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ADHD is diagnosed by health professionals
who form their opinion by observing a child's behavior. There
are no brain scans, blood tests, or anything else definite that
is used during diagnosis. The problem with this is there are
many other problems that have the same symptoms of ADHD. Many
parents, because of not knowing, settle for ADHD as a diagnosis
before looking at everything. For example, any problem dealing
with the fuels of the body: water, food, blood and air can cause
behavior problems. Water, food, blood and air to the body are
just like gas and oil to a car. If you put bad gas or have old
or the wrong oil in your car, it will act up just like a child
acts up when eating foods they are allergic to, drinking or breathing
contaminated water or air or having blood disorders.
There are also many medical, biological,
emotional and mental conditions that mimic ADHD also. For those
who are searching for reasons behind their child's behavior,
here are some possibilities. Only settle for the diagnosis of
ADHD after checking out all of these problems and many more.
1.(! ) Hypoglycemia (Low Blood sugar)
Low blood sugar can stem from thyroid disorders, liver or pancreatic
problems, or adrenal gland abnormalities, or even an insufficient
diet. Hypoglycemia can display the same ADHD like sypmtoms.
2.(! ) Allergies: 15 to 20 percent
of the world has some type of allergy. A person can be allergic
to nearly anything so check for all forms. Food is one of the
primary causes of allergic reactions. Just like the Car and human
analogy stated above. If a child eats food they are allergic
to, the body will not run properly and that may affect behavior.
Everyone has different sensitivities to allergens so just because
you aren't affected does not mean your child won't be also. (Some
examples, Allergic reactions to food dye, milk, chocolate, and
grains, ect)
3.(! ) Learning disabilities: If
the primary place of behavior problems is at school, learning
disabilities may be the cause of ill behavior. One of the main
things that affect a child's self-esteem is how well they do
in school. If a child has an undiagnosed learning disorder that
makes school much harder and sometimes impossible. Children with
undiagnosed learning disabilities are labeled as lazy, stupid,
and many other downgrading opinions that affect self-esteem.
And many times when a child's self-esteem is at jeopardy they
try to make up for it in other sometimes-nonproductive ways such
as acting out, bullying, or becoming the class clown.
4.(! ) Hyper or hypothyroidism:
An imbalance in metabolism that occurs from an overproduction
or underproduction of thyroid hormones. This imbalance may cause
a variety of behaviors and may affect all body functions.
5.(! ) Hearing and vision problems:
If a child can't see or hear properly, school and daily things
in life are nearly impossible and it may cause ADHD like symptoms
especially in educational settings.
6. (! ) Mild to high lead levels,
even in the absence of clinical lead poisoning: research shows
that children with even mildly elevated lead levels suffer from
reduced IQs, attention deficits, and poor school performance.
Lead is the leading culprit in toxin-caused hyperactivity.
7.(*) Spinal Problems: Some spinal
problems can cause ADHD like symptoms because if the spine is
not connected to the brain properly, nerves from the spinal cord
can give the brain all of the signals at once making a child
rambunctious and always on the go.
8.(*) Toxin exposures: Children
are more vulnerable to toxins than adults. Such as pesticide-
poisoning (Eating vegetables and fruit not washed thoroughly,
they can be exposed to them by playing outside on the ground),
also by gasoline fumes, and herbicides. Inside there are also
many toxins. Disinfectants, furniture polishes and air fresheners
are toxins that can affect some children's behaviors. Beds and
carpets are one of the most dangerous places in the house because
they are full of different types of dust, and other toxins. Toxins
can cause hyperactivity, attention deficits, irritability, and
learning problems.
9.(*) Carbon Monoxide poisoning
: Thousands of children each year are exposed to toxic levels
of this gas each year. Sources include gas heaters, and other
gas appliances such as fireplaces, dryers, and water heaters.
10.(*) Seizure disorders: The most
overlooked is the absence Seizures. During an absence seizure,
the brain's normal activity shuts down. The child stares blankly,
sometimes rotates his eyes upward, and occasionally blinks or
jerks repetitively, he drops objects from his hand, and there
may be some mild involuntary movements known as automatisms.
The attack lasts for a few seconds and then it is over as rapidly
as it begins. If these attacks occur dozens of times each day,
they can interfere with a child's school performance and be confused
by parents and teachers with daydreaming.
11.(*) Metabolic disorders: They
reduce the brain's supply of glucose, the body's fuel and can
cause ADHD like symptoms.
12. (*) Genetic defects: Some mild
forms of genetic disorders can go unnoticed in children and display
some of the same symptoms of ADHD. Mild forms of Turner's syndrome,
sickle-cell anemia, and Fragile X syndrome are some examples.
Almost any genetic disorder can cause hyperactivity or other
behavior problems, even if the disorder isn't normally linked
to such problems. Many genetic diseases disrupt brain functions
directly, through a variety of paths. A simple blood test can
rule out genetic disorders.
13.(*) Sleeping disorders or other
problems causing fatigue and crankiness during the day.
14.(*) Post-traumatic subclinical
seizure disorder: It causes episodic temper explosions. These
fits of temper come out of the blue for no reason. Some of these
seizures can be too subtle to detect without a twenty-four-hour
electroencephalogram (EEG).
15.(*) High mercury levels: One
of the most interesting things regarding high mercury levels
is that it can relate to dental fillings. Children who have mercury
amalgam fillings in their mouth and grind their teeth are at
risk of high mercury levels. American dental associations are
defensive on the subject of mercury fillings but many European
countries have discontinued the use of them because of side effects.
There are also other causes of high mercury levels.
16.(*) High manganese levels
17.(*) Iron deficiency: Iron is
an essential component of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying pigment
in the blood. Iron is normally obtained through the food in the
diet and by the recycling of iron from old red blood cells. The
causes of iron deficiency are too little iron in the diet, poor
absorption of iron by the body, and loss of blood. It is also
caused by lead poisoning in children.
18.(*) B vitamin deficiencies: Many
experts believe that one of the main causes for inattention,
hyperactivity, impulsivity, temper tantrums, sleep disorders,
forgetfulness, and aggression are caused by faulty neurotransmissions:
a problem with the neurotransmitters in the brain. Vitamin B-6
is a necessary vitamin used in the making of neurotransmitters
that affect behavior. A lack of this vitamin or really any other
vitamin can cause a child to act inappropriately.
19.(*) Excessive amounts of Vitamins:
Excessive amounts of vitamins can be toxic to the body and may
cause the same ADHD like symptoms. It is possible to overdose
when taking vitamins so make sure you contact a physician and
check for vitamin deficiencies before taking extra vitamins.
20.(*) Tourette's syndrome: Tourette's
syndrome is a rare but disruptive condition. It involves multiple
tics (small, repetitive muscle movements), usually facial tics
with grimacing and blinking. Tics may also occur in the shoulders
and arms. This is usually accompanied by loud vocalizations,
which may include grunts or noises, or uncontrollable (compulsive)
use of obscenities or short phrases. The tics are worse during
emotional stress and are absent during sleep. The cause is unknown.
It occurs most often in boys, and may begin around age 7 or 8
or not until the child is in his or her late teens or early twenties.
It may, at times, run in families. This disorder can be mistaken
for not being able to sit still or impulsive behavior.
21.(*1) Sensory Integration Dysfunction:
Sensory Integration Dysfunction is the inefficient neurological
processing of information received through the senses, causing
problems with learning, development, and behavior. These children
are over-sensitive or under-sensitive dealing in touch, taste,
smell, sound, or sight. For example, some of these children crave
fast and spinning movement, such as swinging, rocking, twirling,
and riding the merry-go-round- without getting dizzy. These children
may move constantly, fidget, and enjoy getting into upside down
positions and be daredevils. These children may become overexcited
when there is too much to look at: words, toys, or other children.
They may cover their eyes, have poor eye contact, be inattentive
when drawing or doing desk work, or overreact to bright light.
These children often act out in an attempt to cope with their
inability to process sensory information such as acting out in
crowded or loud places.
22.(**) Early-onset diabetes: Symptoms
include aggression, depression, and anxiety. If you have a family
history of diabetes checking for this is a must.
23.(**) Heart disease: It affects
blood and oxygen flow to the brain affecting brain function that
in-turn affects behavior.
24.(**) Cardiac conditions: It can
reduce the supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Defective blood vessels between organs to the brain.
25.(**) Early-Onset Bi-Polar disorder:
Also known as child-like Bi-polar. The experts state that 85%
of children with child-like Bi-polar also meet the criteria for
ADHD. The symptoms are extremely close. Most people, when they
think of Bi-polar disorder, think of Adult-like Bipolar in which
mood swings happen over a somewhat long period of time. In child-like
Bipolar, the mood swings can happen many times within a twenty-four
hour day, known as rapid cycling. At one moment they're calm
and the next minute they could be in a full fledged temper tantrum.
Some of the symptoms are distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity,
separation anxiety, restlessness, depressed mood, low self-esteem,
and many more. Early-Onset Bi-polar should be ruled out before
ADHD is considered, mainly because they are treated with different
medications, if you choose medications that is. ADHD is treated
with stimulant medications which will make a Bipolar child worse,
possibly psychotic.
26.(***) CAPD (Central Auditory
processing Disorder) will sometimes occur in children who have
had a history of ear infections and/or PE tubes. Symptoms include
distractibility, inability to follow a set of verbal instructions,
"space out", etc.
27.(***) Worms, such as Pinworms
lay their eggs in the anal area, causing tickling and itching,
which are most bothersome at night. The lack of sleep from this
type of infestation can cause crankiness or bad behavior during
the day. When asleep, nightmares may be present. This problem
is mostly found in very young children preschool to kindergarten
because of primitive toileting skills, they tend to put their
fingers in their mouths, and they participate in a lot of hands-on
activities with other kids and with pets. Roundworms, hookworms,
and tapeworms are other examples that can make a child display
ADHD like symptoms. Worms cause hyperactive behavior, learning
problems, depression, or attention deficits by making children
miserable on the inside.
28.(***) Viral or bacterial infections:
When a child is affected by an infection that might cause problem
behavior.
29.(***) Malnutrition or improper
diet: Many children in the United States do not eat a well balanced
diet. A proper diet is necessary to growing children. An improper
diet can affect a child's behavior in an ill way.
30.(***) Head injuries: Such as
the postconcussion syndrome. Some of the symptoms include Irritability,
emotionality, memory problems, depression, and sleep disturbances.
A concussion can disrupt brain functioning causing ADHD like
symptoms.
31.(***) Dietary Factors: (For example
to much caffeine and sugar) At doses as low as 250 milligrams
a day, a level many American children exceed- caffeine can cause
rambling speech, attention and concentration problems, agitation,
heart palpitations, insomnia, and hyperactive behavior. In a
way, it is true we are what we eat.
32.(***) Some disorders such as
anemia reduce oxygen to the brain causing disturbance in the
brain's chemistry causing ADHDlike symptoms.
33.(***) Fetal alcohol syndrome
(FAS) or Fetal alcohol effects (FAE): FAS is a name that doctors
use to describe the damage done to children's brains and bodies
when their motherâs drank heavily during pregnancy. It
is the leading form of mental retardation today. Prenatal alcohol
impairment, however, also comes in a milder form called fetal
alcohol effects (FAE). Children with FAE often don't look disabled,
and they tend to score in the low-normal or even normal range
of intelligence. But these kids aren't normal. Their mal-developed
brains cause them to exhibit a wide range of behavior problems,
including hyperactivity, attention problems, learning disorders,
and ethical problems such as stealing, lying, and cheating.
34.(***) Intentionally or unintentionally
sniffing materials such as modeling glue or other house hold
products.
35.(***) Some drugs:, (both prescription
and illegal) can cause the brain to atrophy, leading to disturbed
cognition and behavior. If your child routinely takes prescription
or over-the-counter medications for asthma, hay fever, allergies,
headaches, or any other condition, consider the possibility that
the drugs are causing or contributing to behavior problems.
36.(***) :A beta-hemolytic streptococcus:(better
known as "strep.") Although these bacteria are most
commonly thought of as the cause of strep throat. Left untreated,
strep can cause rheumatic fever and a movement disorder called
Sydenham's chorea. Moreover, recurrent infections can lead, in
susceptible children, to a group of symptoms collectively known
as PANDAS (Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders) Some
symptoms of PANDAS include obsessive-compulsive behavior, Tourette's
syndrome, hyperactivity, cognitive problems, and fidgeting.
37.(***) Lack of exercise: "Hyper
Couch Potatoes" are children who aren't moving enough. Some
children because of lack of exercise may seem as though they
are always in motion, but often that motion is in fits and spurts:
leaping up from a chair, spinning around in the lunch line, bouncing
in a chair while watching TV. Quite a few hyperactive children
actually do not get enough sustained, strenuous exercise to stay
healthy mentally and physically. Exercise can make people happier,
less anxious, less hyperactive, and less depressed. One reason
is that exercise increases serotonin levels in the brain exactly
what Prozac, Elavil, and similar drugs do.
38.(***) Gifted Children: Gifted
children often display ADHD like symptoms because most of the
time they are bored with what other kids their age are doing.
Behaviors associated with Giftedness are poor attention, boredom,
daydreaming, low tolerance for persistence on tasks that seem
irrelevant, their judgment often lags behind their development
of intellect, their intensity may lead to power struggles with
authorities, and they may have a high activity level. They may
need less sleep compared to other children, and they may question
rules, customs, and traditions. If your child scores above average
on IQ tests, aces exams, has no trouble with homework, has no
apparent learning disabilities, and primarily exhibits his or
her problems mostly at school, maybe seeking a more challenging
class or school would help.
39.(***) Emotional problems: Kids
who are experiencing emotional problems most often display ADHD
like symptoms. For example, kids who are constantly subjected
to bullying at school can display ADHD like symptoms. These are
normal kids that act out because they are scared. They experience
sleeping problems, sadness, and they develop physical symptoms,
especially if they think those symptoms will keep them home from
school. Often they can't concentrate in class, partly because
they are worried and partly because they are suffering from sleep
deprivation. Really any emotional problem at school or home in
which a child is having trouble coping with can result in ADHD
like symptoms.
40.(***) Some kids are spoiled and
undisciplined: A number of children labeled hyperactive are merely
under-disciplined children. They tend to run their household
and get away with anything. Dr Syndey Walker stated this problem
best of why parents under- discipline their children. He stated
that he blamed not the parents but the psychological experts
who have counseled parents for several decades that children
are fragile, easily traumatized little flowers who could be ruined
for life by a cross look or a scolding, which is untrue. Children
need firm discipline and strict rules, not abuse, but setting
rules and standards and demanding those standards be met, and
giving consequences when your rules are broken. Labeling undisciplined
kids as ADHD who are not gives them an excuse for their misbehavior,
which will often make it worse.
41.(***) Spirited children: When
dealing with spirited children the problem usually does not lie
with the child but with society's perception of what normal childhood
behavior is. Many normal children, according to some people,
display ADHD like symptoms not because they are hyperactive or
lack sufficient attention spans but because the person forming
the opinion has unrealistic standards of how a child should behave.
42.(***) Lack of understanding and
communication skills: One of the main reasons why a child acts
out and throws temper tantrums when they have a problem is because
of their lack of understanding of a problem and lack of expressing
how they feel. Children do not have the vocabulary or know how
to express their emotions like adults do, that's why many act
out when they are in a difficult situation. They are not able
tell you something is wrong so they show you instead. This is
one reason why any emotional or medical problem can cause acting
out behavior in children.
43.(Rare) Early stage brain tumors:
Found rarely in children but should still be considered. Statistically,
this diagnosis may not be important but to individual families,
they assuredly are.
44. (Rare) Brain cysts: Another
rare cause of hyperactivity but should still be considered when
searching for the reasons behind displayed ADHD like behavior.
45. (Rare) Temporal lobe seizures:
The Temporal lobe is a part of the brain. Any brain malfunction
can cause inappropriate behavior. That's why conducting brain
scans is a must when trying to figure out behavior problems.
46. (Rare) Klinefelter syndrome:
A Genetic disorder in which a male has an extra X chromosome
(XXY). Many individuals experience learning, behavior, and social
problems. A degree of subnormal intelligence appears in some
affected individuals. Many affected individuals are skinny and
taller than most of their peers. A simple blood test can rule
this disorder out.
47.(Rare 5.) Genetic Disorder XYY:
The extra Y chromosome has been associated with antisocial behavior.
48. (Rare) Porphyria: A hereditary
enzyme-deficiency disease. Enzymes are very important to our
body's chemical reactions. Really nothing occurs in our body
without enzymes. A lack of enzymes causes body malfunctioning
which can cause ill behavior.
49. (Rare) Candida Albicans infestation
(Yeast Infection) : Candida infestations cause hyperactivity
in children. Most children who do suffer from Candida infestations
have some underlying problem, frequently an immune disorder,
or a disorder affecting carbohydrate metabolism and thus altering
blood sugar levels. So immune disorders can cause other problems
that also have the same symptoms of ADHD.
50. (Rare) Intestinal parasites:
Parasites rob the body of needed nutrients which in-turn affects
behavior.
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KEY:
! Conditions most over looked.
(1) Hypoglycemia (Low Blood sugar)
(3) Allergies:
(4) Learning disabilities:
(5) Hyper or hypo- thyroidism:
(6) Hearing and vision problems:
(7) Mild to high lead levels
* Other good possibilities to check for
** Definitely check if there is a family history of the condition
*** General problems in which you can think about.
(Rare) Rare Conditions but still good to check for and know about.
For more information visit http://www.danielchapterone.com
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