Comments for But Why Do I Have ADD at http://innerself.com/html , comment 0 to 20 out of 25 comments http://innerself.com/html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:50:57 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_94 I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. I HAVE 4 NEPHEWS AND I THINK ALL OF THEM HAVE ADD, THEY ARE VERY, VERY INTELLIGENT, BUT THEY HAVE A BEHAVIOR PROBLEM WHILE AT SCHOOL, ONLU BECAUSE WHENTHEY'RE DONE WITH CLASSWORK, THEY GET BORED AND FIND ANYTHING TO GET INTO, SO I WAS JUST WANTING TO KNOW SINCE EVERYONE SAYS TO TAKE THEM TO MENTAL HEALTH TO GET SOME MEDICATION FOR THEM, IS THAT REALLY NECCESSARY AND PLEASE IF YOU CAN POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS TO WHAT I NEED TO DO TO TRY AND SEEK THEM SOME HELP. - TAMMY HOWARD Thu, 16 Aug 2007 22:04:05 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_110 I beleive the mental suggestion is a good idea but not for the reason other people think. I am 30 years of age and I recently went through the roughest time of my life so far " so help me". I also had ADD trouble through school which I grew out of with time and a lot of people do. 6 months ago I began to see a theropist because I always had the feeling I needed to but didnt know why. I found out I was emotionally 15 years old being age wise 29. No wonder a relationship had not worked out so far. Everything is fine now and I'm emotionallly 30 and at age 30. This might be something to look into. I don't know how old your nephews are but small children tend to get bored as you know and get inventive. The chance it is all of them probably not so good but it is worth the knowledge someone can provide. Also are their teachers willing to be patient and try to understand the issue. " I'm just curious about that". I can tell you that when I was in the 5th grade I could not concentrate enough to read three words out of a sentence in a row. By the time I was 14 I began to teach myself chess and still play. I rarely meet someone who is a more proficient reader than me now. I dont know how much this worries you but I bet it will pass. Do try the mental health for lots of reasons and the doctor I'm sure will stumble onto other things as well thats how they are be ready lol. Please e-mail me and tell me what you thing or what your ideas are and progress, I would like know. John Weatherholt - john weatherholt Sat, 01 Sep 2007 22:03:58 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_167 From What I read recently- Fish oil supplements combined with DHA have been found really effective with children having ADD . Flaxseed Oil is also probably good to add in thier foods, as it is rich in alot of the varied fatty acids needed. I'd get the fish oil capsules tested for mercury -- Spectrum or Carlson's brand are good choices. - Lisa Augustine Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:58:09 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_182 I am a teacher and encourage parents to seek alternatives in diet rather than medications. The problem for the child is that it is often so hard to focus, the child begins to miss so much of what is tuaght and often can't sustain attention long enough to grasp it all. Yes, I do modify information and teaching styles for these children, yet it often isn't enough as the work load by grade 4 increases. I have taught many very bright children with ADD and ADHD and Aspergers. The other problem is that the child begins to stand out, as their classmates see their behavior as odd or different. this effects the child's willingness to try, as self esteem starts to suffer.No it isn't fair, but it is true. My class is mainstreamed with special ed and regular ed, so I use many ways to teach and help children. I work closely with our couselor for children who are struggling with feelings. Often the children with this type of learning difficulty as also highly creative and inventive children with lots of ideas. We draw upon this talent. - R DeTrolio Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:30:30 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_183 counselor: my fingers went to fast! - R DeTrolio Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:31:26 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_196 Reading everythign i no about ADD, i seroisly think i might have it. i mean just today i got yelleed at for looking in the hall twice! And then my math teacher says i do it a lot. And when i get home from school i can never get my homework done. i always find something more interesting. It's wierd. - Erin Maple Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:38:52 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_200 You never really answered the question but maybe that is the way you planned it. I still believe there is something lacking in our diets. Maybe ADD is an invention of teachers via drug companies to make money. However I am sure each of us is different and what might work for me might not work for you or your child. - Gerald (Jerry) Landis Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:14:57 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_223 I am very add and I have just learned about it in the past 2 years, my girl friend talked me into researching it. I am 50 now and I have had a rough time my whole life, I thought and so did everyone else that I was not smart at all. I xan't even type to much.. I am doing better but my sons are sruggling I need help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ron - ronald Sorenson Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:55:39 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_245 There is not enough room here to describe the tumultuous journey that we have been on and how ADD has effected our lives in profoundly nightmarish and wonderful ways. I had a friend once that had a teenage son that was on ritilin and I criticised her. I told her that "ADD was just a lazy parents' excuse for not wanting to discipline their children". I thought I was an expert, you see, because my daughter always did very well in school. I also had a son who was in preschool at the time. It wasn't long after that that my nightmare began. My son repeated the 2nd grade because he couldn't stay in his seat. By the 3rd grade his teacher would call me regularly to complain that he was driving her nuts. By the 4th grade he was bullied and teased by classmates and in detention all the time for forgetting and losing things and not following directions. I began wondering if he had a learning disorder. I asked the school for help and testing, but they refused to consider that my son had a learning disorder and said it was a parental problem at home. My friends at church criticised me for his behavior. I began doing research and reading everything I could get my hands on. A county psychologist spent 10 minutes with us and slapped a cursory diagnosis of ADD on him, but I wasn't satisfied. We tried the drugs - no good, my son hated the way they made him feel. I learned about my rights and so we continued to fight the school and even had to get legal help to make them comply with the law. He was finally tested and it was confirmed that he indeed had ADD. Then I learned about diet in a book called The ADD Answer. This worked almost miraculously. Within 6 months my sons' grades went from a D average to making mostly As and Bs! By the end of the year he was on the honor roll. He is 16 now and in the 10th grade. He recently won a prestegious award, nominated "Student of the 9 weeks out of his whole high school! This is an award not only for making straight A's, but for having an exceptional attitude and excellent behavior. The diet is simple, no refined foods, no food colorings, preservatives, artificial flavorings or sweeteners, nitrates, hormones in dairy, etc.... It is very important to add good quality Omega 3's & 6's (flax and olive oil, fresh fish, eggs, almonds...). Use lots of fresh fruits and vegies(fresh fruit smoothies are fun and tasty). Basically I have had to learn to make all meals from scratch and pack all his lunches. More and more grocery stores are responding to parents pleas to carry organic, non-refined foods. My son loves school now and wants to go to college to be physicist. He is still as quirky as ever, but tested to have a near genius IQ. These kinds of kids often endure abuse from teachers, peers and even parents, so emotional healing is definately a big part of the deliverance. I am so very thankful today that I have a son that has taught me to be more understanding, accepting and compassionate towards myself and others. We are all doing the best we can and I will never criticise another (I have since apologized to my freind and forgiven myself). Grace has led us safe thus far, let love lead the way. - Wendy Kelley Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:53:49 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_275 i have add it sucks.... ;D - caroline Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:50:24 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_321 Best places to play, best strategies to win. User ratings & reviews of top online casinos & pokers with highest payouts & biggest bonuses. - Rogger Mill Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:14:42 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_414 I have a six year old son that is always jumping he has so much energy I just don't know what to do with him. He has very good grades in school it just he can sit still for long period of time . He is hyper I do not want to meidcate him but i am looing for a altrenative . Please Help! :-* - lele mom Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:49:40 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_509 please see my website www.TheEchoFoundation.com (Educating on Children's Health Options) for some answers. Dotty Scalco - Dotty Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:53:23 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_575 I have it and im 51 just diagnosed about 2 years ago and since what a life what a gift. I have never even read a book in my life and all this knowledge is flowing in and out, my goal is to help all explore and find this gift in our heart. A.D.D. In Me Steady is the frame Chaos in my brain Spinning all around Life goes up and down Loud and clear thru site Sharp colors seen to hear The race is moving still Felt behind blind eyes Life comes thru the heart Such beauty in its beat Flowing thru the soul What is there to know Never have to speak Communicates with all Dig wide listen deep Giving life its treat Having full control So easy yet so hard Waves crashing down We cause the only frown Selfish does it want One can only know We are free to run Narrow is the road Spirit inside me When you let go and God You have the missing part Together in your soul Purifies his energy Life be love -Ronald Sorenson Crossroads Of Life Life thru a.d.d. eyes. I am now fifty years old and life gets better and is clearing up every second. I remember the day that my father left the army in nineteen hundred and fifty nine, and on that day the first memory I have is when my fathers sergeant gave me a little truck it was a blue tow truck with a little hook and string on it I can still see this moment this day in my head, I have so many of these memories and they flash across my eyes all the time I still know all my teachers names and all my phone numbers since I was five. Almost all of my memories are good and I see them on a daily basis. I don’t have any bad ones I just won’t let them in. Our family moved around as my sister and I grew up. As I went thru school I was picked on and bullied around. I had and still have a very emotional and soft side for others and nature. At the age of eight or nine I found a death certificate in the family picture box and at that time my Grandmother was there, she was and still is the inspiration of my life as well as my grandfather, the both of them have gone to be with the Lord. The day I found the certificate my grandmother told me I was a twin and my brother had passed away at the young age of four months and he died of pneumonia and he died next to me in the crib and my Nana, Grandmother found us and this must have been so hard for her. As I said I have no bad memories and I believe that as hard as this was for everyone it was good at least for me, especially now that I know my twin brother is here with me and I know he has the hard job and that is watching over me and he is my guardian Angel. My whole life until June of 2005 has been a struggle due to this thing I have called A.D.D. and due to the other beautiful woman in my path of life my fiancé Kathy. When we met she told me on our first date that she said I think you have a.d.d. at first I thought here we go now she see’s I have a learning problem and knowing that night that she is a collage grad. I thought it was over before it started. But I listened to her and got tested and the doctor said WOW do you ever have this but not to worry this is a gift, then I thought to myself he feels sorry for me like most people do in my life. Then I started on medication and it really helped, then my new woman went on a mission of love for me and I still find it hard to believe this but it is real she researched for this a.d.d. thing and she made me a pure natural mix of roots and what I call dirt but it has changed my life and I have now the best life in the world. My love Kathy has released the real me that has been hiding from life due to fear. I have never read a book in my life and my teachers all thru school told me I was a looser and will be digging ditches for the rest of my life, little do they know I have passed the contractor exam the Real Estate exam and a few more along with a photograph memory. They sure were wrong not only can I read now I am writing poetry due to my love Kathy and I can only say that this poetry must be coming from my heart because when I read it I love it and I forget that I wrote it and still don’t even believe it. Thanks now to the help of DR. Milne, not only is it under control the gift is shinning through. Diagnosed A.D.D. June 21, 2005 A.D.D. Poet - ronald Sorenson Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:15:35 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_583 This is the best quote (author unknown) I read about how an ADD child interacts with the world. It has to be fun. If it is not fun, it has to be moving. If it is not fun or moving, maybe we can poke it and make it mad. - C Hancock Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:44:13 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_662 ADD doesn't exist. The Ritalin drugmakers were looking for an illness for their product - Tom Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:42:46 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_668 I only found out 2 years ago what has caused all this anguish in my life. It it ADD. For those that don't believe that it is a serious problem, or that simply think it does not exsist and is only a ploy to sell drugs...you are ever so wrong. Almost everyday while in school I was picked on, beaten up, kept after school, and called many names by teachers and students alike. Every single one of my report cards said the same thing: Terrie is a daydreamer...she needs some sticktuitivness...she doesn't pay attention in class...messy desk,and totally disorganized. Sloppy. Overly creative. My favourite was by my grade 8 English teacher...she asked us to re-write " 'Twas the night before Christmas". So I did! She called my mother into the office the next day and accused me of plagerism or cheating. She said that I must have copied it out of some magazine or another. She said that "only an adult could write something this good"...at least she said it was good...she said that "a grade 8 student could NEVER" write something like this. Why did she do this? Because MY version differed from everyone else's. I totally re-wrote it...the others simply changed a word or two here and there. I simply did as I was told...and was criticized for it! I had a very difficult time making friends...still do. I can't seem to keep my mind focused on any one thing in particular. My mind races all the time. I asked a doctor once if there was a drug that could "shut off" my brain...even for just a few minutes. I was contemplating suicide at the time because I could no longer cope with the furious thinking that my brain was going through. He told me "no drugs"...instead he sent me to a psychiatrist...who assessed me and told me that I had ADD. It was a huge relief to know that it hadn't been MY fault all those years, but at the same moment,I began to feel that a great injustice had been wrought against me by all. Yes, there are children who tend to daydream in class that do NOT have ADD or ADHD...and those always seem to be the kids that get put on drugs. Those of us that DO have ADD or ADHD seem to be left undiagnosed or uncared for...at least until it is too late. Having ADD does NOT mean that you are slow to learn. My brain works quite well...in fact, it works too well at times...and this is what causes people like myself so much distress. Our brains are thinking of a hundred things at once. Of course, most people do think of many things at one time, but think of it this way...a "normal person's brain is a car on the freeway...an ADD person's brain is a car on an Indy track, and has just completed 3 rounds in 2 seconds. A "normal" spaceship can reach the moon in a month... an ADD spaceship reaches it in mere seconds. I hope this helps those of you that don't have our "special gift". I sincerely hope that this helps those of you who are "abnormal" to better understand those of us,like Albert Einstein himself, who are in every way,shape,and form..."normal". We just think differently is all,and we wish that others would quit picking on us,quit trying to change us,and would just love us enough to try and understand how special we are. - Terrie Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:28:53 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_685 ADD is directly proportional to the exposure to popular media: TV, VideoGames,internet, Very low attention required, only anticipation. Get REAL people. Get real with PEOPLE. high patience, relaxed but enduring focus. - recovering add Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:14:02 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_692 ADHD is a biologicaly based reality .. The ignorance that seems to persist despite actual scientific facts. Genetic anomolies such as diabeties , hemophilia , celiac disease ect... these primarily effect the physical body. The fact that ADHD effects not just the physical but the emotional/mental areas of the brain that regulate mood, feelings of being satisfied from the common rewarding experienes of daily life. Dopamine shortage can occur due to not enough receptors , or overactive enzymic breakdown , shortages of docking sites . The plasticity of the brain is a wonderful thing but when problems occur with enzymes, or lack of docking sites or lack of uptakes leaving free floating the firing rates , enzyme actions will compensate to bring about homeostasis a balance . It functions purely for physical balance and knows nothing of the resulting low mood , low threshold for boredom that results. My own impulsive/hyper behaivor and inability to wait for rewards , constant movement from one thing to the next was due to the starving quality that I experienced due to the lack of contentment , satisfaction, always accompanied with a low level frustration. I automatically acted out and this is very understandable being human we are programed to want to feel alive.. I also craved and consumed a great deal of sweet foods to compensate replace sugars that run low in certain brain areas and this does work to boost it .. Also what I find very odd is I have a noradrenaline/adrenaline sensitivity in the physiological area of my body .My experience of Novicane when I go for dental percedures contains small amounts of epinephrine because it prolongs the numbing properties and I think also it staunches blood flow The reaction I get causes my heart to race rapidly, I experience bright halos in my vision and this is because the receptors in these areas are reacting to the epinephrine. What makes this odd is the fact that the amount of epinephrine is very minute coupled with the fact that it is injected in my gum which should make it very hard for it to enter my blood stream and reach these areas ... Neurochemically I have a deficit of dopamine which also leaves low levels of norepinephrine , norepinephrine being translated from the dopamine by an enzyme action. Amino acid Tyrosine synthesize to dopamine to norepinephrine and then to epinephrine . This is REAL and the experience of life when you have Adhd requires that you adapt , for survival sake you instinctualy learn what can't be taught or rather what isn't taught. What is taught we have trouble learning and its not so much lack of intellect it is more the method of the teaching ... The methods are emotionally painful , mentally frustrating and there is no joy.. How can one excel if there experience is this? No one does nor could they.. To be continued... - 7Towers Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:04:38 +0100 http://innerself.com/html/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3984&Itemid=177#pc_762 My doctor and counselor are convinciend I have AADD although I am still not convienced. My doctor has had me on Ritalin 1o mg 3x ady for the last 2 months. The major difference I see is in my energy levels, I have much more enegery than before. My husband notes that I seem to be in a better mood and happier although I can still have very high and low extremes, without any major cause. Does anyone know what differences I should be noticing or feeling with taking the Ritalin? Thanks - Krista Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:53:35 +0100