Anybody have any experience with ADHD? What can be done to get the person to have a more normal life?

TIA.

Drugs, Drugs, Drugs!!
Well, there is some truth there. My former pastors son has it (or did about ten years ago) and he put his son on the Ridelin (spelling?). The difference was like night and day. He was able concentrate on homework, games etc.
Now some argue that the drugs arn't necessary and that teaching and natural suppliments are also effective.... sorry, lost my train of thought.
There must be a truck load of info my searching and I would seek the advice of more than 1 physician. My other good friends son (through marriage) also has it. I'll try to reach him today and see what's working for him. I know he had a special councellor for years and the program was fully paid by the Canadian or provincial gov't.

LoL Well, I was diagnosed with ADD. Just let them live. I had attention disorder... not the hyperactive kind (contrary to popular belief :D ). It has nothing to do with intelligence nor has it limited me in anything I have wished to do. Simply a concentration thing.

You can take drugs... I was on ritalin for over 8 years. It makes you horribly antisocial though. And I also remember the drugs having disasterous effects on my appetite... I was a total of 27kg's (around 59 pounds) in year 6 (I was 11 years old). I could have probably fit inside my school bag, heh.

Just FYI... I consider my life normal, thankyou very much [img]tongue.gif[/img]

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. I'm sure if you google it you will get SQUILLIONS of information on it. Hell, there is at least 4 current affair shows on it per year over here in Oz.

Thanks for the input. I'm actually looking into info on Adult ADD.

My mistake for the confusion, I didn't even know there was a difference.

There's not much wrong with it other than the fact that people really have a hard time getting through school with this condition. The mind wonders all the time and they can't stay focused on their work or most other things. It's probably 'cos they're just creative in other ways, but they are in no way lacking in intelligence. I was never diagnosed with it, but I'd bet my comfy slippers I had it too.

Variol, I'm not too sure if there is a difference between ADD in adults and children. It is the same condition, I'm just guessing that with the different lifestyles that adults and kids lead it would affect them in different ways.

It just affects concentration. Adults can still take the drugs such as Ritalin and Dex to control it (I'm assuming the drugs would remain the same) but I know for a fact that you do have to go through a specialist psychologist in order to get the prescriptions for the drugs, and this is not the case for children. At least, thats the way it worked in Australia some 4 years ago. Your GP should be able to direct you to the relevant help.

But yes, to add to your comment, I really don't think that there is much of a difference between adult and child ADD/ADHD, it really just affects concentration. It is just more common within children, as most, (like myself) grow out of it. Of course, there are bouts where I fall back into my old random ways.... ie

Dave having conversation with Principle.......
Principle saying something important to Dave....
Dave all of a sudden runs off and squeals "LOOK AT THE SQUIRREL, OMG LOOK AT THE SQUIRREL!"

[img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img]

There's a difference between ADD and ADHD - the H stands for Hyperactivity and ADD does not have that characteristic. Most laypeople use the acronym ADHD but spell it out as Attention Deficit Disorder, not realising they are two different things.

You can go the drugs route, but like with all drugs, there are side effects and negative elements to drug taking. It is also not a 'cure', but a reduction in symptoms, so you can't take the drugs for a short time and then be better. Therapy can be helpful, however. For children, child CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) is useful, and also parenting programs that teach CBT strategies for parents to implement with their children are really useful. For adults, again CBT is effective. My advice would be to find a psychologist and see what they have to say.

Thanks for a serious answer and not laughing like the poster above you.