What is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a syndrome, which is usually characterized by serious and persistent difficulties resulting in…

• Poor attention span
• Weak impulse control
• Hyperactivity

ADD also has a subtype, which includes hyperactivity (ADHD). It is a complex disorder, which affects approximately 3 to 6 percent of the population (70% in relatives of ADD children). Inattentiveness, impulsivity, and often times, hyperactivity, are common characteristics of the disorder. Boys with ADD tend to outnumber girls by 3 to 1, although ADD in girls is under diagnosed. ADD without hyperactivity is also known as ADD/WO (Without) or Undifferentiated ADD.

Recent literature proposes 2 subtypes of ADHD, Behavioural and Cognitive (being split 80/20). ADHD is also referred to as Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) and hyperactivity (hyper-kinetic) or (in Britain) conduct disorder.

Causes
There are typically one of three factors that produce learning disabilities in children…

• The first is the aftermath of a physical blow to the head, some kind of physical trauma that has misaligned the cranial bones. Accidents to the skull that occur on the sides of the head, rather than the front or back, are most likely to produce this complex.
• The second factor is a chemical trauma that manifests as multiple allergies to foods, substances, and inhalants. The allergic trauma compromises the child’s mental abilities. Often if the mother took powerful drugs before her pregnancy (birth control pills), while pregnant (antibiotics), or during delivery (Pitocin), the effects of these drugs are registered on the foetus. Children who come out of this background are prone to hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder.
• The third factor contributing to learning difficulties is heredity – the only one that you can not do much about, but better diet can even correct that one.
• And, there are, of course hundreds of others underlying causes.

Symptoms
• Excessively fidgets or squirms
• Difficulty remaining seated
• Easily distracted
• Difficulty awaiting turn in games
• Blurts out answers to questions
• Difficulty following instructions
• Difficulty sustaining attention
• Shifts from one activity to another
• Difficulty playing quietly
• Often talks excessively
• Often interrupts
• Often doesn’t listen to what is said
• Often loses things
• Often engages in dangerous activities

The list above is taken directly from the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R). To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, a child must exhibit 8 of these for a period longer than 6 months and have appeared before the age of 7 years. However, you don’t have to be hyperactive to have attention deficit disorder. In fact, up to 30% of children with ADD are not hyperactive at all, but still have a lot of trouble focusing.

Other diseases correlated with ADHD…

• Learning Disabilities (LDs)
• TIC disorders (such as Tourette’s) 20 % of ADD children whereas 40 to 60% of TIC children have ADD
• Gross and Fine Motor control delays (coordination) 50% of ADD children
• Developmental delays (such as speech)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)

Treatment
Dr. Atkins states that eliminating sugars (fruits, juices, milk products, and refined, simple carbohydrates) from the children’s diet can correct most ADHD.