50 things that mimic add/hd

Forwarded message from MKD

[ Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007

50 things that mimic add/hd

I just received this and found it very enlightening.
- MKD

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-
nonproduc tive 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
electroencephalogra m (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-compulsiv e 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.

End of forwarded message from MKD

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