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