Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) has become, in recent years, almost a childhood epidemic. Those diagnosed with the disorder exhibit difficulty paying attention, disorganization, impatience, forgetfulness, distractibility, fidgeting, excessive talking, and impulsiveness. Much controversy surrounds ADD—both in the diagnosis and in the treatment of the disorder. Treatment of ADD generally involves medication such as Ritalin® or Adderall®. Recent treatment options take a more holistic approach, focusing on dietary needs and restrictions rather than medications.

ADD first began to receive acknowledgment in 1980 by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III). This diagnosis focused on two types of ADD: ADD with hyperactivity and ADD without hyperactivity. By the time the DSM-IV came out, psychologists assigned many nuances to the disease. For the initial diagnosis, six of the following nine criteria must be met:

• 1.
  Fails with attentiveness to details or careless mistakes are made in schoolwork, work, or other activities
• 2.
  Has difficulty maintaining attention to tasks or play activities
[Page 88]
• 3.
  Appears to not listen when being directly spoken to
• 4.
  Difficulty following through with directions and fails to complete activities
• 5.
  Often demonstrates difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• 6.
  Avoids or dislikes activities requiring sustained mental focus
• 7.
  Loses important objects
• 8.
  Easily distracted by external stimuli
• 9.
  Forgetful in daily activities

For a diagnosis of ADD with hyperactivity, six of the nine following criteria must be met:

• 1.
  Often fidgets or squirms in seat
• 2.
  Leaves the room in situations where remaining seated is expected
• 3.
  Runs or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations
• 4.
  Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
• 5.
  Often talks excessively
• 6.
  Appears to always be on the go or driven by a motor
• 7.
  Frequently blurts out answers before questions are finished
• 8.
  Has difficulty waiting
• 9.
  Interrupts or intrudes upon others

All of the above symptoms must be persistent for duration of at least six months, have an onset before the age of seven, be present in two or more settings, and must lead to a clear impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Treatment of ADD

ADD is most often treated with medication. Stimulants are prescribed for patients. While it might appear to be counter-intuitive to prescribe stimulants to those already suffering from hyperactivity or inattention, studies have shown that these medications do help alleviate the symptoms of ADD. The two most commonly prescribed medications for those suffering from ADD are Adderall and Ritalin. Other pharmaceuticals prescribed for treating ADD include antidepressants and or anti-hypertensive drugs.

Children with attention deficit disorder have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork. Controvery surrounds diagnoses.

Another treatment option for those suffering from ADD is behavior modification therapy. For children undergoing behavior modification therapy, timers, clear rules, and schedules are of the most benefit. Parents might set a timer for the child getting ready for bed, or they might have a checklist of items to be completed before leaving the house in the morning. Other treatments focusing on behavior include maintaining an exercise program, therapy sessions, and parental training.

A third treatment option for those diagnosed with ADD is diet and environmental control. Parents who swear by this treatment option focus on a holistic diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars. Some additives that have been cited as causing ADD-like symptoms include tartrazine (yellow dye number 5) and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Low blood sugar has also been cited as a cause for ADD-like symptoms, causing mothers to increase the number of healthy snacks and decrease the number of sugary snacks and sodas. One of the most widely known anti-ADD diets is the Feingold Diet.

...