ADD & ADHD
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is defined as a persistent inability to concentrate on tasks. Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) presents similarly but also includes the inability to control impulses with an increase in physical activity. Attention deficit is now the most commonly diagnosed childhood behavioral disorder with 3-15% of children in the U.S. living with the disorder. The good news is that some children will outgrow their ADD or ADHD. However, 60% will continue to live with the disorder into adulthood and will continue medication unabated.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Children affected with attention deficit may be forgetful, have a difficult time completing tasks, or have cognitive and language developmental delays. Children with the hyperactivity component of the disorder may have a hard time sitting still and remaining quiet. They tend to be excessively talkative, impatient, and intrusive. This may sound like every child from time to time, so it is very important to look at a child’s grades. ADD and ADHD will almost always result in poor grades and additional problems in school and other social settings. For this reason, children affected with attention deficit are often misdiagnosed as having learning disorders. Likewise, adults living with attention deficits are also often misdiagnosed with addictive disorders such as alcoholism, smoking, or drug use.
Medical Treatment
In the medical world, ADD and ADHD can be treated with behavior therapy. However, they are more often treated with powerful pharmaceutical medications, which are effective in about 75% of patients. These drugs are associated with many serious risks including growth and developmental delays, heart problems, and neurotransmitter disruption. Furthermore, there has been little research performed on the long-term risks associated with these medications, but some evidence shows concern for drug dependence and early neurological degeneration.
Parents are often concerned about their children using alcohol or illegal drugs. Meanwhile, Ritalin, prescribed to millions of children for ADHD, is a class 2 narcotic three times more powerful than cocaine; and since 1990, Ritalin prescriptions have increased by almost 500 percent. This is cause for great concern, and we should all question why our country’s “War on Drugs” has turned a blind eye to this matter.
There are very effective natural ways in which Divine Design Natural Health can help patients suffering from ADD and ADHD. The first step is to remove anything from the patient’s environment that may be exacerbating his or her condition. Artificial sweeteners, vaccinations, and processed foods are only a few of the widely documented causes of ADHD symptoms, which often improve quickly when addressed.
The second step includes a brain-balancing program to improve concentration along with nutritional supplementation to support brain health. No reason exists for so many children to be taking powerful stimulant drugs. Despite what the pharmaceutical companies may say, the long-term consequences of psychotropic drugging have yet to be observed. Divine Design Natural Health offers education and implementation of effective and affordable solutions to this rising epidemic.
