Have you ever witnessed your child exhibiting any of the following behaviors?:
- Easily distracted
- Forgetting to do things you asked him to
- Can’t sit still
- Talks non-stop
- Often loses/misplaces things
- Stares off into space
- Often interrupts people
- Can’t control his/her emotions
- Difficulty getting along with others.
So how does a parent distinguish between what is “normal” kid behavior or perhaps a more serious problem such as ADD/ADHD. For starters, you should look at the symptoms that your child is exhibiting. If you notice just 1 or 2 symptoms, it is probably nothing to worry about. But, if your child is being disruptive, displays many inappropriate behaviors and is having difficulty at home, school and while playing with others, it very well could be ADD/ADHD.
Studies have shown that ADD/ADHD is linked to artificial food dyes. So now this poses a new question. Is it the food that your child is eating that makes him behave this way or is it something that they can’t control? It is suggested that parents keep a food diary of everything their child eats and their behavior afterwards. If after a few days or a week you see a pattern that your child is acting inappropriately, you should make the switch to more healthy foods-free of artificial food dyes. Continue with your food diary to see if the changes are any more favorable. If so, than this suggests that what your child is eating may be the cause for his disruptive behavior. If there has been no change, you should now make an appointment with your child’s doctor.
Unfortunately, there are no tests that determine whether your child has ADD/ADHD. The only way to determine if your child does have a behavior problem is for him/her to be seen by his doctor. Your doctor will make his determination based upon the signs and symptoms that you have relayed to him and also by talking to your child. Sometimes the doctor will also want to speak to your child’s teacher or anyone else that may help give more insight. It is important to seek professional help if you suspect that your child may have ADD/ADHD. Children who can not focus will most likely do poorly in school and may not have many friends, which can lead to low self-esteem.
There are many treatments available that can make a difference in your child. Although you may not like the idea of putting your child on medication at such an early age, you may feel that you have no other options. It is very important to make absolutely sure that you have tried everything before considering medication. Prolonged use of some ADD medications can have serious side effects. If your child’s doctor decides to use medication to help with your child’s situation, know that are programs in place that can help you receive discounted add medication; or free add medication. At FreeMedPrograms.com, you will find many ADD/ADHD medications that are available through patient assistance programs. These patient assistance programs were designed to help the millions of people in the US that are either uninsured or under insured.
At FeeMedPrograms.com, you will find many popular ADD/ADHD medications such as Adderall XR, Dexedrine and Ritalin LA. Medication can help reduce ADD/ADHD symptoms in your child. As a parent, you should thoroughly research the medication that your doctor has suggested.
The most commonly prescribed ADD/ADHD medication are stimulants. Stimulants have been proven to effectively treat ADD / ADHD and the most research to back up their effectiveness. Stimulants affect the brain in a way to help control impulsive behavior. Stimulants also raise your ability to concentrate while reducing hyperactivity. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are Adderall, Dexedrine and Ritalin.
If you are among the many that find themselves with no insurance, FreeMedPrograms was designed with you in mind. Please visit our website and get started to determine if you qualify for free medication.