Hyperactivity: Blessing or Curse?

As a result being overly active has been identified as a health challenge in both children and adults. This has a positive spin when the challenges are addressed, and the person is helped. But today children in my opinion are given these labels much too quickly.

Difference between ADD and ADHD

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) relates more to a person being inattentive. ADHD has more impulse control challenges which result in more behavior problems and conduct disorder. Kids with ADD tend to be at risk for depression and anxiety disorders. In a lot of older literature the terms are interchangeable.

Redirecting That Energy

While each situation and person is unique, a hyperactive child has a lot of energy that can be channeled into many useful and creative avenues. Although this takes much time and patience, the effort is quite worth it.

Working and consulting with many psychiatrists over the years has led me to believe that many children are labeled through diagnosis much to quickly without enough thoroughness. Medication is prescribed almost automatically without investigating alternatives. I will be discussing many of these alternatives in other sections of this site.

Granted that ADHD in children is an issue that needs to be properly addressed. But it is necessary to do your homework, and be very selective in your healing modalities. In addition to the side effects of medications, an opportunity can be lost to redirect a child's energy into areas that fully express their individual strengths, talents and abilities.

Click here for the Transforming Child Behavior Home Page.

When done reviewing Hyperactivity, click here to return to the Manage Care page.