Do You Have Symptoms of ADD/ADHD?

Posted by Kelly Jo on Sep 25, 2011 in awareness | 1 comment

I want to approach a rather odd topic…. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), sometimes referred to ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

I think we can all remember that kid in school that always got in trouble and wouldn’t sit still in class.  Heck! I remember a certain kid in 3rd grade causing so much trouble that my teacher, Mrs Woodard, built a cubby-like “mini-cubical” to separate him from the rest of the class on a very regular basis.  I always felt so bad for my teacher’s struggle with him… I felt even worse for him.  I look back and assume his need for attention was only a cry for help.  Maybe he did not get enough attention at home.  Maybe his need to lash out was only a biproduct of his controlling parents?  Was it a lack of attention or an overdose of attention that created this child’s unruliness and destructive behavior?  The doctor’s call it ADD/ADHD and tend to recommend medication for the child (or adult) showing symptoms:

Children Symptoms:

• Forgetful during daily activities
• Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• Always asking for attention
• Talks excessively
• Always on the go as if “driven by a motor”
• Intrudes on others and interrupts

Adult Symptoms:

• Procrastination and indecision
• Poor time management, losing track of time
• Difficulty completing and following through on tasks
• Chooses highly active, stimulating jobs
• Easily bored and impatient
• Impulsive, snap decisions and irresponsible behavior

I read this list and thought: “Wow!  That’s describing half of my friends and many of the symptoms even describe me!!”  I feel many of these symptoms are just a result of not being able to understand and cope with stress and conquer the habit of setting plans and organizing activities.  When I get overwhelmed, I shut down.  Once I got a grasp on what was happening to me, every time I would get this overwhelmed feeling I would go running or breathe my way through a long yoga class to enhance my mood and screw my mind on again.

I want to continue with the idea that the “ADD/ADHD rage” us just another way to pump more drugs into our society, and create more future pill-poppers for the medical industry to strive on (which also can lead to criminal activity and societal disruption).  Some medications don’t even work for everyone, and when they do they won’t solve all problems or eliminate specific symptoms (like disorganization, poor time management, forgetfulness and procrastination).

Let’s start with the concept of Nature vs. Nurture.  Even though a behavior may be a genetic predisposition, it can be changed through the proper nurturing of the parent.  There are many natural treatments that can help resolve symptoms of ADD/ADHD.  The term treatment actually refers to behavior, management, or action—not just to medical approaches.  ADD/ADHD treatments can be as simple as changing your habits, altering your frame of mind, talking to others, and learning strategies to help yourself or your child.  Relief for the symptoms of ADD/ADHD is in your hands and not only at the pharmacy:

Power of a Positive Attitude:

• Keep things in perspective:  Remember this is a behavioral disorder; you/your child’s actions are not often intentional.  (So have patience!)
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.  If one chore is left undone, be happy that 2 were completed.  If you have too much work to do in one night, shut it down and finish it in the morning.

Get Proper Nutrients: What and how you eat can easily affect your mood, energy levels and symptoms.

• Eat regularly:  schedule regular meals or snacks no more than 3 hours apart
• Be sure to get enough Zinc, Iron, and Magnesium in your diet
• Include protein and complex carbohydrates to each meal to help you feel more alert with steady, lasting energy levels

Get Routine Exercise: Physical activity immediately boosts the brain’s dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels—all of which affect focus and attention.

• Try to exercise:  Even if you can’t make it to the gym, walk for 30minutes at least 4 times per week, but optimally daily!
• Pick something enjoyable so you stick with it:  Choose activity that requires close attention to body movements, like dance, gymnastics, martial arts, etc.  Teams sports are also a good choice. Even better: be active in Nature… make some “green time”

Get Proper Sleep:

• Set a bedtime and stick to it
• Avoid caffeine later in the day
• Limit daytime napping

Be sure to teach your children positive behavioral actions early in their developmental years.  Allow them some space and freedom to act on their own, but show them enough attention to instill trust in your support and help.  If you pay too much attention to your child, he/she may grow up being able to only focus on themselves or situations where they are the center focus.  On the reverse, if you ignore your child too much, he/she will unleash odd social behaviors in a struggle for your attention.  Of course kids aren’t born with an owner’s manual, so use common sense: train yourself to be more organized, positive and form good eating/exercise habits.  Believe me what you do “rubs off” on your children.  If you are afraid you/your child might be facing the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, just slow things down, eat better, exercise and practice good habits.  It is all about balance!!  Good luck concentrating this week J