Contact Therapy Insider Today!
For Mental & Behavioral
Health Support
Contact Us Today at

ADD or ADHD Issues

By

ADD and ADHD issues are psychiatric diagnoses listed the DSM-IV.  Behaviors that demonstrate ADD or ADHD are usually related to the lack of impulse control, hyperactivity, distractibility, endless energy, and the struggle to focus. 

Parents of troubled teens and pre-teens normal do not know the cause of ADD and ADHD, but they certainly know the symptoms.  ADD and ADHD is psychological disturbances (shown through actions and emotions) that are related to behavior.  The cause can be psychological in nature, but more experts are beginning to state that ADD and ADHD are medical or psychological in nature.

Regarding troubled teens and pre-teens, the issue is narrowed down to the pre-frontal lobe of the brain where our "control center' is located.  Behavioral control, or impulsive control, is regulated to the pre-frontal lobe of the brain.  In children who exhibit symptoms of ADD or ADHD the control center is inactive.  The reason doctors prescribe medication like Ritalin is to activate the control center.  Ritalin is a stimulant that awakens the pre-frontal lobe so that the troubled teen can manage his or her impulses.

Causes of ADD and ADHD in Troubled Teens

There are various reasons why some pre-teens and troubled teens have issues related to impulse control (sleeping pre-frontal lobes).  Some experts claim that food allergies cause the dysfunction in the brain.  They state that heavy metals also can contribute.  Studies show that kids with ADHD have elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals in their blood and brain. Diets high in carbohydrates (sugars) have also been identified as a factor.  Blood sugar imbalance is one more major influence over a child's ADD and ADHD behavior (in other words, high doses of sugar is not good).  Poor diet can also influence the pre-frontal lobe of the brain.  Lack of good nutrients like zinc, calcium, magnesium, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and B vitamins can have a detrimental influence on the brain.

The major symptoms of an attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a poor attention span, inability to complete tasks, hyperactivity, and a tendency to interrupt others. Almost one-quarter of children with ADHD also suffers from one or more specific learning disabilities in math, spelling or reading.