ADD and ADHD are both disorders of the endocrine (hormone) system that cause a neurological dissorder of the brain. For some reason unknown, in some people, the body produces less of the hormone melatoin than in others.
Melatonin stimulates the attention center of the brain. When we do not have enough melatonin we are unable to maintain a normal level of attention.
For those who are effected with this disorder, the consequences are that the individuals in question are severely challenged in attaining their true potential.
The treatment of ADD and ADHD is divided into three stages. The first stage involves an interview with a psychiatrist, psychologist or qualified social worker who askes a series of pertinant questions on the subject. The secong stage involves taking a test wherby the person being tested is asked to perform a mondane repetitious test on a computer that requires no learning process. The first time that the person takes the test he is unmedicated. The second time he takes the test, which is after a break of one and a quarter hours, he is administered ritalin. On completion of the test, the results are quantified and analyzed by a qualified neurologist who specializes in ADD and ADHD and in the use of ritalin. The third stage involves the concluding interview with the neurologist. The examinee is informed of the results of the tests and the need of lack of need for treatment and prescribed with the correct dosage of the drug. The examinee will then be given a date for a future examination and contact details to contact an expert should he or she feel any ill effect from the drug.
In the past, nothing was known about ADD or ADHD. From an early age, children with ADD or ADHD were labeled dreamers, lazy, do not pay attention, incompetant and inable to perform tasks that others performed with relative ease.
It indeed was a hard life for those with ADD or ADHD as it was, also, forthe dislectic, disnumeric or disgraphic. Please note that any number of these different disorders may be manifested simultaneously. Children with these conditions were, in the past, accused of shaming their families, destroying parental dreams and with many other kinds negative associations.
Yet, somehow, time passes and these children turn into adults. For some, the affliction passes with the onset of adulthood, if not completely then to some degree at least. Others are not so lucky.
ADD interferes with the brains ability to assimilate data through the maintaining of a consistant level of attention. for those with ADD or ADHD the learning process is severely compromised. But is this the only problem?
When we say attention we naturally think of sitting in a classroom and paying attention what the teachers say and write on the blackboard. And yet, attention is a very broad term, and ADD covers its full range.
Attention can also infer focus and/or powers of orientation. On the other hand, in certain circumstances, it seems that ADD does not severely effect our powers of concentration. A good example of this is when we are driving. In actual fact, the field of driving should be split into two for the purposes of understanding the effect that ADD has on this subject. The first area of concern is attention to driving safely and the second area is attention to orientation.
It would seem that the unconcious mind, which is primarily our brains defence mechanism, can, in situations of potential danger, help maintain a higher level of attention and concentration. On the other hand, persons with ADD may loose their way several times in a single journey although they continue to drive qiute safely.
ADD and ADHD can effect the ability to make preparations through lack of consistant concentration, to organize or to make the choices that may be in our best interest. This is due to the lack of ability to focus and maintain attention on essential details that are essential to arranging priorities which are of paramount importance to every contributing element in the planning of every aspect of our lifes.
Persons with ADD or ADHD very often find themselves between the hammer and the anvil in a never ending viscious cycle of inability to organize their priorities.
Therefore, a person who posesses the potential to, say, attend university or college, may never know this because the ADD is obstructing his or her ability to make plans and sort themselves out.
Therefore, persons who suspect that they have ADD or ADHD absolutely should get diagnosed and treated for the disorder. After treatment it is vital to start using the medicine to allow the process that will initiate the realization of their potential to begin.
ADD can be treated at any stage in life and those afflicted with ADD should not be put off or allow themselves to be advised to the contrary.
Unfortunately, many adults with ADD are not only trapped by their condition but may be burdened still further by their partners. People often choose partners who they feel will not evolve and move on in life, thus �leaving them behind�.
If the partner suffering from ADD or ADHD does decide to move and address the issue of their ADD or ADHD, their partner may feel threatened and become insecure. In many of these cases jelousy sets in and pressure is applied aimed at shattering such plans.
Also, family doctors (GP'S) in some countries, like the UK, may come under fire from medical authorities for refering too many patients to specialists for non essential reasons and because of this advise adults with ADD and ADHD to simply get on with their lives as best they can and forget about treating ADD because the success of the treatment of ADD may be unquantifiable.. There may also be other reasons.
It is most important for individuals with ADD of ADHD to never allow themselves to be put off resolving their problem and by doing so, ultimately achieving a sense of happines.
Greetings, this is Andy Routledge. I decided to write about ADD because my two sons and one of my daughters have it and all receive treatment. Over the years I have become an expert on the subject and now give coaching sessions to people who think that they may have ADD or ADHD. I hope you might be able to use the knowledge gained here to help somebody to improve their quality of their life.
I would just like to add that I write articles for a living. I write on a great many subjects and take contract work for work that includes humorous and satirical articles, content articles, and copy. All written with my usual level of attention to detail and love for my work. If you would like to contact me, send me an e-mail at mailto:andrew@routledge-associates.comandrew@routledge-associates.com or send me a voice mail at mailto:aky292b@gmail.comaky292b@gmail.com