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ADHD Causes Mental Health

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) symptoms are seen more often now than in previous generations. ADHD is at the same time the most diagnosed, most misdiagnosed and the most undiagnosed mental health issue in children in the USA today.

This is due to the ADHD controversy. There is an idea in the academic world, that there is one disorder called “Attention Deficit.” There is not. The ADHD diagnosis is based on the DSM-IV manual (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition Text Revision). This is a list of symptoms. It even waffles on, in the introduction, about why it uses the term “disorder” and manages to undefine the term. I have yet to find some health professional that refers to then DSM-IV and has actually read the introduction.

To simplify things we should find the reason for the ADHD type behavior and treat that, instead of suppressing symptoms with ADHD stimulant drugs. Where these drugs are needed, that is one thing, but not to treat anxiety or depression in underage children.

An adult with depression has lack of energy, but a young child with depression can act in a hyperactive way, or can be a daydreamer. This can be very confusing. If this condition continues and becomes chronic, then it is difficult to separate this condition from ADD/ADHD by looking at symptoms only.

Similarly, a young child with anxiety and unable to understand his or her feeling can react hyperactively as s/he does not know what to do with him- or herself.

Of the various ADHD theories, none has the full picture, but each has pieces of the puzzle. ADD and ADHD are complex if we search for one solution to one problem. However if we are looking at one individual who we know well, our child, or ourself then it is easier.

ADHD symptoms are used to diagnose the “disorder.” There are over 100 causes of ADHD. To find the solution to our difficulties with ADHD we need to find the cause and treat the cause. Many of these causes are mental health issues.

ADHD is defined by symptoms. There is no clinical test whatsoever that can be used to diagnose ADHD. The cause needs to be ascertained and treated. That is why you should find a doctor who understands the complexity of the ADHD syndrome.

Below are some of the mental health reasons for some people having an ADD or ADHD type of behavior.

Mental Health Causes of ADHD behavior

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

 

• Depression.

 

• Sleeping disorders.

 

• Tourette syndrome. Some of the symptoms are similar to the impulsive form of ADHD.

 

• Child-like Bi-Polar disorder. Early-Onset Bi-polar should be ruled out before ADHD, as ADHD medication can make the child-like bipolar disorder psychotic. The symptoms are similar to ADHD, with impulsivity, restlessness, distractibility and hyperactivity among other symptoms.

 

• Autism.

 

• Emotional abuse.

 

• Sexual abuse. This abuse affects the victim many years after the abuse has ended.

 

• Mild psychosis.

 

• Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This condition can share symptoms of ADD like poor impulse control and concentration difficulties.

The page emotional and psychological causes of ADHD type behavior continues mental health disorders with ADHD type symptoms. A person has ADHD type behavior (that is what ADHD symptoms are) as a result of a mental health disorder s/he can appear to have ADHD, and if misdiagnosed as ADHD may be given stimulant medication such as Ritalin. ADHD stimulant drugs are a quick fix to suppress symptoms, and are not a cure; they have to be taken daily and the effect lasts only a few hours.

Curing a mental health problem requires effort and commitment; medication by itself is only a support and not the cure. Since a number of mental health problems are diagnosed together with ADD or ADHD, disorders such as mood disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, dissociative disorder, or even personality disorder need to be assessed.

Before accepting stimulant medication, the cause of the ADHD behavior should be determined. If your doctor wants to treat the ADHD symptom before finding out the cause, you should find a doctor who understands the complexity of the ADHD syndrome.

There are some natural supplements which can help the child focus during boring and unstimulating school classes. Among these are Bright Spark with a special

BrightSpark for ADD - Buy 2, Get 1 FREE offer; and

Focus ADDult For adults and teens - with the same Buy 2, Get 1 FREE offer.

Both from Native Remedies.

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