Posts Tagged ‘adhd’

Kids With Autism – Risperdal and Similar Psychotropic Drugs May Produce Negative Responses

Jean Genet, a brain researcher and an autism survivor himself, truly believes that psychotropic drugs (i.e. Risperdal) can produce negative responses for the child over time. Although it is a stimulant drug which is known to fight ADHD, it is not immune from negative consequences. This is why kids with autism should be given better forms of treatment if possible.

What psychotropic drugs do is that they use the central nervous system’s energy as a fuel to the responses that they produce. However, the time it takes to entirely use this energy is relative to the child. The more active the child is, the faster the consumption of this energy will be.

If you want to detect when the psychotropic drug is about to exhaust the energy of the child’s central nervous system, you can do so by observing how aggressive the child’s behavior is. If s/he cannot sleep easily, lacks appetite and is unusually depressed, then the energy has most likely been used up. And since kids with autism are usually very on-the-go, it is easy to detect this behavior.

They say that when the symptoms of energy loss begin to surface, you need to increase the dosages. But then again, the symptoms will only become worse. Read more…

ADHD Vs ADD – Unraveling the Mystery

In this article titled “ADHD vs ADD” we will first explore the many names which this condition has been called over the years and then work to explain the differences between ADHD vs ADD.

Sometimes it is pretty amazing how the evolution of research deals with theories once thought to be absolute which are ultimately proven to absolutely wrong or incomplete. Never has there been a better example than with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Let’s briefly cover the five name changes which have occurred in recent years.

Hyperactivity of Childhood: First noted in the first edition of the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood: Noted in the second edition of the DSM.

Attention Deficit Disorder With or Without Hyperactivity (ADD): This name was introduced in the third edition of the DSM and is still used outside the doctor and specialist community. Read more…

Testing For Dyslexia – Are Online Tests For Dyslexia Any Good

Getting yourself diagnosed is the first and most important concern that you must address if you think that you are dyslexic.

With the availability of online testing for dyslexia this really will not be that hard. Online tests for dyslexia are specifically designed for people who are still struggling with their symptoms and have little understanding of what they’re dealing with. Most conventional tests for dyslexia will cost many hundreds of dollars just for a preliminary screening. Besides many people who undergo these tests are intimidated by them and thus end up answering inaccurately. This behavior often results in a lower than accurate diagnosis which adversely affects the final outcome of the treatment. It is specially in such cases that online tests for dyslexia outshine their conventional counterparts. These tests can be taken from the comfort of one’s home and since the person will be taking them all by him or herself he or she can answer with full confidence and thus the diagnosis made by these tests is remarkably accurate. Read more…

Can a Case Be Made For Linking ADHD and Anxiety?

While ADHD and anxiety are not the same condition could they be linked? Some experts believe the answer is yes.

According to the AMA ADHD is defined as a mental illness characterized by difficulty paying attention and a high degree of restlessness and impulsive behavior. Symptoms begin before the age of 7, cause problems in at least two different environments, and last for at least six months.

According to the AMA Anxiety is defined as a general feeling of uneasiness, dread, uncertainty, and fear in response to or in anticipation of a real or imagined threat.

While it might be difficult to draw a comparison between ADHD and anxiety by simply comparing definitions there are two areas where some correlations and associations can be drawn; biological causes and secondary symptoms.

Biology: Both ADHD and anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder both are believed to have a biological component involving imbalances of two or more brain chemical messengers (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin). These brain chemicals, and the way they interact with each other, are responsible for self regulation and mood. Let’s take each one individually. Read more…

Drug Free Medication For ADD & ADHD

There are many facts about children and the conditions known as ADD and ADHD. Some of these facts make for unhappy reading. One such fact is that by giving the child prescribed medication, that alone will fix the problem and it’s all as simple as popping a pill. This is doubly sad and not just because it’s wrong. It’s also sad because there is no need to give many children any prescribed medication and the future of the child, their future happiness in terms of academic success and social skills, can depend largely on their treatment for their condition.

Now as regards actually having the condition there are certain facts which should be stated. Just because your child is hyperactive does not mean they have the condition. Many if not most kids are full of energy and enjoy playing at a breakneck speed. And to be sure of any diagnosis, many experts recommend only certain medical professionals will be able to accurately pinpoint any symptoms. The two professionals most highly recommended are a neurosurgeon or a psychiatrist. It is up to each parent to make the choice but these professionals are believed by many to best be able to diagnose your child.

So assuming your child has been diagnosed with the disorder, you are naturally keen to know the best way to treat the youngster. Medications are widely used but there is the belief that they may not be the best option. First you can consider diet. This can mean removal of some foods and the provision of others. Read more…