ADD / ADHD Misdiagnosis and Mistreatment - Conditions that Mimic ADD/ADHD

Conditions that Mimic ADD/ADHD

Before accepting a diagnosis of ADD/ ADHD other conditions that mimic this diagnosis must be ruled out. Children with allergies and asthma may have difficulty breathing which could lead to difficulty concentrating. Foods (especially dairy products), molds, and chemical odors such as the smell of tar or perfume are common but unsuspected causes. An abundance of yeast caused by repeated courses of antibiotic use can also be a problem. Sudden unprovoked aggression in children can be related to allergies and is often associated with red ear lobes, wiggly legs, dark circles under the eyes, or a “demonic” look. Behavior may include hitting, biting, kicking, spitting, and punching.

Diabetes and hypoglycemia can make the child appear distracted and lacking concentration. Children with hypoglycemia can experience recurrent fatigue, irritability, tension, hyperactivity, and aggression. Complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and whole grains help to avoid hypoglycemia by replenishing glucose to the body at regular intervals allowing the child to better concentrate. Children with hypoglycemia will often show a pattern of “crashing” between 10:30– 11:30 and 3:00–4:00 and will often “demand” food during these times. Most breakfast cereals and fruit juices purchased in grocery stores have high sugar content and should be avoided. Also, food packed for lunches or snacks should be chosen carefully and checked for sugar contents. Children with seizures, middle ear infections, visual or auditory perception problems will also have trouble paying attention or appear frustrated with learning.

Often times following an emotional or physical traumatic event, children appear inattentive, distracted, or hyperactive. This may be a situational behavior issue and may need to be addressed through therapy. If the event was physical in nature such as a car accident or physical abuse, the child should also undergo a chiropractic evaluation for possible vertebral subluxations as the cause or a contributing factor to their behavior as should any child diagnosed with any of the above mentioned conditions.

Sensory Integration Disorder

Children are often misdiagnosed as having ADD or ADHD when in fact they have an undiagnosed learning disorder causing them to be frustrated, angry, distracted, and hopeless. There is a wealth of research on early brain development and the effects of poor sensory processing and delayed motor development in relation to one’s ability to focus and learn. A child may be labeled with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or central auditory processing problems; again, drugs are commonly prescribed for these children. However, what is really going on is that their neurological system is in chaos or is immature. The sensory information the child receives can not be organized by the brain; therefore, the child will not respond appropriately to various commands or stimulation. In short, the brain and nervous system are “short circuiting”. Because chiropractic deals directly with allowing the nervous system to function at its highest ability, it is imperative that these children undergo a chiropractic evaluation. Specific exercises either through a Doctor of Chiropractic or Occupational Therapist are also essential.