Title: ADD And Coexisting Conditions - Why Is It So Complicated?

Word Count: 420 Summary: ADD is often accompanied by a coexisting condition. On the other hand, often ADD and these other conditions have similar symptoms and, therefore, are easily mis diagnosed. Of course, this creates a plethora of problems as these disorders, wh en separate, must be treated differently. A misdiagnosis will lead to ineffectiv e treatment. As coexisting conditions, these are especially of concern, because they increase the severity of many of the symptoms of ADD, as well as the negati ... Keywords: Medical, illness, health, healing, add, chrones, bird flu Article Body: ADD is often accompanied by a coexisting condition. On the other hand, often ADD and these other conditions have similar symptoms and, therefore, are easily mis diagnosed. Of course, this creates a plethora of problems as these disorders, wh en separate, must be treated differently. A misdiagnosis will lead to ineffectiv e treatment. As coexisting conditions, these are especially of concern, because they increase the severity of many of the symptoms of ADD, as well as the negati ve impact on those that suffer them. One such condition is Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. Childre n with this disorder tend to be very aggressive and defiant. They usually lose t heir tempers very easily and challenge authority figures. This is the most easil y diagnosable behaviors, as teachers and parents become aware of this conduct qu ickly and seek treatment almost immediately. This particular disorder is common in children that are the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADD and occurs in 35% of children with ADD. This coexisting condition makes it much more likely that thes e sufferers will get in legal trouble as they age due to their authoritative def iance. Many children that have ADD also suffer from mood disorders and/or depression. T he complication associated with this coexisting condition is the increased likel ihood of suicide common during teen years. 18% of ADD children also suffer from some type of mood disorder, and is it more likely to occur within the inattentiv e type of ADD. This is often not as easily diagnosed as compared to other condit ions. Children with mood disorders as a coexisting condition must be treated wit h different medication than typical ADD treatment; therefore, such therapy may b e more difficult. Also a concern is anxiety disorders among ADD sufferers, which constitutes rough ly 25% of those with ADD. Traits common of Anxiety Disorders are fear, panic, an d worry, which may necessitate medication and/or counseling. As with mood disord ers, combined treatment make therapy more complex and arduous. Learning Disabilities are also conditions common with children that have ADD. Wh ile ADD, in itself, is not a learning disability, it can make it extremely diffi cult for children to perform well in school. If coupled with a learning disabili ty, it makes it considerably more challenging for children to grasp academic con cepts and utilize such knowledge. For the most part, coexisting conditions make treatment more difficult and the s

ide effects of both disorders more severe. The typical signs and symptoms of ADD are difficult enough to deal with, but with more intense severity, it often mak es side effects deadly or incredibly negatively life altering.