The use of Ginkgo biloba was studied as an herbal alternative. Six psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with ADD were rated at baseline and while taking Ginkgo biloba to determine its efficacy as a treatment for ADD. Comparisons of Wender Utah ratings within subject were used to measure behavioral changes in the subjects. During Ginkgo biloba treatment, the patients’ mean scores improved significantly overall and in hyperactivity, inattention, and immaturity factors. This preliminary study indicates that Ginkgo biloba might be a beneficial and useful treatment of ADD, with minimal side effects.

Ginkgo biloba may be taken as tea, herbal tincture, capsules or tablets. Guidance regarding the amount needed to alleviate symptoms of ADHD and ADD are lacking, but RxList states that taking 120 mg to 600 mg daily may help to improve cognitive function in healthy young people. Bear in mind that this is only a guideline. The required dose may depend on other factors, such as age and overall health. Get further advice from your pharmacist or doctor.

Based on these criteria, the DSM-IV identifies three subtypes of ADHD:

1. ADHD, Combined Type: Both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.

2.ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: Inattention but not hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.

3. ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Hyperactivity-impulsivity but not inattention symptoms.

Dr. Amens Types of ADHD

Dr. Amen who is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, and medical director of the Amen Clinics in California, Washington, and Virginia, has used a combination of symptoms and brain scans to come up with his own types of ADHD.

Amen considers these to be the hallmark symptoms of ADHD:

• Short attention span
• Distractibility
• Disorganization
• Procrastination
• Poor internal supervision

Based on these symptoms, and the use of SPECT brain scans to highlight activity in the parts of the brain related to attention, short-term memory, and forethought, Amen described these six types of ADHD:

• Type 1 — Classic ADHD. All of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD, plus hyperactivity and impulsivity. Responds well to stimulant medications.
• Type 2 — Inattentive ADHD. All of the hallmark features of ADHD, but instead of hyperactivity, there is low energy. Also responds well to stimulant medications.
• Type 3 — Overfocused ADHD. All of the hallmark features of ADHD, in addition to negative thoughts and behaviors, such as opposition and arguing. Tends to respond better to an antidepressant (such as Prozac) combined with a stimulant.
• Type 4 — Temporal Lobe ADHD. The hallmark features of ADHD, plus irritability, aggressiveness, and memory and learning problems. Responds better to antiseizure medications (like Neurontin) than to stimulants.
• Type 5 — Limbic ADHD. Combines ADHD with depression and low energy and decreased motivation. Responds better to stimulating antidepressants than to stimulants.
• Type 6 — The Ring of Fire. Cross between ADHD and bipolar disorder. Characterized by moodiness, aggressiveness, and anger. Anticonvulsants or newer antipsychotic medications tend to work better than stimulants.

How Did Amen Come Up With His Types of ADHD?

Amen has performed and analyzed thousands of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain scans on people with psychological problems. SPECT uses a radioactive dye to create a three-dimensional image of the blood flow and activity in the brain. It is typically used to diagnose medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and head injury. Amen says this type of scan also can provide doctors with more thorough information about ADHD and other psychological conditions.

SPECT scans don’t themselves diagnose ADHD, but they can help fine-tune the diagnosis when considered together with the patient’s medical history and psychiatric evaluation, according to Amen. He says these scans measure whether areas of the brain are working correctly, too hard, or not enough. Knowing which areas of the brain are problematic in children with ADHD can help doctors focus treatments on those areas. SPECT also can identify how well a child’s medication is working, according to Amen.

Criticism of Amen’s Types of ADHD

Although some psychologists and psychiatrists hail Amen as a pioneering ADHD researcher, others are vocally opposed to his methods. Critics argue that his tests are very expensive (scans can cost upwards of $3,000), and have not been proven to be helpful by scientific studies in peer-reviewed medical journals.

In 2005, the American Psychological Association (APA) Council on Children, Adolescents and Their Families released a position paper stating that brain imaging for the purpose of diagnosing psychiatric disorders in children and adults is still experimental, and there isn’t enough evidence to support its general use. The report also raised concerns about the long-term effects on children who are exposed to the radiation used in SPECT and other brain scans.

Although he claims to have had great success with his patients, currently Amen’s techniques for diagnosing ADHD are not widely accepted in the medical community. However, the APA Council did acknowledge that refinements in brain imaging techniques might make these scans more useful in the future.

The same drug treatments proven to be efficacious in children appear to benefit adults with ADHD.

• Ritalin
• Concerta
• Vyvanse
• Adderall
• Focalin
• Dexedrin

In the past, the first treatment offered to adults with ADHD has been stimulant drugs. Studies show that approximately two thirds of adults with ADHD who are given these medications show significant improvement in ADHD symptoms.

However, there are some difficulties in using stimulants to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are controlled substances and it is not uncommon for adults with ADHD to have or to have had problems with substance abuse. Short acting stimulants may wear off quickly and since adult patients administer the medication themselves, and usually have problems with forgetfulness, compliance can be problematic with multiple day dosing. Adults may experience significant difficulty in the evening when they do housework, pay bills, help children with homework or drive, or are tempted to use substances ‘to relax’.

Stratterra is the only nonstimulant medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD, not just for children and adolescents, but for adults as well. This is the first medication to receive an FDA indication for treatment of ADHD in adults.

Strattera does not have abuse potential and does not require a special prescription.

While researchers may disagree about age of childhood onset in diagnosing adult ADHD, all agree that ADHD is not an adult-onset disorder and must be verified from childhood. An assessment of ADHD symptoms and behavior from childhood may include any or all of the following:

• A questionnaire to determine if the adult had ADHD in childhood.
• School report cards, if available, to look for comments about behavior problems, poor focus, lack of effort or underachievement relative to the student’s potential.
• Discussion with the parents to determine any symptoms during childhood.
• A complete history from the adult with the symptoms. He or she may self report symptoms in childhood.
• The developmental history would be consistent with ADHD, including evidence of problems with peers, other delays such as bed wetting, school failure, suspensions, or special interventions such as sitting in front of the class, etc.

A strong family history of ADHD may also be informative, given the strong genetic component of the disorder.

Most psychologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians diagnose ADHD based on a series of inattention and hyperactivity symptoms outlined in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). For someone to be diagnosed with ADHD, the behaviors must have lasted for at least six months, and be severe enough to disrupt school and other aspects of the individual’s life.

Inattention symptoms of ADHD include:

• Not paying attention to detail
• Making careless mistakes
• Failing to pay attention and keep on task
• Not listening
• Being unable to follow or understand instructions
• Avoiding tasks that involve effort
• Being distracted or forgetful
• Losing things that are needed to complete tasks

Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms of ADHD include:

• Fidgeting
• Squirming
• Getting up often when seated
• Running or climbing at inappropriate times
• Having trouble playing quietly
• Talking excessively or out of turn
• Interrupting

Based on these criteria, the DSM-IV identifies three subtypes of ADHD:

1. ADHD, Combined Type: Both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.

2.ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: Inattention but not hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.

3. ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Hyperactivity-impulsivity but not inattention symptoms.

The following behaviors and problems can come directly from having ADHD or may be the result of related adjustment difficulties:

* Chronic lateness and forgetfulness.
* Anxiety.
* Low self-esteem.
* Procrastination.
* Employment problems.
* Difficulty controlling anger.
* Impulsiveness.
* Substance abuse or addiction.
* Poor organization skills.
* Low frustration tolerance.
* Chronic boredom.
* Difficulty concentrating when reading.
* Depression.
* Mood swings.
* Relationship problems.

These behaviors can be mild to severe and can vary depending on the situation or be present all of the time. Some adults with ADHD are able to concentrate if they are interested in or excited about the subject or what they are doing. Others may have difficulty focusing under any circumstances unless on medication. Some adults look for stimulation while others avoid it. Also adults with ADHD can be withdrawn and antisocial, or they can be overly social and unable to be alone.

School-Related Impairments Linked to Adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD may have:

• Had a history of poorer educational performance and were underachievers.
• Had more frequent school disciplinary actions.
• Had to repeat a grade.
• Dropped out of school more often.

Work-Related Impairments Linked to Adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

• Change employers frequently and perform poorly.
• Have had fewer occupational achievements, independent of psychiatric status.

Social-Related Impairments Linked to Adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

• Have a lower socioeconomic status.
• Have driving violations such as: be cited for speeding; have their licenses suspended; be involved in more crashes; rate themselves and others as using poorer driving habits.
• Use illegal substances more frequently.
• Smoke cigarettes.
• Self-report psychological maladjustment more often.

Relationship-Related Impairments Linked to Adult ADHD

Adults with ADHD are more likely to:

• Have more marital problems and multiple marriages.
• Have higher incidence of separation and divorce.

Much of this functional impairment diminishes with remission of the disorder and can be mitigated by appropriate treatment.

Published in the American Journal of Psychiatry on Monday, the study suggests a link between stimulant drugs and sudden death in children and adolescents. Already carrying warnings about risks of heart attack and stroke in children with underlying heart conditions, but researchers have questioned whether the drugs pose the same risks to children without those problems.

The study also suggested “Healthy children taking the medications were six to seven times more likely to die suddenly for unexplained reasons than their peers”.  The study was partially funded by the FDA, but agency experts said the methods which relied on interviews with parents; which may have taken place years after a child’s death, could have caused errors. “Since the deaths occurred a long time ago, all of this depended on the memory of people — relatives and physicians — involved with the victims,” said Dr. Robert Temple, the FDA’s director of drug review.

But we all know that doctors don’t know everything, right? Especially nutrition. Doctors are not schooled in nutrition as a preventative measure or medicine, for ADHD and ADD.

Discussing concerns, but keeping children on medication
The agency urges parents to discuss safety concerns with their doctor, but to keep children on the treatments.

The study compared a sample of 564 children who died of unexplained causes to 564 children who were killed in car accidents. Among the unexplained deaths, 10 children were taking an ADHD drug compared with two of the patients killed in car accidents. The researchers used car accident victims as a comparison group because sudden childhood deaths are rare and difficult to track.

“We’re not sure this study tells us something we didn’t know,” said Dr. Robert Temple of Monday’s publication, the FDA’s director of drug review. “We didn’t think it gave an unequivocal answer as to whether there is such a risk.”

Duh! That’s what the FDA always says. Inconclusive studies that kill more people than help.

About 2.5 million U.S. children currently take drugs for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, according to government researchers. Among the most popular brands are Shire’s Adderall, Novartis’ Ritalin and Dexedrine, marketed by various manufacturers.

In case you didn’t know, Adderall is a brand-name psycho-stimulant medication composed of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and has a high abuse potential.

Adderall 30mg

Concerta possesses structural similarities to amphetamine, and, though it is less potent, its pharmacological effects are even more closely related to those of cocaine.

Ritalin a mild form of amphetamine used to counter attention deficit disorder.

All three of the previously mentioned drugs have a high abuse potential especially in adolescents in school.

Sales of the drugs topped $4.8 billion last year, according to health care analysis firm IMS Health. The most popular brands include Shire’s Adderall, Johnson & Johnson’s Concerta and Novartis’ Ritalin.

Widely used types of pesticides such as malathion, were likely to cause ADHD, the behavior disorder that often plagues the social life and school life of children, but also carries over in adults, they never “grown out of it”.

Children with higher-than-normal levels of one pesticide marker were “likely to be diagnosed with ADHD as children who showed no traces of the poison”. But what’s normal? Having a pesticide in your body is “Normal”?

It is highly suggested to buy as much organic food as possible and still wash everything fresh that you eat. This helps to eliminate the chances of poisonous pesticides from entering the body, and causing any harm what so ever, or having any chance of “getting” ADHD(Attention deficit hyperactive disorder).

“Diet is a major source of pesticide exposure in children”, says the National Academy of Sciences, and “much of that exposure comes from favorite fruits and vegetables”. In 2008, detectable concentrations of malathion were found in 28 percent of frozen blueberry samples, 25 percent of fresh strawberry samples and 19 percent of celery samples, a government report found. That’s pretty high and to think we eat those things on a daily basis. I wonder how that is affecting us in other ways aside from our brain?

ADHD affects approximately 4.5 million U.S. children of which about 2.5 million of those children take medication for the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A study of 1,139 children between ages 8 to 15 had levels of six pesticide metabolites in their urine, the study included 119 children who were diagnosed with ADHD. The study showed a “glimpse into average insecticide exposure in the general population of children, not a specialized group, such as children of farmworkers”.

Pesticides used in farming work by interfering with the nervous systems of insects, and have a similar effect in mammals, including humans. Most people in the U.S. have residues of the products in their urine.

The best advice for anyone who wants to avoid pesticides is choose foods least likely to contain them. Shoppers should buy organic versions of a dozen fruits and vegetables that grow in the ground or are commonly eaten with the skin, because the non-organic versions are most likely to be contaminated.

Fruits and Vegetables

Be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables under cold running tap water and scrub firm-skinned produce with a brush. Be sure to rinse frozen fruits and vegetables, as well.

A recent study, two-thirds of domestic and imported produce contained no pesticide residue, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Yet the study did not mention the other third of produce which did contain traces of pesticides.

The “dirty dozen” are the fruits and vegetables most likely to contain pesticides. Peaches top the “dirty dozen” list because they require a lot of pesticides to grow, according to the Environmental Working Group.

The dirty dozen include:

• Apples
• Bell peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Imported grapes
• Carrots
• Pears

Here is a list of the ”Clean 15” fruits and vegetables that are least likely to contain pesticide residue, especially if Organic:

• Onion
• Avocado
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Asparagus
• Sweet Peas
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Eggplant
• Papaya
• Watermelon
• Broccoli
• Tomato
• Sweet Potato

People think of ADD and ADHD as a childhood problem, and that kids grow out of it, but kids grow up and it doesn’t go away. Many times Adults with ADHD learn to cope with the issues of ADD and ADHD, however, many adults also struggle with ADD.

There are book resources on the market but they are often too long, too complicated, too dry and clinical or just can’t keep the attention of the Adult with ADHD. Adults with ADD and ADHD need straightforward tools for coping with real experiences and this book offers what they need.

Each chapter takes up an issue pertinent to adults with ADD: “My mind wanders”, “I’m always misplacing things”, “I have trouble keeping friends” or “I have a hard time getting started.” In just five to seven pages, the book outlines strategies for each problem that are simple to put into practice with effective outcomes.

If you’re struggling with adult ADD or ADHD, the information in this book offers immediate and lasting results for better concentration, sharper memory, enhanced focus, and greater self-confidence. It also covers memory retention, lessening anxiety, coping with anger and frustration, deal with social situations, handling finances, and performing successfully at work.

This book can be reviewed HERE.

Being unfairly diagnosed for decades, children and adults with attention deficit hyperactive disorder are now recognized as having a common and treatable neurological condition.

Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Ratey answer questions most frequently asked at nationwide workshops and seminars. This resulting in an easy-to-read reference book that covers every aspect of the disorder: from identifying symptoms and diagnosis, to the latest treatment options, as well as practical day-to-day advice on how you or a loved one can live a normal life with ADD.

If you are a patient, parent, teacher, or health-care professional, Answers to Distraction will help those whose ADD and ADHD have caused persistent problems in school, at work, and in relationships.

Q&As include:

• What are the most important scientific findings about ADD in the last decade?
• How early can ADD be diagnosed?
• Where can a parent get support for dealing with a child who has ADD?
• What advances in the field of medication have taken place since the original version of this book was published?
• What alternative supplements can be used for treatment of ADHD
• Alternative therapies for ADD and ADHD

Answers To Distraction provides practical solutions to the dilemmas of ADD and ADHD. This “user’s guide” to ADD is presented in question-and-answer format ideal for even the most distracted reader.

Each chapter covers a specific aspect of ADD, such as ADD in women, ADD and aggression, ADD and addiction, or ADD and work.

The authors provide advice for teachers to recognize ADD and help students to cope, plus extraordinary insights into the relationship difficulties caused by ADD.

A copy of this book can be reviewed HERE.

Medical professionals who specialize in attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) say no one, especially children, should tolerate adverse side effects from stimulant medications. Weight loss or lack of appetite can be troubling and especially dangerous in children. Anyone noticing side effects should contact their doctor immediately for a medication adjustment.

There are six common side effects of ADHD medications, along with some strategies for getting help to alleviate them. As always, the best plan of action is to seek professional medical help.

1. Loss of appetite, weight loss

• Record your weight in a log every 3 months.

• Take stimulant medications at mealtimes, and eat high-calorie snacks, like ice cream, in-between meals.

2. Growth problems

• Attempt weekend and vacation breaks from drugs with the consent of your physician.

3. Trouble falling asleep

• Take the stimulant earlier in the day.

• Change to a short-acting form of the stimulant.

4. Dizziness

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly.

• Increase your fluid intake.

• Switch to an extended-release medication, such as Adderall XR, Ritalin LA, or Concerta, or go with an all together natural, alternative ADHD Therapy.

5. Irritability, sadness, moodiness, or agitation 1-2 hours after administering the medication.

• Lower the dosage.

• Have your child assessed for depression and comorbid conditions related to ADHD.

6. Sadness, irritability, or worsening of ADHD symptoms as the drug wears off.

• Change to an extended-release form of the stimulant.

• Overlap stimulant dosing, usually by 30 minutes.

Or change to a non-prescription form of treatment for ADHD:

Ginkgo Biloba

• One of the most effective herbal supplements for treating ADHD. It improves blood flow, brain function, memory, and concentration.

Gotu Kola

• Gotu Kola is a natural ingredient that has been shown to reduce anxiety and enhance memory and brain function. Recent research has also suggested that it helps to increase blood flow to the brain and improve general circulation.

Ginseng

• One of the oldest; most used, and most well respected herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Considered an  ‘adaptogen’ means it supports the body and makes it stronger and resistant to damage when the body is affected by environmental or other conditions that may be harmful. A study performed in 2001 found that 200 mg of American ginseng improved the symptoms of ADHD.

Glutamine

• The amino acid responsible for memory and concentration has been seen to help to improve ADHD symptoms.

GABA(Gamma-aminobutyric acid)

• Called the  “anxiety” amino acid as it utilizes vitamin B and Vitamin B3. In case of a proper functioning brain, vitamin B3 unites with benzodiazepine receptors, which helps in dealing with stress, properly. If there is a lack of vitamin B3 or improper utilization of the vitamin, it can affect the proper brain function.

The Smart Pill utilizes these and many other co-factors that really help to calm the mind and anxiety. Effective in helping with depression as well, it is the fastest way to a calm mind, less stress, and less anxiety.

The list of ingredients are listed here: