WHAT IS ADD?

Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD/ADHD, is a psychological term currently applied to anyone who meets the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for impulsivity, hyperactivity and/or inattention.  The diagnostic criteria are subjective and include behavior which might be caused by a wide variety of factors, ranging from brain defects to allergies to giftedness.  ADD, as currently defined, is a highly subjective description, not a specific disease.

There are two major types of ADD at this time (this aspect of ADD keeps evolving): ADD with hyperactivity (the traditional type of ADD) and ADD without hyperactivity ("inattentive" type). Here are the DSM IV diagnostic criteria in a condensed form:

Inattention (must meet six of the following to a degree that is "maladaptive"):

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes mistakes in schoolwork;
• difficulty sustaining attention in tasks;
• seems not to listen;
• fails to follow instructions or finish work;
• unorganized;
• difficulties with schoolwork or homework;
• loses things like school assignments, books, tools, etc.;
• easily distracted;
• forgetful about daily activities.

ADD with Hyperactivity (must meet six of the following to a degree that is "maladaptive"):

• fidgety in a squirmy sense;
• doesn't stay seated;
• runs or climbs excessively (or feelings of restlessness in older children);
• difficulty playing quietly;
• often "on the go" or acts if "driven by a motor";
• often talks excessively;
• blurts out answers to questions;
• difficulty waiting in lines or waiting turns;
• often interrupts or intrudes on others.

 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the key behaviors of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are especially difficult to define because it is hard to draw the line at where normal levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity end and clinically significant levels requiring intervention begin. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be observed in two different settings for six months or more and to a degree that is greater than other children of the same age.

The symptom categories of ADHD in children yield three potential classifications of ADHD—predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, or combined type if criteria for both subtypes are met:

Predominantly inattentive type symptoms may include:

• Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
• Have difficulty maintaining focus on one task
• Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless doing something enjoyable
• Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new or trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
• Not seem to listen when spoken to
• Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
• Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
• Struggle to follow instructions.

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type symptoms may include:

• Fidget and squirm in their seats
• Talk nonstop
• Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
• Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
• Be constantly in motion
• Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

and also these manifestations primarily of impulsivity:

• Be very impatient
• Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
• Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games

 TREATMENTS

Stimulants

The most commonly prescribed medication for child attention deficit disorder is stimulants. In fact, if you have heard of attention deficit disorder, then chances are high that you have also heard of such drugs as Ritalin and Adderall. In fact, stimulants are some of the most successful drugs for the disorder out there. The downside is that such drugs may not work for everyone and can be dangerous for those with hypertension or a risk of heart disease or stroke. 

Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers

Depression and mood disorders often come hand in hand with attention deficit disorder. If you are looking for alternative medications for attention deficit disorder, then you need to consider using antidepressants and mood stabilizers. If you treat a person’s depression with antidepressants, you can make them see that treatment is more than possible.

Some common antidepressant medications for child attention deficit disorder include Elavil, Prozac, and Zoloft, among many other options. These drugs can really help pull a person out of their despair or isolation. This can then make their condition easier to deal with and understand and can increase one’s work and school performance.

Common mood stabilizers like lithium are excellent medications for child attention deficit disorder if the child has some serious aggressive tendencies. Instead of acting out immediately without thinking, a child on such a medication will able to really think before he or she acts.

Thus, you can definitely not just keep them out of trouble, but can allow them to see the world in a whole new way. Such medications for child attention deficit disorder could give children the tools to really see past their immediate emotions and feelings so that they can make friends and succeed in life.