ADD vs ADHD-what are the differences? In this article, you will learn the answer to this question, so you can know the truth once and for all.
If you have a child who has ADD or ADHD you may have read articles and talked to professionals and are still wondering about ADHD ADD differences. Obviously, one acronym stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder while the other stands for Attention Deficit Disorder. So is the real difference between the two that one diagnosis is lacking hyperactivity as a symptom?
This is what any reasonable person would think, but the truth is a little surprising. There is actually no difference in a diagnosis of ADD vs. ADHD. Both disorders have exactly the same symptoms. The one difference is that ADD is an older term which is quickly being replaced by the newer term, ADHD.
Whether your child is diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, he is likely to exhibit certain symptoms including restlessness, hyperactivity, difficulty listening, following instructions and focusing, and a tendency to have tantrums or outbursts. These kids also tend to have trouble taking a task to its completion. Since there are no real ADHD ADD differences, their treatment is the same. You can treat your child with drugs or natural remedies.
Drugs have the advantage of being fairly fast acting, although there are countless stories where kids who have been on drugs for several weeks and have shown no decrease in the symptoms associated with this disorder. For some kids, the symptoms even increase. This is because drugs make some kids better, while making others much worse. The key to determining if your doctor has prescribed your child the right drug is to ask yourself: is it making my child better. And if the answer is yes, you also have to ask yourself: at what cost. This is because all drugs have side effects. Some kids can just tolerate them better than others.
This may be why large numbers of parents are turning to natural remedies. Rather than just suppress the symptoms, natural remedies supply your child with the nutrients the brain needs to restore proper function over time. This means that eventually your child may be able to stop taking them. Also, since natural remedies have no side effects, there are no worries about them making your child feel worse and they will not interact with any other medications (drugs or even over the counter medicines like cold medicine) that your child might need to take.
As mentioned earlier, a diagnosis of ADD vs ADHD really doesn’t matter, since natural remedies deliver safe and effective herbs to promote a sense of calm awareness, increase focus and concentration and minimize aggressive impulses. Look for proven ingredients like Verta Alb, Tuberculinum and Arswn Iod. Also, since your child won’t be taking a stimulant, there are no worries about addiction now or in the future.
Whether your child takes drugs or natural remedies, a good diet can help. Minimize processed foods and focus on feeding your child lean meat, lots of vegetables, fruit, nuts and protein-rich beans. Prepare meals with healthy spices to add variety and flavor. Also, make sure that your child gets lots of water and reduce his intake of soda, caffeinated drinks and juices high in sugar.
So in answer to your question, here’s the bottom line: ADHD ADD differences really do not exist. They are terms that describe the same set of symptoms. Whichever label has been affixed to your child’s forehead, you can begin to peel it off it by feeding your child a proper diet and finding a natural medication that works to eliminate the symptoms and help the brain work properly.
Laura Ramirez has done extensive research about using natural remedies for ADHD. To learn more, go to www.treating-adhd-naturally.com.
She is also the author of the award-winning parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting.
