According to a recent pilot study published by the Nutrition Journal on their website (www.nutritionj.com), there is now significant evidence that children who are affected by ADHD enjoy great benefits from daily supplementation of high levels of purified fish oil.

This finding merely confirms that diet can play a significant role in helping the young ADHD (and ADD) sufferer, and that, conversely, someone who has a poor diet will suffer what might be termed attention deficit diet disorder.

Attention deficit diet disorder is a phrase that is now applied to those children whose diet is not helping to alleviate their ADHD or ADD and the behavioral patterns that are usually associated with such conditions.

In other words, and in plain English, attention deficit diet disorder is as much about the child’s diet being disordered as it is about their medical condition being a ‘disorder’.

If such children are consuming a diet that is not helping them to handle and deal with their ADHD, then they can be said to be suffering both ADHD and attention deficit diet disorder.

And, of course, the answer to the problem of attention deficit diet disorder is remarkably simple, at least in theory.

Adjust the child’s diet to include those nutrients that are known to improve their behavior and that is the problem dealt with.

In practice, however, there are several difficulties with this simplistic approach to the child’s attention deficit diet disorder.

For example, referring back to the Nutrition Journal report, it has been shown in previous studies that ADHD children often have high levels of certain fatty acids in the blood.

The Nutrition Journal report showed that reducing these levels of fatty acids in the ADHD children’s blood generated significant improvements in their behavior, when compared to the ‘control group’ (non-ADHD) children.

The problem, of course, is that the family of a child whose ADHD condition is being exacerbated or amplified by a poor diet may not be able to afford to spend money on expensive diet supplements or indeed, on special diets.

The fact may well be that the reason that the child has an attention deficit diet disorder in the first place, that is, a poor diet, is a direct result of a lack of money in the family household.

Then there will be the question of education, or rather, the re-education of the family of such an ADHD affected child.

They will have to be shown and then comprehensively convinced that only a change of their child’s eating patterns can rid the child of attention deficit diet disorder.

That may be no easy task to achieve, unfortunately.

So, attention deficit diet disorder does exist and it can be dealt with. Furthermore, it is not necessarily difficult to deal with either.

Make some (perhaps fairly) significant change in the ASHD child’s diet and, hey presto, their attention deficit diet disorder begins to subside.

Answering the core question of whether people can and will do this, however, is another matter entirely!

Life ahead may be easy for a child, a teenager, or even an adult diagnosed with ADD. For somebody just diagnosed with ADD, predicting the life in future might not be easy, as one may not know how the symptoms would continue to remain and how the problem would be affected by age. However, thankfully, as time moves on, one starts to understand how to deal with ADD more efficiently, so that it causes fewer troubles in life.

Children with ADD are usually unmindful, reckless, or may get distracted easily or may show too much of goings-on. Also, the symptoms remain mostly the same even in other age groups. However, dealing with these symptoms does improve significantly, as one gets older.

The affect ADD can have on your life is largely determined by the medication you choose for treating the disorder. You may wish to consult the doctor to give you an advice on the future effects of taking stimulants, and also the implications of other medicines. Medicines are useful in dealing with ADD, though you can also try a behavior therapy too.

There are some characteristic traits, typical of ADD that you should prepare for in your life. These may be difficulties in being attentive to details, problem in remaining still for any span of time, being fidgety, or problem in being able to stay through and complete a given task.

Nevertheless, you can do a number of things in order to deal with the behavior typically related to ADD. To become more orderly and more managed in keeping things, an organizer can prove to be quite useful. For this, you can choose from anything like the effective book calendars to the digital organizers that are quite technologically sophisticated, to personal assistants. These will keep you well ordered, provided you are well trained to use these devices so that they can remember your important information and schedules.

These routines and schedules should be used to their maximum. You will naturally be inclined to forget and be careless. So by using a proper device you will tend to behave more unlike your nature and thus make lesser mistakes. So, it is always better to use automation.

You may also wish to be a part of groups, for support, or may at least want the company of the ones like you. You may feel the need for someone to confide in, who can understand you situation well. A person with ADD could be a perfect companion since they may be able to connect with you better than any friend or a family member, since they can support you only to a limit.

If you choose to home school your ADHD or ADD child (as many parents do) then you need to be aware that it is unlikely to be totally smooth sailing on the homeschooling front. Like all things in life, there is a downside that has to be seriously considered when you explore the practical homeschooling option.

Though one man’s bane may be another man’s boon, there are certain common reasons for concern.

The responsibility of teaching your child rests solely on you.

You cannot blame anyone else if your child is seen wanting in the skills that his peers excel in.

If your child cannot do the things that are expected from other children of his age group, it reflects badly on you as an educator as well as a parent.

A critical part of effective, practical homeschooling is the time that you have to spend with your children. You may have to give up your friends, shopping and other entertainment and dedicate all these to your child.

This can become frustrating at times.

You have to learn to take the aggravation with equanimity and wait for the rewards with patience and enthusiasm.

A parent who is dedicated to tutor his or her child single handedly does not realistically have much time left over for a
career. This means that the family is robbed of an additional source of income. In turn, this may lead to stress over finances.

You will have to train yourself to live on a strictly controlled budget. While this is a matter of habit, it does need some getting used to.

You cannot take a break when you feel like it. Feelings of guilt will assail you if you neglect studies just because you are
feeling blue. You also fear that the child will take advantage of the situation.

Even when you have given homework, you have to be around to give a helping hand. This means that anytime your child
is around you, you are on duty! For some, this may mean working every waking hour.

The child studying at home also needs to get out more. This comes from staying at home all the time.

Interaction with adults and other children needs to be given special attention.

Children tutored at home cannot develop in the various directions that are open to children attending public schools. To achieve that kind of exposure, you either have to be a super-parent skilled in everything, or enroll your child to various activities.

This may not only prove too costly, but also be counter-productive.

It is sometimes observed that homeschooled children do not do as well in SAT tests as their school-going counterparts.

Without adiploma or a GED, some students find it difficult to get into their chosen career.

Lastly, if you envision enrolling your child to a public school, there may be a certain period of emotional as well as social
adjustment. A child who is used to being at home for the whole day and enjoying so much of unrestricted freedom may have to undergo some distressing emotional upheavals before he or she gets used to the rigors of a regular school life.

Practical homeschooling 

 by: Cori Young

ADHD / ADD Smptoms, Causes & Alternative Treatment

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a dysfunction of the Central Nervous System (CNS), most specifically the reticular activating system.The most well known form of ADD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD affects an estimated 5% of school aged children in North America. It is the most common neurological disorder among children in this country.

SYMPTOMS AND CHARACHTERISTICS

This condition is marked by learning disabilities, frequent forgetfullness, impaired judgement, excessive talking/interupting, trouble concentrating, shortened attention span, and orginization problems.

WHAT CAUSES ADHD and ADD?

Research shows the common factor in all forms of ADD and ADHD to be a coordination failure in the reticular activating system of the brain. This area of the brain helps coordinate external stimulus. A brain chemical, norepinephrine, carries information between different regions of the brain which allows certain areas to be activated while others are inhibited, allowing one to focus on selected external information, while excluding others.

In the case of ADD / ADHD this neural coordination is impaired, causing competitive stimulation from multiple external and internal sources -too much visual stimulation, too much sound stimulation, too many internal feelings and emotions, etc. When the limited neural network is overly taxed in this regard, it becomes unable to “tune in” or focus on some stimulation, while “tuning out,” or “turning down” (attenuating) other stimulation. The results can be irritation, aggression and anxiety.

OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

SUGAR CONSUMPTION blunts the brain’s ability to respond to norepinephrine, thus impairing brain coordination.

ALLERGIES Up to 90% of all children with ADD or ADHD are allergic to red, yellow, and blue dyes found in food products. Other common food allergens include, cow’s milk, peanuts, citrus, and tomatoes.

FAMILY HISTORY

OXYGEN DEPRIVATION AT BIRTH

LEAD POISONING

DIETARY DEFICIENCIES

SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY

HOW CAN ADD/ADHD BE TREATED?

CONVENTIONAL APPROACH

Conventional treatment of ADD / ADHD most often includes the use of psychostimulant or antidepressant drugs. Over time, however these drugs often become ineffective and cause a sort of rebound effect where frustration and anger return. Excessive use of stimulant drugs can cause lethargy and depression.

ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Fortunately there are effective alternatives to medications.

A combination of herbs and nutritional support can often balance the brain chemistry naturally without the side effects of medications. There are formulas available that are designed specifically to provide the essential framework of lipids and fatty acids, natural hormones, as well as neural growth and synchronization factors quintessential for neural and glial cell generation in order to meet the demands of increased neural “traffic” through the reticular activating system.

Many herbs have been shown to provide relief from ADD/ADHD symptoms without the side effects of prescription drugs. However, not all herbs are suitable for small children. They are best used synergistically in a reputable formula designed specifically for the treatment of ADD/ADHD.

CONSIDERATIONS

AVOID SUGAR Research has shown that children with ADD and ADHD may not digest sugars properly. Sugar consumption has been linked to aggressive, restless behaviour.

IDENTIFY ALLERGIES Try to identify and avoid food allergens and neurotoxins such as artificial sweetners and food dyes.

AVOID SOFT DRINKS Both sugar-free and sweetened contain phosphates which displaces calcium/magnesium levels, causing exaggerated muscle activity.

GET PLENTY OF SUNLIGHT Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADD or ADHD. Occurring mostly in northern latitudes during the winter months, SAD produces ADD-like symptoms. Consider exposure to full-spectrum lighting if unable to spend time outdoors each day.

REFERENCES:

Prescription For Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

12 Effective Ways to Help Your Add/Adhd Child: Drug-Free Alternatives for Attention-Deficit Disorders by Laura J. Stevens

THE LCP SOLUTION: The Remarkable Nutritional Treatment for ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia by Malcolm J. Nicholl

Transforming the Difficult Child; The Nurtured Heart Approach by Howard Glasser

About The Author

Cori Young is an herbalist living in the Pacific Northwest.
For more information on healing with herbs, visit her website,
Herbal Remedies Info (http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com)

Is high-dose fish oil the magic pill?

Dr. Barry Sears claims that Zone diet, combined with daily supplements of high-dose fish oil (”pharmaceutical grade”), antioxidants and vitamins is the passport to a long, healthy and successful life.

The Omega Zone Diet and specialists’ opinion

“Omega RX Zone - The Miracle of High-dose Fish Oil” is considered the best contribution that Dr. Barry Sears has yet made to a healthy diet. The benefits of fish oil are well-known. Species such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are rich in two kinds of Omega 3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids have had proven beneficial effects in complaints such as arrhythmia, high triglyceride levels, atherosclerotic plaque and high blood pressure.

The recommendations of the American Heart Association meet Dr. Sears’ up to a point

• Both the AHA and Dr. Sears recognise the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids.
• Both parties tell us that fish is nowadays contaminated with various toxins like mercury, DDT or other harmful substances. See the AHA special report
• People with a high risk of coronary heart disease or of high-level trigliceride cannot obtain enough Omega 3 fatty acids from dietary fish. They may therefore need to supplement their diet with pharmaceutical fish oil.

Nevertheless, opinions vary on some points.

• High doses of fish oil are good for health, but the doses Dr. Sears recommends are much higher than those which AHA considers to be safe.
• Dr. Sears warns us to pay attention to what we buy. This is pharmaceutical fish oil preliminarily tested by International Fish Oil Standards program (IFOS). The AHA’s lab studies certified that all brands of pharmaceutical fish oil, even the cheapest, were free from toxins, at the moment of testing. But some of them did not meet the doses advertised on the label.
• Dr. Sears prescribes fish oil capsules for healthy people. The AHA does not.
• Dr. Sears claims that his fish oil supplements, Omega RX ZoneTM, will prevent and help cure heart and brain diseases. THey will also maintain healthy kidneys, immune system, joint movement, maintain cholesterol safe levels, stamina, strength, mood and general well-being. The American Food and Drug Administration did not evaluate any of these statements;

About The Author

Iulia Pascanu writes for http://www.enterthezonediet.com where you can find more information about the Zone Diet.

There is often a mistaken idea that having ADHD or ADD is necessarily and always a terrible thing.

Even though no one would pretend that ADHD or ADD is not a condition that generally has an adverse affect on a persons well-being, nevertheless, both conditions may offer advantages too.

Below is a list of 10 of the most common advantages that those with ADD most often seem to enjoy.

1. Empathy

People with ADD often show an incredible ability to ‘connect’ or empathize with other people. People with ADD also show a highly developed capability to identify with others, and to see a lot of diverse point of views.

2. Ingenuity

Many of those who might be though to be afflicted with ADD are, in fact, genuises! Painters, designers, sculptors, film makers, writers, musicians, and comedians - the list goes on. Composers Mozart and Beethoven are assumed to have had ADD.

3. Enthusiasm

When a person with ADD is bored with a job, finishing it can look as if it is a terrible torment. But provide he same person with an attention grabbing and involving task to work on and see the difference! In this situation, an ADDer will go at it at 100 miles per hour, and just watching them will tire out an ordinary, non-ADD person!

4. Problem Solving Capability

ADD sufferers are generally excellent puzzles and problems solvers. Provide them with an attention grabbing problem to crack and they will not be able to leave it until they have established the explanation. Significant historical inventors such as Thomas Edison and Thomas Jefferson are assumed to have had ADD.

5. Hyper-Focus

The capacity to hyper-focus is something that ADDers often make use of to their benefit. When kept under control and aimed towards fruitful jobs, like achieving objectives and living dreams, it can be an unbelievable positive feature that allows them to get the work done, and done well.

6. Sense of Humor/Flair for Comedy and Drama

Nearly all ADDers love to laugh, and many of them have an ability to make others laugh, as well as often being great actors and actresses. Well known personalities such as Charlize Theron, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams are believed to have ADD.

7. Spirit

There is no doubt that despite the fact that there are many great traits that come as part and parcel of having ADD, there are also many challenges too. But ADDers have a hard to believe capability to spring back back from those challenges, and others’ condemnation of those challenges that almost all ADD affected folks have undergone.

8. Intuitiveness

ADDers have a quick sense of perception. This may be as a result of extremely refrained intensity of awareness, or great innate knowledge of the human mind, or something else that we have thus far to comprehend. No matter what the explanation is, it is a very valuable gift.

9. Idea Generating

ADDers are brilliant proposal makers. They do not they can very often come up with thoughts and overall ideas in no time at all. They are a real benefit in brainstorming meetings.

10. That “Special Something”

A lot of ADDers believe that they have an exceptional way of looking at the world, a point of view that others simply do not comprehend. That is, until the ADDer comes across other people with ADD. You may say that they are on our own wavelength.

The fall season signals a shift in most people’s minds. The summer is coming to a close, and it’s back to school, work, and the other things that we haven’t put as much effort into since Memorial Day. Many ADDers welcome this shift, as boredom sets in around August and we long for something bigger to keep us occupied. But while the opportunity to dive into new projects and situations is exciting, it can also become quickly overwhelming.

One way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by all the extra activities that September brings is by remembering to schedule in personal “down time.” This means taking a chunk of time for yourself each and every day to relax, unwind, and plan.

“Anna” is a client of mine who has given me permission to share her story. I’ve been coaching Anna for a while, and we just resumed our work together after a month off. Anna owns a business selling her own artwork. She also has a husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a parrot. Her business, like many, is slow in the summer months, which works out well for her because she can spend extra time with her kids. Just two weeks ago, though, she started to see more orders coming in from her website for custom-made designs, and she panicked.

“All of a sudden, I realized that I had just one week to take my kids school clothes shopping AND school supply shopping, get Butter [the dog] to the vet because he can’t seem to stop scratching his ear, meet with the new web designer and get him the materials he’s going to need, and find the time to make and ship two products which I wasn’t expecting orders for. This is in addition to all the OTHER stuff I have to do, like grocery shop, cook, clean up, and spend time with my family.

So what did I do? I freaked out. Instead of getting to work, I sat on the couch and watched talk shows.”

Although the details and tasks will be different for everyone, this is a familiar tale for ADDers. Life seems to be rolling along fine and then, out of nowhere, the to-do list seems too big to handle. Overwhelm sets in, and it’s easy to shut down under the weight of the pressure.

Anna and I discussed this challenge, and the fact that she’s dealt with it before. In fact, every year at this time, she finds herself even more overwhelmed than usual. When I reminded her of this, she responded with amazement. “You know, you’re right! And when this happened last year, what helped was taking time out for myself.”

It did help. I remember talking with Anna and encouraging her to slow down and take care of herself. She protested, like many ADDers do, “How can I possibly slow down when I have so much to do?”

But the truth of the matter is that slowing down helps an ADDer get centered, de-stress, and gain control. So Anna and I worked out some ways that she could slow down, and make life about more than her to-do list, even though there was a lot to be done. We decided she would:

Go to the gym in the morning, because she likes to work out and she finds it helps keep her stress levels down

Find a babysitter and go on a “date” with her husband one night a week, because she likes to spend quality time with her husband

Take 15 minutes every evening before bed to plan out the tasks that she can reasonably accomplish the next day, because she likes to feel in control of her time

“It really helped,” Anna said as she remembered her life at this time last year. “I was having fun so I wasn’t so stressed all the time, and so all the things I had to do seemed more manageable. And once I established a planning routine, I didn’t feel frustrated or surprised by new things when they came up.”

Anna decided that she needed to implement this “slow-down” time once again. It’s only been a day, but she went back to the gym, scheduled lunch and a movie with her husband for Sunday, the kids have their school supplies, and Butter’s itchy ear has been treated!

When I asked permission to share her story, Anna offered this tip: “Tell your readers that planning is the thing that really makes all the difference! Sometimes I need to slow down in order to speed up.”

© Copyright

About The Author

Jennifer Koretsky is an ADD Management Coach who helps adults learn how to manage their ADD and move forward in life. She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, and skill-building programs. Her work has been featured in various media, including The New York Times Magazine and The London Times. Subscribe to Jennifer’s free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, by visiting http://www.ADDmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm.

What, if anything, separate ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) and Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD?

Well, the two conditions do share many common features that would make them almost indistinguishable for most people in the vast majority of cases and situations. And both would generally be ‘lumped together’ under the catch-all term of ADD, too!

For example, the beginnings of both conditions are physiological, and both will tend to demonstrate a multitude of consequences that come alongside the respective conditions.

However, where the two conditions could be said to differ is in the following:

The major indication of ADHD is a clearly noticeable level of hyperactivity and impulsivity. These are the indications that would tend to be clearly evident to the observant bystander.

ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder and the major indication of the presence of ADD is a general lack of concentration, rather then a surfeit of activity or energy.

For many years, the usual (incorrect) stereotype of both types of Attention Deficit Disorder has been the little boy bouncing off the walls, driving his teachers and parents crazy.

ADHD is beyond a doubt the more readily identifiable of the two subtypes, since it is so much more easily noticeable than ADD. Since hyperactivity causes a lot more disruption and problems in both the home and the classroom, it gets paid far more attention, and will be picked up on a lot quicker.

Sadly, this can sometimes mean that the far less obvious ‘true’ ADD gets buried beneath the hyperactivity, and, unfortunately, the consequences of the disorder can just as negative.

With the ‘true’ ADD, or negligent attention deficit disorder as it is sometimes termed, the sufferer will give the impression of being spacey and disordered.
Quite often, you might find his person simply gazing out of the window during classes, with a permanent air of not quite being there. Because of this vagueness and lack of specificity, it is much more troublesome to make an accurate diagnosis of ADD (as opposed to ADHD) and many people with this type of ADD might see years pass by without even knowing they have it.

But the consequences of the drifting or absent mind can be just as debilitating.

Moreover, for a long time, it was considered that only boys tended towards hyperactivity, and that it was therefore only boys who suffered from ADHD.

This was always palpable nonsense of course, and has now been conclusively proved to be so.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is thought by some to be an “academic” disability causing difficulties with attention and concentration in the classroom. However, ADHD is more than just an academic issue, it is a neurobiological disorder caused by chemical differences in the brain. Untreated, it may affect all aspects of the lives of those with ADHD, including his/her social interactions, extra-curricular activities and family relationships. ADHD requires continuous symptom relief to improve the overall functioning of a child.Studies have shown that children with ADHD who do not receive treatment run the increased risk of accidental death, injury, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse and criminal activity, along with causing marital difficulties for their parents. Social abilities and development of strong interpersonal skills are also at risk. Many children with ADHD have few friends and suffer from low self-esteem.

Proper diagnosis can help those with ADHD put their difficulties into perspective and provide a better understanding of many ADHD symptoms. Although more formal checklists are used in assessing ADHD, the patient support group CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, lists the following core symptoms:

1. Poor attention to detail
2. Fidgeting
3. Difficulty sustaining attention
4. Poor listening skills
5. Difficulty following instructions
6. Difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly
7. Poor organization
8. Always “on the go”
9. Excessive talking
10. Losing things
11. Easily distracted
12. Impatient
13. Forgetful
14. Interrupting others

Proper treatment of ADHD can manage symptoms and provide children with a chance to fulfill their potential. Research shows the greatest improvement in ADHD symptoms results from a combination of counseling and medical treatment.

All medications currently approved to treat ADHD belong to a class called stimulants. A number of new investigational ADHD treatments offer great promise and in the future Canadians will have more choice in ADHD treatment.

For more information on ADHD, please visit your family doctor.

- News Canada

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

Attention Deficit Disorder tends to focus predominately on children, leaving the ADD adult largely under served. Most of the information presented about Attention Deficit Disorder focuses on children, parenting and school issues. All but one ADHD medication currently on the market achieved FDA approval for adult Attention Deficit Disorder treatment.

Attention Deficit Disorder simply was not in vogue when the adult of today was a child decades ago. While today many express concerns of over diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder in children, many also acknowledge the under diagnosing of adults with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Adults with ADD often realize that they have Attention Deficit Disorder when their own child is diagnosed. Looking through the list of symptoms, the parent often sees similarities in their own present or past behavior.

Yet, the hurdles of Attention Deficit are often the same, whether in a child or an adult. The ADD adult might have trouble with staying on task, staying organized and procrastinating, just as the Attention Deficit Disorder child does. The Attention Deficit Disorder adult might have trouble maintaining relationships and controlling their mood, just like an ADD or ADHD child. The main difference between the ADD adult and the ADD child is that the adult with Attention Deficit typically has more sophisticated coping mechanisms.

For the better part, the Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD symptom test outlined for children is about the same for the adult, with the word “work” substituted for “school.” You can also look at the Attention Deficit Disorder test for children and ask yourself if, as a child, you had such symptoms or currently have such Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms.

Below is an adult symptom test with symptoms unique to the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. This self test is not a diagnostic test but a source of information for the adult trying to determine if Attention Deficit Disorder might be present in their life.

Adult ADD Symptom Test:

If you experience more than 10 points on this adult ADD self symptom test, Attention Deficit Disorder is likely present.

• An internal sense of anxiety
• Impulsive spending habits
• Frequent distractions during sex
• Frequently misplace the car keys, your purse or wallet or other day-to-day items
• Lack of attention to detail
• Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems
• Trouble following the proper channels or chain of commands
• An attitude of “read the directions when all else fails”
• Frequent traffic violations
• Impulsive job changes
• Trouble maintaining an organized work and/or home environment
• Chronically late or always in a hurry
• Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of daily living
• Poor financial management and frequent late bills
• Procrastination
• Spending excessive time at work due to inefficiencies
• Inconsistent work performance
• Sense of underachievement
• Frequent mood swings
• Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships
• A need to seek high stimulation activities
• Tendency toward exaggerated outbursts
• Transposing numbers, letters, words
• Tendency toward being argumentative
• Addictive personality toward food, alcohol, drugs, work and/or gambling.
• Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly
• “Thin-skinned” - having quick or exaggerated responses to real or imagined slights.

So you hit a number of points on the adult ADD self symptom test, now what?

First, it is important that a physician rule out conditions like anxiety, depression, hypothyroidism, manic-depressions or obsessive compulsive disorder that can mimic Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms. Hormonal imbalances in perimenopause and menopause can produce foggy thinking, anxiety and exaggerated outbursts. Women should rule out perimenopause if the Attention Deficit symptoms appear in their late 30s or 40s.

Physicians typically first prescribe antidepressants like Prozac for an adult with ADD, since depression issues often go hand-in-hand with adult ADD. Physicians usually move to stimulant medications like Adderall, Concerta or Ritalin or Strattera if antidepressants do not work.

The stimulant medication treatment route is not recommended for people with a history of drug or alcohol use or abuse since these are controlled substances with a fairly high degree of addiction potential in adults. Some adults find that the side effects of ADHD medications are not worth the benefits of the medication.

The Attention Deficit Disorder adult can find help naturally without the side effects of ADD medication treatment by incorporate diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications.

Release the Steam, Quiet the Mind:

Regular and vigorous exercise can be very helpful for the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. Attention Deficit Disorder adults tend to have addictive personalities. Exercise is a good addiction. Aside from the obvious health benefits, regular exercise is also a great way to release steam and quiet the mind. Some studies also link regular exercise to decreased depression - a condition common with Attention Deficit Disorder adults.

Diet:

The brain is a hungry organ that cannot function at optimal levels without the proper fuels. To keep the brain functioning at top performance, ADHD diets packed with brain boosting essential fatty acids and amino acids is a must. A diet high in lean protein provides amino acids necessary for brain functioning.

The ADD adult can also meet these crucial dietary requirements for Attention Deficit Disorder by taking a high-quality nutritional supplement to ensure that they are giving the brain the fuel it needs to function properly.

Restructuring the ADD adult environment:

The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should get into the habit of making lists. The list should include any and all tasks required for the day, from “Mop the kitchen floor” to “Finish the sales proposal.”

Write your list with the tasks of highest priority first. Once the highest priority task is completed, mark it off and go to the next. Warding off the urge to skip around on the list will take some discipline but the sense of accomplishment at completed tasks is well worth the effort.

The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should also keep a notepad in their car, purse, coat and on their bed stand. Thoughts come and go quickly. Jotting the good ideas down will ensure that they don’t go away quickly - assuming the notepad does not get lost in the process…

The alarm clock or a wristwatch with an alarm can be a great tool for the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. If you need to pick your child up from soccer practice at a certain time, set the alarm. If you have food cooking on the stove and you leave the kitchen, set the alarm. If you have an important appointment, set the alarm.

Large tasks tend to overwhelm the Attention Deficit Disorder adult and they often put off large task as long as possible. It is not uncommon for the Attention Deficit Disorder adult to procrastinate until the “11th Hour” and then pull an all-night jam session trying to meet a deadline.

For large tasks, the Attention Deficit Disorder adult will do well to break the task into smaller, more manageable tasks and attach deadlines to the smaller tasks. If you need to finish a large project in one week, for instance, schedule specific time each day to work on a specific aspect of the project.

An adult with Attention Deficit Disorder might also find it beneficial to enlist the help of a coach. A coach is a close and trusted friend, co-worker or therapist whose specific function is to help the Attention Deficit Disorder adult stay organized, on track and focused while providing encouragement.

About The Author

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance writer and mother of an Attention Deficit teen. For information about effective drug-free ADHD treatment, visit http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com

Attention Deficit Disorder