| Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD | | | | depression first, and, once that has been |
| or ADHD) is one of the most common | | | | controlled will begin to treat ADHD. |
| neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and | | | | |
| unfortunately most of its causes are unknown. | | | | So in that case pepression becomes the |
| It can persist through adolescence and into | | | | "primary" diagnosis and ADHD becomes the |
| adulthood. According to the estimation of | | | | "secondary" diagnosis. Other physicians will |
| American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic | | | | argue that treatment must be simultaneous, |
| and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV-TR) 3%-7% | | | | with treatment occurring at the same time. |
| of children suffer from ADHD. Some studies | | | | Arguments for this method of treatment say |
| have estimated higher rates in community | | | | that in order to have either condition under |
| samples. Surprisingly, ADHD is diagnosed | | | | control, both must be under control. |
| approximately three times more often in boys | | | | |
| than in girls. | | | | We should also understand that medication is |
| | | | often used to help normalize brain activity, |
| ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and | | | | as prescribed by a physician. Stimulant |
| adults who consistently display certain | | | | medications, like Ritalin, Dexedrine and |
| characteristic behaviors over a period of | | | | Adderall are commonly used because they have |
| time. The most common core features include: | | | | been shown to be most effective for most |
| | | | people with ADHD. However, many other |
| · Distractibility (less concentration and | | | | medications may also be used at the |
| poor sustained attention to tasks) | | | | discretion of the physician. |
| | | | |
| · Impulsivity (impaired impulse control | | | | Not just the medication, but behavior therapy |
| and delay of gratification) | | | | and cognitive therapy are also often helpful |
| | | | to modify certain behaviors and to deal with |
| · Hyperactivity (excessive activity and | | | | the emotional effects of ADHD. Many adults |
| physical restlessness) | | | | also benefit from working with an ADHD coach |
| | | | to help manage problem behaviors and develop |
| ADHD does not often come alone and there are | | | | coping skills, such as improving |
| many other conditions that are commonly | | | | organizational skills and improving |
| associated with ADHD like depression, bipolar | | | | productivity. Moreover, the role of parents |
| disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, | | | | cannot be underestimated in either case. |
| conduct disorders and learning disabilities. | | | | |
| These are just some of the conditions that | | | | As it is one of the most common and deadly |
| can appear with ADHD. Some studies have | | | | diseases, so it is recognized as a disability |
| indicated that between 50% and 70% of | | | | under federal legislation (the Rehabilitation |
| individuals with ADHD also have some other | | | | Act of 1973; the Americans With Disabilities |
| conditions. | | | | Act; and the Individuals With Disabilities |
| | | | Education Act). Appropriate and reasonable |
| Early diagnosis and treatment can often times | | | | accommodations are sometimes made at school |
| prevent problems later. According to studies, | | | | for children with ADHD, and in the workplace |
| anywhere from 24% to 30% of patients with | | | | for adults with ADHD, which help the |
| ADHD also suffer from depression. In the past | | | | individual to work more efficiently and |
| it was thought that depression might have | | | | productively. The idea is to make them feel |
| been the result of constant failures due to | | | | comfortable as they are already challenged as |
| ADHD symptoms. Therefore, if ADHD was | | | | a human being we should help and respect |
| successfully treated, the depression should | | | | them. |
| disappear. Based on this assumption, ADHD was | | | | |
| considered to be the primary diagnosis and | | | | It is also believed that psychology does |
| the depression was ignored. However, a study | | | | nothing to treat or even to address the real |
| by the Pediatric Pharmacology Department at | | | | ADHD symptoms. Usually psychologist and |
| Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston | | | | counselor help you and your child live with |
| indicated that depression and ADHD are | | | | and accept the condition. So everybody, |
| separate and both should be treated one after | | | | including the doctors, agree that the current |
| the other or sometimes simultaneously | | | | state-of-the-art treatment for ADHD does |
| (depending upon the individual case). | | | | nothing really to treat the actual disorder. |
| | | | Some experts recommend that all individuals |
| Clinical experience has shown that the most | | | | receiving a diagnosis of ADHD should also |
| effective treatment for ADHD is a combination | | | | have a complete and thorough psychological |
| of medication (when necessary), therapy or | | | | evaluation to determine the presence (or |
| counseling to learn coping skills and | | | | absence) of any co-existing disorders. Once |
| adaptive behaviors, and ADD coaching for | | | | this has been completed, a treatment team, |
| adults. | | | | sometimes consisting of family physician, |
| | | | psychologist and psychiatrist, can work |
| Indeed, diagnosis can be very difficult. | | | | together to create a treatment plan geared |
| Stimulant medications, commonly used to treat | | | | specifically for that individual. |
| ADHD, can sometimes cause side effects that | | | | |
| mimic depressive symptoms. These medications | | | | Update: New research is appearing now that's |
| can also increase symptoms of depression and | | | | showing the link between the consumption of |
| bipolar disorders, making it hard to | | | | food additives by children -- especially food |
| distinquish what are the true symptoms and | | | | colorings -- and attention deficit |
| which are caused from medication. Many | | | | hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Read more |
| physicians will, therefore, treat the | | | | about this at addgabriele.com/newresearch. |