ADD(attention deficit disorder) help?

Please help explain what ADD(attention deficit disorder) is. Like what causes it and what problems it may pose because I'm having a lot of trouble understanding. I'm the middle child and I feel horrible because my older sister, 16, is little ms. perfect and my little sister, 7, has ADD and I feel left out(not in the jealious sence) and that I'm the only one left for my parents to pick on. I feel horrible for not being understanding and accepting what my little sister is going through(like what's going on in her mind) and if you could maybe suggest some things I can do to help. Shes currently on medication that help somewhat(o, and my dad also suffers from ADD)

ADD is a total 100% fraud.. according to Fred Baughman Jr. MD.

See http://www.adhdfraud.com for more information

Suffers of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have many hurdles to overcome on a daily basis. Typically, ADD behavioral problems will hinder a sufferer鈥檚 ability to successfully interact in social situations. This can lead to problems in at home, in school, at work, or even in a romantic situation. The frustration that a sufferer can incur from the lack of control over their conduct can be emotionally exhaustive.

A common ADD behavioral problem is the inability to focus on a task. Many sufferers are easily distracted by things which other people would consider periphery and unimportant. This, and most other, ADD behavioral problem is one which is not in the control of the sufferer. Most would appreciate the opportunity to focus on what their teacher just said in the morning lecture, the humorous anecdote his date just shared, or the personal revelation that a parent just revealed. Unfortunately, due to their disability, they cannot.

Another frequently noted ADD behavioral problem is the tendency to act impulsively. Many sufferers seek out activities which they find exciting. This insatiable desire to instantly gratify their senses can lead to problems with drug or alcohol addiction.

Hyperactivity is a third common feature. Quite often those with ADD behavioral problems will jitter or fidget restlessly. They might also run, jump, or climb excessively. This restless sensation can impede effective communication as others might perceive the sufferer as being uninterested or simply rude.

While these challenges are certainly great, they are not insurmountable. Many with ADD behavioral problems have found success in therapy. Discussing their frustrations with someone who will help them develop strategies to counter their ADD behavioral problem can be more than helpful. Therapy coupled with stimulant medications has been the path to success for many sufferers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention-d...

I also suffer from ADD so I'll try my best to explain. When I was younger no one noticed that I had it so it was very difficult for me in school. I was always talking, I wouldn't sit still, I was always going to the principals office to get paddled or I had to stand in the corner. In junior high I was always in detention and also in developmental reading classes. It angers me even today that no one took the time to notice that I had a real problem, I wasn't just stupid. I wasn't a concern so they just tucked me away into a special class (along with regular classes) that got me nowhere. Even today I have trouble with it. I'm in college now and I have to bring a tape recorder with me to class because I can't focus 100% on what the teacher is saying so half way through class I won't even know what she is talking about. I catch myslef drifting and thinking about yesterday and then today and what I have to do at home and then homework for another class. I can't just sit there and pay attention. It's gotten better with age but it's still a problem. Sometimes it will take me 5 hours or more to do my algebra homework because I can't sit still long enough to finish in one sitting. Someone with ADD has many things going on in their head at one time, it's never just one thing. They can't control their thoughts and they typically have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They generally are VERY active as well. They tend to start projects only to get bored of it then start another one and then another one without ever finishing the first one. They also tend to be messy because they don't have the patience to clean up the first mess. The best advice that I can give you as far as your sister is concerned is to try to put yourself in her shoes and ask yourself how you would need to be helped if it were you. You need to be patient with her as well. I'm sorry that I couldn't give you any better advice than that. Good luck to you.

this is from google.com

Confusion and controversy is caused by the tendency of some mental health professionals to assume that everyone diagnosed with ADD has some mysterious, irreversible brain defect. This assumption has its roots in the very first group of severely ADD people ever studied, who suffered from encephalitis, or a swelling of the brain. We also have learned that birth defects and brain injury from toxic chemicals such as lead often cause ADD. However, over the last several decades the ADD diagnostic criteria have been so broadened as to include many people with no brain defects at all. Experts in the fields of temperament and creativity have objected that perfectly healthy people are being classified as disordered. Huge numbers of these new types of people being added to the diagnostic pot have changed the way ADD is viewed in some circles, including people like Thom Hartmann, who popularized the idea of ADDers being "Hunters in a Farmer's World". On the other hand, many argue that such people aren't ADD in the first place. Both may be correct. This website was started with the first viewpoint in mind (hence the title), but as time passes I find myself more likely to just say that many so-called ADD people are simply not ADD in the classic sense.

I think, first of all, you should try to find something you really like to do, or are especially good at, and try to focus on that. If you have any close friends, try to spend time with them so that they can help support you, when you are feeling "left out". If for any reason you are not in a position to have developed close friendships, see if you can join in on some sort of activity that involves other people, or a church youth group, etc. Since your dad also suffers from ADD, maybe he can give you some idea of how to better interact with your sister, too. Do you think your parents really understand how you are feeling, in regards to all of this? Have you actually sat down and nicely talked to them about any of it. When your family is in the middle of some sort of upsetting event, sometimes it is hard to express what you are truly feeling without getting upset, but maybe when everyone is calm and not upset, you could sit down and tell them that you are having a little trouble knowing how to handle things. It is difficult for parents to handle things that come up with their children with ADD. Sometimes we (yes my son suffered from ADHD) feel like we haven't been good parents (even though we try really hard to be good parents). Sometimes we are just frustrated, too. Only you know your own parents and how they would react to talking with them, but maybe it would be worth a try. Also, there should be counsellors at your school who might give you some good ideas. I am going to give you some information that a lot of people might disagree with, but, oh well. There are some books that might help your mom and dad understand ADD a little better. You say you don't understand it very well, but even adults don't always understand some things, thoroughly. The books that I read that helped me a lot, were by Dr. Doris Rapp. "Allergies and the Hyperactive Child," was an excellent book. Although it is out of print, you can get it on used book sites for very little money, at all, and one is even available on Ebay. Any of Dr. Rapp's books on this subject are excellent and they talk about how food can effect people. My son suffered from food allergies and it was easy to tell when he ate something that he should not have eaten. Perhaps if your mom and dad read one of these books, they would have a little better understanding of what might be going on, and that might help everyone a little. But do try to find something you enjoy doing, and maybe you can even get your mom or dad to join in with you on whatever it might be, even once in awhile. That would give you guys a little chance to communicate better, and just spend time with one another. (Also, ADD does not have to necessarily include hyperactivity - sometimes the person has trouble concentrating and focussing, and is not active, at all. That is ADD, rather than ADHD.) If you and your parents get ahold of one of these books, it will give you a better understanding of what many scientists actually think is going on with ADD, and where it comes from. By the way, I think you are a smart person, because you aren't just deciding that things are difficult, you are reaching out and asking for some sort of guidance or ideas that could be helpful. That is a smart thing, because with knowledge, comes understanding. Being resourceful helps us to understand our world a little better, and that is what ALL of us need.

add really just means that you have the attention span of a fly...lol...now i have ADHD and the only diffrence is that i have to be constantly moving...like when i am sitting still i will bouncee my leg or tap my fingers. the ADD that your sis has will cause her to have difficulty paying attention in school but she may be really smart in some subjects. it just dedepends on how bad the ADD is. like i am really good at math and reading. so if you can just help you sis out with homework i am sure that is one way to help her and to get your parents off your back...

it is all bs. here is proof FROM THE PSYCHS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b30iwhEw9...