iPsychology

Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention-Deficit-Disorder ( ADD) , hyperactivity, and dyslexia are believed to be disorders of certain mechanisms of the central nervous system. Infants and children are the ones most often affected, and most often subjected to the widespread and indiscriminate use of drugs, especially Ritalin®, for quick short-cut suppression of deeper problems.ADD interferes with the child's home, school and social life. Unable to screen out stimuli, the child is easily distracted. This usually intelligent child receives a label of being "learning-disabled" and finds the nervous system cannot be slowed down to focus long enough to complete an assigned task. Other symptoms may be head knocking, self-destructiveness, temper tantrums, clumsiness and sleep disturbances. ADD may exist with or without the hyperactivity aspect.ADD has been diagnosed for hundreds of years, but more recently has become more prevalent due to the increased use of chemicals, pollutants, or heavy metal toxicity (such as lead, mercury, and cadmium). One estimate quotes over l.3 million with Attention Deficit Disorder; another source quotes up to 3 million with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Although genetics, infections and brain damage (trauma) have been cited as causes of ADD and LD (Learning Disabilities), these cases are quite rare compared to causes like a dysfunctional home, heavy metal toxicities, nutritional deficiencies, and food and chemical allergies. The majority of cases are caused by an immune defect and allergies to food additives, preservatives, chemicals, or inhalants. To deal adequately with this illness, we must address all these potential imbalances. Some of the nutritional deficiencies that correlate with LD or ADD are calcium, magnesium, iodine, iron and zinc. On the other hand, high copper, lead, cadmium and aluminum levels have also been seen in learning disabled children. Good nutrition during pregnancy and in the early years of the child' s life may help in preventing ADD. Eliminating processed foods, artificial flavorings, colorings, preservatives, and sugars have been shown to help the hyperactivity aspect of the affliction.

Symptoms in Infants and Young Children:

• Crying inconsolably
• Screaming Restlessness Poor or little sleep
• Difficult feeding
• Refuses affection and cuddles
• Head banging or rocking fits or temper tantrums

• Impulsiveness
• Clumsiness
• Constantly moving
• Destructive or disruptive behavior
• Accident proneness
• Bouts of fatigue, weakness and listlessness
• Aggressiveness
• Poor concentration ability
• Vocal repetition and loudness
• Withdrawn behavior
• Restlessness
• School failure despite normal or high IQ
• Poor sleep with nightmares
• Poor appetite and erratic eating habits
• Poor coordination
• Irritable, uncooperative, disobedient, self-injurious, nervous, very moody or depressed
• Hypersensitive to odors, lights, sound, heat and cold
• Nose and skin picking or hair pulling
• Bed wetting (enuresis)
• Dark circles or puffiness below the eyes
• Red earlobes or red cheeks
• Swollen neck glands or fluid behind ear drums