ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAlternative Treatments For ADHD
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ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Alternative Treatments For ADHD
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seems to be a rising problem in modern countries, and many of our children who are diagnosed with the condition are given powerful drugs, the most common being Ritalin. Meanwhile, alternative research has shown Ritalin to be a controversial and potentially dangerous substance. Chemically similar to cocaine, Ritalin has addictive properties and produces behavioral, physiological and reinforcing effects similar to amphetamines. It also has a widespread history of abuse; Sweden removed Ritalin from its market in 1968 because of widespread abuse, and it is known as one of the more popular recreation drugs used by high school students. The drug has a long list of problems, and many parents are searching for alternatives.
According to the DEA, the production of Ritalin has increased by more than 500% since 1991. The number of prescriptions for ADHD has increased by a factor of 5 in the same time period. In 1998, over 4000 prescriptions for Ritalin were written for use in children under the age of two; meanwhile, the drug is not approved for use in children under age six due to safety and efficacy concerns. Ritalin is not the only answer, and there are many treatments available,
ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood by the modern medical system. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity for at least six months in at least two different settings, and these behaviors are so persistent that they interfere with a child's daily life. Symptoms usually appear before a child reaches seven years of age, and diagnosing the condition is often very difficult. The modern medical system does not know what causes ADHD: some say it is genetics, others blame excessive slow-wave (theta) activity in the brain, many believe exposure to neurotoxins play a role, and some blame a low level of dopamine (a neurotransmitter involved with mental and emotional functioning). Scientists do know that it is much more likely to show up in boys (it is four to nine times more common in boys than in girls) and that kids with the disorder usually have at least one first-degree relative with ADHD.
Most ADHD patients who follow the hospital treatment plans must undergo multiple lifestyle changes to bring the condition under control. The most accepted treatments by the medical system include treatments by the medical system include individual and family education, behavioral therapy, social skills training, and prescription drugs.
Parental training aids parents in understanding their child's special needs and provides tools for managing their behavior. Parents are told to establish clear rules that are easily understood and
Age-appropriate, remind the child of consequences but avoid repeated commands, enforce discipline before becoming angry, and praise the child when he/she behaves appropriately.
Social skills training and modifications in the school environment are said to help the child cope and learn more efficiently.
Medications are the most common and relied upon treatments for ADHD. Ritalin (methylphenidate) is the most common drug used for ADHD, and is one of the most controversial drugs for children among health-conscious circles. Other medications include Cylert (pemoline) and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine). All of the prescription drugs have a long list of adverse side effects (many of which are serious) and caution against addiction.
NUTRITIONAL THERAPY
According to surveys, nutritional therapies are the most commonly used alternative treatment among American children with ADHD. Nutritional therapies usually are two-fold, and include both restriction and supplementation.
Restriction
Food coloring: Food coloring has been a suspect for increased behavioral problems for some time. In 1975, an allergist named Benjamin Feingold theorized that artificial colors and flavors (and preservatives) were a cause of hyperactivity. In a later study, 34 hyperactive children and 20 children without behavioral problems were given a strict color-free diet.
After the diet was established, they were randomly given one of two pills: a placebo sugar pill or tartrazine (yellow food coloring) for 21 days. Over half of the children become irritable and restless when given the food coloring, while all of the children behaved as normal when given the placebo.
Food Allergies and Sensitivities: Some foods are seen as potential irritants to many children suffering from ADHD. These include com, wheat, milk, soy, and oranges. Other foods, such as eggs, peanuts and fish are seen to have high allergy risks and are often eliminated from a child's diet to check for behavioral improvement. Sugar is another common culprit, and is often one of the first foods to be eliminated from the diet of a hyperactive child.
Supplementation
Magnesium: In one study of 116 children with ADHD, 95% were deficient in magnesium. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency mimic those of ADHD: irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion. In another study, 75 magnesium-deficient children with ADHD were randomly given either magnesium supplements in addition to their normal therapy or their normal therapy alone. After six months, those who were given extra magnesium showed a drastic increase in behavior improvement.
Zinc: Studies have shown that children with ADHD have significantly lower blood zinc levels than children without the condition. Additionally, children with mild zinc deficiency may be less likely to improve from prescription therapy than those with normal zinc levels. Zinc regulates the activity of neurotransmitters, fatty acids and melatonin, all of which affect behavior.
Fatty Acids: Researchers report that hyperactive boys have lower blood levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (converted essential fatty acids) and omega-3 fatty acids than boys that are not hyperactive Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play key roles in normal brain functions and are only obtained through the diet. Common foods that contain these fatty acids are salmon, mackerel, herring, com oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil.
HERBS
There are many herbs available that are said to help ADHD. All herbal treatments should be used only under the care of a professional herbalist.
Calming Herbs: The following herbs may be recommended for people with ADHD: Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), Kava kava (Piper methysticum), Valerian (Valerian officinalis), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).
Ginko biloba: Ginkgo leaves have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, improve brain glucose metabolism and affect amine neurotransmitter substances in the brain.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosis): helps normalize physiological function and improves adaptation to diminished blood flow to the brain while increases amine nerve transmitter substances in the brain.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): have been found to be useful for cognitive and nervous disorders, vascular problems in the brain, and for reducing stress.
MIND/BODY MEDICINE
Massage: In a study of 28 teenage boys with ADHD, those who received 15 minutes of massage for 10 consecutive school days showed significant improvement in behavior and concentration compared to those who were guided in relaxation for the same duration of time.
Hypnotherapy: Studies have shown that kids are often able to learn coping skills through hypnoisis. As children readily accept hypnotic suggestion, the treatments allow them to gain control, increase self-esteem, and decrease stress.
CHINESE MEDICINE
According to chinese medicine, ADHD is caused by insufficient nourishment to the spirit, spirit agitation by heat, or orifice obstruction by static blood or phlegm. Chinese Medicine uses different diagnostics and sub-divisions of ADHD, and the condition is broken down into five categories: spleen vacuity-liver hyperactivity, heart-spleen dual vacuity, yin vacuity-yang hyperactivity, phlegm heat harassing internally and static blood obstructing internally. Treatments usually encompass a combination of the five patterns.
Tiaoshen Liquor: 94% of ADHD patients were effectively treated with this herbal combination. Behavior problems were reduced while attention span improved and academic grades rose.
Calm Dragon Forumla (K'an Herbs, or Chai hu jai long gu mu li tang): contains Chinese thorowax root (Bupleurum Chinese), Skullcap root (Scutellaria), Pinellia rhizome, Oriental white ginseng root, Calcinated oyster chell, Dragon bone, cinnamon twig, Poria sclerotum, Red jujube fruit, Hematite and Gardenia fruit. This formula is often prescribed by Chinese herbal medicine professionals.
Acupuncture: According to practitioners, acupuncture is more effective in younger children than in older patients, as the cerebrum in young children is still developing at a high rate, and the acupuncture intervention affects the brain's function more. Acupuncture has been shown to repress hyperactive behavior.
AFRICAN HEALING
ADHD is traditionally seen as a big-city illness by Traditional African healers. In big cities, there is much more poisons than in smaller cities and villages, and coupled with the fact that children generally do not enjoy a strong, extended-family structure and lots of free time to play with other children, big cities are a more fertile ground for ADHD to develop. ADHD is a mental disorder and, when caught early, is very easy to treat.
ADHD often begins in uetero, and is associated with nutritional deficiencies while in the womb. "When a mother is pregnant with a child and she is experiencing severe cravings for a particular food, she should eat that food. If the woman does not get the food she craves very badly, the stress level of this is more likely to transfer to the child and show itself as a future mental disorder, such as ADHD," explains Traditional African Healer Master Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig of Ankhkasta Natural Healing. Another possible cause is trauma during the pregnancy: any accident that a mother has while pregnant could result in trauma to the unbom baby, which can show up as ADHD. Other common causes, especially in modern societies and big cities, are drugs, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol.
ADHD can be caught very early if parents pay attention to their children. Some common symptoms are: drooling at age 1-½ years of age, the child does not cry at the things that are supposed to make him cry, and what is supposed to be normal for a child will make her cry. ADHD does not surprise conscious parents. It is a bad sign when a baby is either too focused for their age or are slow for their age and are fairly unresponsive to their surroundings and environment. Babies showing signs of ADHD are slow to crawl, sit or walk.
Children showing these signs need stimulation to help correct their problem. "Modern parents tend to be less demanding of their children. They do not want their children to cry, and this makes modern parents fall into a denial if their child is slow," explains Master Naba. 'The earlier you target the problem, the easier it is to remedy."
Traditional African Healing knowledge tells us that the parents must stimulate the child or baby. Creating frustration for the child will help him or her - yes, the child will cry, but while he is crying, he will be trying to sort things out and see what it is that he is doing or not doing. "Parents must also make the child think. They cannot let a child confuse imagination with reality," says Master Naba. Imaginary friends and too much tv, video games and movies will hurt the child's perceptions of reality and will not help their mental stability.
After the age of three or four years old, the hyperactivity tendencies that a child displays turns into a full-fledged mental illness. At this point, herbs are needed to fix a problem that was entirely preventable. The child will either need an incense made of plants or a tea that is both used internally and externally. Within just a few weeks, the child will begin showing normal tendencies.
ADHD is not a rare condition in today's modern world. Perhaps it is the decline of the family and neighborhood and the rise of extremely realistic video games and television shows that are contributing to the problem. When properly diagnosed, ADHD is easy to cure without Ritalin or other dangerous chemicals.
