The Controversy of Medications For ADHD

There is an intense controversy of medications for ADHD. The need for the medication to start out with is contentious. Further it is a contentious battle over whether ADHD is a real problem or an invented excuse for bad behavior.

Is ADHD real? Absolutely it is shown that people with the disorder have less activity in the parts of the brain that manage activity and function. This can make it difficult for a child to learn new skills. They can be irritable and act out simply because they can't tell a parent what's wrong.

Doing chores at home and school become so difficult that the child will either not do what they're told but they actually do forget. Most children with ADHD have a very hard time with multiple commands such as go get your shoes, your socks, and bring them to me.

You could have a child who stays in their room forgetting what they were told or they will bring just one of the things you asked them to get.

ADHD children also have extremely high degrees of activity. They seem to be always moving even in their sleep. If they are told to sit still, it's next to impossible for them.

They be tapping their feet or their fingers.

Impulsive behavior is also a symptom of ADHD. This might be noticed in young children who are climbers. They will attempt to get as high as they can, if they can. Older children might take risks such as riding down a steep hill on a skateboard, roller blades, or a bike.

Children may dart after a ball as rolls into the street without thinking about traffic. They tend to forget or ignore the possible consequences of their actions.

Stimulant medication is prescribed for many children with ADHD/ADD. They do work for most children. Keep in mind though that stimulants do not work for everyone. This is true of any treatment that is implemented.

Stimulants are immoderately addictive. They can make children who take them for a prolonged period, much more likely as adults to have depression and substance abuse problems. This is of great concern to many parents. These are not the only side effects either.

Children may have sleepless nights, not want to eat as usual, and they could suffer with depression. They may also become irritable. Stimulants can affect their livers' their hearts, and cause thoughts of suicide or about dying. Children should be closely monitored while on stimulants.

Holistic medicine is becoming more popular among most people especially parents who want to avoid the dangers of stimulants and other ADHD medications. If used in conjunction with an antidepressant, children and young adults are at a much higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Sadly many succeed.

The holistic approach is the system of belief that the mind, body, and spirit should be harmony. Natural supplements for ADHD are a combination of specific vitamins, minerals, botanical extracts, and herbs that are known to be of benefit to people with ADHD.

The supplements should be made by a person who is a certified homeopath and be purchased from them as well. If they are purchased at a grocery or pharmacy store be sure they are FDA approved for maximum safety and benefit.

New ADHD Medication in Patch Form

New meds for ADHD are always being developed. One of the newer drugs is in patch form. The patch is water resistant, and can be used by people who cannot swallow a pill, such as children. It is also convenient for parents who need an extended release form for the kids at school. With the patch the school would not have to administer any medications.

Methylphenidate (amphetamine), a controlled substance is the medication used for the patch. This new ADHD medication is the same stimulant that is used in Ritalin, Concerta and Focalin. The drug is time released and delivered more slowly than pills. The medication in the patch passes through the skin and into the bloodstream instead of the digestive system. The patch does have the same side effects such as no appetite, trouble falling asleep, headaches, stomachache and tics, skin irritation or rash where the patch is placed on the body.

Some drugs marketed for other causes are trying to be passed off as a new drug for ADHD when in reality they have been on the market for years and for treating a completely different condition. The question is "Do we really need another new ADHD medication"? Especially since the thought now among ADHD experts is that ADHD does not get better as the patient gets older. ADHD in adults is growing and they experience a higher rate of unemployment, divorce, drug abuse.

With all the controversy relating to new meds for ADHD why not try something that has been just as effective and without all the problems associated with pharmacy medications. Why are we so quick to jump on the prescription route? Alternatives medicines might be your answer if you are looking for something else besides a prescription drug that can cause dependency.

ADHD's Hardest Question - Should I Medicate My ADHD Child?

I think that anyone with ADHD would choose to manage his or her disease without medication if that were possible. I think that there is not a parent worth their weight in salt that would give their kid a pill every day if it were not necessary. There are behavioral interventions and dietary interventions that have been found to help ADHD and classroom modifications have also proved to be very helpful for children with ADHD. Parents are obliged to exhaust other avenues of treatment before resorting to a 'pill' cure. A 'pill' cure however is sometimes inevitable.

I work in health care. I see patients every day with uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled high cholesterol, and uncontrolled high blood sugar. Many of these patients have not even tried to control their diseases with life style modifications. Many of them continue to eat poorly, never exercise, and have made no modifications to their lifestyles to try and control their medical problems. Many other of these patients are doing EVERYTHING possible to keep their disease in check and despite their best efforts are still seeing laboratory values and blood pressures that are dangerously high.

The individuals described above should all be started on medications to control their dangerous medical problems. For those patients who are unwilling to try lifestyle modifications, medication is needed because these problems lead to great illness and even death and without medication, these individuals will have a very poor quality of life. For those patients who have tried everything and are still not controlled, medication is needed for the very same reason.

I think that for ADHD we are required to take the same approach for ourselves and for our kids. We need to exhaust every lifestyle modification measure available to control the symptoms of ADHD. If we succeed with lifestyle measures, we will need to stay vigilant and not stray from our daily regimen. If we do not succeed with these modifications or are unwilling to try lifestyle modifications, we should seek medication.

ADHD causes low self-esteem, squelches the attainment of our full potential as individuals, and isolates us because we can be difficult people to be around. While none of these things will kill us like say diabetes or hypertension might, they can make our lives sad and miserable. Studies done on young males indicate that the rate of suicide is increased when there is a diagnosis of ADHD. Whether this is related to the comorbidities of depression and Bipolar Disorder is unknown but the imperative to medicate in these cases is still the same. Daily medication is never our first choice. It is, however, our last resort because our lives and the lives or our children may very well depend on it.

A Parent's Guide - ADHD Medication Long Term Effects

Given the troubling short term side effects, you are smart to be concerned about ADHD medication long term effects. In this article, you will learn about the dangers of ADHD drugs, so you can make better treatment choices for your child.

First, let's talk about ADHD drugs in general. There are two types of drugs: stimulants and non-stimulants. These drugs work by suppressing the symptoms of ADHD and helping your child to concentrate. Unfortunately, these medications have side effects including:

• Restlessness


• Headaches


• Appetite loss and/or upset stomach


• Facial tics


• Moodiness


• Depression


• Heart problems

ADHD Medication Long Term Effects

Although many researchers fear that children who take ADHD drugs in childhood may be more likely to engage in recreational drug use as adults, this has not been proven conclusively.

Since ADHD drugs are relatively new, we can only infer ADHD medicine long term effects by looking at the short term issues associated with taking these drugs. First of all, it's important to note that some of the side effects of the drugs are the same as the symptoms of the disorder, like restlessness and mood swings. This means, for some kids, taking drugs can make their symptoms worse.

Second, side effects like loss of appetite and sleeplessness can affect your child's development. For a child who is already having problems at school, this may delay growth and put him further behind other children. It's also important to note that the ADHD medication long term effects on the brain have yet to be determined.

Third, you may not be aware of this, but stimulant medications can cause sudden death in kids who have heart issues.

Fourth, stimulants can worsen symptoms like depression, anxiety and aggression. When the brain is steeped in these emotions for an extended time, it ceases to produce feel-good neurotransmitters that offset dark moods and can lead to full blown psychiatric disorders. It is especially important to take extra precautions with kids who have a family history of suicide, depression or bipolar disorder.

If reading the ADHD medicine long term effects gives you pause, then you have to ask yourself an important question: do the benefits of giving my child an ADHD drug far outweigh the risks? If your answer is "no," then you should consider giving your child a natural remedy.

Although many parents think that natural remedies pale in comparison to the effectiveness of ADHD drugs, this is simply not the case. In fact, when you look at all the benefits of natural remedies, they are clearly more effective. First and most important, natural remedies can restore proper functioning to the brain by giving it the nutrients it needs to function at its best. Second, natural remedies have no short term side effects. Third, holistic medicines will not interact with other drugs your child is taking. Fourth, these remedies have been clinically proven to reduce symptoms like fidgeting, hyperactivity, impulsivity, mood swings and more while improving focus and the ability to finish tasks.

Of course, like anything, it's important to realize that some remedies are better than others. Look for one that has been FDA-approved and contains ingredients like Arsen Iod and Verta Alb which have been shown to be effective. In addition to being able to give these remedies to your child with confidence in their efficacy and safety, you will no longer have to be concerned about ADHD medication long term effects.

Helping Teens Cope With ADHD Medication Side Effects

Many parents find it challenging when it comes to helping teens cope with ADHD medication side effects. While the cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has yet to be found, medical professionals are discovering that certain types of medications are quite productive when it comes to treating teenagers.

These medications do not cure ADHD by any means, but they do assist in controlling the troublesome symptoms that are often experienced by teenagers. The most common types of medications that are prescribed for this age group are those that contain stimulants. While ADHD stimulant medications are quite productive, they often result in many uncomfortable side effects.

The teen years are extremely challenging. Having to experience ADHD medication side effects often just add to the normal, everyday challenges that the teen experiences on a day to day basis. As a parent, you will likely discover that your child has a hard time adjusting. The best thing that you can do is explain to your teen that certain side effects may, in fact, be experienced.

You should inform them that they may become anxious, depressed, and even experience mild to severe mood swings. This is all normal. These side effects on top of the hormonal changes that occurring in the body may be an uncomfortable experience for them and those around them. Simple explain that you support them and will be understanding.

Many teenagers that experience ADHD medication side effects may become quite tired, and even lose their appetite. They may begin to feel the need to sleep more or may not be able to get to sleep at all. They may know that they need to eat, but they may not be able to at all. If you find that your teenager is experiencing these types of ADHD medication side effects, it is important to enlist the assistance of a medical professional.

Urgent Warning to Parents! The Dangers of ADHD Medication Side Effects

It is no secret that ADHD medication side effects can be seriously harmful to one's health. Moreover, children comprise majority of ADHD patients and they are quite vulnerable to the side effects of ADHD medications. What is more bothersome is that there are still some parents who would choose to give prescription drugs like stimulants despite numerous reports and warnings about its use.

To those parents and ADHD patients who do not know some of the detrimental ADHD medication side effects to the body, allow me to enumerate them. ADHD prescription medication may cause long-term effects to the brain, cardiovascular problems, psychiatric problems, and even a potential for abuse and addiction.

Would you want your child to have bipolar disorder or schizophrenia when he gets older just because of a medication that you decided to give him? On top of that, there are other ADHD medication side effects, less dangerous but nonetheless disconcerting, like loss of appetite, insomnia, weight loss, restlessness, and stunted growth.

Medication is not the only solution to ADHD. Other therapies are available that have been proven to help with the symptoms of the disorder, without those side effects of ADHD medications. These include behavioral therapy, yoga, biofeedback training, dietary modification, meditation and homeopathic remedies, among others. Homeopathic remedies, in particular, are said to be just as effective in controlling symptoms of ADHD, without harmful effects and risks of abuse and addiction.

These treatment options are definitely worth considering, given the dangerous side effects of ADHD medications. Some might argue that the possibility of these dangerous effects is not high. Let me tell you this. Although these harmful effects do not happen to all patients who take it, it is real, there are documented cases, and it can very much happen to anyone.

As parents, we should all be concerned about ADHD medication side effects. Our kids have enough things to worry about themselves. This one is our responsibility. You are given the choice to see in different perspectives, weigh all your options, and see which will likely result in the least harm. Do yourself a favor and make sure that you pick the right choice.

Facts About ADHD Medications - Stimulant Prescription Medications

When discussing facts about ADHD medications one must first examine stimulant medications. Stimulant prescription medications designed to treat ADHD generally impact either nerve cells in the brain or dopamine containing neurons in the brain. These medications focus on increasing the number of these neurotransmitters in the synapses. You may recall from high school that synapses are the areas in the brain that transmit and receive thought processes in the brain. These types of medications that stimulate brain activity are commonly known as short and long term stimulant medications. Stimulant medications for ADHD dominate the market, with millions of prescriptions written annually. While their popularity continues to grow, the list of side effects associated with them also continues to grow. For this reason you should thoroughly investigate the facts about these types of ADHD medications.

Facts about ADHD Medications - Stimulant Medications

Prescription stimulant medications are formulated to boost the amount of dopamine or norepinephrine (or both) being released into the synapses. Examples of stimulant medications are:

Ritalin: Last year an estimated 2,000,000 children were prescribed this medication. It is still the most widely used ADHD medication. Perhaps it has retained its popularity due to the release of a generic version.

Dexedrine: If may come as a surprise that Dexedrine is the oldest medication used for ADHD and is still one of the most popular. It is currently available in both short and long term (taken once a day) varieties.

Adderall: This medication has been compared to Dexedrine but contains both left and right handed forms of stimulant, so it is supposed to work a little more on norepinephrine containing neurons than Dexedrine. Both short and long term varieties are currently available.

Desoxyn: Amazingly this is the same as methamphetamine causing havoc in so many of our communities today. As a prescription medication it is reasonably inexpensive. Desoxyn works for some ADHD patients. It is only available in short term form.

Cylert: This medication is of the feel good variety, releasing only dopamine. If you are prescribed this drug you should be aware that it can cause damage to the liver

Provigil: This prescription med for ADHD is primarily used for sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Provigil works differently than the other stimulant drugs listed above. Currently in research trials, Provigil seems to be showing positive results in expanding its accepted treatment status to include ADHD.

Facts about ADHD Medications - Alternative Treatments

Natural treatments for ADHD have recently started to gain popularity. This is probably due to the growing list of side effects associated with conventional ADHD treatment options; such as depression. Natural alternative treatment options can deliver equally suitable results that will last, without causing worrisome side effects. There are many natural supplements that have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, the most promising of which may be the homeopathic remedies.

Facts About ADHD Medications - SSRIs

In this informational article concerning facts about ADHD medications we will walk through the world of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. You may recognized some of these popular prescription medications or know someone who has been prescribed these meds for depression or other common mental health conditions.

SSRIs slow the elimination of serotonin (feel good hormone) from the synapses. The use of these types of medication for treating ADHD is a fairly new concept, since they are primarily used for depression and certain anxiety related conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder. Secondarily they may be prescribed for aggressive behaviors and anger.

We will briefly cover 6 different types of SSRIs. In the world of SSRIs what may work well for one person may not work for the other. SSRIs do not have a direct effect on ADHD symptoms, but have gained popularity by being prescribed in addition to stimulant ADHD medications. I like to refer to this practice as staking, which means taking additional prescription drugs to control or mask problematic symptoms possibly brought about by the original treatment. So let's investigate a few facts about ADHD medications; SSRIs.

Facts about ADHD Medications - SSRI Brand Names

* Zoloft: Zoloft has been around for a while now and is often prescribed for depression. This medication may be helpful for those facing the challenges of ADHD due to its ability to improve dopamine activity. This type of activity is similar to that produced by stimulant ADHD treatments making it an obvious choice to be taken in addition to these primary treatments. It is short term in duration.

* Prozac: I feel sure you have at least heard the name Prozac. It is the oldest SSRI in the United States. The debate has raged for years as to whether the benefits outweigh the side effects. One of those side effects is its propensity to interact adversely with a myriad of other prescription medications. Many doctors are still advocates of Prozac and believe it is a good option most of the time. This is primarily due to its duration, which is longer than other SSRIs.

* Paxil: This prescription med has a short duration and can cause serious side effects such as insomnia, dizziness, irritability, ataxia, and general malaise. These side effects may be a sign of discontinuation syndrome which Paxil has been linked with.

* Luvox: Luvox is a longer lasting SSRI, along the lines of Prozac. While comparable to Prozac it has fewer drug interactions.

* Celexa and Lexapro: These SSRIs have a longer duration than Zoloft and Paxil, have fewer side effects, and are less prone to drug interactions. Lexapro seems to be gaining favor with some doctors due to its strength and reduced risk of side effects.

Facts about ADHD Medications - Looking for Alternatives

Whether you are contemplating stimulant mediations (primary treatments) or SSRIs (secondary treatments) one can't help but notice the risk of side effects. For this reason many adults and parents of ADHD children alike are looking for alternative treatments. At the forefront of effective alternative treatment options is homeopathy. Homeopathic natural remedies for ADHD have been shown to be safe and effective at treating ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity, erratic behavior, and lack of concentration without placing your health at risk.

The Ugly Facts About ADHD Medication

You may be shocked to know that the FDA (The Food and Drug Administration) had to issue a warning to doctors and pediatricians across the nation about psychostimulant drugs used in ADHD medication. They have warned of possible heart complications and even a risk of severe psychiatric symptoms which may develop in children who have been prescribed with these drugs. One of the drugs Strattera has been associated with suicidal thoughts in some children and adolescents. I could only shake my head in disbelief when I discovered that Strattera is only for adults with ADHD!

Another ADHD drug, Adderall was withdrawn in Canada because of the dangerous side effects.

It is interesting to note that a ADHD child may well have a parent who is suffering or has suffered in the past from ADHD - some experts say that there is a 30% - 40% chance. There is a strong hereditary link.

What side effects are common in these psychostimulant drugs for children? The most widely prescribed are Attenta, Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta. Children may have sleep disorders and they may suffer from stomach upsets. There are also problems of irritability. The fact that a child has to undergo an electrocardiogram, just in case of possible cardiovascular problems should set off alarm bells ringing in parents' minds! Is the cure worse than the disease?

As regards heart related complications, the Pediatrics Journal claims there is a 20% chance of children reporting these problems if they are on these drugs. Fortunately heart attacks or seizures are rare. And yet we know that there has been an incredible spike in the numbers of children being prescribed these drugs.

Michael Phelps the Olympics swimming champion has recently been added to the list of famous people who suffered from ADHD when he was a child. While this is very positive for children with ADHD to identify with a successful role model, there is too much hype in some circles claiming that ADHD can be an advantage! We know that Michael Phelps did not become successful because he had ADHD! We do not know to what extent Michael Phelps suffered from ADHD.

Many parents, just like me, are turning to ADHD natural medicine especially when they know that there are too many risks involved in conventional ADHD medications. They are looking for natural herbal remedies which will both stimulate the brain (to help keep it focused) and reduce hyperactivity. At the same time, the herbs will soothe and calm the child.

You may want to check out the link below which will tell you all you need to know about how effective natural remedies are in treating ADHD and that they are a perfectly valid alternative to conventional ADHD medication- without any of the nasty side effects. And a lot cheaper!

Chewable and Liquid ADHD Medication

Your doctor has just handed you a prescription for the attention deficit disorder medication methylin. You've just received a different form of methylphenidate. In other words, you've just received a prescription that has the same chemical compound as Ritalin with one major difference. The medicine you're about to take to your pharmacy comes in two forms: liquid or chewable.

Parents of children who can't swallow pills are tremendously thankful for these forms of the stimulant. Ironically, this same medication that you use to treat your child's ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the very same one used in adults to treat narcolepsy. This is the disease where people fall asleep for seemingly no reason.

Methylin, in most cases, should be taken two to three times daily. For the most part, your child will probably be administered a dosage of anywhere from 10 mg to potentially 60 mg per day. This will be divided into two and possibly three dosages. Your last dose, by the way, shouldn't be taken after 6 p.m., because it can interfere with sleep.

If your child is taking the chewable variety of the medicine encourage her to drink an entire, full glass of water after chewing the medication. Ensuring that the medication is downed with at least eight ounces of water helps to prevent any possible choking.

Many parents, when giving their children liquid medications -- especially over-the-counter -- depend on the household "teaspoon" as a measurement. Try not to do this. As tempting as this may be, if you're administering the liquid form of Methylin, use a regular "dosing spoon" for a more accurate delivery.

You may want to instead even use a regular measuring cup or even an oral syringe for measurement.

It doesn't matter whether you take the medication with your meal or not. However, it is important that you follow your doctor's instructions -- and the directions on the label -- when using methylin. Otherwise, you may not get the best results from it.

Of course the exact doses of Methylin will vary depending on a number of factors, not the least of which of them is the age of the person the medication is prescribed for. Your child's dose may also vary depending upon if she's already tried several other alternatives for treating her ADD/ADHD. And of course, the last variable in dosing amounts will hinge on any other prescription medications she may be currently receiving.

Yes, every prescription medication (and over-the-counter ones too!) come with some type of side effects. Those of Methylin include nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, stomach pain and weight loss.

ADHD Drugs For Kids - Good News And Bad News!

It is always better to start with the good news which has just been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It was a joint study sponsored both by the FDA and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

This reports on a very large study which confirms that the common ADHD drugs for kids do not put them at increased risk of having a heart attack or having other cardiac events. The research also included the likelihood of strokes or sudden death and the conclusions were the same. The study could not find any difference in those kids taking the drugs and those who were not taking them. It seems that the only problem is for those children who are already suffering from some cardiac problem.

The bad news is about possible conflicts of interest in some of the studies done on ADHD which are sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies. Is there a conflict of interest? Can the results be totally unbiased? This is a very difficult area. The recent news concerns three Harvard professors who are psychiatrists and have worked on ADHD and are widely respected.

They are suspected of having a conflict of interest in having received large sums of money over the years and not having disclosed this. This is a violation of the Harvard rules on conflicts of interest. However, the issue may be only about reporting their funding and may be of course a mere bureaucratic fly in the ointment.

But this points up the fact that very often, the pharmaceutical companies are doing everything in their power to discredit the natural remedies for ADHD, especially the homeopathic remedies. We know that they have actually sponsored studies to show that homeopathy supposedly does not work or is totally ineffective. They should look at figures for the cholera epidemic in London last century when homeopathy saved thousands of lives!

Then there are people employed by them to act as Facebook characters who are there simply to praise their drugs to the skies. As we can see it is very often difficult to see the wood for the trees.

The fact is that ADHD drugs for kids are controversial because their side effects and long term health risks are not at all clear. There is a lack of research in this area or at least it is not readily available.

This is why the ADHD homeopathic remedies are so popular now because there are simply no side effects and there is no chance that your child will be approached to sell his meds either. These are just some of the advantages of choosing an alternative to ADHD drugs for kids. Why not check out what the others are by visiting my website.

What's the Best Test For ADHD?

If your child is showing signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, you may be wondering how health practitioners test for ADHD. The truth is that there are actually many tests to diagnose ADD and ADHD and that the best practitioners use a combination of these tests to determine whether or not a child has ADHD.

A good test for ADHD will involve information from several sources, including parents, teachers, and the child himself if he is old enough. For this reason, ADHD is difficult to diagnose in preschool-aged children. A different set of tests is required to officially diagnose very young children with ADHD, so we will set that scenario aside for this brief article.

Different practitioners use different tests to diagnose ADD and ADHD, but the best of these tests are formulated specifically for ADD and ADHD instead of a wide variety of possible behavioural disorders. The tests will be administered to the child, and they will also include questionnaires for teachers and parents.

Most often, specially trained professionals will rely not only on written information provided by caregivers and the child herself, but also on interviews. This combination of methods ensures that a practitioner is making the clearest, most accurate diagnosis possible.

There are a few things you should know when going through a test for ADHD with your child. First of all, if your physician or psychologist is not taking his time with the test or is not using information from a variety of resources, he is not doing his job thoroughly enough. Either press him to be as thorough and accurate as possible or take your child elsewhere. Secondly, understand that even the most careful, deliberate professional can make a mistake when it comes to diagnosing ADHD because the diagnosis relies so much on information from third parties.

To lessen the possibility of an ADHD misdiagnosis, keep track of his behaviour very carefully for a period of several weeks or even months. If possible, have the child's teacher keep a log of the times the child's ADHD symptoms interfere with his functioning in the classroom or on the playground. Keep the same type of log whenever you are with your child; write down the date, time, and a detailed description of the incident whenever the child is showing excessive hyperactivity or impulsivity. Having such information written down will help your doctor make the most accurate diagnosis possible.

Lastly, you need to realize that as a parent, it's up to you what you do with a diagnosis once it is made. Chances are likely that if your child is diagnosed with ADHD, your physician will suggest starting a medication regimen. Understand, though, that there are other options out there, even if your child is only borderline ADHD or shows some of its symptoms without being diagnosed with the disorder.

Look into all your options, including homeopathic therapy, before having your child put on potentially harmful medications. Unlike traditional medications, homeopathic remedies have no side effects and are safe even for children who are borderline ADHD or who may just be more hyperactive or impulsive than normal children. After you have gone to all the trouble of a test for ADHD, don't throw it out the window by blindly following wherever your doctor leads. Be sure that you know what you are getting your child into, and don't be afraid to go against the grain by trying alternative therapies. You'll be glad you put in the extra time to do the research on better options for your child's health.

ADHD Test - SPECT Test

Chiropractors with training in functional neurology use functional neurological examinations to give you a comprehensive picture of your child's brain function, its weaknesses, and its strengths. In some cases, however, these instruments fail to yield helpful results. When this happens, your child will have to go through advanced imaging techniques like Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography, or SPECT tests.

SPECT tests examine your child's metabolism by tracking the amount of blood that enters the brain, which enables the clinician to observe your child's brain activity. Active regions of the brain need more blood to fuel them, while inactive regions require less blood. Through SPECT tests, the clinician can identify any overactive or underactive regions of the brain, and determine which regions are functioning normally. This information, together with your child's medical history and the results of other tests, can give the clinician a detailed picture of what may be causing your child's condition and how it can best be treated.

At the start of a SPECT test, your child will be injected with a safe chemical compound that travels through the bloodstream and eventually reaches the brain. The chemical compound is composed of a radioactive isotope which emits pulses of brain energy and lights up the active regions of the brain. A special camera then takes an image and transfers it to software that automatically reconstructs a 3D image of your child's brain. The printed picture that you receive will show you the regions of the brain that have normal activity, high activity, and low activity. Aside from making it easy to identify which regions are over-stimulated or under-stimulated, this information helps the clinician compare the image to SPECT images of brains afflicted with ADHD and other neurological disorders.

A child undergoing a SPECT test will have to experience two brain scans over a four-day period. During the first brain scan, the clinician will obtain a baseline view of the child's brain function by putting him or her at rest. For the second scan, the child will be asked to perform a concentration task to yield an image of the brain at work. The second brain scan will give the clinician an overall picture of brain activity, showing which areas are working properly and which areas are dysfunctional.

Aside from detecting ADHD, SPECT tests are incredibly useful in guiding treatment. Not all treatments have immediate effects on children, and determining a treatment plan that works can take several weeks or months. By using SPECT tests to see how well the brain responds to certain treatments, it is easier for the clinician to track the child's progress or make any modifications to the treatment plan.

The main disadvantage to SPECT tests is that they are available only in very few clinics. Hospitals do not have the technology for SPECT testing because mainstream medicine has yet to utilize this instrument. Only Dr. Daniel Amen of the Amen Clinics in the United States performs SPECT tests, and a full evaluation will set you back $3,000. For these reasons, SPECT testing is only recommended if other ADHD tests fail to provide useful information, or if you have the money to travel to an Amen clinic.

Personality Test Can Identify Individuals With Inattentive ADHD

Inattentive ADHD (ADHD-I) is different in many ways from the most commonly known type of ADHD which is called Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD or ADHD-HI. It is also different from the combined type of ADHD which is a combination of the Inattentive and Hyperactive type of ADHD.

Some ADHD experts have found it more expedient, for the purpose of deciding treatment, predicting adult outcomes, and classification purposes, to just treat the inattentive ADHD subtype as if they were the same as the combined subtype of ADHD but this is short sighted. Individuals with inattentive ADHD have different outcomes from the other subtypes of ADHD, may respond differently to ADHD treatment and may require different interventions than the other subtypes of ADHD.

Researchers are working on sorting out the specific genes that are involved in each subtype of Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder and it is looking, increasingly, like the genes at work in inattentive ADHD are somewhat different than the genes at work in the other subtypes of ADHD. Only by finding the specific genes involved in inattentive ADHD, will ADHD-I get the validation that is needed. In the mean time, there has been work done using personality tests and other tests to arrive at an ADHD subtype diagnosis.

Personality tests can very accurately diagnose inattentive ADHD, combined type ADHD, and ADHD with conduct disorder. Individuals with ADHD-I are significantly less likely to be hyperactive and they are less likely to be exhibit outward signs of hostility, anger, oppositional behavior or aggression. Two studies just published indicate that temperament and activity level can very accurately predict the subtype diagnosis for ADHD. One study performed in Spain found that a personality inventory that measured Activity and Aggression allowed the researcher to properly classify 76 percent of individuals with ADHD-I.

Another study performed in England and just published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry looked at Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) personality traits, temperament and activity level of preschoolers and found that increased activity and emotionality accurate predicted the diagnosis of individuals with ODD and Combined type or hyperactive / impulsive subtype.

Behavioral checklist can provide a broad synopsis of the most prominent symptoms of individuals with Attention deficity disorder. Personality test add to the diagnostic picture and more sophisticated test such as functional MRI, functional brain scans, and computer test that measure activity and attention such as the ADHD Quotient system can flesh out the diagnoses even more thoroughly.

We may not need to wait for a genetic marker for Inattentive ADHD. It appears that personality tests as well as other diagnostic tools are readily available now and allow us to accurately distinguish between all the subtypes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Inattentive type may not respond as well to the same treatment as Combined type or the Hyperactive Impulsive subtype but we will not fully understand this subtype of until individuals with ADHD-I are appropriately screened, identified and a correct diagnosis is made.

ADHD and Diabetes: What's the Connection?

At first glance, diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seem like two completely unrelated health conditions. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal blood sugar levels, whereas ADHD is a psychological problem signified by chronic inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Yet the connection between these two conditions is closer than you think. According to Dr. Georgianna Donadio, the program director of Boston's National Institute of Whole Health, high levels of blood sugar can contribute to the symptoms of ADHD.

Two types of diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by abnormal levels of insulin, the hormone that is responsible for using the glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes falls under two categories. Type I diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, causing abnormally high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This type of diabetes is relatively uncommon and affects only 10% of diabetes patients, usually children. Type II diabetes, or insulin-resistant diabetes, is when the body cannot utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas. The pancreas continues to produce more insulin to try to bring down the glucose levels in the blood, but the body fails to normalize the glucose levels. Type II diabetes is more common in adults aged 40 and over, and is strongly correlated to poor eating habits and obesity.

ADHD and diabetes

ADHD is usually caused by a deficiency in two neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine. Norepinephrine controls hyperactivity and works with adrenaline to give the body an energy boost during moments of stress. Dopamine, on the other hand, controls behavior and mood. A study by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that levels of insulin can influence the brain's production and regulation of dopamine. Since glucose is also needed by the brain to function properly, abnormal levels of blood glucose can also aggravate the symptoms of ADHD by affecting the brain's neurological and cognitive function. When hypoglycemia or low blood sugar occurs, concentrating on tasks becomes almost impossible and the person tends to feel cranky due to the lack of energy.

Although diabetes does not cause ADHD per se, diabetic symptoms can make it more difficult for a person to manage ADHD. Fortunately, both conditions can be managed by avoiding simple carbohydrates and refined sugars, and eating more vegetables, fruits, and high-protein foods. Exercise regularly to burn off the excess sugar and try to maintain a healthy weight. Track your blood sugar levels every day, particularly when you notice a mood change or a change in your energy levels. If these become a persistent problem, talk to your doctor. The data you kept on your blood sugar levels can help your doctor adjust your treatment plan or recommend a diet plan, if needed.

What is an ADHD Test and How Do They Do ADHD Testing?

Any ADHD test is normally based on a child's behavioral symptoms. The professional doing the ADHD testing will want to go through a comprehensive list of behavioral symptoms with you to see how many of these symptoms relate to your child. Any of these behavioral symptoms which have gone on for over six months could see your child assessed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder on the ADHD test.

ADHD varies for every child but there are certain traits that are in common for a diagnosis to be made and that are identified through the Connor's Scale test for ADHD . The major behavioral symptoms tested include impulsive behavior, being unable to pay attention and excessive activity, with constant fidgeting and being unable to relax. Many of these symptoms are, on their own, quite normal. For example acting without thinking about the consequences is a typical developmental behavior for boys approaching adolescence and most young people go through phases where they are constantly on the go as they brain adjusts to the body changes that they are flung head long into this stage in their life.

Often behavioral symptoms overlap from one disorder into another such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. For example where your child appears to drift off into their own world and not engage or interact with what is going on around them. Similarly, when your child becomes fixated on certain routines or rituals. So ADHD symptoms are not easily diagnosed and using these kind of symptom sorter tests will never give you a complete picture. It is very difficult for families to access support either educationally or medically or in terms of practical help for a difficult situation without going through the ADHD testing process.

Once a child has got a diagnosis of ADHD is when he or she has to start fitting the label that goes with it. This is when we lose sight of the fact that each child is an individual and the reason they are presenting such extreme behaviors is the result of a very comprehensive yet highly individual set of reasons that are unique only to that child.

Quick online symptom sorters do little to provide any insight into such a complex behavioral profile yet alone any help in identifying the underlying causes as why your child's behaviors are so challenging and out of control..

Any consultation that will be of real value to help your child get back into control, will need to explore the triggers to the behavior. This is looking at something that is referred to as an 'antecedent behavior' in other words what was your child doing just prior to 'kicking off'? Also the different contexts in which the child interacts with others in order to provide an overall picture of what is going on. These consultations should be with different people who deal with the child in different situations and should go on to become the basis of defining goals to help that young person in making better choices in their life.

The point of any ADHD test should be to create a starting point. This should then be the reference point to evaluate how effective ADHD testing is in creating a difference in that young person's life.

ADHD Test - How it Can Help Diagnose ADHD in Children and Adults

People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) exhibit impulsive behavior, inattention, and hyperactivity. They tend to blurt out answers even before questions are asked. They are easily distracted and tend to forget easily.

You may ask, "My friend has all the above-mentioned behaviors. Does it mean he has ADHD?" or "I am used to blurting out in front of people; I am easily distracted, hyperactive, and I have difficulty remembering things. Do I have ADHD?"

There are people who do not have this disorder but are hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive. For this reason, it is not correct to say that a person has ADHD just because he showed signs of unpleasant or unwanted behavior. If this is the case, then how can we determine if a person has the condition? This is where the ADHD test fits in.

Even doctors who are already experts in their field cannot tell with just one glance whether a person indeed has ADHD. To rule out the presence of the disorder, they need to perform a battery of tests on the individual. Unlike other disorders which may involve laboratory procedures, an ADHD test consists of a series of psychological and intelligence examinations which are specifically designed to determine if the person has a learning disability or worse, ADHD.

There are four types of attention deficit disorder test. These are the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R), Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), Test of Variables of Attention Continuous Performance Test (TOVA), and the Bender gestalt test.

The WISC-R is used in children ages 6 to 16. Even those who do not know how to write can take this test because this is mainly based on pattern analysis; that is, the children taking this test will deal mainly with patterns.

The WRAT is used to gauge a child's reading comprehension, arithmetic, and ability in spelling.

The TOVA, on the other hand, is a computer test and the Bender gestalt test is a psychological test which uses cards with designs on them.

Doctors may also send out a questionnaire for parents and teachers to fill in. If the patient is an adult, the doctor can have the adult answer the questionnaire. Questions include but are not limited to the following:

o Do you have difficulty concentrating on a certain task?

o Are you easily distracted?

o Do you have a sloppy handwriting?

o Do you always move and fidget?

o Do you have poor communication skills?

o Do you often say things without thinking about the consequence?

o Are you overwhelmed by everyday tasks?

o Are you impatient and have trouble taking turns?

o Are you hyperactive?

If the parent or teacher of the child or the adult taking the test answers yes to most of the questions found in the questionnaire, then the doctor may confirm the presence of ADHD. It is then that he can prescribe the proper medication.

The doctor will likely prescribe medications but parents or ADHD adults can always choose to use alternative treatments to ADHD such homeopathic remedies and herbal remedies. Unlike medications, homeopathic remedies and herbal remedies are safe for children and adults alike.

ADHD Test - Questionnaires and Behavioral Scales

Unlike diabetes and other chronic disorders, there is no single test that can detect ADHD.  Rather, ADHD tests and rating scales are used in combination to discern a pattern that determines if a child has ADHD or not.  During the initial evaluation, behavioral scales and questionnaires are indispensable in detecting the presence and severity of symptoms and of other learning disorders, and determining whether the child will need more tests.  If you suspect that your child has ADHD, it might help if he or she takes one of the tests listed below.  Besides symptoms of the disorder, these tests are designed to measure the child's personality, intellectual functioning, and problem-solving style.  Although some of the behavioral scales listed below can be downloaded from the Internet for free, a professional will need to interpret them for you to understand the results.

Connor's Rating Scales Revised (CRS-R)

Connor's Rating Scales (Revised) aims to evaluate and assess the symptoms of ADHD in children through observer ratings and self-report ratings.  The CRS-R test is readily available in guidance offices, clinics, pediatricians' offices, and mental health clinics, and is usually administered during the initial interview with the parents.  The CRS-R comes in three parts: the self-report (which is to be answered by the child), the teacher report, and the parent report.  The three parts come in long and short versions.  As soon as the test has been completed, the learning expert will display the results in easy-to-understand graphs so you can see the severity of your child's case and the problem areas that need to be looked into.

Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)

The Child Behavior Checklist is a parent-rating behavioral scale that is widely used because of its high reliability.  The CBCL is a rather lengthy assessment that includes over a hundred items on the child's social competence and behavioral problems (e.g., aggressive behavior, depression, anxiety, withdrawal, and other social problems).  Besides detecting ADHD, the CBCL is also used to screen for any possible co-morbid psychological problems or learning disorders that will need to be addressed during treatment.

Barkley Home Situations and School Situations Questionnaire

According to the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, a child's inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity have to be present in at least two settings: home and the school.  This is the basis behind the design of Barkley's Home Situations Questionnaire and School Situations Questionnaire rating scales.  These two scales list ADHD-like behavior in the home environment and in the school environment. The teacher and parent are asked to rate the severity of each behavior, and the scale is then given to the appropriate specialist for analysis.  Most schools carry the Barkley Home Situations and School Situations Questionnaire, along with a guide that will help parents and teachers understand the child's situation, establish a reward system, and decrease unwanted behavior. 

SNAP IV Teacher and Parent Rating Scale

The SNAP-IV assessment is also a rating scale to be filled out by teachers and parents.  It contains 90 items that describe inattentive, aggressive, and impulsive behaviors associated with ADHD, as well as a rating scale to measure the severity of each.

ADHD Test - Intelligence Tests

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are probably the worst students in school. They rarely sit still in class, and when they do, their minds wander into far-off places. They often lose their school materials, forget to do their homework, and have a hard time studying for exams because they can't stay put. Yet children with ADHD are also the most creative and resourceful in class; they can come up with innovative solutions to problems because they view life from a different perspective. In other words, being chronically inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive are merely setbacks that prevent children with ADHD from applying their knowledge, focusing on tasks, and living to their fullest potential. They do not, in any way, reflect their innate intelligence and talents.

However, the first part of ADHD testing usually involves giving standardized tests and achievement tests to evaluate the child's level of academic functioning and thought processes. While intelligence does play a part in doing well on these tests, the purpose of these tests is not to measure IQ. Rather, these useful instruments determine whether these children have special needs that traditional classroom teaching does not address. They also indicate if the child will need further testing, and give the doctor helpful clues about how to best help the child. Below are some of the intelligence tests used to evaluate children with ADHD.

Woodcock-Johnson III

The Woodcock-Johnson III is designed to measure cognitive abilities, scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, and overall intellectual ability for anyone aged 2 to 90. This instrument has several advantages over others. First, it can be taken over an extended period of time, which means the child won't feel pressured to answer quickly. It also means that children with ADHD Inattentive Type can answer the questionnaire. The test can also be taken by children with reading disabilities, because it is mostly visual and verbal, reducing the margin of error caused by reading. The Woodcock-Johnson III gives useful information about the child's learning style, strengths, and academic aptitude.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC)

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale is one of the most widely used intelligence tests for children. Developed in 1949, this two-part test is an important instrument that uses performance skills and verbal skills to assess logical thinking, factual knowledge, mathematical abilities, and spatial skills. The combined scores of the verbal test and performance test are used to form the Wechsler IQ score, which is then compared to the scores of the test-taker's age group. Although the WISC does not evaluate ADHD and learning disorders, it is often a springboard that suggests whether a child has a learning disability or not.

Wechsler Individual Assessment Test (WIAT)

The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test was developed by the same experts who formulated the WISC, and is made up of four standardized sections that examine reading, math, oral language, and written language skills. Except for the written component, all the sections are administered without a time limit so the child can demonstrate his or her knowledge and skills without pressure. The WIAT has been useful in detecting learning disorders that occur with neurological disorders.

The tests mentioned above can be taken through and interpreted by licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, and learning experts. Ask your child's guidance office or school psychologist to help you access these tests.

ADHD Test - TOVA

Although there isn't a single test that can detect ADHD like a virus, there are several tests that provide objective measures of the symptoms in a child. One of these tests is known as the Test of Variables of Attention, or TOVA. TOVA is a computer program that measures inattention and impulsivity through a very simple 21-minute game. The objective of the game is to complete certain tasks that measure the test-taker's response to certain stimuli. The results of a test-taker with ADHD are compared to the results of individuals without ADHD. Although the TOVA is typically used to help a clinician evaluate ADHD in a child, it may also be administered to check the efficacy of treatment plans.

How the TOVA works

The problem with many ADHD tests is that they are often biased towards a particular culture and language. TOVA minimizes the effects of these differences by using culture-neutral geometric stimuli. The two parts of the test, target frequent and target infrequent, also help efface cultural and language-based differences. The target infrequent part of the test involves a repetitive task that measures inattention. A target is shown infrequently and randomly, which means that the test-taker has to pay close attention to spot the infrequent target. The test-taker gets a point for inattention if he or she does not respond to the target. The target frequent part of the test measures impulsivity by flashing a target more frequently. The test-taker will thus have to show more restraint to avoid clicking on the non-target. A point for impulsivity is scored if the child clicks on a non-target.

After the test is done, the TOVA measures several variables: response time, consistency, impulsivity, errors of omission, and post-commission response times. The score is tallied and compared to scores from an age- and gender-specific group.

Benefits of taking the TOVA

The TOVA brings a number of benefits to both the test-taker and the clinician evaluating the child. First of all, it has great diagnostic accuracy due to its objective measures of inattention and impulsivity, which cannot be obtained from behavior ratings and the child's history. By itself, the TOVA has been able to determine ADHD in 86% of the test-takers.

Since the TOVA is an objective measure of inattention and impulsivity, you'll be able to understand your child's condition and the measures that need to be taken for effective treatment. With continued retesting throughout treatment, it will be easy for you and the clinician to track your child's progress and see if the treatment plan needs any adjustments.

Limitations of the TOVA

Although the TOVA has a high rate of detecting ADHD, you need to note that the test itself does not make the diagnosis - the clinician does. TOVA is simply an instrument used by the clinician to determine the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms. As with most tests, TOVA should be one component of a comprehensive testing protocol. The results of the TOVA are merely a description of the condition; they do not identify the causes of ADHD nor do they unmask other disorders that share the same symptoms. Regardless of how your child scores in the TOVA test, he or she will have to go through further testing for the clinician to determine the cause of the disorder.

ADHD - Prescription Medications Vs Natural Remedies

While there is, of course, a place for prescription medication in certain cases of ADHD, you must give careful consideration regarding possible side effects. The use of any stimulant medications in children under age 6 is not recommended. So please ensure you discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving these medications to your child.

It is strongly advised that all parents thoroughly research any suggested prescription drugs before commencing the treatment on their child. Making sure that the following criteria are fully investigated: common uses, cautions, possible side effects, overdose, additional information, and major drug interactions.

In America, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are still investigating the side effects of particular prescription ADHD drugs, and it is therefore advisable that parents do their own research into these medications so that they are fully aware of the potential risks. As research into the long-term effects of drugs prescribed for ADD is still in its early stages. Much more research is still required. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using their suggested medications on your child.

Physicians still have a very difficult time prescribing medications which they feel will produce beneficial results, so treatment is individualized and usually performed on a trial and error basis. This is very much a 'hit and miss' technique. As such it requires close observation and cooperation between Physician, parents/carers and the child. This unfortunately, is not an ideal situation. In certain circumstances, with this trial and error system, a child may be taking a cocktail of drugs to treat the side effects of the initial medication, thus creating a domino effect.

Medications don't cure ADHD, they only control the symptoms on the day they are actually taken. Although the medications may help the child pay better attention and complete their school work, they do not increase knowledge or improve their academic skills, like some parents have been led to believe. However, this may just as easily be achieved through behavioral therapy and other techniques - such as creative teaching methods. It is imperative that you make sure that YOU are educated on all aspects of ADD/ADHD before making a decision on the medication.

The best chances of minimizing any side effects, is to use a natural remedy that is totally free of side effects completely. Whilst many doctors believe, or admit, these do exist. There are alternative treatments available for ADHD, such as the ones mentioned below:

Herbal Remedies - Many parents have tried natural remedies as an alternative to psycho-stimulants and other prescription drugs. Small trials have found that some agents, such as oral flower essence, Panax Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, and Melatonin may have benefited ADHD sufferers.

There are also some Homeopathic remedies which actively target some of the more disruptive symptoms of ADHD and allow the child to concentrate easier. Natural remedies should be considered as a first step ahead of any psychiatric medication. When Natural Remedies are combined with a healthy lifestyle, relevant counseling, and strong dietary control, they have been shown to be effective in helping to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD.

Dietary Approaches - A number of specialized diets have been created for people suffering with ADHD. Encouragingly various studies have reported improved behaviour with diets that restrict possible allergens. Parents should discuss the elimination of certain foods with their health care professional or Homeopath or Nutritional expert before restricting the diet of any child.

Meditation Aids - A technique that uses sound may prove to be an effective tool for increasing children's attention. It also helps the child control their own brain wave activity. These sounds may also be specially mixed to improve attention, motor control and certain academic skills. When used with relaxation it also teaches the child to feel more relaxed, and less fidgety, and more focused.