ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder

ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder

    A generalist diagnosis of ADD or better known by its full descriptor: Attention Deficit Disorder, describes a human condition where awareness, interest, concentration, is problematic. ADD would then be typified as the lack, shortfall and inefficiency of attention, where individuals will have extreme difficulty or even an inability to keep clearly focusing for long time periods, sitting still and paying attention, undistracted and fully engaged. It can sometimes even go undiagnosed for a long time and there are many debates and on-going research in modern science and parenting circles alike about teens and attention deficit disorder. If you only have problems with paying attention or inattentiveness, this is called ADHD--Inattentive Type OR more specifically it used to be called ADD.

    ADD creates numerous problems with paying attention in class, getting homework done, and finishing chores at home. You may have good intentions to finish things, but somehow you often end up being distracted by something else. Parents of teens diagnosed with or who suspect their youngsters might have ADD/ADHD often wonder how ADD or ADHD is diagnosed, whether their teen is "mentally ill" because of ADD/ADHD, what if any the long term side-effects from pharmaceuticals used to treat ADD/ADHD are and what difference can nutrition make

    In short, this chronic illness and health challenge have numerous parents searching for quick answers and the right thing to do, medication, therapy, nutrition, a combination of some or all of these.

    What to look for easily distracted by sounds and other activities going on around them, regularly losing track of time, difficulty in following instructions and fully completing goals or tasks, even if the desire to do so is present, often loses possessions or forgets appointments, ignores chores and tasks at hand, forgets what was recently taught to them, often seems like they are not listening to you, short attention span and a tendency to daydream. Characteristics of ADD are sometimes listed as: sluggish, honours others’ boundaries, obedient, under-attentive, overly polite, docile, modest, shy, socially withdrawn, bonding with others but does not attract friends.

    Typical prescription drugs for ADD are: Ritalin, Adderall, Pemoline, and Concerta – others again feel that there are long-term negative effects to the pharmaceutical approach to ADD and propose exploring nutrition, exercise and a balanced diet and lifestyle, not over-stimulated, loaded with fast-food and sugar, inactivity and too scheduled and fast-paced. Best advise for parents with teens suffering from ADD – take a long, hard look at things before jumping to conclusions, learn as much as you can about ADD, symptoms, treatment, alternatives and make informed decisions in the best interest of your teen.