{"id":8359,"date":"2019-07-31T12:37:02","date_gmt":"2019-07-31T12:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=8359"},"modified":"2021-11-09T14:05:19","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T14:05:19","slug":"15-things-you-need-to-know-about-attention-deficit-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-things-you-need-to-know-about-attention-deficit-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Things You Need to Know About Attention Deficit Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Statistics show that more than 6.4-million American children are living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (ADD.) ADD experienced a 42-percent increase in diagnoses over the last eight years, with more than 6.1-percent of American children requiring the use of medication to manage their condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADD affects both children and teens, with some cases extending into the adult population as well. As of 2019, ADD is now the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in children, and if statistics are anything to go by, then we can expect this trend to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents of children diagnosed with ADD should take the time to increase their awareness of the condition, and how it affects the behavior of their child. Resorting to the use of medication to manage the disorder should be a last resort for any concerned parent, but in some cases, it may be necessary.
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1.    ADD is a Real Mental Disorder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost every medical association across the Continental United States agrees that ADD <\/a>is a genuine mental health disorder affecting millions of Americans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADD describes two types of mental disorders; ADD and ADHD. Attention deficit disorder, ADD, describes a condition where the affected individual experiences poor working memory, as well as an inability to pay attention and distractibility. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder describes a condition where the patient is impulsive and hyperactive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with ADD may find that they are slow to make decisions, and they struggle to maintain focus, especially when they cannot relate to the material. Students with the disorder may tend to daydream in a class or fall asleep when they fail to understand concepts and topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids with ADHD feel like they can\u2019t sit still when they get bored, and they may develop impulsive and reckless behavior when left to their own devices.
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2.    ADD Demographics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Data suggests that there is a specific demographic of the population at higher risk of developing AD. Children living in English-speaking households are more than four times more likely to receive an ADD diagnosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistics also show that children living in low-income households are also more likely to develop the condition when compared to those kids in high-income households. Some studies suggest that kids from low-income families receive less attention from teachers in school, and may remain undiagnosed for twice as long as those kids attending private schooling institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADD is not a discriminatory condition, and there are diagnosed cases across all races. However, some research suggests that mental disorders may affect people from different cultures in different manners. The average age of an ADD diagnosis ranges between five and eight years for boys and girls, with whites and blacks receiving the highest amount of diagnoses, and Asians experiencing the lowest rates for development of the condition.
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3.    Diagnosing ADD is Challenging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diagnosing ADD requires evaluating several areas of a child\u2019s behavior <\/a>over a three to six-month period. The affected individual must experience significant issues with the way the disorder affects their daily life. The condition must also cross over into multiple areas of life, such as schoolwork, social life, and family responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, the behavior exhibited by some patients may seem like nothing more than excessive hyperactivity, or some form of additional creativity. However, the condition continues to cause problems with the way the patient experiences life, giving them frustration in areas, even when they attempt to rectify the troublesome behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No single test can confirm the condition, and physicians require various diagnostic tools to ensure that they administer a proper diagnosis. The physician may also rely on the advice of a clinical psychologist and an occupational therapist in making their final diagnosis of ADD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After diagnosis, the doctor arranges a course of treatment for the patient, which may or may not include the use of medication to manage the condition.
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4.    ADD Occurs Alongside Other Mental Health Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mental health<\/a> issues affect one in every five Americans, and they often occur alongside other mental health disorders. Studies show that up to 30-percent of kids and up to 40-percent of adults with ADD have some form of co-existing mental health condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those patients who are dealing with ADHD may find that they develop the onset of high anxiety, as the compulsive feelings caused by the condition may begin to elevate cortisol levels in the bloodstream. As a result of this hormonal imbalance, patients may find that they are always in a fight-or-flight mode where they cannot shut down their minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These individuals are also at risk of developing sleeping disorders, such as insomnia. Insomnia can deteriorate the mental help of any individual. Sleep deprivation causes issues with decision-making, memory recall, and cognitive functions like thinking.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that those patients with ADHD are more than three times more likely to develop a sleeping disorder.
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5.    No-One is to Blame for ADD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Receiving an ADD diagnosis is hard on all the members of the family. The affected patient may feel emotions of low self-worth and feel that they are to blame for the way they turned out in life. Parents may also think that it is because of their genetics or life choices, that their child now has to endure this disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the truth of the matter is that no one is to blame for the development of ADD. If this is the lot that you are dealt in life, then it’s best to pick things up and get moving, rather than wallow around in feelings of guilt and depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some patients and their family members may find some benefit in attending counseling sessions where they can discuss their feelings with a clinical psychologist. A medical health professional can help them see through your guilt and blame, and provide the patient with the clarity to move forward in life.
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6.    ADD Treatment Requires a Multi-Faceted Approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Treatments that are available for ADD improve the functioning of the patient, by reducing the symptoms of the condition. While many people would like to think that they can take a pill, and the problem will go away, medication is only part of the treatment plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors recommend taking a multi-pronged approach to treatment, starting with evaluating a person\u2019s diet and exercise regimen. If the patient is eating too many refined cards, drinking sugary soda, and leading a sedentary lifestyle<\/a>, then they may notice significant benefits by cleaning up their diet and getting in some regular exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using alternative strategies like meditation to quiet the mind and enhance concentration may also prove useful. When all else fails, doctors will prescribe medications such as Adderall, Concerta, and Vyvance. However, doctors do not like to administer these drugs to children, and concerned parents should be wary of any physician that is quick to write a script before looking into other methods to improve the patient\u2019s functionality.
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7.    ADD Is a Complex Neurological Disorder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ADD affects how the brain produces and uses neurotransmitters \u2013 the chemical messengers that send instructions from the brain to the limbs and organs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neurotransmitters <\/a>also play a vital role in balancing our state of mind and mood. People that have ADD or ADHD experience disruption in the production and use of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain, with most patients displaying a deficit in these chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that patients with ADD may experience a reduction in blood flow to the brain when attempting to focus on completing a problem. The studies also show that affected individuals experience similar circulation issues when working on cognitive tasks like decision-making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent research also shows that children with ADD may experience a three-year delay in cognitive and mental development when compared to peers in the same age group. While the study also indicates that affected individuals experience a reduction in the white matter found in the brain, there is no sign of brain damage in patients with the disorder.
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8.    Patients Don\u2019t Outgrow ADD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most teens <\/a>affected by ADD do not end up outgrowing the condition as they age. However, for some, the symptoms do start to level off after they reach their thirties. However, around 75-percent of teens diagnosed with ADD will take the disorder into their adult lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADD in adults is known to affect the executive decision-making capabilities of the brain. As a result of the disorder, the patient may find that they develop risk-taking behavior, without clearly thinking about the consequences of their actions on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults may find it challenging to assimilate into a workplace where they do not have any interest in the outcome of their position. For instance, those people with ADD may struggle to maintain a desk job. It\u2019s best that ADD patients to find a vocation where they can utilize their passion or interests to provide income. ADD patients are often creative individuals that do well when founding their own business.
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9. Smoking During Pregnancy Increases Chances of ADD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cigarette <\/a>smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths annually in the United States. Cigarette-related deaths account for one in every five deaths in the country. Or around 1,300-deaths every day. Smoking is an extreme health risk, yet hundreds of millions of people continue with the habit, even though they know it’s bad for their health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoking during pregnancy can harm your child, leading to congenital disabilities and potential challenges with the pregnancy and bringing the baby to full term. Despite the social pressure to prevent mothers from smoking, many find they can’t drop the habit and smoke during pregnancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to research, children of mothers who smoke during pregnancy are around twice as likely to develop ADHD in the future. Medical science is at a loss to explain the reason for the connection, and it remains a mystery why this behavior leads to the onset of the condition. If you’re pregnant and looking to quit smoking, ask your doctor for help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. ADHD and ADD are the Same Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you walk into a doctor’s office, you’ll hear them refer to your or your child’s condition as “ADHD<\/a>,” Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, if you hear media personalities talking about it on the TV, they refer to the condition as “ADD.” What’s the difference between the two conditions? Can your child get ADD, and it progresses into ADHD?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reality is ADD and ADHD are the same condition. In medical science, they add the “H” for hyperactivity into the acronym. However, both ADD and ADHD are the same condition, producing the same symptoms and effects in children and adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADHD is the clinical diagnostic terminology for the condition, and doctors and psychologists refer to it by this moniker. However, if you’re talking with your doctor and refer to it as ADD, they’ll know what you’re talking about, and they probably won’t correct you. If you think you’re showing signs of ADD, speak to your doctor about the symptoms you’re experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Around 6% of Americans Have ADD\/ADHD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ADD is more widespread than people realize, and more people are developing the condition each year. Science is at a loss to explain the reason for the escalation in cases each year. However, some experts believe it may connect to kids’ diets and the early introduction of technology <\/a>devices like smartphones into their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical science still doesn’t understand how attention deficit disorder forms in children and adults. There are plenty of hypotheses, but there is no scientific consensus on how the condition develops in affected individuals. According to research, around 6% of Americans live with ADD, with the widest demographic being in young people under the age of 14-years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, no one ever grows out of ADD. However, individuals may find it easier to manage their symptoms as they get older, helping them control their minds. Learning mindfulness and meditation is critical in helping people with ADD overcome the feelings of restlessness and boredom they experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Many Celebrities Have Issues with ADD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, ADD <\/a>is a widespread problem. You probably know a few parents with ADD kids in school, and there are support groups for parents and kids that deal with the issue. However, it might surprise you to learn that even society’s elite has problems with ADD. There are plenty of celebrities dealing with the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the top personalities with ADD include the likes of Adam Levine, Ryan Gosling, and Solange Knowles. Despite their challenges in managing the condition, all these individuals created success in their careers. Therefore, we can deduce that ADD does not hamper a child’s opportunities in life. ADD kids have all the same opportunities as other kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just because they don’t do well in school doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent. Parents of ADD kids need to pay attention to their child’s interests and support them. By helping your child focus on things they enjoy, they learn the mental discipline required to concentrate and focus on other tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. There is No Cure for ADD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you or your kids receive an ADHD diagnosis<\/a>, it’s for life. Currently, there is no cure for the disorder and no recognized means of treating the condition into remission. People who experience the onset of ADHD only have the option of mitigating the effects of it on their minds and personality.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As children grow older, they learn how to deal with ADD. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help them when they’re kids, and they have no interest in anything but having fun. ADD kids can become unmanageable, especially if they have other factors like a poor diet or sugar consumption causing further complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADD kids needs to learn how to quiet their mind and focus. It’s challenging to teach your kids this technique, but it’s possible. There are dozens of YouTube tutorials offering short, guided meditations. Find a few of them and listen to them with your kids. They’ll hate it at first, but after a few weeks, you’ll see a notable difference in their behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Men are the Highest Risk Group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to research, men are at a higher risk of developing ADD than women. Therefore, more boys have the condition than girls. The same study shows that three times more boys than girls develop ADHD. IF your son is exhibiting signs of ADHD behavior, take them to their doctor for screening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor runs a series of tests on your child to get an understanding of their cognitive function. If the doctor diagnoses your child with ADHD, they may recommend they take medication. Doctors commonly prescribe Adderall or other similar drugs to calm the child and help them focus. Interestingly enough, Adderall is an amphetamine <\/a>stimulant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regular people, it causes a state of hyperawareness and energy. However, these drugs have the exact opposite effect in people with ADD. The drugs actually produce a calming effect, allowing them to focus in class. It’s important that parents follow their doctor’s instructions for administering the medication to their children.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. There Is No Research Showing a Link Between ADD and Sugar Intake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people assume that ADHD is a by-product of excess sugar intake in kids. While that seems to make sense, there is no conclusive evidence and no consensus in the medical community around this issue. While any parent that feeds their kid a sugary treat for the first time can attest \u2013 sugar gives kids plenty of energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering American kids get plenty of sugar in their diet, it also makes sense that sugar would be a leading contributor to the formation of ADHD in affected individuals. However, the reality is that medical science has no research pointing to sugar intake in the development of attention deficit disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to note that parents should not see this as advice to feed their kids sugar. Sugary foods are responsible for a wave of diabetes and obesity sweeping across America. Feeding an ADD kid a sugary treat will only exacerbate their problem. Speak to a kid’s nutritionist, and make sure you provide your children with a healthy diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n

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