Concerned about ADD & ADHD?
Attention Deficient Disorder or Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADD or ADHD, is largely associated with children who have trouble paying attention, focusing, or exhibit hyperactive behavior. The terms ADD and ADHD are often used interchangeably but ADHD is the more modern term as it includes the hyperactivity component and is an all-encompassing term.
Many parents have thought that their child is just very active and boisterous. All toddlers and small kids are non-stop busy and so parents push through with the hope of their child will calm down in time.
Diagnosis of ADD & ADHD
Many parents may not have any indication of a problem until they receive cautious feedback from teachers concerning their child’s progress at school. Teachers are often overwhelmed and not able to provide the individual attention needed.
In a class of twenty 6-year-olds, it is easy for a vibrant and outgoing child to be labeled as having ADD or ADHD.
A concerned teacher and parent should most definitely discuss the behavioral issues, but testing by a neurologist near you is the best way to diagnose these brain functioning issues.
The stigma associated with ADD & ADHD
That feeling when all the other parents look at you because your child has been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.
It is embarrassing when you get hose looks, but there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Children all grow physically and mentally at different rates. Over and above that, every child is unique and special in their own way. Many of society's norms are forced on us to create "robots" that all look the same.
Throw off any concern and stares by the other parents. There are ways to treat and assist your child to overcome any challenges with a little work.
Treating ADD & ADHD
Starting with the symptoms
The tricky part about ADD/ADHD is that it can manifest itself in different ways depending on the person, so there is no one set of signs and symptoms that are the same for everyone. The most common characteristics are lack of focus and attention as well as hyperactivity.
Treatment with medication?
There are a lot of questions about the best way is to treat ADD/ADHD. The use of medication as the main form of treatment has been met with criticism and controversy. The reality is that the answer is not so simple and generally will come down to trying several different treatments.
Identifying Your ADHD triggers can take steps to manage it. You may be able to minimize your symptoms by identifying your individual trigger points. Common triggers include stress, poor sleep, certain foods and additives, overstimulation, and technology.
Your doctor can discuss the pros and cons of this course of treatment with you. Ultimately, each person is different, and it might take a combination of several of these treatments to see improvement.
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