The Disturbing Facts About Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder or ADHD as it is now more commonly referred to is full of disturbing facts and mysteries. Here is the first one. The diagnosis of ADHD consists of various questionnaires which assess the child’s behavior and whether it is holding back his normal development. Nothing wrong with that, as the parents and teachers have to answer the questions. The problem is that the most likely cause of ADHD is a chemical imbalance in the brain and /or abnormal brain development. The most obvious thing to do would be a brain scan but this is done in very few cases. Dr. Amen, an ADHD expert has said that it will take about twenty years before the brain scan is actually standard practice. Until then, we are going to be swimming around in a sea of uncertainties.

Look at the second disturbing fact about attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Dr. Jon Jureidini is Head of Psychiatry at Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital and he is alarmed about the increase in the number of psychotic episodes (almost doubled in 3 years) in children who are on these ADHD drugs. These drugs are psychostimulants and they are household names by now. Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera all spring to mind. Hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, depression, psychosis and mania are now being reported (admittedly in very small numbers) in ADHD children on this medication. There have even been a few cases of five year old children attempting suicide! It seems like a horror movie looking at the future but it is happening now and it is for real, unfortunately. Dr. Jureidini is doubtful about the benefits of these drugs and is alarmed at the fact that there has been so little research done on the side effects.

The third disturbing fact to haunt us parents is that attention deficit hyperactive disorder is being overdiagnosed. Not only is the actual method of diagnosis highly questionable but the number of diagnoses has taken an exponential leap and the numbers of children with ADHD is now about 5% of the child population. Very often, child behavior problems are caused by a multiple of other conditions and these are often confused with ADHD. Let me give you a few examples. It could be a food allergy, emotional problems at school or indeed in the home, thyroid deficiency, mineral or vitamin deficiency, yeast infections, hearing problems or an eyesight problem. There have even been cases of teachers insisting that children are put on psychostimulant drugs long before there has been a proper diagnosis by a child specialist or psychiatrist.

Isn’t it time to stand back from all this and get a proper diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactive disorder if it is suspected. Then, consider all the treatment options and there are many. Look at the drugs and assess whether you want your child on a powerful mind altering drug which could also affect his heart. Then take a look at ADHD homeopathic remedies where you will be surprised to learn that there are no side effects and no health risks at all. Because of powerful lobbies, these facts are not well known. Learn more about these unsung remedies by clicking on the link below.