50 Conditions mimicking ADHD

[Guest guest]

From an excellent homeopath and her husband's website (Tricia & Jim Feijo)

(I just had a wonderful LONG phone conversation with Tricia!)

They are in Rhode Island!

Sheri

Triciahttp://www.danielchapterone.com/danielchapterone/NEWDC1/PAGES/info_cen

ter_articles_ADHD.htm

50 Conditions mimicking ADHD

ADHD is diagnosed by health professionals who form their opinion by

observing a child's behavior. There are no brain scans, blood tests, or

anything else definite that is used during diagnosis. The problem with this

is there are many other problems that have the same symptoms of ADHD. Many

parents, because of not knowing, settle for ADHD as a diagnosis before

looking at everything. For example, any problem dealing with the fuels of

the body: water, food, blood and air can cause behavior problems. Water,

food, blood and air to the body are just like gas and oil to a car. If you

put bad gas or have old or the wrong oil in your car, it will act up just

like a child acts up when eating foods they are allergic to, drinking or

breathing contaminated water or air or having blood disorders.

There are also many medical, biological, emotional and mental conditions

that mimic ADHD also. For those who are searching for reasons behind their

child's behavior, here are some possibilities. Only settle for the

diagnosis of ADHD after checking out all of these problems and many more.

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

sypmtoms.

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..

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 the 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

body's 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 '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 subclinical 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.(*1) 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, and enjoy getting into upside down positions and be daredevils.

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.

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 known 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 in 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 fledged 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.

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 postconcussion 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 reduce oxygen to the brain causing

disturbance in the brain's 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’s drank 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 stated this

problem best of why parents under-discipline their children. He stated that

he blamed not the parents but 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 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.

43.(Rare) 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. (Rare) Brain cysts: Another rare cause of hyperactivity but should

still be considered when searching for the reasons behind displayed ADHD

like behavior.

45. (Rare) 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. (Rare) 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.(Rare 5.) Genetic Disorder XYY: The extra Y chromosome has been

associated with antisocial behavior.

48. (Rare) 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. (Rare) 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. (Rare) Intestinal parasites: Parasites rob the body of needed nutrients

which in-turn affects behavior.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KEY:

! Conditions most over looked.

(1) Hypoglycemia (Low Blood sugar)

(3) Allergies:

(4) Learning disabilities:

(5) Hyper or hypo- thyroidism:

(6) Hearing and vision problems:

(7) Mild to high lead levels

* Other good possibilities to check for

** Definitely check if there is a family history of the condition

*** General problems in which you can think about.

(Rare) Rare Conditions but still good to check for and know about.

Chapter One

P.O. Box 223 Portsmouth,

Rhode Island 02871-0223

Office telephone: 1-401-683-9862

Fax: 1-401-682-2018

ORDERLINE: 1-800-504-5511

Email us: info@...

About the Founders

Jim Feijo is a graduate of Springfield College and holds BS degrees in

Health, Biology, and Physical Education and an MEd degree in Psychological

Services. He taught and coached from 1970-1985. In the early 80’s he began

to research the medicinal value of plants and nutrients.

Tricia Feijo is a professional homeopath and holds certificates from

The New England School of Homeopathy, a Materia Medica Course, and The

Renaissance Institute of Classical Homeopathy. Prior to practicing

homeopathy, she was trained and employed as a lab tech in cancer research

for several years, and then studied English/Writing at SMU. Tricia also has

studied herbs and nutrients for many years, with interest in whole foods

and healthful cooking.

Jim and Tricia Feijo founded Chapter One together as a health store/

healing ministry in the summer of 1986.

--------------------------------------------------------

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

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