What Is Attention Deficit Disorder


ADD - Picture of a butterfly in flightADD - Picture of a butterfly on a fingerADD - Picture of a butterfly on a flowerADD - Picture of a butterfly about to take off

Understanding ADHD
(NC)—The behavioural disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been recognized and treated since 1902. However, it is only in the last 20 years or so that research has demonstrated that it is a neurobiological disorder with...

Does Your Child have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder AD HD
AD/HD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a disorder that can have serious repercussions on the personal as well as a professional life of those affected and is believed by many to be overlooked too long. Children with AD/HD are...

When ADHD is Not Alone
As a primarily childhood disorder, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can take its toll on a family and the child affected by ADHD. However, despite the fact that ADHD is seen in 3 to 5 percent of all children, it is sometimes not the...

1
Featured Articles

ADHD Beyond The Classroom




(NC)—Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is thought by some to be an "academic" disability causing difficulties with attention and concentration in the classroom. However, ADHD is more than just an academic issue, it is a neurobiological disorder caused by chemical differences in the brain. Untreated, it may affect all aspects of the lives of those with ADHD, including his/her social interactions, extra-curricular activities and family relationships. ADHD requires continuous symptom relief to improve the overall functioning of a child.

Studies have shown that children with ADHD who do not receive treatment run the increased risk of accidental death, injury, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse and criminal activity, along with causing marital difficulties for their parents. Social abilities and development of strong interpersonal skills are also at risk. Many children with ADHD have few friends and suffer from low self-esteem.

Proper diagnosis can help those with ADHD put their difficulties into perspective and provide a better understanding of many ADHD symptoms. Although more formal checklists are used in assessing ADHD, the patient support group CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, lists the following core symptoms:


  1. Poor attention to detail

  2. Fidgeting

  3. Difficulty sustaining attention

  4. Poor listening skills

  5. Difficulty following instructions

  6. Difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly

  7. Poor organization

  8. Always "on the go"

  9. Excessive talking

  10. Losing things

  11. Easily distracted

  12. Impatient

  13. Forgetful

  14. Interrupting others


Proper treatment of ADHD can manage symptoms and provide children with a chance to fulfill their potential. Research shows the greatest improvement in ADHD symptoms results from a combination of counseling and medical treatment.

All medications currently approved to treat ADHD belong to a class called stimulants. A number of new investigational ADHD treatments offer great promise and in the future Canadians will have more choice in ADHD treatment.

For more information on ADHD, please visit your family doctor.

- News Canada

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.



Written by: News Canada

Symptoms and Treatments of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit Disorder is a chronic neurological disorder, which is predominantly diagnosed in children. Statistics estimates that 2-5 % of the population is affected by ADD, considering the rare possibility for cases of Adult ADD. ADD is one of the disturbing pediatric disorders in the United States, since 5 million are affected by this disorder. Attention deficit disorder is the old name of the disease with characteristic symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity, which is later renamed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD HD). The disorder is classified into three distinct subtypes, ADHD predominantly combined type, ADHD predominantly inattentive type and ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, on the basis of the pronounced characteristic symptom.

Low doses of Ritalin safe for preschoolers
Low doses of Ritalin can safely treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 3 to 5, says a U.S. study.

Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder As more and more information made available on various resources like newspapers, magazines, books and Internet websites about ADD/ADHD, adults began to realize themselves. At first, the information was written for children, and parents started to realize that [...]

What Does ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Mean?"
[link] What Does ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Mean?" .S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section,1995 [link]

Many Children With ADHD Not Being Treated
In contrast to claims that children are being overmedicated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder , a team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St.

Tips for Living Successfully with ADD / ADHD
There are some basic tips to help people with Attention Deficit Disorder. Following these suggestions can help those with ADD / ADHD.

New River Shares Hint of Dutch Tulips
TheStreet.com -... The difference is an amino acid that makes the treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) more difficult to abuse. ...::

FDA announces stronger warning for ADHD drugs
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced changes to the labels for Dexedrine, an amphetamine used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy, to war...