Nature Deficit Disorder

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature

1. "Studies suggest that nature may be useful as a therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), used with or, when appropriate, even replacing medications or behavioral therapies."

Louv, Richard (2005). Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Restorative Environment. University                      Colloquium: A Sustainable Future, 2.

     In all honesty, I am not the least bit surprised by this quote. In fact, I totally agree with this statement and I have personal experience with this type of therapy. As I stated in one of my earlier blogs, I have always been fascinated with nature, and I love being out in the woods or on the water. When I am going through trouble in my own life, the first thing I do is get away from everyone by going out in the woods or on the water. I go here because it makes it easier for me to think about all of the things affecting my life, and it provides me with the clarity I need to make the right decision for my own life. Being in nature allows me to put aside all of life's distractions, and focus on the things that are weighing on me. 

2. "If it is true that nature therapy reduces the symptoms of ADHD, think the converse may also be true: ADHD may be a set of symptoms aggravated by lack of exposure." 

Louv, Richard (2005). Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Restorative Environment. University                      Colloquium: A Sustainable Future, 11.

     This statement provides us with a new perspective of the issue of what causes ADHD. I never really thought about the possibility of ADHD being caused by nature, but I does make sense. If we follow our ancestry back far enough, it is easy to see that at one time, all of our ancestors were very involved with nature. Everyone used to live off of the land and understood and appreciated nature for what it is. Back then Nature was the source of life. It allowed people to cultivate crops and harvest food and other goods. Each and everyone of us now still have that inherited connection with nature, so it makes sense that being deprived of nature causes problems in our lives. This deprivation induces some sort of reaction within the mind that has adverse effect on the individual.

3. "Even the most extensive research is unlikely to capture the full benefits of direct, natural experience."

   Louv, Richard (2005). Nature-Deficit Disorder and the Restorative Environment. University                      Colloquium: A Sustainable Future, 12.

     This statement really brings into perspective just how important the bond between man and nature is. It tells us that experiencing nature is so important that it can not even be measured by scientific research. This could be because each individuals experience with nature is unique to that person. Each individual perceives the different aspects of nature in their own way, just like individuals have different beliefs. In a way, Nature knows how each person is struggling and the best way to help that individual which causes each of us to have different experiences and expectations when it comes to interacting with nature. Some of us may feel more connected with animals while some may feel more connected with the trees or flowers. In the end it all depends on the individual's interaction and connectedness with nature.