Does your Child have ADD?
Attention deficit disorder, also called ADD, is a behavioral problem usually in children, in which a child has difficulty paying attention. ADD is now considered to be a form of ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children with ADHD have signs of hyperactivity in addition to attention problems. Early diagnosis of ADD is important as the symptoms can last into adulthood and can cause problems in relationships and at home or school.
All children tend to be hyper and out of control at some point. This is normal. In kids with ADD, however, the hyperactivity and restlessness occur all the time, not just some of the time. How does a parent determine if their child truly has ADD and is not just a bad kid? In order to be diagnosed with ADD, a child must meet the criteria established by the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Information about the child is gathered in discussions with the parents, teachers and the child himself.
There are several questions parents can ask themselves to get a better idea if their child has ADD. How long has the child been overly active? Children with ADD may have been overly hyperactive prior to age 7. They also may have been more temperamental as babies. Another important question is whether the child can complete a given task or is he loses interest too quickly (5 minutes or less). Is the child hyperactive in all situations or is he well behaved at school and overly active at home? A child with ADD will be hyperactive in all situations. In fact, children with ADD cannot control this behavior and will often not respond to adults who are trying to control them. Discipline will not work.
Many times children are misdiagnosed with ADD. There are several other conditions that mimic the symptoms of ADD. Autism is one such condition as autistic children sometimes get overexcited at times. Anxiety, depression and thyroid problems can also mimic the symptoms of ADD. Children who have recently experienced a divorce or death in the family can also be mistakenly thought to have ADD. Even vision problems can be mistakenly identified as ADD.
ADD cannot be cured but it is treatable. Treatment is usually given in the form of a stimulant medication such as Adderall or Ritalin. These medications help alleviate the symptoms of ADD and must be taken regularly to be effective. Stimulant drugs actually decrease hyperactivity and improve focus. Unfortunately, there are some side effects to many ADD drugs. Insomnia, loss of appetite, headache and stomach pain is a few of the common symptoms. Behavior therapy is also sometimes indicated for children with ADD. Parents are taught how to positively reinforce acceptable behaviors and encourage development of problem solving and communication skills.
Many adults are unaware that they have ADD. The discovery sometimes occurs while researching the problem for their own children. Other times they may visit a physician to treat anxiety only to find out they are suffering from ADD. Treatment for adults is similar to children. With the proper treatment, adults and children with ADD can live normal productive lives.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to ADD
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