Holistic Treatments after a Diagnosis of ADD/ADHD
According to the National
Institute of Mental Health, in
1995 over 6 million
prescriptions for Ritalin or
similar stimulants were
recommended by doctors as the
conventional treatment for
ADD/ADHD.
The problem with this is that
very few children see an
increase in academic performance
after being placed on Ritalin
and a large majority of parents
with ADD/ADHD children would
much rather have alternative
means of treatment for their
kids’ behavior. Luckily, there
are other options.
Christopher Hobbs L.Ac., A.H.G.,
a practicing acupuncturist and
herbalists feels that ADD/ADHD
may be caused from a lack of
proper dietary and emotional
nutrients such as love and
affection. According to Hobbs,
and many other professionals who
treat ADD/ADHD naturally,
refined sugar has an extremely
dramatic effect on children with
a tendency toward hyperactivity.
For many children, when refined
sugar is eliminated from the
diet entirely, the improvements
are stunning. In contrast, when
even a small amount is
introduced, the child spins out
of control.
Proper nutrients may help to cut
down on the erratic and
hyperactivity of children.
Removing excessive sugar,
refined carbohydrates such as
white flour based foods, soda,
candy, fast foods and foods made
with additives and preservatives
may help to bring the chemical
balance of the child back to a
normal level.
Hobbs recommends substituting
calming and nourishing herbal
teas such as chamomile in the
place of soda and fruit juices.
Additionally, helping children
who are “spirited” focus their
energy constructively will help
to increase their attention span
and remain calmer during “quiet”
times. Give children time to
play outdoors, run, and jump,
ride bikes, yell and otherwise
be normal, young kids. Without
the ability to release the
excess energy, children will
misdirect their energy until
they are labeled as destructive,
harmful, and annoying and
eventually diagnosed with
ADD/ADHD.
Enrolling in a class or
practicing yoga techniques and
balancing exercises at home with
a parent will also be beneficial
for children with high energy
levels. Yoga encourages the
child to center their minds and
relax. There are many such
classes offered and can usually
be found quite easily at a local
community center or fitness
facility.
Kathryn D. Dykman, M.D., who has
been part of several studies on
improving the symptoms of
ADD/ADHD through natural means,
has found that the addition of
glyconutrients to the diet can
encourage decreased
hyperactivity and increase
attention span and health of
these children. Glyconutrients
are considered essential sugars
(different from refined sugar),
that many of us are missing in
our diets.
In summary, there are many
alternative means to controlling
symptoms of a child diagnosed
with ADD/ADHD before harsher
drugs are used. The first order
of business is to change the
diet through the introduction of
nutritious and healthy foods and
the decrease of foods loaded
with artificial ingredients and
chemicals. Secondly, shower the
child with love and affection.
Care takers are encouraged to
talk with the child, hold
conversations about their day
and encourage socially
acceptable behaviors while
discouraging, along with an
explanation, socially
unacceptable behaviors. Give
them love and affection - the
emotional nutrients that they
need to thrive.
Many parents may choose to
introduce calming, relaxing
herbal supplements along with
the practice of a calming
exercise regimen such as yoga,
stretching or even meditation.
And, finally, let children be
children. They are supposed to
yell, jump, run and play – a
lot!
Back to
more health and nutrition tips
and advice
To teach and learn money skills, personal finance, money management, business,
careers, and life skills please go to the Money
Instructor home page.
