys under 17 years of age because they tend to progress slower than the girls anyway. My grandmother used to be the head teacher of a primary school and she was quite certain that boys didn't develop intellectually anything like as quickly as the girls.

My interest raised, I decided to investigate further. It appears that there are three stages in normal development. The first stage can be seen in babies when they become focused on one thing for a period of time and ignore everything else. A child whose development stops at this stage might have a tendency towards autism.

The second stage is when a toddler is constantly finding different things of interest but never able to concentrate on one thing for very long. A child who is stuck at this stage of development might be diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder.

At stage three children's abilities mature to the point where they can focus their attention for longer periods and control where and when they change their attention and activity. This is the level of concentration that the child will need to make their classroom experiences a successful one.

My friend says that ADD isn't just about an inability to concentrate for very long. People with Attention Deficit Disorder aren't able to choose when or where to pay attention or when to stop. She told me that when her grandson crosses the road, even though he has been taught over and over how to do it safely, if he has to wait for traffic then he would suddenly go no matter what the traffic is doing. There is never any warning that he is going to do this; he just knows that he needs to cross so off he goes.

The other side of the Attention Deficit Disorder equation is the ability to focus intensely on an activity to the exclusion of everything else, including breaks. The ADD sufferer might watch the same movie over and over or complete the same jigsaw time and time again. Some people say that if this behaviour isn't recognised and treated as early as possible then it could lead to overeating, substance abuse or compulsive behaviour.

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a variation of Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD. People that suffer from this problem seem to be unable to relax or are constantly on the go. When seated they might be squirming or fiddling constantly, they just won't stay still. This can often be a nightmare for parents of children suffering from ADHD because the child doesn't need much sleep either. Imagine what it would be like to have a child that hardly ever sleeps and is constantly jumping around when they are awake which will be most of the time.

If you are wondering whether a child with ADD will eventually grow out of it then I'm afraid the answer is no. ADD and ADHD are manifestations of physical problems within the brain so it isn't likely to change with age. The disorder can be passed on genetically but bad discipline or poor parenting can't cause it.

How To Treat Attention Deficit Disorder:

Children can receive medication and therapy that helps to overcome the disorder, if it is diagnosed early enough. The problem is diagnosing the extent to which someone requires help, as the spectrum is very wide. Most experts seem to recommend a treatment combining medication and psychotherapy. Psychostimulants such as 'Ritalin' and 'Dexedrine' help to improve the sluggish part of the brain causing the problems. Psychotherapy helps to train ADD sufferers to pay attention, control impulses and behave appropriately in all sorts of situations.

Diet can also be very important in ADD treatment. Some children have bad reactions to certain foods like wheat, chocolate, fruit, dairy products and additives. Additives can be particularly problematic in this respect and a potential link between them and ADD and ADHD has now been discovered.

People suffering from ADD have been found to be lacking in fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6. There is a theory that proper mental function growth is critically dependent on these fatty acids. There is no conclusive evidence of this but an appropriate change in diet might well be worth a try. Omega 3 is found in fish like mackerel and salmon and in flax oil. Safflower oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, margarine, sunflower oil and corn oil all contain Omega 6.

There is a more positive side to ADD. During my research I found a lot of opinion that some of the most famous people from history appeared to exhibit symptoms of ADD. The list of suggestions is quite long but it includes people like Mozart, Pasteur, Einstein and Beethoven. It appears that some of the characteristic symptoms of ADD can lead to outstanding performance so take good care of your ADD child because they might be a genius.

Steve is a software engineer and contributes to howdo-i.com

Various Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Approximately 5% of the population suffers from ADD, with majority of them being children. However, it is possible for ADD to carry on into adulthood due to a lack of treatment. Whilst there is insufficient research to support the causes of ADD, it can be due to genetics, prenatal conditions or neurological damage.

ADD is a condition whereby the reticular activating system is impaired, reducing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, which causes difficulty in communication within different regions of the brain. The symptoms of ADD are similar for children and adults, although adults are seldom diagnosed as they have a better ability to cover up their reactions. There are many forms of ADD as well, ranging from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Behavior Disorder (ADBD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) to Conduct Disorder (CD).

In general, the symptoms such as inability to focus and agitation are known to carry over into adulthood. For our purposes, we will be identifying the various symptoms without distinction towards adults or children. This is due to the likelihood of symptoms carrying over as the children mature.

Inability to Focus

Due to the short attention span of individuals suffering from ADD, they find it difficult to focus on any one task or thought process at a time. This causes them to appear as bored, and they tend to be forgetful. Misplacing items or having wandering thoughts during discussions are very common for them.

Disorganization

For individuals who suffer from ADD, they tend to be restless and inattentive, making it difficult for them to focus on one task at a time. Hence, they tend to be more disorganized as they jump from one object to another, and most of the times they are unaware of their environment, giving them the appearance of being highly disorganized and flighty.

Hyperactivity

Especially for children, it is easy to observe symptoms of hyperactivity. These is usually reflected in their ability to remain in the same position for more than a few seconds. For children, there is a tendency to ignore instructions and be immersed in playing or running around the room. For adults, it may be subtle signs such as fidgeting in the seat continuously, or playing with their hands and feet.

Impulsiveness

This could be manifested in the need to talk excessively, or cutting into conversations before the other party has finished. For children who are playing, it could be sudden actions or a stubborn streak to halt playtime activities. In the classroom, they tend to speak out of turn without waiting for the teacher to call on them, or even before the teacher has finished asking a question. In adults, there is a dangerous tendency to indulge in dangerous activities without careful considerations of the risks or consequences.

Low Self Confidence

Adults and children alike who suffer from ADD tend to have low self confidence due to self directed frustration at their inability to focus and complete tasks at hand. They also suffer from the social stigma and the fear that they are not good enough due to comments from people around them.

Greg Frost is an authority figure in the ADHD field and director of http://www.Attention-Deficit-Disorder.net, a company that provides a variety of ADHD Medications content to help people deal with attention deficit disorders.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Controversial Treatments and Management for ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD occurs is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children. In a classroom of 25-30 children at least one child has ADHD. It becomes apparent in children of preschool or early school age. It interferes with a person's ability to remain on task and exhibit age-appropriate behavior.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD was first described by a physician named Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845. Dr. Hoffman was also a poet and writer who became interested in writing for children when he could not find suitable material to read to his 3 year old that exhibited symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He wrote a book of poems characterizing the symptoms of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder called "The Story of Fidgety Philip".

It was not until 1902 that Sir George F. Still published a series of lectures concerning children with impulsivity and significant behavioral problems caused by a genetic dysfunction and not poor child upbringing. His findings were published at the Royal College of Physicians in England. Since then thousands of papers have been published about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD. These papers include information about the characteristics of the disorder, the causes, impairments and treatments.

A child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD faces many obstacles. In order to help children with ADHD adapt in school settings and reach their full potential they need the help of the entire educational system from teachers and counselors to administrators.

If Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD is not dealt with in school age children the struggles to deal with ADHD continue into adulthood.

There are still many controversial issues that deal with the management of ADHD ranging from behavioral interventions to medication. As an educator of 23 years, I am aware of the controversial effects of medications used to treat ADHD. The decision to treat a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is ultimately the parents choice.

Having dealt with a large number of students as well as adults in an educational setting, I believe that each person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD needs to be dealt with on an individual basis. No two people in this world are alike and each person needs an individual plan that will meet THEIR needs, whether it be medication or a behavioral plan.

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