Natural Alternative Treatment For ADHD
Have you read about this recently? The number of people who are being diagnosed with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has skyrocketed in the last few years. While it’s been a recognized condition for many years now, it seems that the diagnosis is overwhelmingly common, especially among today’s school children.
With all the negative publicity surrounding ADHD and its treatment, it’s so hard to pick a direction. Do you give your child (or yourself) prescription medications, such as Ritalin, Concerta or Strattera? What about the many side effects, some of which are deadly? Do you try herbal medications? What else is there?
One method of natural ADHD treatment is to use herbal medications. There are literally hundreds of products on the market that claim to improve or cure ADHD symptoms. Some of these include:
Chamomile
Evening Primrose Oil
Fresh Lemon Balm
Ginkgo Biloba
Melatonin
Passion Fruit
Saint John’s Wart
Super Blue Green Algae
Valerian
Wild Oat Seed
Zinc Sulphate
Most of these can be found in any health food store. Be sure to do some research before trying a particular product, however, as side effects with other over-the-counter or prescription medications can occur. Others are formulated by companies that sell online and are combinations of different herbs. A quick search turns up dozens of websites with many different herbal formulas.
Behavior therapy is another natural treatment option for ADHD. This method involves working on positive interactions with your child and courses for your child in how to stay on task. It can take a long time to completely implement this, but the results are excellent. Be a positive role model for your child, especially if you have ADHD yourself.
An alteration in diet has been shown to help some ADHD sufferers. Simple changes like avoiding certain dyes or foods with a specific additive may make a world of difference. One great way to find out if certain foods or additives are the culprit is to do an elimination diet and keep a behavior journal. Start by eliminating all foods except natural fruits and veggies, lean chicken or fish, and whole grains for about 6 weeks. Then slowly add in one new food every few days and make sure you write down you or your child’s behavior. If this seems like too big of a commitment, you could reverse it and take away one food group at a time until you find out which foods make behavior and concentration better. Even a few simple dietary changes could help.
Patience is needed to find the right treatment for ADHD. Often, a combination of these natural remedies will necessary for optimal control. Finding the right combination can seem overwhelming and time consuming, but the overall results will be well worth it. If a natural approach is what you desire, first talk to a doctor. Remember, it’s important to wean slowly off of prescription ADHD medications to avoid potentially harmful withdrawals. So, go ahead and get started!
Marc Neveux is a health enthusiast who has been researching natural remedies for various health conditions for many years. Find out more about some of the most effective natural treatments for ADHD on his site, Natural ADHD Remedy today!
