| Attention deficit disorder is a serious disorder and it is | | | | unlearned. On the contrary, some of the smartest |
| not going away. It causes depression, | | | | geniuses in history have had ADD. ADD makes it 10 |
| inattentiveness, relationship and behavorial problems, | | | | times harder to stay focused on mental tasks than |
| deviant behavior (crime), can lead to drug abuse, | | | | normal people, but when treated properly and taught |
| alcoholism and even suicide. To better understand this | | | | how to cope with their condition ADD sufferers in |
| disorder and correct it there are 8 steps we must | | | | numerous tests have been proven to be able to |
| follow:1. Education. ADD can manifest itself in several | | | | compete equally with non-sufferers and, in some |
| different ways all depending upon the areas of the | | | | cases, greatly out perform. There was a |
| brain affected. Basically, ADD is caused by | | | | documented case of one individual whom, due to his |
| abnormalities in the cortex region of the brain. These | | | | undiagnosed ADD, never paid attention in elementary, |
| abnormalities are mostly genetic, but can also result | | | | middle, or high school. This individual ended up |
| from head trauma. The afflicted area is | | | | dropping out of highschool and was seen as a |
| underdeveloped slightly - not enough to cause autism | | | | deviant. This individual then through proper diagnosis |
| or retardation. This underdeveloped area in the | | | | learned they had ADD, learned how to deal with it. |
| cortex directly affects attention span, energy | | | | Then took it upon themselves to learn what they |
| (lethargy), even quality of life. | | | | didn't in the public school system. In two weeks they |
| This is an actual confirmable medical condition.2. Get | | | | were able to obtain a real diploma, not a GED, and go |
| medical help. Do not wait. ADD can rob the sufferer | | | | to college. Whats even more amazing is that this |
| of quality of life. Go to a doctor that specializes in | | | | dropout eventually ended up attending an Ivy league |
| conditiond like ADD. Upon confirming the diagnosis for | | | | University! Just like underdeveloped muscles, the brain |
| ADD they will among other things refer you to | | | | through much effort can be taught to |
| support groups. This is important as ADD can be | | | | overcompensate for underdeveloped areas.7. Learn. |
| very trying on a family. They will also determine if | | | | Learn the art of memorization and studying. For ADD |
| medication like Ridalin and Adderall are necessary.3. | | | | sufferers studying and mental tasks are 10 times |
| Nutrition. Eat a well balanced diet. Take multi-vitamins | | | | harder to focus on. By learning memory techniques |
| and drink plenty of water. Multi-vitamins are a | | | | like associations, linking, lists, etc... and learning to |
| necessity as many of our foods are lacking in | | | | become adept with them will make ADD easier. A |
| nutritional value. Recent research has shown that | | | | great book to read is Harry Lorayne's Memory Book. |
| omega-3 fatty acids (like those found in salmon) not | | | | It should be required learning for everyone in |
| only promote a healthy heart, but also increase brain | | | | highschool. If the learning process can be made into a |
| functioning and health. Many people in Okinawa on a | | | | a game understanding, comprehension, and attention |
| diet compromising mostly rice and fish lived to be | | | | will all increase.8. Meditation, controlled discipline and |
| 100+ years old and maintained full mental acuity. | | | | prayer. Stress and anxiety have been shown to play |
| They were found to have much lower incidences of | | | | a large role with ADD sufferers. Both meditation and |
| mental diseases and conditions including ADD. Take a | | | | prayer have been shown to be very benefitial as |
| multivitamin, eat well balanced meals, and take | | | | they increase the attention span and have a dramatic |
| omega-3 supplements.4. Hydration. The brain is 85% | | | | soothing, calming effecton the sufferer. Discipline is |
| water and when the water intake is insufficient the | | | | very important with the ADD sufferer. Hidy Ochai, an |
| brain will become dehydrated and sluggish. During | | | | internationally reknowned karate master states in his |
| dehydration the neurons and synapses in the brain | | | | books that proper discipline in kids with ADD is |
| cannot transfer important chemicals and impulses for | | | | essential to proper adult development. Karate is a |
| memory, thought and cognition. Proper hydration is | | | | very effective tool for the ADD sufferer. As it |
| even more important in ADD sufferers as they have | | | | provides exercise, discipline, goal development and |
| underdeveloped lobes of the cortex that are more | | | | accomplisment, focus and self respect. ADD sufferers |
| sensatized to the effects of dehydration. It is | | | | will do well to learn what meditation, controlled |
| generally accepted that 8-10 glasses of water per | | | | discipline, and prayer can offer them.These eight |
| day is warranted for proper mental functioning and | | | | steps are essential for the attainment of the proper |
| will help with ADD sufferers as the symptoms of | | | | quality of life for ADD sufferers. ADD can be treated |
| ADD will worsen due to dehydration.5. Plan. Plan your | | | | and dealt with.David Maillie is a chemist and |
| day. ADD sufferers tend to be the biggest | | | | entrepeneur with over 12 years experience in |
| procrastinators. They can't focus as well and tend to | | | | biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an |
| put things off. Use a day planner and make lists, | | | | alumni of Cornell University and specializes in |
| checking off tasks as they are completed. This will | | | | biochemical synthesis for public, private, medical, and |
| help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that | | | | governmental interests. He holds numerous patents |
| surrounds ADD.6. Realize. Realize that ADD is not | | | | including his recently awarded patent for headlight |
| retardation. ADD does not mean someone is slow or | | | | cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. |