Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Health

On Parenting by Nancy Shute

ADHD Medication and Sudden Death: How to Avoid the Risk

June 16, 2009 02:56 PM ET | Nancy Shute | Permanent Link | Print

Reader Comments

Attention Deficit Disorders - Do They Really Exist?

Parents and educators: Please read these articles

"Does ADD Really Exist?" by Dr. Thomas Armstrong:

http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/thomas_armstrong2.html

"Learning Disability": A Rose By Another Name" by Jan Hunt:

http://www.naturalchild.org/jan_hunt/learning.html

Detoxing off medicine is difficult

Detoxing off of ADHD medicine is a very dificult process. I know because I had to do it and I found myself addicted. I was unable to do it on my own. I needed professional help. The professionals at Sober Living by the Sea did this for me and gave me my life back. If you find that you need help coming off of medicine or other drugs and alcohol please call the people that saved my life and so many others like me.

http://www.soberliving.com

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD or ADHD)

ADHD is a disorder of the brain and behavior. It affects about 3 to 5% of children. The symptoms start before seven years of age. Global prevalence for children is approximately 5%, with wide variability dependent on research methodologies utilized in studies. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children. Children with ADHD have impaired functioning in multiple settings, including home, school, and in relationships with peers. If untreated, the disorder can have long-term adverse effects into adolescence and adulthood.

Symptoms:

The most common symptoms of ADHD are:

Impulsiveness:

acting before thinking of consequences, jumping from one activity to another, disorganization, tendency to interrupt other peoples' conversations

Hyperactivity:

restlessness, often characterized by an inability to sit still, fidgeting, squirminess, climbing on things, restless sleep.

Inattention:

easily distracted, day-dreaming, not finishing work, difficulty listening.

Subtypes:

ADHD has three subtypes:

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive

Most symptoms (six or more) are in the hyperactivity-impulsivity categories.

Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present, although inattention may still be present to some degree.

Predominantly inattentive

The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the inattention category and fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may still be present to some degree.

Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD.

Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive

Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present.

Most children have the combined type of ADHD

Causes

A specific cause of ADHD is not known. There are, however, a number of factors that may contribute to ADHD including genetics, diet and social and physical environments.

Genetic factors

Studies indicate that the disorder is highly heritable and that genetics are a factor in about 75% of ADHD cases. Hyperactivity also seems to be primarily a genetic condition however other causes do have an effect.

Researchers believe that a large majority of ADHD cases arise from a combination of various genes, many of which affect dopamine ( a chemical in the brain) transporters. The broad selection of targets indicates that ADHD does not follow the traditional model of a "genetic disease" and should therefore be viewed as a complex interaction among genetic and environmental factors.

http://child-psychologist.blogspot.com

Over prescribed

I truly believe everyone who is prescribed a stimulant should have their heart tested to make sure they do not have a hidden heart defect. I think these medications are over prescribed. Teachers are overwhelmed in their classroom. The child that is wild, excitable, difficult to teach is always going to have the parents pushed to be medicated. Doctors are more then willing to comply and prescribe these drugs. 30 years ago, before adhd became a diagnosis, how were these kids taught ?

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About On Parenting

Parenting may be an art, but there's a lot of science behind raising healthy, thriving children. Contributing Editor Nancy Shute explores the latest discoveries and developments affecting children's health and parenting. Send her your comments and questions at onparenting@usnews.com.

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