Over the Counter Treatments for ADHD

There are a million and one herbal and natural remedies out there, and

some of them can be helpful. The key to finding helpful remedies

for whatever ails you is to research, investigate and be smart about

what you buy and put into your body. With ADHD, you want to be extra

careful what you put into your body because it is more sensitive than

the average folk. There are some natural products that can be helpful

in easing symptoms of the disorder, but be cautious in going out and

purchasing products that have not been approved by the FDA.

One product that can be particularly helpful in treating the symptoms

of ADHD is called l-tyrosine. L-tyrosine is an amino acid that makes up

the building blocks of dopamine. If taken before meals,

l-tyrosine can act somewhat like a stimulant. There are really no

side effects with this supplement, and an individual can take doses

between 500 mg-1500 mg up to three times a day. L-tyrosine is a

nice alternative to a stimulant because it has softer effects than

drugs like Ritalin and Adderall. Also, it wears off much easier

and is much less harsh on the body. It can also be taken with

prescription stimulants to enhance the effect of them.

Besides L-tyrosine, there are a couple other supplements that can have

stimulant like effects. One is called DLPA, and it is the amino acid

precursor for norepinephrine. This neurotransmitter has been

shown to low in people with ADD. Another effective supplement is called

SAME, and this can help with low grade depression often present in

people with ADD. SAME can be somewhat stimulating as well. And it

has been shown to be helpful with the chronic pain condition

fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia and ADD often come together, for

unknown reasons.

Other supplements that are helpful for the anxiety and depression that

so often accompanies ADHD are 5htp and St. John's Wart. 5htp is an

amino acid precursor for the neurotransmitter serotonin. It actually

increases the amount of serotonin in your brain, and it can really be

quite helpful. SSRI antidepressants only recycle the serotonin that

already exists in your brain, so 5htp in some ways is more effective.

Also, St. John's Wart is a natural antidepressant that has been shown

to be somewhat effective in the treatment of depression.

In regards to many of the online products advertised for the treatment

of ADHD, such as Attend, I would stay far away from these

products. Who knows what is actually in them or who is selling

them. I just don't trust herbal remedies that are sold

online. Too many people are trying to make a buck.

The First Time Released Medicine For ADHD

As ADD/ADHD medications go, Concerta is a relatively new drug. But in the short time it's been available, it seems to be an extremely popular choice. Concerta contains the same active ingredient that Ritalin has, the stimulant methylphenidate.

The advantage of this drug over many of the others is that you -- or your child -- only need to take it once a day. In fact, when it was introduced to the pubic, it was the only time-released formula available. And now you can see why it gained popularity so very quickly

One single tablet provides up to 12-hour coverage. But more importantly, in the eyes of those who created it, Concerta provides an evenly dispersed amount of coverage. When children take Ritalin several times throughout the day, they'll experience the normal peaks and valleys that naturally come with the rising and falling of the medication in their bloodstream.

Concerta may be prescribed in four distinct dosing levels. Your physician may start you or your child out on the smallest dose, 18 mg. The other three dosages are: 27 mg, 36 mg and 54 mg.

And it's this single use ease of the pill that sets it up as being unique from other ADD/ADHD medications when it was first released. Now there are other once daily ADHD medications as well. But it's also this delayed release mechanism that may cause concerns for some people taking it.

Quickly let's look at what the difference involved in taking 20 mg of Ritalin three times a day, to taking a 54 mg single pill of Concerta once a day. When looking at Concerta doses, it's important to know that 22% of the medicine is released immediately, and the rest of the pill supports that dose. That means that the 54 mg dose of concerta is like taking regular Ritalin 12 mg three times per day. This is obviously quite lower than Ritalin 20 mg per day. This is why it is important that your doctor get the dose right when using Concerta.

Side Effects of Concerta:

Of course, Concerta like any other prescription medication administered for any disorder or disease, is not free from adverse side effects. According to the medical community, the side effects of Concerta are less pronounced than some of the ones that accompany the use of the older medications. Some people not only complain of physical side effects, like abdominal pain, dizziness, and headaches. But some of the known effects of Concerta also include an increased feeling of aggravation, nervousness and even a pronounced hostility.

Others have reported, as a consequence of taking this drug, inability to sleep, loss of appetite, as coughing and the presence of sinusitis. Other side effects may include vomiting, allergic reactions as well as increased level of blood pressure.

Some individuals have even complained of experiencing symptoms most closely associated with psychosis, such as abnormal thinking or hallucinations. If when you're taking this medication, you experience any of these side effects, let your doctor know immediately.

Concerta can be a real hope for many people -- especially children -- who only want to take one pill a day. For many students, this single tablet alleviates the need to visit the school nurse at noon. And that can mean so much in the way of self esteem.

Not taking it now, but think it might be right for you? Check with your doctor. He'll be able to provide specific recommendations for your personal situation.

ADD Medications

There are a few medications available to treat ADD, ADHD or Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. However, most of them are just extended release or variations to two main medications: Ritalin (Methylphenidate) and Adderall (composed of mixed amphetamine salts).

Both of these medications are stimulants. The medications act very similar. They also have a similar effect on the brain as cocaine does.

Other medications available to treat ADD and ADHD are usually extended release versions of these medications.

There are side effects to both medications. Although, the side effects will differ depending on who is taking the medication.

The side effects to both medications are very similar as well. Side effects include sudden death, stroke and heart attacks. Also both medications affect the growth rate of children, over time. There are other possible side effects as well, that are still being studied. Both of the medications have a high abuse potential because of the fact that their effect on the brain is so similar to stimulant drugs like cocaine.

ADD medication does not cure ADD or ADHD. What it does it temporarily mask or cover the attention problems.

Many children experience extreme mood swings when coming off the medication at the end of the day. They can be very irritable and tired after being on a stimulant all day.

There are many natural ways to improve ADD and ADHD issues. Here are some possible ways to heal ADD without the use of medications:

Diet Changes (eliminate certain foods)

Exercise

Music Therapy

Neurofeedback or Biofeedback

New Teaching Techniques

Try many different natural techniques to treat ADD for yourself or your child. If you are going to find any long term results, it will not be with the medication. In fact, in some cases the medication can actually make the ADD problems themselves, worse.

ADHD Medications - Brain Damage, Heart Attacks, Hallucinations & Liver Damage

The medication Ritalin is prescribed to 6 million children with ADHD every year and like all pharmaceutical medications comes with a long list of side effects including nervousness, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, joint pains, headaches, increased blood pressure, fever, rapid heartbeat, abdominal pain, and psychosis.

Tom Sawyer may have been a layabout, a truant and self-indulgence. He may have picked fights with strangers for no apparent reason; but he was also resourceful, spirited and refreshingly clever.

Today children who have difficulty playing quietly or following instructions find themselves under the scrutiny of parents, teachers, guidance counsellors and child therapists, all of them looking for the slightest sign of a medical syndrome.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) only mandates a warning be printed on the package insert for the medication Ritalin which is now associated with 19 confirmed childhood deaths due to cardiovascular problems. Stimulants might be far more dangerous to the heart than Vioxx or Bextra, drugs that were withdrawn over the past two years because of their ill effects on the heart.

On March 21, 2000, a 14-year-old boy dropped dead of a heart attack while skateboarding. The ninth-grader had been on Ritalin since the first grade. The father of the youngster has testified that he and his wife were forced by Michigan Social Services to put their child on Ritalin or else be charged for neglecting their son's educational and emotional needs. (WorldNetDaily.com January 3, 2003).

These agents substantially increase the heart rate and blood pressure.

In a placebo-controlled trial, mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall) administered to adults increased systolic blood pressure by about 5 mm Hg; similar effects were found with methylphenidate formulations. Blood-pressure changes of this magnitude, particularly during long-term therapy, are known to increase morbidity and mortality. (Steven E. Nissen. ADHD Drugs and Cardiovascular Risk. New England Journal of Medicine 2006; 354: 1445-1448).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising health care professionals about a new warning for Strattera, a drug approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children.

The labelling warns that severe liver injury may progress to liver failure resulting in death or the need for a liver transplant in a small percentage of patients. The labelling also notes that the number of actual cases of severe liver injury is unknown because of under-reporting of post-marketing adverse events. (Medical News Today 18/12/2004).

Hallucinations

Medications like Ritalin lead a small number of children treated for ADHD to suffer hallucinations that usually feature insects, snakes or worms, according to federal drug officials, and a panel of experts said on Wednesday that physicians and parents needed to be warned of the risk. (The New York Times March 23, 2006).

Current labelling for the ADHD drugs - Adderall, Focalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin and Dexedrine - does not mention the possibility of hallucinations in patients who had no history of them and had taken the usual dose. "We read case upon case of these children who do experience these hallucinations," Rosemary Johann-Liang of the FDA's Office of Drug Safety told the committee. "That is something that really struck all the reviewers." (USA Today March 23, 2006).

Dr. Kate Gelperin, an F.D.A. drug-safety specialist, told the committee that the agency had discovered a surprising number of cases in which young children given stimulants suffered hallucinations. Most said that they saw or felt insects, snakes or worms, Dr. Gelperin said. (The New York Times March 23, 2006).

Depression and Brain Damage

A new study conducted in rats by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School suggests that the misdiagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) combined with prescription drug use in children may lead to a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms in adulthood.

These findings are critical because they suggest that Ritalin can have long-term consequences on normal-functioning brains. The study is particularly relevant when considering the difficulty in correctly diagnosing children with ADHD. There is increasing evidence to suggest that correct diagnosis of ADHD is of the highest importance - children who are misidentified as having ADHD and subsequently placed on prescription drug therapy could face possible impaired brain performance as adults. (American College Of Neuropsychopharmacology 29 December 2004).

Dr Joan Baizer and colleagues from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York have found that relatively high doses of the drug methylphenidate, the generic form of Ritalin, changed the expression of a gene involved in brain function in laboratory rats. The same gene is known to be affected in humans by other psychoactive drugs, such as amphetamines and cocaine. According to Dr Baizer, the dose used was comparable to the high end of the dose used to treat children with ADD and ADHD, after taking into account differences in metabolism between rats and humans. (Anna Salleh, ABC Science Online 12/11/2001).

The ADHD drug manufacturers have been instructed to produce Patient Medication Guides that tell patients about possible risks of adverse cardiovascular and psychiatric symptoms and the precautions they should take. The adverse psychiatric events include hearing voices, becoming manic, or becoming suspicious for no reason. These events have even happened to people with no history of psychiatric conditions. (Catharine Paddock, Medical News Today 22 Feb 2007).

Dr Alasdair Vance of Melbourne's Alfred Hospital said: "Yes, there are studies that show Ritalin is effective, but they only look at single doses, or what happens in the first three to six weeks. The vast majority of children are on it for months to years. The handful of longer-term studies of Ritalin use had only looked at symptoms, not brain physiology", he cautioned. (Anna Salleh, ABC Science Online 12/11/2001).

The new instruction affects 15 products, including various forms of Adderall, Concerta, Daytrana, Dexedrine, Focalin, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin, and Strattera. The FDA has been criticized for failing to notify the public sooner. (Medical News Today 22 Feb 2007).

After reading the above, would any parent be happy giving drugs to their child? The first thing to do is to look at the child's nutritional status and other drug-free alternative therapies.

This article may be reproduced provided the link to my website is kept live.

Does Your New ADHD Medication Have Side Effects?

Are you the parent of a child who suffers from ADHD? If so, then you understand the frustration of never seeming to be able to get your child's illness under control. You also understand the pain that comes with having to watch your child suffer from something that he or she has no power over.

You believe that if anyone, you and their doctor should be able to control the symptoms of this illness with new ADHD medication, right? Like most people, your belief is part of the "hope" of finding a safe and real treatment.

One new ADHD medication used to combat the symptoms of this illness is Strattera. This medication is highly preferred because of it's non-stimulating effects. If you are trying this medication, chances are that you have also been bouncing from prescription to prescription just hoping that something you try is going to help your child.

Even some of the new meds for ADHD contain the same side effects as the older medications. Strattera also contains side effects that consist of a heightened chance of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in both children and adults. This is not something that we want to think about happening to our children.

The FDA warns that this medication has been known to worsen the already hyperactive and depressing symptoms often observed in children with ADHD. It also warns that worsening irritability and mood changes may occur. Another new ADHD medication you may have previously tried is Concerta. What you may find is that side effects in all new meds for ADHD are each strikingly similar.

Concerta's side effects consist of headaches, tics, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, mental mood changes, irritability, and verbal tics. What you experienced with one prescription medication, you are likely going to experience over and over until you find a legitimate treatment.

A third new ADHD medication is called Daytrana. This form of treatment comes in patch form, and also contains side effects. The side effects include aggression, agitation, seizures, moodiness, and an overall worsening of symptoms. Again, this should not be a part of the treatment process and I am sure that most of you would agree. People want something that they do not have to be scared to death to use. They want to use a medication that works, and does not offer them so many threats.

Honestly, is taking a prescription medication worth the risk? A lot of people are beginning to wonder if there really is any hope at all in new meds for ADHD. If you do your research, what you will find is that even the new medications are really no different from those in previous days. They are still just as dangerous.

No matter how hard the inventors of these drugs try to make them safe, they will fail every single time because they are not natural. We cannot change the way our body handles medication. Rejecting unnatural treatments is the body's way of dealing with harmful chemicals, so it is only normal to have a negative reaction.

The only real way to deal with ADHD is to use natural forms of treatment. Natural remedies are one effective way of doing this. Passion Flower, St. John's Wort, fish oil, green tea extract, and 5-HTP are just a few of the natural remedies that many are opting to use. There is more selection with natural ADHD remedies and a much lower risk of side effects. Instead of treating your child with a new ADHD medication, you can choose to treat and to finally cure it with natural remedies.

ADHD - Review of Literature - Effects on Development Within Family, Education, and Social Systems

Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder according to Singh (2002) is a developmental disorder that is brain based and most often affects children. This developmental disorder can be characterized as a disorder in which affects ones self control; primary aspects include difficulty with attention, impulse control, and activity levels usually diagnosed prior to the age of 7yrs. of age (Willoughby, 2003).

There are primarily three sub-types of ADHD. Inattentive sub-type 1 is ADHD which those who manifest inattention without the presence of hyperactivity and impulsivity (Barkley, 2005). There is also ADHD sub-type 2 with symptomolgy related to hyperactivity and impulsivity (Barkley, 2005). Finally there is ADHD combined sub-type (Visser & Lesesne, 2005). For the purpose of my paper, I will utilize information that represents all subtypes in various degrees and the affects of these difficulties upon the individual, educational, family, and social development as well as issues of social justice and cultural issues for those children who suffer from this disorder.

Historically the modern symptoms of ADHD were first identified (Barkley 1996, Rafalovich 2001, & Stubbe 2001), by English physician George Still in 1902 (Neufeld & Foy, 2006). Rafalovich (2001), explains that in a series of historical events from 1917-1918 in North America that led to an encephalitis outbreak there was a dramatic increase in research of characteristics that are similar to modern day ADHD symptomology. Through out the early years of research there was even research and investigations into medical conditions which promoted swelling in certain aspects of the brain, which many believe led to impulsivity and hyperactivity (Stubbe, 2000). As research evolved so did the diagnostic criteria for the disorder; shaping identifiable factors believed to contribute to the causation of ADHD (Barkley, 2005). Physiologically, there seems to be less dopamine and nor-epinephrine within the brains of those with ADHD and four genes that regulate dopamine have been identified as ADHD causal agents; however a definite causal agent has not been confirmed (Barkley, 2005). Brain activity is considerably lower in the pre-frontal lobe regions in those with ADHD and there is also decrease in blood flow (Hans, Henricksen & Bruhn, 1984), (Barkley, 2005). According to Barkley (2005), psychological characteristics of ADHD are that it is about the "behavioral inhibition." These children do not benefit from what may happen later based upon what they do now; which can be compared to a "time near sightedness", (Barkley, 2005). They have difficulty identifying their past, preparing for the future, organizing, scheduling, and working independently, with social and occupational issues (Barkley, 2005). It is these difficulties when intermingled with the development of the individual that could clearly cause great difficulties especially when enrolled in formalized schooling and onward into the demands of school and adulthood.

The prevalence rates regarding the diagnosis of ADHD has been from ranges of 4 % to 18 % depending upon the community, types of populations, and areas of analysis (Visser & Lesesne, 2005). ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders with 2.5 million children with this disorder (Barkley, 2005). Estimates show (Biederman, 1996), that nearly 6 % of boys and 1.5 % of girls have ADHD (Singh, 2002). It cost nearly 3.3 billion dollars to medically treat ADHD every year in the United States (Visser & Lesesne, 2005). Currently causation factors under consistent follow up according to Barkley (2005) include;

1. Genetics

2. Premature Birth

3. Traumatic Brain Injury

4. Spine and Brain Infections

5. Early exposure to substances during pregnancy

6. Early exposure to lead

7. Less blood flow and lower brain activity

Because ADHD is a representation of physical imperfections within the brain and actually manifests a decrease of activity in the pre-frontal lobe regions; certain treatment options with amphetamines, stimulants and non-amphetamines have been utilized to increase brain activity (Barkley, 2005). The size and anomalies within the brain have been verified and examined through many technological processes such as Positron Emission Tomography and MRI scanning (Vance & Luk, 2000). Other physical abnormalities of development according to Barkley (2005), include appearances of slight deformities including; longer than average index finger, third toe that is longer than second toe, ears that are slightly lower upon the head, no earlobes or a furrowed tongue. Up to 80% of children suffering with ADHD will continue to struggle with this disorder into adolescents and as many as 50 to 60 percent will continue to struggle into adulthood (Barkley, 2005). With the affects upon a child's school, family, and social environments a large emotional toll can be identified. Emotionally, children can feel isolated, angry, guilty, frustrated and many other emotions due to the disruption of relationships, opportunities and lack of clear decision making skills (Barkley, 2005). Many of these children can become depressed and exhibit anxiety (Barkley, 2005). Many affective behaviors include stubbornness, defiance and at times can be verbally or physically violent to others (Barkley, 2005).

According to Barkley (2005) nearly 57% of preschool children are likely to be rated as inattentive and over-reactive by their parents up to the age of four. As many as 40% according to Barkley (2005), may have these problems for up to three to six months, concerning parents and teachers. According to Lavigne, Gibbons, Christoffel, Rosenbaum and Binns (1996), however, it is estimated that 2% of preschool children truly meet the criteria for ADHD, and (Biederman, 1996), clarified that possibly 10 % of all children meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Singh, 2002). Barkley clearly indicates that the earlier the symptoms of ADHD appear and the length of time they last in childhood will determine the severity of its course and prognosis (Barkley, 2005). Individually there are many distressing problems for children suffering from this disorder. Some features that Barkley (2005) indicate are important to recognize as the individual child develops into school age include;

1. An emergence of high demanding ness of preschool age

2. Critical directive behavior by parents to control circumstances

3. Problems reported by preschool / formal school staff regarding child's behavior

4. Problems with learning and reading

5. Decisions to withhold a child an educational grade

6. Excessive temper tantrums / difficulty in getting child to do chores

7. Social exclusion from activities

According to Spira & Fischel (2005), within the pre-school environment at the age of 3 yrs. old, children's attention controls, and self control mechanisms begin developing. Increased self control and speech development continues from age 3yrs. old (Spira & Fischel, 2005). Self control processes continue to well develop through the age of 4yrs. old (Spira & Fischel, 2005). These processes work together allowing the child to maintain self-control and through 4 yrs. of age the child develops the ability to direct attention to relavent environmental stimuli (Spira & Fischel, 2005). Together, the maintaining of attention and control over responses emerges and of course is very important in identifying task's and working functionally within the educational environment, however; these processes indicated do not emerge for those with ADHD due to the manifestation of hyper-activity and impulsivity around the age of 3 to 4 yrs. of age, and inattention manifesting near 5 to 6 yrs. of age (Spira & Fischel, 2005). As children develop into school age and adolescents, Barkley (2005) indicated that 30 to 50 percent of children will be retained one grade during their school years. According to Vance & Luk (2000), 20 to 30 percent of children with ADHD will manifest comorbidity with learning disorders; reading, arithmetic, writing or spelling. If a child is diagnosed with ADHD and Conduct Disorder the percentages increase for a co morbid learning disorder (Vance & Luk, 2000). One theoretical position (Velting & Whitehurst, 1997), is that according to Spira and Fischel, (2005) those children with ADHD do not acquire the literacy skills necessary for early reading and learning. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that the frustration due to lack of ability perpetuates acting out behaviors consistently witnessed by school staff of children with ADHD (Spira & Fischel, 2005).

As children move through adolescents it is abundantly clear that with vast developmental changes; finding ones role identity as clarified by Eric Erickson (Berger, 2006), relational dating, peer pressure, and other demands of adolescents become extraordinarily difficult with individual difficulties of impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattentiveness (D. Moilanen CMSW, Personal Communication, January 25, 2007). According to Gordon (2006), adolescents continue to have many difficulties especially;

1. Disorganization

2. Planning long term assignments

3. Completing homework

4. Complying with parental rules.

5. Sustaining attention and focus

Because adolescents are seeking to find a competent and healthy identity, conflicts with parental and academic systems can leave an adolescent to feel diminished, angry and frustrated before the entry into adulthood (D. Moilanen CMSW, Personal Communication, January 25, 2007).

Adulthood brings new challenges and according to Jaffe, Benedictis, Segal & Segal, (2006), the following are just a few of the challenges for adults living with ADHD;

1. Managing money

2. "Zoning out in conversations"

3. Speaking without thinking

4. Procrastination

5. Becoming easily frustrated

Eric Erickson in Berger (2006) clarifies his theory of Psycho-Social Development and indicates that as early adults we want to find intimacy or we will face isolation. It seems clear that these adults due to their disability will continue to confront difficulties with their families, social relationships, and negative individual perceptions onward into adulthood. These difficulties could place them at risk to become isolated.

The individual within their family is greatly impacted by this developmental disorder. According to Barkley (2005) ADHD is 25 to 30% acquired by heredity, and if a parent has ADHD the child is 8 to 10 times more likely at acquiring the disorder. Barkley (2005) also indicated that parents at the beginning of preschool attend and manage their child fairly well, however; parents tend to lose what they feel as control over their child the further the child develops through school. Parents can feel drained, overwhelmed and exhausted; even feeling depressed, and begin blaming themselves for their child's behavior (Barkley, 2005). Over time these difficulties can lead to perceptions by parents that may be less than positive (Maniadaki, Sonuga, Kakouros, & Karaba, 2006).

Research shows that parental perceptions within the family can clearly have implications regarding how a child is treated and the negative affects and perceptions that affect the child's developmental stages (Maniadaki et al., 2006). According to Maniadaki et al., (2006), parental perceptions do have significant impact upon children suffering from ADHD due to the likelihood of the parents not obtaining mental health services for their children; the difficulty parents had identifying the impact the child's behavior would have on the child's development; and the parents inability to identify the severity of the child's symptoms, all have dramatic affects on the child's developmental processes. Siblings can also have negative perceptions of the child's behavior, affecting the degree of support siblings bring to each other within a family. According to Gordon (2006), siblings can feel sorry for their sibling with ADHD or they can get angry and resentful. These reactions create dynamic challenges for any family and or individual dealing with ADHD. Other possible hindering perceptions by parents within the family system can be identified by comparing Erickson's, Psycho Social Developmental Perspectives (Berger, 2000). According to Erickson, children from the age of 3 yrs. old to 6 yrs. of age will develop through a series of challenges to parents, taking the "initiative" or "failing," bringing feelings of "guilt" (Berger, 2000). When the child's challenging behavior takes place however, as Camparo, Christensen, Buhrmester & Hinshaw, (1994) states, that parents may not allow these children to have the benefit of the doubt, due to past excessive behavior under normal circumstances, and the parents may see their child as an "easy target." According to the evidence, miscalculating the child's natural challenging behavior could take place and disallow the child to develop in a healthy, "guilt free" way, having significant affects on their psycho-social development. Excessive amounts of guilt can produce significant amounts of anxiety and depression (Burns, 1990). These negative processes in variable degrees can clearly lead to negative affects on social and emotional processes (Burns, 1990).

Other family processes affecting ADHD and development according to Peris & Hinshaw (2003), is that core symptoms of impulse control and inattention are primarily heritable, and parental practices do not warrant significant (Barkley, 1998; Hinshaw 1994; Johnston & Mash, 2001), causation for ADHD. However, the family interaction patterns and external influences may have a significant impact on severity and the developmental course of ADHD (Peris & Hinshaw, 2003). Furthermore, evidence suggests (Barkley, 1985; Battle & Lacey, 1972; Buhrmester, Camparo, Christensen, Gonsalez, & Hinshaw, 1992; Campbell, 1973; Cunningham & Barkley, 1979; MacDonald, 1988; Mash & Johnston, 1982; Tallmadge & Barkley, 1983) that mothers of ADHD children are less affectionate. Other disturbing findings indicate that parents can be more critically demanding and parents independently report a greater tendency to blame their ADHD child for problems they actually had with their spouses; thus proving further that family systemic patterns can play a major role in the perpetuation and affects of ADHD upon child development (Camparo et al., 1994). Of course these processes clearly affect a school-age child within their families and external systems in ways which reduce a child's self worth, confidence, and abilities to properly interact and function within their environment; proving this, Dumas & Pelletier (1999) indicated that pre-adolescents were found to have lower levels of self esteem in areas of scholastic competence, behavioral conduct, and social acceptance.

According to Barkley (2005), those with ADHD, at times do not give themselves time to evaluate their emotions objectively before a reaction, fail to separate their feelings from fact. Being able to internalize our emotions, evaluate them, and analyze them before displaying them publicly assist in self control and is difficult for those suffering from ADHD (Barkley, 2005). Those who suffer from ADHD develop a pattern of social rejection due to inappropriate interactions beginning during formalized schooling according to Barkley (2005). According to Nixon (2001), those children suffering from ADHD lack significant social skills that affect the quality of their interactions, such as; verbal & physical aggression, disruptive attempts to enter new groups, negative classroom behaviors, being quick tempered and violating the rules. Nixon (2001) presents more evidence that social cognition is clearly affected and children with ADHD can have great difficulty in making clear interpretations of their environmental interactions with others. These variables clearly lead to inhibited social contact, and a dysfunction in psycho-social development. According to Eric Erickson in Berger (2000), he clearly indicates that formalized school age children from 7 to 11 years old need to develop confidence that allow them to feel as if they have mastered "Industry" (Berger, 2000). If this stage is not mastered, they may feel inferior (Berger, 2000). How can these children who are excluded due to their ADHD manifestations of behavior, be given the chance to participate and prove themselves to resist negative aspects of "Inferiority?" As these children develop into adolescents and adults, one can hypothesize when comparing ADHD behavior and social reactions with the Erickson Psycho-Social Framework (Berger, 2000). Erickson states that adolescents attempt to find their roles in the world and if they fail, role confusion develops (Berger, 2000). Confusion for those suffering from ADHD would come easily due to their exclusion from social groups and activities (Barkley, 2005). In order for adolescents to find their role and their identity; they must interact with others and feel accepted in their participation (Berger, 2000). Further into adulthood Erickson in Berger (2000), indicates that as adult's, individuals will seek intimacy with others or become isolated. The factor of isolation relates to the extent in which those developing fear rejection and disappointment (Berger, 2000). Unfortunately, prior social experiences of those suffering from ADHD can be littered with social rejection, feelings of disappointment and unacceptance due to impulsiveness and hyperactive behaviors (Barkley, 2005). Furthermore, (Pope, Bierman, & Mumma, 1999), these authors according to Nixon (2001), also claim that hyperactivity and the inattentive / immature nature of a child's behavior with ADHD contributes greatly to interpersonal problems.

In regards to social justice and cultural issues; according to Bender (2006), African American children may be under represented and under diagnosed in regards to ADHD. Experts such as (Dr. Rahn Bailey, 2006) according to Bender (2006), claim that as science is pursuing new technological processes to diagnose and treat ADHD, cultures like the African American community are subjected to propaganda, suspicion due to past and current discrimination, and negative stereotyping regarding mental illness; thus forming cultural decisions to avoid diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. This cultural-lens, based upon discriminatory and fear based experiences with the dominant culture dis-allows ethical decisions to help and assist African American children (Bender, 2006). These decisions according to experts (Bailey, 2006), is contributing to high rates of African American children disproportionately over represented in remedial programs and disproportionate amounts of African American children over represented in the criminal justice system (Bender, 2006). The issues of classism and impoverishment can also be a topic of concern regarding those who suffer from ADHD. According to Visser & Lesesne, (2005), ADHD diagnosis among males was reported significantly more often in families with incomes below the poverty threshold than in families with incomes at or above the poverty threshold. Here again, poverty makes a clear and consistent statement of risk for our developing children.

In conclusion, I believe that ADHD seems to be an elusive, devastating, developmental disorder. This disorder for my self is so destructive because of its manifesting elements of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattentiveness. These variables are processes that if represented to certain degrees are perfect for destroying social, educational, emotional and individual development across the life span. Because our lives are so dependent upon not just our biological construction but also our social and environmental interaction; this disorder can be serious and detrimentally disruptive. I do however believe that new technologies are hopeful in understanding this disability in greater measures. I also have gained ideas regarding the new information regarding neuro-plastisity and the changing mind based upon therapeutic thought. I feel this may be a possible frontier of research that should be a priority in better understanding how the brain can change forms; especially the pre-frontal cortex regions.

L.J. Riley Jr. BSW, LLMSW

Reference

Barkley, R. A., (2005). Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for

Parents. New York: The Guilford Press.

Bender, E., (May 19, 2006). Scare tactics may deter blacks from ADHD help. Psychiatric News, 41 (10) 16. Retrieved January 20, 2007 from [http://pn.psychiatry]

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ADHD OCD - What is the Difference Between OCD and ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD usually fall at the extreme ends of the neurochemical spectrum, of which, in each case, one disorder should not come along the other. However, there where recorded instances when ADHD and OCD did comorbid or occur along with the other, sharing the same degree of severity and meeting at certain similarities. While both disorders are believed to be cause by biochemical imbalances in regions of the brain such ass the prefrontal cortex.

The biochemical imbalance in the prefrontal cortex happens when the level of dopamine or the free signaling neurotransmitter of the brain is lower in the region compared to other regions of the brain. This same condition has been recorded for all OCD and ADHD sufferers. Furthermore, it was observed that a reduction in blood circulation through the prefrontal cortex occurs in the brains of ADHD and OCD sufferers.

Since the prefrontal cortex serves as the region where the brain processes the control of behavior in lieu to the inhibitory judgments he or she makes, any amount of abnormalities in the brain can result to a malfunction. With low blood flow, brain activity is likely to reduce, coupled with the neurotransmitters sending distorted signals, the individual's ability to discern between what makes sense and what is irrational or his ability to inhibit himself or herself from doing unwanted responses and behaviors. In both cases then, whether ADHD or OCD, impulsive behavior is very likely.

Furthermore, for OCD sufferers, the prefrontal cortex shows the lack of underactivity, on the contrary, the prefrontal activity for OCD sufferers is thought to undergo overactivity, thus the obsession towards the thought. Here are other differences between ADHD and OCD:

- Glutamate which is a type of an amino acid is produced by the glutamatergic system. Both ADHD and OCD are thought to be associated with this system, differing only to the extent the glutamatergic activity is occurring. For ADHD is believed that the activity of the glutamatergic system is less than what is normal, this is conveniently referred to as hypnoglutamatergic disorder. In contrary, in OCD, hyperglutamateric disorder occurs, or the opposite of the previously discussed glutamatergic activity.

- In both ADHD and OCD, the cortivo-striato-thalamo-cortical region of the brain manifests the most irregular patterns. This goes to imply that there is really potential that despite being extremes of one another, there will be cases wherein both simultaneously occur. While gender also plays a role in defining the metabolic activities in the brain, no clearer proof has been established that gender will spell a big difference in terms of the extent of disturbances in this region between both sexes.

Experts still continue to work hard in order to establish the distinct causes of ADHD and OCD. But up until this point, the most the experts can offer is treatment from these disorders, while the cure is still not close from being discovered.

Parents and ADHD Patients Caught in the Middle As FDA Committees Disagree

Millions of parents have read the recent headlines that the FDA has recommended warning labels on medications used for the treatment of ADHD. These headlines have caused a lot of fear among parents, wondering if the medications that their children were using to help their ADHD might be dangerous.

We always want parents to make decisions based on facts, not on fear. So here are the important details of a disagreement between two committees. Knowing the whole story will surprise you.

On February 9, 2006, the FDA's standing Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee was tasked for the morning to study ADHD medications to see if there was a link between the stimulant medications and an increased risk of sudden death or serious cardiovascular problems from taking the medications. The FDA also tasked the Committed with considering ways of studying the drugs without putting patients at risk.

This FDA advisory committee is a standing committee that studies all types of medications and products. Members of the DSRM committee have a broad range of experiences and education, and report on a range of agenda items through the year. The information below comes from sources ranging from news reports to the FDA Advisory Committee's own website.

As the DSRM committee considered ADHD medications, and after some discussion, the Committee took action and voted 15-0 to recommend that the FDA require a "medication guide" for parents and patients to read for all prescriptions of ADHD medications. Good thinking and common sense applied.

However, some members of the DSRM Committee got off task immediately and began to debate the link between the medications and 25 reported deaths of patients who had been taking ADHD medications over a four-year period of time (1999-2003). Many of these patients had pre-existing heart problems.

The FDA's Dr. Kate Gelperin, who is a medical officer in the Office of Drug Safety, joined the conversation and reported to the Committee that an analysis of the reports of death and injury suggest a possible link between the drugs and cardiovascular problems, but that it is not "conclusive" that a link exists, it is just a possible link.

Nor is it clear that there is actually an increased incidence of death or serious injury from taking ADHD medications. "This is really a question that we would like to have answered," said Dr. Gelperin, referring to the DSRM Committee's reason for meeting.

An previous FDA review found less than one death, or serious injury, per 1 million prescriptions filled for ADHD medications.

Some members of the Committee then changed the subject, stopped talking about safety, and charged that ADHD medications are seriously "over-prescribed."

According to sources, Cardiologist Steve Nissen, a well-respected consultant to the Committee, gave his opinion that there was an out of control growth in the rate of ADHD medications being prescribed to adults, and stated, "We have to elevate the level of concern" about the "out-of-control use of drugs that [may] have profound cardiac effects."

Dr. Nissen pushed for a "black box" warning label on all ADHD medications. Over-prescription to adults, rather than safety, now became the issue under debate. The "black box warning," normally a response to a safety issue, would now be recommended to slow the rate of growth in prescriptions to adults.

The committee apparently never considered the possibility that the reason for the increase in the use of ADHD medications may be that they actually work, and that people might refill their prescriptions for the medications because they may actually improve the quality of their lives.

After debate, the Committee voted 8-7 to recommend the most serious type of warning, a "black box" warning label, for ADHD medications because of "potential cardiac risks" (not mentioning that they were really more concerned about the rate of growth in the prescription of the medications with adult patients).

March 23, 2006. Following the actions of the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee, the FDA had asked their Pediatric Advisory Committee to also study the issue, and they met to make their recommendations.

The Pediatric Advisory Committee rejected the recommendation from the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee that medications used to treat ADHD should have the strongest type of warning, called a "black box" warning.

The Pediatric advisory committee did recommend adding more information to the labels of these medications for doctors, patients, and parents.

The FDA must now consider the recommendations of both advisory committees and determine what, if any, action to take regarding ADHD medications. No one knows for certain how many children and teens are prescribed these medications for ADHD, but estimates range from 2 million to 3.3 million in the United States alone, so this is an important decision to make.

It is important to understand that all stimulants have potential side-effects, including loss of appetite, increased heart rate, and less commonly a risk of seizure, heart attacks, hallucinations, and more. People with heart conditions should not take or use any stimulants, from caffeine (Starbucks coffee, Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi, or even chocolate) to medications.

The medications can be controversial. For example, Health Canada had pulled Adderall from the market in Canada last year, but then found that there really was very little evidence linking the medication to these serious problems. Adderall was returned to the market after a few months. The Health Canada report can be read online.

Strattera already has a "black box" warning in the U.S. that it may cause suicidal thoughts in children. It also carries a similar warning in Canada.

About the debate, it is important to understand that the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee is composed largely of Risk Management specialists. None of the members treat children or teens for ADHD, and only know of the issue second hand. According to the FDA Advisory Committee web site the Committee is composed of 2 Internal Medicine MDs, 1 Ambulatory Care and Prevention MD, 6 PhD's or equivalent in Pharmacy or Pharmaceuticals, 1 Lawyer, 1 Pharmaceutical Industry Representative, 0 Pediatricians, 0 Psychiatrists, and 0 Family Practice Docs.

After the DSRM Advisory Committee voted 8-7 for the "black box" warning on ADHD drugs, the FDA asked the Pediatric Advisory Committee to examine the same issues.

The Pediatric advisory committee was composed largely of Pediatricians and Child Psychologists who actually treat children for a living, and often prescribe medications for ADHD patients. A list of the members of this Committee can be found at the advisory committee website.

The Pediatric Advisory Committee concluded that, "Potential episodes of psychosis, aggression and cardiac events with attention deficit drugs in children do not warrant a black box warning."

The committee felt that the cardiovascular events were not of a similar risk in ADHD children as adults, except for those with cardiovascular abnormalities. The committee also declined to endorse a black box for psychiatric events, including aggression, and risk of suicide, according to the FDA Advisory Committee's web site.

Also parents should understand that the News Media loves the debate, and loves the idea that a medication that is being prescribed to perhaps 3 million children and teens might be forced to wear a "black box" warning on the label. This is the kind of news that sells newspapers.

Physicians, patients, and parents must understand that there are risks to stimulant medications. But they are rare. Stimulant medications do have their place, and when needed should be considered. Stimulant medications should be prescribed with care, and parents should understand that they are not toys, vitamins, or over the counter remedies. The medications used for ADHD are powerful, usually effective, but can sometimes cause serious problems.

The Most Reliable Medicines For ADHD

With more and more cases of ADHD being reported everyday, doctors, parents and teachers are all looking for a comprehensive solution for the problem. At a time like this, there is a huge demand of medicines for ADHD. But did you know that a lot of the available ADHD medicines are actually very dangerous for your child? Research has shown that the harsh chemicals used in ADHD prescription medicines cause a lot of harm to the child and they should be avoided. In this article, you will read about the advantages, disadvantages and the most reliable medicines for ADHD.

Some of the most common ADHD drugs like Ritalin, strattera and adderall come with a host of side-effects and the most common ones include insomnia, loss of appetite and weight loss. You don't have to be a specialist to understand that these side-effects cause a lot of harm and so a child should not be exposed to them. But what is the solution then, you ask? Well, luckily nowadays there are a lot of safe and reliable medicines for ADHD that work wonderfully well in eliminating the disease, and that too without having any side-effects. These natural ADHD medications are not only harmless, they are also non-addictive.

A lot of complaints pour in about children getting addicted to the prescription medicines for ADHD and this proves to be extremely dangerous too. With close to 9% of the American children affected with ADHD, the issue is being dealt with a lot of seriousness. Consequently, plenty of research is also being done on it. Experts have found that, with long time usage of the prescription medicines for ADHD, a child can develop serious complications, which may even prove to be fatal. So even after knowing this, do you really want to push your child towards an uncertain, unhealthy future? Maybe it's time you start thinking about it before it's too late.

The natural medicines for ADHD work wonderfully well when combined with a healthy lifestyle. So insist that your child undergoes a regular exercise regime. Exercise helps release natural chemicals in the body that positively helps the treatment. The child's diet should also be monitored, as eating foods containing high levels of zinc, magnesium and iron, help cure ADHD naturally. They should eat fresh foods as opposed to foods laced with preservatives, as the preservatives prove to be harmful for the child.

A lot of parents today are turning to natural ADHD medicines for treating their children. Not only do they ensure a quick remedy, the medicines also give them the peace of mind, knowing that they are free of the damaging side-effects. If you are a caring parent, I would request you to opt for natural ADHD medicines. Every child has the right to live a healthy life. The natural medicines for ADHD like those available in homeopathy guarantee this.

Inattentive ADHD and Visual Processing

Inattentive ADHD (ADHD-PI, ADD) and visual processing problems go hand and hand. A new study published in the Journal of Clinic Child and Adolescent Psychology found that people with Inattentive ADD had an attenuated or slower attentional blink when they were compared with controls or Combined type ADHD participants.

Attentional blink is a phenomenon that describes what you can see in a fast changing visual environment. If objects are presented visually one right after the other, you may see the first and miss the second because of the phenomena known as attentional blink. Attentional blink, to a certain extent, is just a measure of how quickly your visual processing recovers after being presented with a stimulus. What the recent study found was not surprise. People with Inattentive ADHD recover more slowly.

Attentional blink and another visual phenomenon known as subitizing (a term that describes the number of objects that you can visually perceive without counting them) are good measures of the capacity of a person's visual attention or visual processing abilities.

Two researchers, Shawn Green and Daphne Bavelier, at the University of Rochester, New York, have found that your visual processing abilities are not fixed and can be improved dramatically using video action games. They have been able to produce dramatic improvements in both blink times and subitizing. These results were only seen with action, fast moving video games and were not seen when participants played other video games such as Tetris.

According to Green and Bavelier, participants who played the game, 'Medal of Honor: Allied Assault' for an hour each day for 10 days were able to subitize to a higher number and recovered from the attention blink faster. The researchers concluded that both visual processing and the capacity for visual attention could be significantly improved by playing fast action video games.

People with Inattentive ADHD with visual processing problems can be helped by playing fast action video games. Many of these games are available, free of charge, on the Internet. As little of 10 hours of fast action video gaming can make a big difference in visual attention and should be considered as an additional therapy in people with ADD.

Calming Symptoms With Non-Stimulating ADHD Meds

Non-stimulating ADHD meds are something which researchers, psychologists and parents of ADHD children have been discussing for some time. In recent years, as more and more professionals turn to non-pharmaceutical treatment methods, avoiding stimulants has become a reality.

Children who suffer from ADHD display a lack of concentration, hyperactivity, distractibility and impulsiveness. They can seem very disruptive in a social situation as they literally find it impossible to sit still or focus for any length of time. Often, doctors have prescribed stimulant based drugs and these can work in some cases, but more often they treat only the symptoms. Non-stimulating ADHD medications can actually treat the underlying cause and do not have the same troubling side effects as most prescription drugs.

There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the use of stimulant medications to treat ADHD. Because the results of these drugs can be immediate and positive, they seem quite attractive, but since they treat only the symptoms they really amount to a "quick fix". Non-stimulating ADHD meds provide a much more long term solution, helping to address the chemical imbalance which is the underlying cause of ADHD.

Because parents are anxious to control disruptive behavior and help their children to fit in with peers, they are eager for easy answers but when it comes to ADHD there is no such thing. Since ADHD is a complicated condition, it requires comprehensive, long term management which can only be achieved with non-stimulating ADHD medications and other natural treatment methods.

For parents who prefer to use non-stimulating ADHD meds, there are many options now available. A range of homeopathic medications now exist which can help to calm hyperactivity, improve focus, reduce impulsive and erratic behavior and ease physical twitching. Using natural ingredients like Hyoscyamus, Arsen iod, and Tuberculinum, these products can help to calm hyperactivity while also providing natural healing to keep the entire body function properly.

Along with the use of non-stimulating ADHD medications, there are other methods which can be used to help ADHD children. These include everything from musical therapy to massage treatment. Also, changes to the diet can often help to ease symptoms. Removing sugar, stimulants like caffeine and artificial flavors and colors can result in visible improvement in some children.

Making sure that your child gets plenty of exercise and fresh air on a regular basis can also go a long way toward achieving and maintaining normal behavior patterns. Positive reinforcement will also help to encourage your child to focus more and work toward specific goals. If given the option, non-stimulating ADHD meds are generally preferable as they will be better for your child in the long run.

There are almost as many ways of treating ADHD as there are children who suffer from it and each individual child will respond differently. So look around and find a course of treatment that is right for your child. You can help your ADHD child live a normal and healthy life with non-stimulating ADHD meds and breathe easier knowing you're doing it the natural way.

New ADHD Medication? Spot the Difference!

Nothing new under the sun! The drug companies may come up with appealing names or rehash some of the older ones but it is the same old story. New ADHD medication is at a pharmacy near you but the side effects are bigger and better than before. Take the latest one which is called Clonicel which is a cousin of Clonidine. Yes, you have guessed correctly - it is not a psychostimulant but a blood pressure drug and brings with it a whole new scenario of side effects and warnings therefore perfectly fitting the classical label as one of the new meds for ADHD.

This drug has had positive effects on ADHD symptoms such as temper outbursts and mood swings its manufacturers claim. You then have to wade through the side effects which, as usual, are many and varied. I will not bore you with the details except to say that the drug manufacturers do warn the patients that if they have blood pressure problems, then it may be best to avoid this drug. In addition, if it is taken with cold medicine or medicine for allergies, then more drowsiness may be added to that already present. Now you know why children on so-called new ADHD medication sometimes have a zombie like appearance.

Strattera, which uses atometexine as its main compound, hit the headlines recently and it seemed to be the answer to everyone's prayers. It was announced with a fanfare that it would be excellent in helping children focus and it does just that. Pity that it causes drowsiness and other nasty effects. I know a 10 year old boy who was on Strattera and it not only made him listless but at other times, he was attacking his sister and became an angry and aggressive boy which he had never been. The long term effects are not known at all. So much so that the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center has warned that as the drug is new, its safety for more than a year cannot be guaranteed. Even more alarming is the fact that as heart rate increases the long term effects of this are simply unknown. Another alarming side effect is that there was a definite slowing down in growth and nobody seems to know whether this would affect height and growth into adulthood.

New ADHD medication seems to be in the doldrums and really there is nothing new at all. What a pity that ADHD natural/homeopathic cures do not get the same attention as the new meds for ADHD do with all the risks that are involved.

Homeopathy ADHD is gaining ground and there are thousands of parents who are delighted that they have not taken their children down the long and torturous new ADHD medication road because, quite frankly, it is a dead end.

Are You Worried About Medicating Your Child With ADD Or ADHD?

Many of the students I work with have ADD or ADHD (often referred to simply as ADHD), and I often hear from parents that they are concerned about making the decision to give their child medication. A parent recently asked me for my opinion of medicating kids with ADD and ADHD.

Children with ADHD are suffering; some suffer quite a lot. One way of looking at ADHD is that it is difficulty with managing the multiple aspects of "paying attention." Attention is not a simple, easily defined matter of focusing on one thing. Attention is the management or orchestration of the information being received by the senses, interpreting this information, and responding to this information.

Kids with ADHD often find it hard to get their bodies to cooperate in their attempts to "stay focused" and no amount of saying "you need to pay attention" is going to help. To use an analogy, telling a person with extremely poor eyesight that he just needs to try harder to see clearly will not convince or shame him into "getting serious" and producing perfect vision!

The metaphor of eyeglasses is a great one for thinking about the use of medication for a kid with ADHD. If your child is nearsighted or farsighted, naturally, you provide the physical tools necessary for him to see clearly, to participate fully in life and to move ahead in meeting his goals.

For about 80 to 90 percent of kids with ADHD, medicine is the equivalent of glasses. With the aid of glasses, a kid with poor vision can see what's around him. It gives him the opportunity to interact more fully with the environment-an opportunity he didn't have before putting on the glasses.

The proper medicine, in the right dose puts kids in a better position to interact productively with people, form friendships, learn more successfully, develop a strong self-concept, and more easily develop to their full potential.

Myths and fears about negative effects of drugs

I agree that drugs are serious business and I don't want any child to use a drug that isn't right for her. It just won't help, and it could have negative side effects that give her more problems.

Statistics show that 80 to 90 percent of kids are helped by medication. Kids who get the right medicine, in the correct dosage, and who regularly work with a skillful doctor to make adjustments to their medical treatment as their needs change, have a much easier time managing the areas of their life that challenge kids with ADHD, such as relationships and school work. What is the evidence for this conclusion?

A very famous study that you may have heard about called the MTA or the Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD (MTA Study) is the largest ADHD treatment study ever conducted. A total of 597 children with ADHD-Combined Type (which means they had both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments.

These treatment conditions were: medication management, behavior modification, medication management and behavior modification, or community care.

The medication and behavioral treatments provided in the MTA study were far more thorough than what children typically receive in community settings.

The kids receiving medication treatment underwent a thorough process to determine the optimum dose and medication for each child, and were closely monitored and adjustments made when necessary.

The behavioral intervention was rigorous as well. It included over 25 parent training sessions, an intensive summer camp, and extensive support provided in children's classrooms.

In contrast, children in the community care condition received whatever treatments parents chose to pursue for their child in the community. Although this included medication treatment in most cases, the MTA researchers felt this treatment was not as intensive or thorough as the medical treatment given to students in the "medical" condition.

The overall pattern of results suggested that children who received intensive medication management - either alone or in combination with behavior treatment - had more positive results than children who received behavior therapy alone or community care. There was also some evidence that children who received the combined treatment were doing better overall than children who received medication treatment alone. This speaks to the effectiveness of medication in improving the lives of children, and it also suggests that using more than one approach to support kids with ADHD is necessary for best results.

There are some common side-effects of drugs that you should be aware of.

Finding the right medicine in the correct dosage for your child involves trial and error. Your child will probably have some issues surface while she's adjusting to the medicine.

The typical issues that tend to come up for kids are sleep disruption, decrease in appetite and weight loss, impulsivity when the medication wears off, irritability, and suppression of personality. Longer acting medications have greatly reduced the likelihood of these side effects. Naturally, bring these concerns to your doctor so that adjustments can be made.

How to find a skillful doctor for your child

The best doctors really, really like people! Seems obvious, right? But how often have you been to a doctor who seemed irritated that he or she had to be working that day? The point is, doctors are people first, and caring people are fairly easy to spot, even when they're having a bad day. Here's some tips for finding them:

They spend time getting to know your child. They get to know your child's strengths, weaknesses and challenges. They strive to understand the school challenges and the family dynamic.

They are up-to-date on all the latest research, theories and medications. These doctors spend lots of time staying educated in their craft. In my opinion, one of the biggest clues that your doctor is up-to-date is that they sometimes say "I don't know." This tells me they pay attention to what's really going on in their field, because we don't know everything yet. Doctors who never admit they don't have all the answers, even if you really push for an opinion, aren't comfortable sharing their lack of knowledge and that can spell trouble for your child.

They will talk about other types of non-medical intervention with you. They'll encourage you to get other kinds of support. For example, they may suggest dietary changes, or behavior plans or family counseling or educational therapy. In other words, they really understand what the research shows: medical plus non-medical interventions is a much more effective approach than either medical or non-medical intervention alone.

Talk to parents in your area. Get lots of opinions and then phone the doctor's office and talk to the staff. Ask if they have a client welcome packet that discusses the doctor's approach to treating ADHD. If your town is small and you don't have a doctor who specializes in the treatment of ADHD, use the criteria above to find a practitioner who is a caring person, widely and deeply knowledgeable about kids and ADHD, and who spends the time needed to search for and find the right kind of medicine and dosage that gives your child the chance to be on a more level playing field.

If your child is one of the 80-90 percent of kids helped by medicine or is one the 10 to 20 percent for whom medicine is not producing better outcomes, there are other non-medical as well as behavioral and academic interventions that can give her support.

Alternative ADHD Therapy - Is This Better Than Taking ADHD Drugs?

Much is known about the side effects that are brought about by ADHD medications. Consequently, more people are turning to alternative methods, such as various alternative ADHD therapies, in addressing the symptoms of the disorder. However, despite the growing number of people using alternative treatments, this question still lingers in the minds of some people: Is ADHD therapy better than taking ADHD drugs?

To answer this question, let us first look at the advantages of taking ADHD medications.

For years, drugs used in the treatment of ADHD such as Ritalin, Concerta, and Adderall have been proven effective in alleviating the symptoms of ADHD. This is why doctors still use these medications despite the known side effects that go along with these drugs. Doctors believe that although many side effects can occur from the intake of ADHD medications, patients can still obtain more advantages from it than disadvantages. The most important thing to do so that the disadvantages will not outweigh the number of advantages that patients obtain from medications is to maintain close communication with the doctor and to report any unpleasant behavior or side effect that may occur while taking the drug.

Now, let us take a look at the advantages of using an ADHD therapy other than the usual medications.

People who have used alternative treatments for ADHD have reported positive results after using these methods. Alternative treatments have been said to work out well for some patients, although results can be seen only after some time of regular use. The best thing about using alternative treatments such as diet therapy, behavioral therapy, homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies, and cognitive therapy is that they have no side effects on the patients - be it children, teenagers, or adults. Therefore, there is no need to worry that the patient may be in danger of another set of discomforting experiences. Moreover, ADHD therapy may be considerably less expensive than prescription medications.

Although ADHD therapy is not yet widely used by doctors in the treatment of ADHD, a patient or parents of the patient can discuss with the doctor the use of natural treatments as an alternative to conventional treatment. The doctor may then devise a treatment plan without the use of medications. If the doctor is not open to discussing alternative treatments, a parent or patient can proceed with a trial of an alternative treatment themselves, although it is a good idea to keep the doctor appraised of progress.

Patients and parents can choose from the different natural treatment methods. Some may go for diet therapy, homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies, or they could opt to choose homeopathic remedies like Focus, BrightSpark or Attend. These have been proven by many to be effective and safe.

Although perhaps you have read many articles discussing the effectiveness of alternative therapy, the best way to know if it is really better than taking medications is to try it yourself. It is always different when you only heard it from other people than when you have tried and experienced it yourself. Go ask your doctor or your child's doctor of the alternative treatment that can be best for you or your love one. But it pays to be open to alternative methods regardless of your doctor's willingness to use them. By doing so you will begin to discover the answer to this question: Can ADHD therapy be better than taking ADHD drugs?

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Medications - The Facts

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?

Do You Think Children Diagnosed With ADD Or ADHD Should Be Given Medication?

When it comes to treating ADHD, or even just understanding and accepting ADHD as a real condition, there is no more controversial topic being asked and discussed than the topic of ADHD medications. There are a lot of people who believe that ADHD medications are dangerous and cause more harm than good, especially when it comes to children.

It's Time We Really Understand The Truth

According to the American Medical Association and various other professional medical groups, the answer is yes. The overwhelming belief is that ADHD medications are effective, safe, and make radical differences. But they do not necessarily take into account the bigger picture, and what other options are available and effective.

There is a large body of scientific research that indicates that the most effective form of treatment include medication and behavior therapy (in combination). They also suggest that medication alone is the next best option (without behavior therapy) versus doing nothing alone.

Now, this is what the medical world believes and is how they approach treatment. As a "former therapist" I take issue with this treatment approach for a few reasons, but at the same time I must say that medication can and does help a lot of people.

What Most People Are Not Being Told

That said, you must know that scientific research DOES NOT typically evaluate the effectiveness of natural remedies or other alternative treatments / therapies for ADHD due to funding and profits (drug companies pay a lot for research and of course make a lot from medication sales).

I am sharing this as an important perspective, and not to put down my colleagues, the medical community in general, or the pharmaceutical companies. It's just something that people need to be aware of.

From where I stand, medication can be and has been proven to be an effective method for managing symptoms of ADHD.

However, I do NOT believe it should be the first treatment suggestion, especially after a 15-minute appointment with a pediatrician or other professional. An ADHD diagnosis is complicated, and we must be aware of the process and how symptoms appear and interfere with life.

We need to consider the goals for treatment options. In other words, why would we choose medication versus another treatment option?

Another piece we must consider is that ADHD rarely exists alone, so must consider what we call co-existing conditions (like depression, bipolar, and more). There are a lot of conditions that also mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so we need to be sure we are treating the real underlying condition or cause for the behavior or difficulties.

The simple answer is "some yes, some no." Medication does NOT work for everyone, and there are some people who absolutely need. It's an individual decision that should be and MUST be made as a family, and in conversation with a competent professional.

Controlling ADHD Without Medication - Find Out How You Can Treat ADHD Safely and Effectively

Controlling ADHD without medication is an option for an increasing numbers of parents. As concerns grow about short and long term effects of ADHD medications, parents seek ways to manage ADHD symptoms without medication.

It is important to know many choices do not cure ADHD, they only offer choices for controlling ADHD without medication.

Diet

An easy plan for controlling ADHD without medication is changing diet. Many supporters of alternative treatments for ADHD believe removing preservatives, and foods containing dyes and sugars, from your child's diet, can relieve symptoms of ADHD.

Adding whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish (especially salmon which is high in omega-3) is also recommended to diminish symptoms of ADHD. While there are no studies to adequately support this, any improvement in diet will increase overall health which can alleviate symptoms of ADHD.

Exercise

Intense exercise has benefits that help control ADHD without medication. Exercise such as tennis, riding bikes, playing basketball or jump rope, burns excess energy.

Additionally vigorous exercise increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain; these have a calming effect and improve focus, impulse control, and memory.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This form of therapy focuses on teaching children who suffer with ADHD coping skills. Children learn problem solving strategies, how to think and reason through problems, and organizational skills.

Children who participate in this type of therapy not only learn important life skills, self esteem improves as they perform better in school and everyday life.

Family Counseling

ADHD affects the entire family. Children with ADHD have low self-esteem, behavioral issues, and sometimes depression. Parents are left frustrated not knowing how to deal with the behavioral problems, and other emotional problems associated with ADHD.

Family counseling provides emotional support and can teach parents how to manage inappropriate behaviors.

Alternative Treatments

When seeking options for controlling ADHD without medication, another way to treat symptoms of ADHD is through the use of homeopathic remedies. Many benefits are associated with treating ADHD with homeopathic remedies.

They are proven to be safe and effective as well. Not only that, but they are often less costly than prescription medications for ADHD.

You may also want to think about visiting a naturopathic doctor. Practitioners take the time to learn about your child's precise ADHD symptoms. Once they understand your child's specific needs, they can prescribe herbs designed to treat symptoms unique to your child. Additionally, herbal treatments have no side effects that can cause harm to your child.

When seeking options for controlling ADHD without medication, parents have a variety of life style and treatment choices. Parents need to choose options that provide the best care for their child when seeking alternatives for controlling ADHD without medication.

ADHD Medication Long Term Effects - Looking At The Risks And A Much Safer Option

ADHD medication long term effects have been the subject of a heated debate. The sad fact is that while the short term side effects are well known and documented, there is a dark cloud of mystery over the long term effects.

The first fact is that while Ritalin has been on the market for about half a century, there are no long term studies at all to discover what these may be. Well, maybe they exist but they have not been published with the exception of one or two, as far as I know. That is very suspicious, I must say.

The short term effects are bad enough. However, as regards ADHD medication long term effects, we have to be aware of what risks amphetamines may or may not have. As they are still classed as Schedule II drugs, they are strictly controlled and there is a very good reason for that. The risk of drug dependency is there and should not be brushed under the carpet.

Then there are all the issues about appetite and sleeping. In the short term, these are bad enough but in the long term, stunted growth may be an issue. There are defenders of the drugs who claim that this is always made up but nobody is really quite sure. If a child cannot sleep or eat properly, this must have a negative impact on his development. This is not rocket science!

The problems of cardiac issues have been raised by the FDA and that is one of the reasons why they have slapped the black box warning on all these meds, simply because there is a risk given that they are stimulants. They stimulate everything, the heart, the brain and the central nervous system. Obviously these are going to have an impact on the ADHD medication long term effects.

Well, cardiac problems, drug dependency, stunted growth and psychotic disorders are a pretty frightening list. It is no accident that Ritalin is known as 'kiddies coke' and we are not referring to a well known beverage here but to a recreational drug.

The other problems are related to other side effects which may well last longer than anybody anticipates and which may become issues in the long run. I am referring here to the warnings on the medicines about hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and psychotic behavior, not to mention hostility and aggression. Is this our idea of a happy carefree childhood.?

In my opinion, there are far too many unanswered questions about ADHD medication long term effects. That is why it is much better to opt for a type of medication which has no side effects at all nor any long term risks.

The best one of all is an ADHD homeopathic remedy. As it soothes and calms the child, it allows you to get on with raising a much happier child and giving him a much better chance than his drugged up peers. You will never have to worry again about ADHD medicine long term effects.

ADD-ADHD Medication Abuse and Addiction

Adderall is often prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD (as well as narcolepsy and depression) and is a drug that can help people sit down and focus who normally could not do so for long stretches of time. But Adderall or speed, has taken on a more sinister role as it has become popular on college campuses as a chemical study aid for all nighters before exams. One study suggested that as many as 1 in 5 college students had taken Aderall or its twin Ridalin to help them study at some point.

Speed

Aderall is an amphetamine, reformulated and repackaged, but very much like amphetamines that have been around for years. It is said that Jack Keroauc wrote On The Road on a 20-day Benzedrine binge (another amphetamine) on a 120-foot long scroll on his typewriter.

Effects

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant and works primarily through the neurotransmitter, dopamine initially producing great results. Users say that they feel refreshed, more alert and energized and are able to concentrate and think faster and longer. It also has the effect of increasing heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. As with most amphetamines, what goes up must come down, and after a few hours of productivity there is a crash which is often expressed through irritability, vomiting, mental confusion and feelings of exhaustion. Although taken in the correct dosage under the supervision of a medical professional, Adderall can be an effective solution for some people, it does have a high potential for abuse as recognized by the FDA when it labeled it a Schedule II Controlled Substance (the same as Morphine.)

Risks

The potential problem with Adderall and amphetamines is that as usage becomes habitual, tolerance also increases requiring higher and higher doses of the drug for similar effects which can lead to addiction. And overdosing on Aderall can be fatal. In 2005, Canada went so far as to ban Adderall XR after linking it to 20 deaths and 12 strokes, although the ban has since been lifted. Amphetamines have also been linked in some cases to anxiety disorder, psychosis, and sexual dysfunction. Emergency medical attention should be sought if you experience any of the following symptoms: muscle twitches, hallucinations, delusions and irregular heart beat. Sudden heart attacks have been reported by some who showed no symptoms of prior heart problems.

Withdrawal

Furthermore, long-term use of Adderall can alter brain function permanently due to irregular blood flow to the brain which can lead to chronic convulsions and tremors. After prolonged and regular use of Adderall, stopping abruptly can also result in problems. People suffer from withdrawal symptoms including tiredness, crankiness, extreme hunger, nightmares and severe, often suicidal, depression. A gradual reduction is highly recommended. Because of the highly addictive potential of Adderall and its increasing availability, professional help may be required in the form of rehab or substance abuse therapy.

Non Medical Treatment For ADHD

Doing a search for ADHD treatment you will find the majority of treatment options are non medical. There are very few medical professionals that are practicing a non drug approach to ADHD. The most popular treatment method is medication that can only be prescribed by a medical professional. There are a number of non medical treatment options for ADHD that work at varying degrees of success. Unfortunately, without proper medical treatment then the disorder is still present in the child or adult. Only the symptoms have been reduced because of behavioral management techniques, the use of learning tools or supportive therapies that help calm the patient.

Some non medical treatment for ADHD can include aspects of the following options.

Tutor Getting a personal tutor is normally the first step in helping a child with ADHD. They are not getting the attention required in the classroom so they become dependent on family members to help them complete homework assignments and other tasks required by the teacher. Many parents find that they spend many hours an evening teaching the child the materials given out at school that day. Since most parents are working they turn towards private or professional tutor companies to help their child overcome their ADHD symptoms.

Learning Centers In most communities and in some public libraries there are services to help children to help learn in a learning environment that is more interactive and personal to their needs. At learning centers, which are normally for-profit ventures, they will have greater access to learning through computers and in ways not normally found in a standard public classroom. This sort of environment should keep an ADHD child's attention for longer allowing them to learn and improve. This does not solve the underlying causes of ADHD but it does provide them with the help they need to succeed.

Biofeedback This is one of the few non medical treatment options for ADHD that has a real future. Training using biofeedback has been proven across almost every industry from professional sports athletes looking to improve their game to scientists who need to keep going in high stress environments. Biofeedback has many years of use and is now being adopted by more and more medical professionals. Non drug medical biofeedback treatment for ADHD has been in use since about 1992 in Southern California.

Concentration / Focus Training and Therapy There are also many consultants and therapist's offering counseling and offer techniques for improving concentration in young people. These are not as popular as the changes that occur in the patient take a long time and are not quantitative. Since there is less quantitative positive re-enforcement this type of non medical treatment for ADHD has a high degree of relapse as the younger children move off into college. Away from parents and other adult oversight, the techniques used to improve their focus and concentration go into disuse.

Supplements

Since diet is a large part of our world and are not considered a medical treatment. Vitamins and mineral supplements are very popular in many communities. In some cases, depending on the severity of the ADHD symptoms, parents opt to try this first. Changing the diet can have an immediate effect. Giving the body more of the things it needs it will function better overall but it may not have any effect on the brainwaves that are causing the ADHD in the first place. The person suffering from ADHD may feel much better, thus increasing their ability to manage their ADHD symptoms and the urges that come with them. The person still has ADHD and would need to stay vigilant.

Exercise

A child suffering from ADHD with extreme hyperactivity needs an outlet for it. Regular exercise throughout the day will help calm a hyperactive child as well as. Expending that extra energy is healthy for everyone, not just those with suffering with ADHD.

Facts About ADHD Medications Doctors Never Mention

One of the most respected researchers on ADHD, William Pelham has now come out strongly against ADHD medications and asserts that research shows they are practically useless in the long term. This is just one of the facts about ADHD medications which may or may not get publicity, depending whose website you happen to be visiting. He also claims that fellow scientists were unwilling to acknowledge that there was evidence which showed that the usefulness of ADHD medications was somewhat limited over a number of years.

Alarmed by the number of doctors giving psychostimulants and antipsychotic drugs to children with ADHD which was not strictly necessary, the state of Florida decided to ask the doctors to go through a review process. The number of prescriptions dropped dramatically in a year. When the situation was getting out of hand, the authorities found that 23 babies less than a year old had been prescribed antipsychotics ! With e review process in place, the number dropped to zero last year. Why do you think that facts about ADHD medications like these are not given wider coverage in other States or in the media?

Why do you think that the FDA has a warning on the front page of their website which states very clearly that the drug companies must issue what they coyly call 'Medication Guides'? These guides are to warn patients that psychotic events and/or cardiovascular risks have been linked to the ADHD medications. There are no such warnings or risky side effects with ADHD natural cures.

The other facts about ADHD medications that parents want to know is what are the long term effects on the neural development of their children. One of the most alarming facts about ADHD medications is that nobody knows exactly how they work on the brain transmitters which control our impulses, moods and concentration. So, we have drugs which are basically mind altering ones (they are a sophisticated dose of 'speed' in many cases) which have not been studied for their effects in the long term development of children generally. Loss of appetite, stunted growth and anxiety are all linked to the ADHD medications, yet the number of prescriptions seems to be spiralling out of control. Facts on ADHD meds tend to get a very patchy coverage.

Wiser parents are not going to be taken in by this state of affairs much longer. They now know, no thanks to Big Pharm, that there are alternative therapies available. They now know that a combination of ADHD behavioral therapy with proper home and school support will work wonders.

With a natural cure, this will work even better, given that the side effects are non-existent. Facts on ADHD meds will always be censured to a certain degree as long as we have a flourishing drugs industry.

An ADHD Article

I was very surprised on how advanced the treatment of ADHD has progressed compared to some years ago. I found that reading the latest ADHD article on the topic. And as I had that disorder as a kid, I can really tell you first hand that at that time the only option was medication. Of course there was sometimes counseling also for ADHD, but according to those same articles the only real solution was to medicate. Luckily this has changed and is no longer that way, at least according to the ADHD articles that I read.

You know that every doctor has his opinion, but the ADHD articles on gave us definitive medical positions. And looking at facts also can prove that things have really changed a lot during the last decade. The pioneers in ADHD article research are now focused on stories about cured kids, who have been successfully treated without medication. Here are some of the reasons for the changes that took place.

First of all, there weren't studies serious and deep enough on the effects of treating kids with speed. Medications for ADHD are usually based on powerful stimulants and no one has proved that those are in fact as safe for the kids as their producers claim they are. There has not been any raise in child death rates, but still no one knows. Actually it was written in an ADHD article that medication became so popular only because of the unbelievable amounts of money invested in ADHD articles whose purpose was to convince people that medications offered by the pharmaceutical corporations are safe. Articles nowadays on their turn say that not only those medications are quite unsafe but also that there are much more effective treatments available.

Although treatments using substances as NLP or various behavior modifying programs are still being advocated in some of the ADHD articles, there are lots of doctors that say they got great results with treatments as simple as a food diet. As long as there is a chance for my kid, who also has ADHD, to overtake his condition without using any medication, I will continue looking for a better solution and I will try every other option suggested in those ADHD articles.