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Many children are diagnosed with add and adhd in the United States. It is a very startling fact that the rate of diagnosis for ADHD, which in the past was referred to as simply ADD, has been rising consistently over the past thirty years or so. In the decade spanning 1990 - 2000 there was a staggering 700% increase in the number of children being medicated for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder! In a report put forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2005 there were an estimated 4.5 million children diagnosed with ADHD! Around half of those diagnosed were on ADHD medication. It is fairly well known that boys are far more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than their female counterparts are while white or Caucasian children are around two times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than their African-American counterparts and Mexican-Americans have the lowest rate of diagnosis. Despite these very alarming facts surrounding the issue of add and adhd it is important to note that American doctors are not actually over-diagnosing the disorder despite the fact that the United States does have a tendency and a reputation for over-prescription. As far as ADHD is concerned the disorder is broken down into three sub-categories as follows: 1. Inattentive 2. Hyperactive/Impulsive 3. Combination Inattentive and hyperactive/Impulsive Before a diagnosis of ADHD is made the child concerned has to have the associated symptoms of the disorder which means that they need to show inattentive or impulsive behavior. They also need to show these symptoms before they have reached the age of seven and in a number of different settings, for example both at school and at home. Of course being able to recognize the symptoms of the disorder is vital but what is possibly even more important is being able to recognize those that are not indicative of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder such as: * Learning difficulties * Medical Issues * Emotional Issues * Behavioral Concerns including anxiety and depression * Adjustment related issues Very often a child will be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder even when they do not have the disorder at all and this has obviously resulted in a number of children being medicated even though they need not be. If the child has recently changed schools or if there has been a notable change within the child's family such as either a divorce or even a death, these events can cause behavior patterns that can be confused or misdiagnosed as symptoms of ADHD. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed there are certain very specific diagnostic criteria that must be met and these are outlined by The American Psychiatric Association (APA). As a parent it is absolutely crucial that you are aware of what treatments are available to you and your child in the event that they are diagnosed with ADHD after being thoroughly assessed. For example treatment needs to include not only medication but also behavioral therapy as well. There are a growing number of experts who are now of the opinion that medications should be avoided altogether when the child is younger than six years of age and the American Academy of Pediatrics concurs with this viewpoint. Studies have shown and proven that medications are very effective and successful in combating the symptoms of ADHD, especially in the short-term. Of course not all experts share this opinion and the issue continues to be debated as far as treatment options are concerned. When it comes right down to it add and adhd are real and the medications used in treating the disorder have been in existence for more than half a century. They also have a good track record as far as their safety is concerned although they are known to produce sometimes intolerable side-effects. Another fact that cannot be overlooked or denied is that difficulties surrounding attention can be caused by a wide range of factors and these need to be investigated thoroughly before a reliable and accurate diagnosis can be made. Many experts agree that the medications prescribed for treating the disorder are safe and effective provided that they are used properly and under adult supervision. To find useful information on add and adhd, please take the time to visit my website at http://www.adhd-treatment-info.com/. You can address the issue of ADHD and find a highly effective natural homeopathic remedy to combat the disorder. From V K Rajagopalan, passionate about Natural Healthy Living.
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