Attention Deficit Disorder, commonly called ADD, has only recently been acknowledged as a bona fide medical condition that can be treated and managed. Even now, however, people still treat sufferers as lazy, stupid, willful, disruptive and rude individuals. As a result, many sufferers suffer from concomitant conditions such as depression and high levels of anxiety. Thankfully, with assistance from an ADHD specialist Michigan patients can learn to manage their conditions and to live full and rewarding lives.
Not all patients suffer from the same symptoms. It varies from one case to the next. There are nevertheless a few important signs that parents and teachers should watch out for. A large percentage of patients are utterly unable to focus on one activity at a time. Many are fidgety and cannot sit still for more than a few minutes. There are many of them that talk nonstop. These signs should be seen as an alert for ADD.
It is a common misconception that ADD can best be treated with prescription drugs like Ritalin. This is definitely not the case. These drugs only address a very small portion of the symptoms commonly experienced by patients. They often have very nasty side effects and they may even pose a real health risk. Drugs do help some patients but they can never be the entire extent of a proper treatment regime.
Specialists agree that ADD needs to be treated in a holistic manner and drugs may be part of the program. Exercise, however, form an important component of any treatment regime. Patients that exercise for at least half an hour each day are much less aggressive and they are able to concentrate for longer periods. Exercise also releases feel good endorphins in the brain which help prevent depression.
Many ADD patients suffer from insomnia and poor quality sleep. This means that they seldom get enough rest and this continual tiredness simply exaggerates the intensity of their symptoms. Therapists encourage their patients to sleep in a dark and quiet room with no distractions. They have to establish a pattern where they go to bed and get up at the same time every single day, regardless of whether they are tired or not.
The correct diet is also very important for the well being of ADD patients. Many of them refrain from eating for days at a time, only to gorge themselves with junk food thereafter. Therapists advise them to eat several small meals every day and to try and include fresh fruit, vegetables and omega fatty acids in each meal. Patients need to avoid sugar and alcohol.
ADD patients have to live with the condition all their lives. That is why most of them need counselling. Trained therapists can teach them more about their condition and they can equip them with techniques and strategies to deal with the symptoms when they occur. Group sessions also help patients to become more socially adept and it gives them a chance to voice their frustrations.
Living with ADD is not easy. Sufferers have to be on their guard against the onset of their symptoms at all times. They need to lead disciplined lives and they have to deal with the prejudice of uninformed people. This requires bravery and a high level of determination.
Not all patients suffer from the same symptoms. It varies from one case to the next. There are nevertheless a few important signs that parents and teachers should watch out for. A large percentage of patients are utterly unable to focus on one activity at a time. Many are fidgety and cannot sit still for more than a few minutes. There are many of them that talk nonstop. These signs should be seen as an alert for ADD.
It is a common misconception that ADD can best be treated with prescription drugs like Ritalin. This is definitely not the case. These drugs only address a very small portion of the symptoms commonly experienced by patients. They often have very nasty side effects and they may even pose a real health risk. Drugs do help some patients but they can never be the entire extent of a proper treatment regime.
Specialists agree that ADD needs to be treated in a holistic manner and drugs may be part of the program. Exercise, however, form an important component of any treatment regime. Patients that exercise for at least half an hour each day are much less aggressive and they are able to concentrate for longer periods. Exercise also releases feel good endorphins in the brain which help prevent depression.
Many ADD patients suffer from insomnia and poor quality sleep. This means that they seldom get enough rest and this continual tiredness simply exaggerates the intensity of their symptoms. Therapists encourage their patients to sleep in a dark and quiet room with no distractions. They have to establish a pattern where they go to bed and get up at the same time every single day, regardless of whether they are tired or not.
The correct diet is also very important for the well being of ADD patients. Many of them refrain from eating for days at a time, only to gorge themselves with junk food thereafter. Therapists advise them to eat several small meals every day and to try and include fresh fruit, vegetables and omega fatty acids in each meal. Patients need to avoid sugar and alcohol.
ADD patients have to live with the condition all their lives. That is why most of them need counselling. Trained therapists can teach them more about their condition and they can equip them with techniques and strategies to deal with the symptoms when they occur. Group sessions also help patients to become more socially adept and it gives them a chance to voice their frustrations.
Living with ADD is not easy. Sufferers have to be on their guard against the onset of their symptoms at all times. They need to lead disciplined lives and they have to deal with the prejudice of uninformed people. This requires bravery and a high level of determination.
About the Author:
You can find complete details about the benefits and advantages of consulting an ADHD specialist Michigan area at http://www.michiganneurodevelopmentcenter.com right now.