ADHD Simplified

For many of us who have had ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), or who have had firsthand experience with the condition ADHD is for the most part easily recognizable. Ironically, what seems to be happening is the medical community is moving more towards over complicating this common mental health disorder than simplifying it.

For example the three basic types of attention deficit disorder are inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and the combined type. Putting these in perspective isn't all that difficult since over 90 percent of children with ADHD falling into the category of combined, with the vast majority of those being noticeably inattentive. But in the last few years two more classification have been added with more sure to come.

Another factor that tends to over complicate ADHD is a little know statistic stating that 70 percent of all of those with ADHD have at least one co-existing mental health disorder of some type in addition to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The most common examples of this are learning disorders, tic disorders, and manic depressive episodes.

When co-existing conditions exist what once was a fairly straightforward condition starts to take on a level of complexity that will require a medical professional to unravel its intricacies, and decipher the every changing laundry list of symptoms into a diagnosis and ultimately a successful treatment plan.

You should also be aware that even when it comes to ADHD without overlapping or co-existing conditions there are not any tests that can definitively prove that your child has the condition. There will be forms to fill out and numerous questions to be asked, but ultimately it will be up to your doctor to subjectively make the final call.

This has driven many parents to cry foul when their young daughter or passive son fail to receive a positive diagnosis  due to the absence of impulsive and/or hyperactive behaviors. It is a case of the squeaky wheel getting the oil in many cases, leading some to suggest that there are millions of diagnosed you girls and boys who are simply falling through the neatly defined cracks of current diagnostic criteria.

ADHD/ADD simplified

So once you look past the complicated diagnostic criteria and classifications what we are left with is inattention and distractibility. Does your child seem particularly forgetful? Do they tend to under achieve in class even though they put in the study time? Do they tend to have poor time management skills? Are they unusually disorganized? Do they often lose things such as their books and/or homework? Do they struggle with details never seeming to get homework specifics correct? Do they start projects only get distracted and not be able to restart?

If you are sitting there saying to yourself that this describes my son or daughter there is really good chance they have ADHD. Their brains just don't connect as effectively in some areas as their peers and most experts in the field believe the primary culprits to be the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine.

Looking for help

For those children struggling with ADHD finding an effective treatment option is an important first step to leveling the playing field. The most common form of treatment currently are prescription stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and Vyvanse. While effective, all stimulant medications come with a number of serious short and long term label warnings.

The risk of side effects, or perhaps lack of success with stimulants, has prompted many parents to investigate other options. A couple examples of this are behavior modification therapy (not often recommended for young children) and/or natural remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are a side effect free way to address such problematic child ADHD symptoms as inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, erratic behavior and hyperactivity and can be used both as a standalone treatment or as a compliment to other nonprescription alternatives.