Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, can affect children as well as adults. This disorder can cause worry for parents that don't have a clue of what to do. The children usually have a lot of energy and their behavior patterns are out of the ordinary. They cannot be still, even for a minute and they like to talk non-stop.

Have you ever wondered how health care professional diagnose ADHD in children? After all, it seems like there has been a marked increase in the number of youngsters being treated for this disorder. Are doctors and parents being overzealous in medicating children? As a parent, you need to discover the ADHD symptoms in children and determine whether your child is at risk.

Why ADHD children improve in symptoms when taking psychiatric stimulants is debated by the experts, but the fact is, those medicines often help. Obviously, though, the whole idea is overwhelming to many parents, who wonder if there is some safer, saner alternative. Could there be natural medicine for ADHD that helps children so that they can stay off the prescription medications?

ADHD symptoms can be divided into three categories. These are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Learning to recognize ADHD symptoms can help to determine when to seek professional help. These symptoms need to be present for at least 6 months before someone is diagnosed with ADHD. Not every child will exhibit all the symptoms of ADHD. Each individual case is different so if you have concerns you should address them with your health care professional.

The symptoms of children with ADHD usually start showing up as the child enters school. Parents may not notice that there is anything different with their child. Many children with ADD or ADHD are highly creative individuals who are very intelligent. A parent may feel that their child is extremely gifted, but perhaps a little "hyper." Many parents today are petrified of giving their children sugar so that they do not get too "hyper."

The symptoms and signs of ADD/ADHD usually appear before the age of seven. It can however, be a little difficult to distinguish between normal kid behaviour and ADHD. If a few signs show up only in some situations then it is probably not ADD/ADHD. Should the child show a number of signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD and are disruptive at home, school and play then it is time to take a closer look.

Herbalists recommend the use of herbal remedies such as Hyoscyamus and related research confirms its potential as a safe alternative to psycho-stimulants. It is a natural therapeutic agent that helps limit the manifest of ADHD symptoms such as restlessness and disruptive behavior. Its active constituent-an alkaloid called hyoscyamine, stabilizes acetylcholine output in the brain, which eases over excitability. Hyoscyamus also contains hyoscine-an anti-cholinergic like hyoscyamine and a plant metabolite that purportedly enhances memory functions. Synergistically-hyoscyamine, hyoscine and their salts naturally occurring with the herb promote neurological debility that is regarded as a safer option to the anti-cholinergic drugs prescribed for ADHD.