Studies have shown that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are increasing at an alarming rate. Some think that it is because it is not really rising but that it is gaining more visibility with better tools and methods to detect it, but doctors disagree, saying that the number of identified incidents is definitely on the rise.
In the past couple of decades, doctors and professionals have been working hard to find alternatives treatments for this disorder. Many parents, as well as doctors, are reluctant to simply treat the disorder with drugs and other stimulant medications, and have been looking for effective alternatives, including researching possible natural remedies, where some herbal remedies are showing a lot of promise without the harmful and often undesirable side effects. It is clear that alternative treatments for ADD and ADHD need to be researched and developed.
Studies have shown stark contrasts when the EEG of non-ADD children are compared with those of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The affected children show in a statistically significant way that they show excessively slow brainwave activity, particularly in the alpha and theta ranges) than non-affected children. The end result is that this slowdown tends to affect the child's emotional and frequently also physical maturity levels.
It can be stated as fact that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurological conditions. For many years this diagnosis was disputed in the medical community, but more and more professionals have come to realize that based on what we know about the affliction today, this is indeed fact, which compounds the problem because it makes it more difficult to treat without causing negative impacts in other areas of the afflicted person. Again, this is what the most recent studies have indicated, although there is still disagreement on this since there are no medical tests available to definitively test such a broadly defined area.
Signs of ADD and ADHD would include:
Inattentiveness. The child affected by Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is clearly inattentive to a greater degree than a normal child would be inattentive. The affected child is not able to concentrate or focus on a particular activity or thing for longer periods of time. Sometimes part of the problem is thought to be having a lack of flexibility with attention focus. This can (although not necessarily always) create a need for the child to have special educational needs.
Forgetfulness. The child affected by ADD or ADHD will frequently forget things they have just learned or have just been taught. A particular place where this is noted is with teenagers who are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, who are about 400% more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease. Doctors attribute this to the fact that teenagers forget about the dangers of unprotected sex due to their inability to focus.
There are other symptoms, but a concrete diagnosis should be left to professionals since the various symptoms, which are much more than those listed here, can also indicate other disorders, where treatment options would be very different.
The bottom line is that understanding the affliction and early diagnosis are keys to helping the afflicted person cope with and deal with this disorder.
