What is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?
ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, are one in the same. There are actually six types of ADD according to Dr. Amen of Amen Clinics. ADD can be caused by a deficiency of adrenaline. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys. These tiny glands produce countless neurotransmitters and hormones and control the autonomic nervous system.
A deficiency of adrenaline would indicate weakened adrenal glands. This weakening can occur due to excessive stress, chemicals, drugs, acid buildup within the body, or exposure to or ingestion of hormones. When the body is given something, such as a hormone that it produces naturally, the body will eventually slow down production or stop it altogether.
The most unknown source of adrenaline that is consumed daily is in the consumption of meat products. In a slaughterhouse, the animal can feel danger and smell death. Animals, like humans, go into a “fight or flight” state. During this state, the body releases adrenaline. After the animal is killed, the adrenal gland remains in its meat and is then consumed.
An acidic diet is also a major contributing factor. Acids are corrosive, irritating to the nervous system, promote inflammation and damage cells. The glands and organs are damaged by acidic waste that is not removed efficiently. This waste begins to affect the health and function of cells.
Heavy metals, drugs, food additives, and specific foods could be possible culprits. All of these things are harmful to the nervous system and can cause or worsen symptoms. These substances can create an environment within the body that leads to irritation and inflammation of the nervous system, creating symptoms similar to ADD.
Possible symptoms
– Frequently late, taking more time than expected to do projects
– Have a messy approach to projects.
– You don’t always learn easily.
– Blur things without thinking
– Not always truthful
– Have difficulty doing boring things
– You can’t always sit still for long periods of time.
Treatment
The commonly used treatment to address ADD is a widespread use of stimulants such as Ritalin. The goal is to correct behavior, however, stimulants control behavior by affecting mental function and often cause the very problem they are given to correct.
Effects of ADD Medication
Stimulants have a very powerful effect on brain function and can lead to addiction and abuse. In most children, these medications cause a rebound reaction, causing behavioral symptoms to worsen within hours of the last dose. With higher doses and prolonged use, they can lead to severe withdrawal reactions, including falls and symptoms such as extreme fatigue, depression, and even suicidal feelings.
Stimulants can overstimulate the brain causing personality changes, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, and nervousness; confusion and disorientation, apathy, social withdrawal, sadness, seizures, and, very commonly, severe depression. Stimulants can also cause paranoia that involves feelings of fear and even violence towards others. Additionally, stimulants can also create emotional disturbances and mania.
Causes and contributing factors
Processed sugar: Children with ADD have weakened adrenal glands. One of the many responsibilities of the adrenal glands includes sugar metabolism. When there is excessive sugar consumption, sugar metabolism is hampered and there is excess sugar in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels. Our bodies use carbon for fuel, carbon is just sugar. When processed sugars are ingested, there is an excess of fuel that can create ADD-like behavior.
Excitotoxins: Excitotoxins are isolated amino acids that overstimulate brain cells to death. The most common excitotoxins are MSG (monosodium glutamate) and aspartame. These chemicals are found in almost all processed foods and even some healthy foods. These additives are often listed under different names on food labels.
Neurotoxins: The adrenal glands control the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls all involuntary actions of the body, including breathing, contractions of the heart, and contractions of the digestive tract that move food through the body. A neurotoxin is a compound that poisons the nervous system. These chemicals are often found in a person’s home in products like laundry detergents, air fresheners, perfumes, etc.
Excessive use of television, video games and computers: Digital dementia is a new diagnostic term used among the medical community caused by the excessive use of electronic devices for anything other than work. Video games and television are also often excessively violent; this exposure stimulates temporarily weakened adrenal glands making the person feel better but further weakening the adrenal glands in the long run due to overstimulation.
Yelling or scalding – Yelling or scalding a child creates the same reaction within the body as violent or scary video games or movies. Yelling at a child or adult with ADD creates the same stimulating adrenal effect within the body as scary movies. The adrenal glands are overstimulated, creating a false sense of well-being. This can cause a child to act more to stimulate the adrenal glands to release hormones for that temporary feeling. Some adults may even display conflict-seeking behavior and intentionally start fights and arguments in search of the same physiological response.
holistic approach
The first step in addressing any problem within the body is to stop treating the symptoms and start addressing the cause(s). When the cause is removed, only then can the body begin to heal and regenerate. Each person is dealing with different causes, including genetic and glandular weaknesses and different health conditions. Some may see immediate improvement with minor changes, while others may require complete lifestyle changes.
All diseases and abnormalities within the body are due to the improper behavior of the cell that is subject to the internal fluid environment that depends on the functions of the processes of nutrition and elimination. Once the body is back in balance, only then is the body able to heal itself.