Site Map

Attention Deficit Disorder Home Page

An informative guide on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ADD and ADHD

Common Medicines for Attention Deficit Disorder

The intent of medication for attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is to help normalize brain activity. As brain function is unique to each individual, it may take some trials before you can assess which medication for attention deficit disorder (if any at all) is best for you or your child

Most Common Symptoms of ADD

The most common symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In order to be diagnosed with this disorder an adult must have displayed these three traits since the age of seven. A child must experience the symptoms of attention deficit disorder for at least six months before a physician will confirm a diagnosis.

Medicines for ADD

Medications used to treat ADD and ADHD fall into three basic categories: stimulant medications, non-stimulant medications and mood stabilizers.

Stimulant medications (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall) are commonly used because they have been shown to be most effective for most people with ADHD. However, many other medications may also be prescribed at the discretion of the physician.

Most Common Symptoms of ADHD

Physiological symptoms of Attention disorder are loss of coordination and motor control. Individuals with ADD or ADHD may be awkward or clumsy, have many accidents, break things and suffer from frequent falls. Many also experience difficulty do with visual depth perception and balance.

Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder

Many families go through a period of confusion and distress during the time leading up to the diagnosis of attention deficit disorder. A diagnosis of ADD or ADHD can either feel like a Godsend or like a death sentence depending on over-all emotional health of the family unit.

Most people who receive a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder go through a period of mourning. Sometimes they regret all the time that might have been lost in the past searching for the cause of their symptoms. They may also despair because they perceive the disorder to be bad news for the future.

Most Common Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

The most common symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Physiological symptoms of Attention disorder are loss of coordination and motor control. Individuals with ADD or ADHD may be awkward or clumsy, have many accidents, break things and suffer from frequent falls. Many also experience difficulty do with visual depth perception and balance.

Psychological Symptoms of ADHD

Diagnosing Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

Hyperactivity in Children

Hyperactive children are usually diagnosed as suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. Sometimes the fidgeting, restlessness and temper tantrums associated with hyperactivity signify a far more serious condition such epilepsy, brain tumors, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism. To complicate matters more, most parents of hyperactive children interpret their behavior to be a bad case of willful disobedience. In actuality, hyperactive children mean well but are unable to control their emotions and actions.

ADD

Attention Deficit Disorder is a general term that describes all conditions that involve these three symptoms: distraction, impulsivity and hyperactivity. ADHD is a clinical term that is used to describe three subsets of the disorder: Combined Type, Predominantly Inattentive Type, and Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. Many people casually use the term ADD as a generic term for all types of ADHD. 

ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADD Treatment

ADHD Help

Attention Deficit Disorder Information

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms