Recently, Time Magazine published an article called No ADHD. You can read the entire article by clicking here. According to Dr. Saul, there are over 20 conditions that can lead to symptoms of ADHD. Conditions such as sleep disorders, hearing and language disorders, substance abuse, iron deficiency and allergies (especially gluten intolerance and airborne allergies), are some of these conditions that lead to symptoms of ADHD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) requires a patient to exhibit only 5 of 18 possible symptoms to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. Dr. Saul says, “If you haven’t seen the list, look it up. It will probably bother you. How many of us can claim that we have difficulty with organization or a tendency to lose things; that we are frequently forgetful or distracted or fail to pay close attention to details? Under these subjective criteria, the entire U.S. population could potentially qualify.”What does this mean? Before you give your child stimulants to control the symptoms of ADHD, look to other potential causes for the symptoms. Stimulants are addictive and include side effects like increased anxiety, irritable or depressed mood, severe weight loss due to appetite suppression, and even potential for suicide. For people with underlying causes of ADHD symptoms, stimulants act only as a temporary Band-Aid. There are cases where stimulants are the best course of action- just be an informed consumer!
Speak Your Mind