MAIN Health Diseases & Conditions Attention Deficit Disorder

ADD, or attention deficit disorder, (or hyperkinesis) has evolved into what is now commonly called ADHD — attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder.

The change came in 1994 when the American Psychiatric Association made an update to reflect the advances in research pinpointing common symptoms in the various types of ADD. The one constant was hyperactivity.

While some doctors still use the name ADD in making a diagnosis, it most likely means ADHD, of which there are three recognized types : inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and combined.

Although adult cases of ADHD hover around 4.4%, the disease is most associated with school-age children. Common symptoms in this age group including forgetfulness, inattentivness, or lack of ability to concentrate for any length of time. This "misbehavior" is not due to improper parenting, say the experts, but is a direct result of a chemical imbalance or the dopamine neurotransmitter systems in the brain.

To restore this chemical imbalance, standard ADHD treatments include drugs such Ritalin and Dexedrine which have made headlines recently for their sometimes dangerous side effects. Meanwhile, ongoing research include promising new findings in the form of Omega 3 fish oil as an alternative method of treatment.

More recently, a recent Norway study points to a simple change in diet stressing milk and wheat-free foods.

Elsewhere on the Web, find out more on the topic at medical sites offering the latest news updates, current controversies and information on how ADHD is currently diagnosed, related fact sheets on symptoms & treatment, questions to ask your doctor, and where to find online support groups for help in coping with ADHD ....

MedlinePlus: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - Comprehensive directory page with links to major sites around the Web offering information on related drugs, diagnosis & symptoms, standard treatments & alternative therapies, where to find related clinical trials, with more on effects on parenting & relationships, and specific resources for kids, teens, adults.

Natonal Resource Center on AD/HD - U.S. resource center with a comprehensive FAQ for kids, teens and adult AD/HD issues, or pose your own question to AD/HD experts. Includes the latest on diagnostic & treatment guidelines, medication management, parenting guidelines and links to related resources on dealing with insurance companies, the legal system & public benefit programs.

Recognizing and Managing ADD / ADHD in Children and Adults - Extensive information by subject area including symptoms, causes & diagnosis, along with treatment options, and tips & strategies for parents, teachers & professional and best practices for managing adult ADD / ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder - Great resource for parents of kids diagnosed or suspected of having ADD offering an extensive FAQ, symptom checklist, searchable database of ADD doctors & specialists, current studies & research, links & references.

WebMD ADD and ADHD Health Center - Feature articles & video presentations along with tips for parents & teachers, daily ADD blog topics, how to handle behavior, reduce drug side effects, plus a symptom checklist for kids & adults, and questions to ask your doctor.

adders.org - ADD / ADHD Online Support Group - Busy UK member discussion boards for parents, kids, spouses & partners, plus surf around for more information for kids, teens & adult ADD, suggested reading, alternative treatments, and one-stop browsing for other online support groups listed by country.

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.