50 things that mimic add/hd

[Guest guest]

I just received this and found it very enlightening.

Mary

 

Most Commonly Overlooked

 

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

symptoms.

 

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..

 

Other Possibilities

 

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 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

bodies 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 sub clinical 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. 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, enjoy getting into upside down positions and be a daredevil. 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.

 

Definitely check if there is a family history of the condition

 

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 know 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 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 fledge 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.

 

General problems you can think about yourself and check if you see fit.

 

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 post concussion 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's reduce oxygen to the brain causing

disturbance in the brains chemistry causing ADHD like 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 mother drink 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 on 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 very 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.

 

Rare conditions but still good ton know about.

 

43. 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. Brain cysts: Another rare cause of hyperactivity but should still be

considered when searching for the reasons behind displayed ADHD like

behavior.

 

45. 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. 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. Genetic Disorder XYY: The extra Y chromosome has been associated with

antisocial behavior.

 

48. 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. 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. Intestinal parasites: Parasites rob the body of needed nutrients which

in-turn affects behavior.

 

 

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In Love, Light and Honor.............. May You and Yours be Blessed

with Health, Happiness, Wisdom and Prosperity.