Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the term for a mental disorder that occurs in children and adults. The condition generally causes difficulty with a person's ability to regulate activity level, control their behavior, and attend to tasks in the same way as their peers.

ADHD (or ADD) is characterized by three core symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. For more information, please see my article entitled The Big Three of ADD/ADHD.

There have been many theories, but in truth, the exact cause of ADD and ADHD is still unknown. There are some indications that it may be inherited and that the disorder is neurological in nature. One thing that is clear is that it is not caused by bad parenting or too much caffeine and sugar.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the only people who can diagnose ADD and ADHD are psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians or family physicians, neurologists, and clinical social workers. There is no "test" for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and it is generally a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that all other potential causes of the behavior are eliminated in order to obtain a diagnosis.

In the past, doctors believed that it was possible for some children to outgrow it. Most have changed that viewpoint and now believe that the child manages to compensate for their ADD/ADHD in such a way that they no longer fit the criteria for a diagnosis. Studies have indicated that only fifty percent of children on medication for ADD/ADHD continue it into adulthood, but this is in no way an indication that these adults no longer have the condition.

Medication for ADD and ADHD falls under two major categories: stimulants and Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs). Stimulants fall under the brand name of Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Focalin, Metadate, and the infamous Ritalin. Only one NRI has been approved for the treatment of ADD/ADHD, Strattera.

Medications should never be used as the only treatment. Furthermore, medication is not always necessary or effective for individuals with ADD and ADHD. Behavior modification, biofeedback, coaching, psychotherapy, and support groups are just a few possibilities that can be used with or as alternatives to medication.

Hyperactivity is actually a symptom of inactivity of the brain. It is believe that certain areas of the brain are not being stimulated enough and this causes ADHD behaviors. By stimulating these areas of the brain, the symptoms are reduced.

Stimulant medication has been used to treat ADD and ADHD for over sixty years. They are as "safe" as any medication can be. Many studies have indicated that individuals treated with medication are less likely to abuse other drugs.

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