In the U.S., over 6 million children have been diagnosed with ADD just since 2011. The term attention deficit disorder became a common household term about 25 years ago. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is nearly as old, but made its first mainstream appearance in the DSM-IV, the fourth updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Desperate parents may scour the internet and parenting books looking for information on possible treatment for ADD and ADHD, but it is a behavioral problem that effects more than young boys and girls. Adult ADD and ADHD are fairly common; about 3 million cases are diagnosed each year according to the Mayo Clinic. So how can these children and adults find help?
Therapy and Over the Counter Medication.
Your general family practice may be sufficient in helping you find the right treatment for ADD or ADHD, whether for a child or yourself. A primary care provider is able to diagnosis and prescribe medication, although a psychiatrist can offer both talk therapy and medication. It is generally believed in the medical community that both therapy and medication working together produce the best result.
There have been some indications that the symptoms of ADHD in children can be lessened with more natural remedies and behavior therapy. Because the two most commonly known pills for medication are Ritalin and Adderall, which have a high potential for later substance abuse, many parents feel cautious. Adults with ADD are more likely to take Adderall, which has some alarming possible side effects. Of course, it is up to the adult in either case to weigh the benefit of taking the medication against not taking it, an it is a decision to be discussed with your family doctor.
Would You Call It an Illness?
Children diagnosed with ADD exhibit a seeming inability to focus on one task for an extended length of time; to finish tasks they start; to listen to or follow directions, and sometimes, to daydream to the point that they seem confused when spoken to. Children with ADHD may have all these characteristics as well as hyperactive tendencies, such as having trouble staying seated, or refusing to stay seated at all. When these children grow into adults, these behavioral problems can cause even more trouble. It is not an illness or a sickness, but a way of operating, so to speak, in which the child or adult needs help learning how to manage themselves.
Children with ADD or ADHD are likely to grow into adults with either one or the other. Treatment for ADD or ADHD can make the sufferer’s life quite a bit easier. It is always wise to consider all one’s options.