ADHD

Could we be heading into a world where everyone suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Imagine a world with ADHD at a time when there was no need to take pharmaceutical help for attention deficit hyperactivity disorders because you were like everyone else. Where the Dow 30 consisted only of titles that specialized in training organizational skills, and the average was driven to new heights by a variety of impulsive hyperactive speculators who just couldn't get enough of it. The traffic lights had to work, your favorite athlete was really uncoordinated, the teenage pregnancy rate went through the roof, the road accidents were so out of control that insurance companies didn't offer more auto insurance, most corporate projects were left on the drawing board to to be completed later, and every lesson in school had to be repeated at least three times because the students I could only remember a small part.

The shrinking brain

Research has shown that our brains have apparently been shrinking since the days we speared around rabbits. Although we know that this is happening, no one has really been able to find a viable explanation for the why.

However, what we do know is that those who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder appear to have asymmetrical or smaller areas of the brain than those who do not. , The bottom line is that as our brains continue to shrink, the frequency of ADHD will skyrocket and change forever.

A look into the brain

The brain is divided into four general areas; the frontal lobes, the corpus collosum, the basil ganglia, and my favorite the cerebellum.

The frontal lobes control executive functions such as planning and organizing. A damaged or defective frontal lobe can and often causes a lack of inhibition, hyperactivity, impulsiveness and mood swings.

Most have never heard of the corpus collosum, but if you have ADHD this area is likely to matter. The corpus collosum is a nerve cord that connects the left and right brain. Brain scan technology has shown that the collosum body not only works differently in people with ADHD, but is also smaller.

The basal ganglia are located deep in the brain and allow the left and right frontal lobes to communicate with each other. Research has shown that basil nodes that are not properly formed or are smaller indicate a high likelihood of ADHD.

And finally the cerebellum, the part of the brain that everyone who is interested in sport or mastering a musical instrument likes to hate. This area of the brain is responsible for motor coordination and balance. A cerebellum smaller than normal could explain why some people with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD have problems with hand and eye coordination.

So when certain areas of the brain are smaller or poorly formed, a person's behavior differs from traditional social norms. Again, these differences are likely to be interpreted as ADHD.

And then what? While we're on our way to a world with ADHD, we're not there yet. Finding an effective treatment option is therefore an important first step. The most common forms of treatment are prescription stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall and non-stimulant drugs like Strattera. While all stimulants are effective, they contain a number of serious warnings.

The risk of side effects or possibly unsuccessful success (30% of cases) has prompted many to consider non-prescription options. Some examples of this are behavior modification therapy and / or natural remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are a side effect-free method of treating problem symptoms such as inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness, unpredictable behavior and hyperactivity and can be used both as a stand-alone treatment and as a supplement to other non-prescription alternatives. They have also been shown to bring long-term benefits in about half the time.

Causes of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Although the exact causes of ADHD (ADHD) are unknown, researchers have identified several factors that may play a role.

Heredity

Studies show that ADHD is more likely to occur in families. Approximately one in four children with ADHD has at least one parent with ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007). In addition, recent studies on twins link genes to ADHD.

Prenatal exposure to smoking, drug use and other toxins

Pregnant women who smoke are at increased risk of having children with ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008.) In addition, alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy can decrease the activity of the neurons that produce neurotransmitters.

Pregnant women who have been or have been exposed to environmental toxins such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may have children with symptoms of ADHD more often. (PCBs are industrial chemicals that were widely used until the 1970s.)

Toxins for children

Preschool children who are exposed to environmental hazards and toxins are at increased risk of developmental and behavioral problems. The exposure to lead found in the paint and tubing of old buildings has been associated with disruptive behavior, violence, and reduced attention spans.

Exposure to PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in early childhood can also increase a child's risk of developing ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008).

Impaired brain function and anatomy

Brain scans showed significant differences in the structure and brain activity of people with ADHD. There seems to be less activity in the areas of the brain that control activity and attention. It is unknown whether it is a direct function of the state, something that develops over time, or both.

Which does not lead to ADHD

Research does not support the common myths that ADHD is caused by excessive sugar consumption, television, poor parenting, or social and environmental factors such as poverty or family unrest. Of course, these environmental influences can make ADHD symptoms worse, but the evidence is not strong enough to conclude that they are the main causes of ADHD.