Attention Deficit Disorder

What is attention deficit disorder (ADD)?

 

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a syndrome that is often used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive. It has become apparent that many adults also suffer from this syndrome. It is sometimes referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The International Classification of Disease (ICD) defined ADD as a pattern of activity that includes four of the following: 1. Motor hyperactivity from childhood. 2. Attention deficits in childhood. 3. Affective liability. 4. Not completing tasks. 5. Volatile temper. 6. Impaired relationships. 7. Impulsivity. 8. Stress intolerance. While the ICD definition is for the diagnosis of ADD in adults, the eight characteristics listed apply also to children with ADD

What is the cause of ADD?

As with other syndromes the cause of ADD has eluded scientists for many years. There do, however, appear to be many associated factors. Stressful family situations are a factor in some situations.

Over exposure to heavy metals also has been implicated. Lead and aluminum are the most commonly implicated heavy metals.

Although ADD often runs in families scientists, to this point, have been unable to find evidence that ADD is genetic.

Diet appears to be a factor. Food additives have been implicated in the disorder. Many health professionals have reported that the elimination of gluten, dairy and sugar from the diet can induce behavioral improvements. Artificial colors and preservatives also appear to contribute to the erratic behavior of ADD patients. Commonly eliminated items in studies and cases of ADD sufferers include; dairy, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, chocolate and peanuts.

Recent studies have raised suspicions that patients with ADD have abnormal functioning of some processes in the central nervous system. Some of these abnormal functions include neurotransmitters, thyroid hormones and glucose utilization.

How is ADD traditionally treated?

Prescriptions for the group of drugs used to treat ADD and ADHD has seen an increase of 37% in the past five years. These drugs may mask the syndrome. They may temporarily reduce symptoms by affecting defective metabolic pathways (neurotransmitters, glucose and thyroid hormones).

Additionally, increased use of stimulants (which deplete the adrenals) have potential side effects (insomnia, irritability, growth impairment, weight loss and stomach pains). Alternative care is becoming more important in the treatment and the search for the cause of ADD, because under no circumstances will introducing a toxin into the body cause the body to heal.

What are alternative treatments for ADD?

“Like fever, ADHD may be a symptomatic diagnosis signaling other underlying conditions”.
Dr. L. Eugene Arnold, Child and Adolescent Disorders Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health

If Dr. Arnold is correct, then the way to treat ADD is by addressing the underlying factors, some of which are listed above. Nutrition can be effective in many of these areas. The B vitamins may be effective in correcting deficits in the metabolism of neurotransmitters as well as glucose metabolism deficits. Zinc is a factor in a host of major metabolic pathways. Zinc has also been found to be deficient in a wide variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical trials have found that ADHD subjects have significantly lower concentrations of key fatty acids in the plasma. Fatty acids are a necessary contributor to nervous system health. Dietary changes, as discussed above as well as supplementation, appear to have a pronounced effect on the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.

When heavy metals are a cause of ADD it is necessary to desensitize the body to those metals and influence the body to rid itself of the metals. This can be done by natural methods that your chiropractor can assist you with.

How is ADD like any other state of poor health?

A human being is designed to be a self-healing organism. Physical, emotional and chemical stresses have the potential to overrun the nervous system’s capacity to dissipate them. When this happens an unhealthy state results, a state of dis-ease. ADD/ADHD, like all conditions of dis-ease, is a consequence of a nervous system that is not healthy enough to adapt to stresses, or is overwhelmed by excessive stress. To rephrase, all states of poor health are a result of nervous system interference.

Chiropractors are the only health professionals to specifically address nervous system interference. We accomplish this by manipulation of the spine. The spine is the exit point for all of the nerves in the body. Nerves control every function in the body. When we manipulate the spine we remove nervous interference and allow the body to resume its function as a self-healing entity. ADD patients, and everyone else, benefits from the removal of nervous interference. By being adjusted regularly you give your body the opportunity to maintain a healthier state; a state where you are able to fight off the physical, chemical and emotional stresses that are a part of daily life before they become imbedded in your body.

When symptoms appear in your body it is likely that the cause of your symptoms was present long before your symptoms. This is true for all types of symptoms from backaches to ADD symptoms. The sooner the cause is dealt with the easier it is to chase away the symptoms. The best approach of all is to eat well, exercise and get regular chiropractic adjustments in order to keep your nervous system in peak condition. That way you remain a self-healing organism.