There's a Drug For That

Happy Thirsty Thursday! We are now in the second week of September and boy it's starting to slowly feel like Autumn around the Port Huron area - yipes!

Yesterday afternoon I was searching for a few definitions for my EMT studies and started coming across a few titles that were linking Diet to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). So, I promptly noted myself to address this topic to our readers. The reason I bring this up to you is due to the fact that these disorders bring up a good introduction to the flaws of our healthcare systems, their inability to truly fulfill their duties to educate the public and our inability to research (sorry for being blunt, but, most of us do not have the capabilities to handle extensive research and decipher truth from 'truth'). Let me first say that I fully believe this disorder is real and needs to be treated if present, but, I do not believe this disorder is always the case. Today we discuss the latter.

What is ADD
ADD and ADHD are basically psychological terms currently applied to anyone who meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) diagnostic criteria for impulsiveness, hyperactivity and/or inattention. These disorders are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, can be linked genetically to family or acquired and improperly treated can cause a rise in these disorder's levels.

Our Healthcare Educates the Public to Their Advantage
Our healthcare system provides a lot of open literature into any disorders so Joe and Jane Public are able to attempt to make a diagnosis on their own. Of course, these diagnoses should be left to the professional (specialist preferably), but, our adamant nature can often lead a doctor to make the wrong call. If we feel someone has ADD/ADHD we will make damn sure they are diagnosed with it. Well hey - Joe and Jane public will pay for the pills, and if ADD/ADHD is not the right diagnosis, then no real harm done - start from the beginning and restart the cash-flow.

What Doctors Won't Tell You
What I am going to tell you comes from both experience and from research, so the facts are readily available. Ready? Not everyone with ADD/ADHD needs medication. That's right! I said it. Do you know what the generally need? They need someone to listen to them - and I mean really listen - to what they say and what they don't say.

1. Remember back at the beginning I said that ADD/ADHD is a chemical imbalance in the brain? ADD causes lack of attention, moodiness, impulsiveness...etc - and these same actions are also caused by a poor diet which adversely affects our body's homeostatic nature (the nature to be in balance and in optimal working condition). It has been shown time and time again that a clean, well-balanced diet can greatly reduce violence, impulsiveness slow down hyperactivity - the whole works. Our diet is so full of refined sugar, food dyes, chemicals and additives that do nothing but slow and inhibit the functions of our body's chemicals. Look at someone with ADD/ADHD and then look at their diet. As I am fluent in nutrition and exercise science, I know the effects of particular diets - and one high in sugar and additives our body can't handle results in attitude complications.
2. In school, grades don't mean a thing. I've known complete idiots to go on and get their masters degree and I've known complete geniuses drink themselves homeless. The truth is, if we are doing something we find incredibly boring - it is our nature to find someway to amuse ourselves or take our mind off of the monotony. Let's take this route - if you are a parent and your child continually gets lower-grades but yet you know they are much better than that - do you actually take the time to sit with them and discuss why their grades are low, why they are struggling and why they are not focusing on their tasks, or, do you reprimand them and push them to do better - causing them to lash out from the pressure? Would you ever consider that they are more advanced for their age-group and find the work too boring; that they are not learning enough for themselves? You see, if you don't intervene in every way you can, you will be sent to the doctors by the school for a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and a bottle of pills when in fact your child is just bored and incredibly smart! Are you willing to sacrifice your child's gift like that?.
3. School is not just school. Why the mentality in America is we need to go to a normal school and then strictly to College/University is beyond me. I can't even count the number of times I've heard of vocational and specialty schools get mentioned by people attending them and then be asked why they would not go for a better education. It's embarrassing really. Here's a great story that school isn't just school. 

As a child Gillian Lynne was considered difficult, lacking focus, restless, and a child who underperformed at school.  Her teachers encouraged her mother to take her to the doctor.  This was in the 1930′s and ADHD was unknown.  The doctor observed Gillian and later asked to speak privately to her mother.  While he did that, he turned on the radio in the room Gillian was in.  She became a different person and just danced away.  She was free and comfortable with who she was.  The doctor told Gillian’s mom that her daughter was not sick, she was a dancer!  Harnessing her skills, Gillian went to dance school. Here, she found others like herself who needed to move in order to think. Gillian later became a  famous dancer, beginning her career at age 16 dancing in Swan Lake.  She is also the choreographer for Cats and Phantom of the Opera.[http://www.peakexperienceparenting.com/do-you-know-the-story-of-gillian-lynne/] 

So, is ADD/ADHD really the answer at large?

Remember readers - there's more to most stories then most people will take the time to realize. A little knowledge is dangerous, but a little more could be life-changing for the better. If you feel someone you know may have ADD/ADHD - perhaps talk to them, find out what they like, don't like and how they eat. Medication can never replace the life-long effects of someone who really takes the time listen and care.