ADD/ADHD

Treatment

The number of children, as well as adults, diagnosed with ADD/ADHD continues to grow. Most children are energetic, so knowing the difference in a child with ADD/ADHD and a child who is just very active can be challenging at times. At Life Quality Resources we know the adverse effects that an inaccurate diagnosis can produce, so we take every step and precaution to ensure that we get it right the first time. Our clinical staff use careful assessment and employ our child development expertise to personalize a treatment plan that is specifically designed to meet yours or your child’s needs.

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Typical ADD/ADHD treatment at Life Quality Resources will address and might include:

·         Focus and Attention

·         Memory

·         Organization Skills

·         Behavior Control

·         Self control – self regulation via Biofeedback/Neurofeedback

·         Neurotransmitter Balance

·         Nutritional Program

·         Medication Management (adults 18 and over)

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About ADD/ADHD

Although childhood is an exciting period of learning, energy, creativity and development, for many children it is also a time of frustration. Difficulties in the classroom and within relationships due to an inability to focus can lead to a variety of behavioral issues. Many of these children grow to be adults with little to no help understanding why they feel and act in the manner that they do. Most of these children and adults are enduring a group of symptoms referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder. When these symptoms are present in an overactive individual it is known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). When the primary symptom is simply extreme inattention the diagnosis is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

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ADD/ADHD behaviors can be extreme, and are often characterized as excessive and destructive, and can be unsafe to the child or adult suffering from ADD/ADHD because of impulsive and/or risk-taking behaviors. These characteristics often lead to poor performance in school, and can be damaging to relationships. If left untreated, these children and adults are more apt to engage in altercations with authority figures and experiment with drugs and alcohol. Over five times as many boys suffer from ADD/ADHD than do girls. It is estimated that around 50-80% of childhood diagnosed cases of ADD/ADHD persist into adolescence, and between 30-50% persist into adulthood.

 

Causes
Although science is still seeking more research to conclusively determine the cause of ADD/ADHD, there is agreement that there are several contributing factors. These include:

Heredity
About 30% of individuals with ADD/ADHD have a close relative with this condition. Some studies have shown an increased frequency of other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and mood disorders, in individuals with ADD/ADHD and their family members. Research is ongoing in hopes to find a gene associated with ADD/ADHD.

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Chemical Imbalances in the Brain
Research has shown that there is a difference between the neurological function of those with ADD/ADHD and those without it. The neurotransmitters dopamine and acetylcholine have been linked to memory, awareness, concentration, reasoning, judgment, and perception, and an imbalance of these important neurotransmitters may influence an individual’s cognitive function.

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Neurophysiology
The front sub-cortical area of the brain is less active in those with ADD/ADHD. This area of the brain is responsible for the executive functions carried out by the brain such as holding and sorting information, controlling emotion and frustration, inhibiting impulses, integrating information into new ideas, directing complex problem-solving organizing, and initiating the functions of other areas of the brain.

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Diet
Studies have shown a link between decreasing the amount of pre-packaged and processed foods high in sugar and a decrease in the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Rapid blood glucose shifts associated with foods that are high in sugar has been found to increase the difficulty of sustaining attention and concentration, as well as decreasing impulse control. A diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables, coupled with complex carbohydrates and nutrient supplements such as vitamin B-complex can to improve the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in children and adults.

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