ADD-ADHD

Many people with ADHD are smart, but not always, and it does not always show because the people are not attentive and therefore do not seem smart at all, just hyper and quite annoying.

The most effective treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Using both of these therapies ensures proper treatment of the specific cause of ADHD for each individual. There are stimulant and non-stimulant options for the medication therapies.

Good question! I haven't told my folks yet that I have been recently diagnosed!

You don't mention how old you are...and I presume by the wording of your question that you haven't been officially diagnosed yet. If this is the case, it might be worth talking to someone with ADD expertise, in confidence, to determine if a diagnosis is likely. I don't know if you have free access to this kind of advice through college etc (we do in the UK).

Then I suggest you write all the indicators down that make you suspect ADD. Everything from particular events in your childhood (ADD symptoms have to be present before 7yrs) and how you felt then to how you feel now.

When its all listed it will help you justify your suspicions to your folks if you really need to. You may find they need little convincing or are surprisingly supportive. Good Luck!

It's a shame you should HAVE to convince them. Hopefully, they'll be supportive and want to help you.

It might help to provide some informational pamphlets for them to read. Don't overwhelm them them with a stack of books and medical research/studies. :)

I don't mean to worry you but you should be prepared for a skeptical reaction. Often people are less than sympathetic when it comes to illnesses or disabilities that they can't actually see or have tangible proof of.

I'm in my thirties and my mom and step-dad are either in denial or simply refuse to accept that I (and 2 of my sisters!) suffer from varying degrees of ADD, depression, and anxiety. I sincerely hope you have a better support system than I've had. You'll fare far better than I have.

Good Luck and take care.

Yes, to a degree. ADHD is caused by underdevelopment in certain regions of the brain. However, individuals with ADHD have less dopamine in the brain and respond to drugs that increase this chemical in the brain.

Another opinion

Please go to the related link below.

I believe there is no solid scientific research to support the "chemical imbalance in the brain" theory of mental illness.

No, the symptoms are too different. Depression can only cause cognative problems that might be confused with ADD in older people, but ADHD has hyperactivity as a symptom, whereas people with depression typically have the exact opposite.

yes he does.

-They are Born with it

-They Lived through it before birth

There are two main forms of ADD/ADHD. One is genetically induce, the other induced culturally. While many people believe ADD/ADHD to be the result of birth defects, brain damage, or poor general health, there is no scientific basis to support such claims.

The gentic form is a vestigial development derived from the pre-agricultural revolution era. The agricultural revolution was a period in human history in which people abandoned the nomadic hunter-gatherer lifstyles for more sedentary ways of life based on the domestication and cultivation of plants and animals. In such pre-agricultural lifestyles the various ADD/ADHD symptoms would give an individual an advatage over those without such traits.

The culturally induced variety for ADD/ADHD is often called pseudo-ADD. It is often the result of the modern worlds tendency to make things fast paced, reduce information to small sound bites, and cutting strait to the bottom line.

"Worse" is a subjective measure, and there is no answer for this. ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder can be a difficult condition to live with. Adding Hyperactivity Disorder to it only makes it worse. Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder is a completely different matter and bears no comparison to ADD or ADHD.

There is not really a pill you can take! However, going to a fully natural diet--no processed foods, colors or additives--has helped many. (It is not just sugar that is an issue). Additionally, activities like bike riding, getting enough sleep and a scheduled lifestyle will go a long way to keeping focus.

Many girls and women with ADD/ADHD are often undiagnosed because their symptoms look different from those in boys or men. Many girls or women may not appear hyperactive. Girls are usually less rebellious, less defiant and generally considered less difficult than boys. Boys who are hyperactive and disorganized are easier to spot and more likely to be referred for an evaluation.

There are several personality types of girls in which ADHD could be a factor. For example, there are girls who are shy and withdrawn, but disorganized. There are girls who are "tomboys," who are drawn to risky activities. They may be cooperative at school and work hard to please parents and teachers, but are often disorganized and messy. There are "daydreamers" or girls who seem to listen to teachers in class, but be in another world. They may find their minds wandering, are forgetful and disorganized. They become very anxious, depressed, worried and overwhelmed when schoolwork is due. They often are thought to be less bright than they actually are. "Chatty" girls also have high activity levels, and are very talkative and emotional, but can be forgetful and disorganized. Highly intelligent girls, with above average IQs, who have increasing problems with concentration and organization as their school life becomes more demanding also may have ADHD.

Women with ADHD who complain of feeling overwhelmed and disorganized tend to be diagnosed more often with depression. These women often feel a powerful sense of shame and inadequacy. They oftentimes need to spend all of their waking energy just fighting their natural tendency to be disorganized. Sometimes, ADHD does not become a problem until a woman has a baby or a second baby, when she is expected to be highly organized, accomplishing multiple roles under a lot of strain as both a caregiver and, in many cases, a career woman.

In addition to the above, lots of popular media in our culture, like women's magazines often have articles about how women are supposed to be multi-taskers, and how all women have trouble keeping up with kids, home, work, etc. You see it in movies and TV shows, too.

This can prolong denial, and make it harder for women to get diagnosed.

Yes; as with most mental disorders there are varying degrees of severity. Some individuals with ADHD believe it has contributed to their success, not failure.

It is a psychological disorder caused by underdeveloped neuron-receptors in the brain. Basically, individuals with ADHD have an inability to focus because their minds cannot interpret the satisfaction one associates with achieving a long term goal.

About 3 to 5 percent of school-age children in the United States are thought to have AdHD. This means for a classroom of 20 to 30 students, on average there is one child with ADHD. Boys are four time more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD is not linked directly to increased lying; however, there has not been any large studies conducted into this.

The fact is no. Most kids will not grow out of ADHD but, You can get help with it at a younger age it will help with the rest of there life.

it depends on what your symptoms are. i have a 5.5 mm herniation and i am scheduled for decompression surgery on July 27, , 2010 (this Tuesday). i have scoliosis that my doctor is hoping will correct itself, and he also wishes that my herniation dooesnt get worse. my mom has a 8mm hern. and had surgery December 3 2009.

They can, as they get bored easily and this annoys them. if you keep them doing rigorous activities they shouldn't get bored too soon. Also these Children need lots of extra attention and will get violent if it is not given to them. Most will grow out of it with time.

I don't agree with the previous answer. From my experience and study, like any kids, kids with ADHD CAN get violent, but they are not necessarily more violent than other kids. It is far more common for them to just ignore people (because they are distracted) or act more impulsively. If they have LEARNED violent responses from others they may be a little more likely to act out violently on impulse but that would make them blend in more with the others around them (who are not ADHD but are acting violently) rather than make them stand out. Lack of attention won't make ADHD people be violent, it just makes them more likely to act in socially inappropriate ways since they are not paying attention to the reactions of others around them.

Dopamine

No. ADHD is a disorder that causes frequent lack of focus, irritability, periods of depression, hyperactivity, and problems socializing. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD often lead normal lives. It is estimated that 1/3 of children will grow out of it, while others will carry it into adulthood. There is no real evidence to suggest that it has an impact on overall life expectancy.

Some ADHD medications cause higher heart rates and blood pressure, and will need to be monitored closely. ADHD, by nature, is a stressful disorder that can cause a great deal of anxiety and agitation to sufferers. Therapy to teach coping mechanisms is often employed, as well as other therapeutic techniques.

In some cases, yes. Drinking during pregnancy increases the risk for ADHD.

there is a possible link between the two, but it is not certain. however, many other diseases, including fetal alcohol syndrome, ARE DEFINITELY caused by drinking while pregnant. -Akilae

Probably not; some people claimed that he does, but Bush himself hasn't said anything about it. When you're the US president, there's a lot of rumors on you, but they aren't all true.

ADHD can be controlled through various therapies: medication, counseling, lifestyle changes, meditation and exercise are all options that provide a way to control the symptoms of ADHD.

Yes they can. But they might have to work harder but they can do it.