Thirty years ago, if a child was inattentive, fidgety, and prone to act on impulse, we would have called him rambunctious, an explorer, or even creative or bright. Three decades ago, children who had trouble paying attention in school were often skipped ahead, because the assumption was the work was not challenging enough for them. But now, when children begin exhibiting these symptoms, they are usually diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and medicated almost immediately. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a relatively new diagnosis, a label given to behavior commonly exhibited by boys of elementary school age. Young boys typically act impulsively, have excess energy, fidget, and have trouble paying attention in class. Compounded with the fact that the typical school age child spends 40-plus hours a week watching television or playing video games, it is no wonder many children have energy to burn. Many factors contribute to inattentiveness in children, some of which are quite serious and have nothing to do with the child’s physiology or conditions of the child’s health. Child abuse or neglect, for example, can cause children to act in ways normally associated with Attention Deficit Disorder. Often, a diagnosis of ADD is made and Ritalin or some other drug is prescribed, and the child goes on being abused without intervention. Symptoms of ADD can be indicative of serious psychological problems, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, or brain defects. Or, the behavior may be caused by something as simple as allergies, environmental sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies or even too much caffeine. Parents, teachers, and doctors should realize that Attention Deficit Disorder is never simple, and requires a thorough investigation of the causes, not just medication, to treat. Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Health-Fitness-Solutions.com. He provides more health related advice and attention deficit disorder information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
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