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Environmental Health Concerns
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder
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ADHD / ADD (Also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder)
Although used interchangeably, ADD and ADHD are not synonymous. The difference between the two is the hyperactive behavior, which is not seen in a child with ADD. According to CDC records of 2003, approximately 4.4 million children between the ages of 4-17 have been seen by a healthcare professional and diagnosed with ADHD. Within the same timeframe, there were 2.5 million children receiving medication to treat ADHD.
Typically diagnosed in childhood, a person with ADHD shows consistent and persistent patterns of inattention, impulsive behavior, and a high activity level. It is important to realize that it is the patterns of behavior that set the ADHD child apart from a normally active child. ADHD is considered by many healthcare personnel to be a neurobehavioral problem, in which the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine are believed to play a role.
Very simply stated, the symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. According to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), these symptoms must be present for at least six months and to a point that they are disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level.
Based on the DSM-IV-TR criteria, diagnosing ADHD/ADD can take up to, or more than, six months. The criteria are broken into three sections: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Under each of these sections is a multitude of possible symptoms. To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must display at least six symptoms from each section to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Treatment for ADD/ADHD can include cognitive behavioral therapy, drug therapy, or a combination of multiple therapies. For decades, stimulants have been used to treat ADHD. In many cases, no single treatment is the answer as some children or adults may have side effects to one or all of the available medications. A combination of behavioral and drug therapy would appear to be more effective with those patients displaying anxiety or depression.
Many healthcare providers believe a combination of environmental and hereditary factors is the cause of ADD/ADHD, including or solely due to a neurotransmitter defect. Others believe the foods we eat, the toxins sprayed on our foods, and the chemicals in our environment are either partly or wholly to blame for ADD/ADHD.
The Healthy Green Institute recommends a complete indoor environmental and lifestyle assessment that can help identify the potential triggers that exacerbate the condition. The results from a complete assessment can provide recommendations to help reduce the exposure your environment and lifestyle have on a health condition like ADD.
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Disclaimer:
The contents of this Web Site are meant for informational purposes only. The state of knowledge regarding ADD/ADHD, environmental related illnesses and the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances in the environment is constantly evolving and is often uncertain. In this educational endeavor we have made a diligent effort to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented, but make no claim that it comprehensively addresses all possible situations.
The Healthy Green Institute of America, LLC and its web site is intended as an educational resource for individuals and families seeking information that may help them solve difficult environmental related health issues.
It is not, however, a substitute for the professional judgment of health care providers. The information must be interpreted in light of specific data regarding the patient and in conjunction with other sources of authority.
If you feel that certain treatment options or detoxifying your body or your indoor environments, may help improve your health and wellness, please seek the advice and guidance of health care professionals that understand these options.
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