ADD, ADHD, Hyperactive Disorders?? Alternatives to Medicines?

Question

My son probably has ADHD. He was being tested for it, and I stopped the testing when they spoke of medicating him. I do not knock parents who allow their children to go on meds for this, but in my situation, I just can not bring myself to allow my child to take them. I am not sure what the side effects will be down the road, and I prefer not to take a chance. When my child becomes an adult, if need be, he can chose whether or not he needs medications. I don't want to make that decision for him. I don't feel I have the right to do this, altering who he is for the purpose of others to be able to deal with him easier. He is a happy child, but extremely hyper. Anyone feel the same way? Anyone tried an alternative to medication? Any success? Please don't anyone think I am downing medication that is working for your child. If it works for you then thats great. I am just interested in learning about ALL types of resolutions here.

Also, someone had told me that they started medicating their child on the doctors advice. The parents felt that it was not in the best interest of the child after trying the meds. HRS got involved and tried to take this child away because they felt that not giving him this medicine was not in his best interest. Can this really happen?!? How can they do that?

to nlsweeten1980: Sounds like a voice from experience? Your exactly what I don't want my child to turn into, a college educated moron.

disciple: I am shocked that a school would make a child go on meds. If meds were not in his best interest, I would homeschool. I have tried to moderate his sugar intake. We have him in Karate. For punishments when he misbehaves, I make him do push-ups, or run around the block. This seems to help get rid of a small portion of his energy. He is hyped from 6am to midnight. He is really a good kid, just can't sit still, and is on overdrive. He does not go out of his way to try and misbehave. I don't punish him for having to much energy, but if he does something wrong, I will make him do exercizes.

My child is the furthest from "stupid, or a retard." He is in second grade, and he has a 5.6 grade reading level.

Answer 1

i am in the same situation...i have a daughter that has adhd with mood disorder and she is on the highest medication you can give someone...(adult doses) she is on so many meds for morning,noon and night...it sucks...but she is truely out of control if she isnt on them...and yes we are extremly disciplinary so its not a parental problem....if she wasnt on the meds she wouldnt be able to go to school...the teachers cant handle her if shes off of them...if we took her off we would have to put her in a special school and that would probably be worse on her...embarressing and everything that goes with that! i hate the fact that we have her on so many meds it could kill a horse but i dont know what else to do.i sometimes let her go without it...when shes out of school like now,but sometimes its just to much...i am not very patient with her sometimes and i hate myself for that! but anyways i have never heard of anything outside of meds that can help with this...but i do commend you for not letting them push meds down his throat...but depending on his age and the severity of it the school may force you to or put him in a special school...

Answer 2

Forget supplements and spending money on all the stuff you found on the Internet. ADD and ADHD are not cured either with Ritalin or other medication, nor with supplements. The cause of Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity etc. is due to sugar allergy. Remove all sugars from the diet - including all soft drinks, ketchup and other sauces which contains sugar, sweetened yoghurt etc. and much more. You'll have to look at the label each time you buy something, but it's the only way. Be ruthless. Also remove all foods which contain artificial colouring. Just test it: 3 to 4 weeks of this diet and the ADHD person is a new person. Do not reintroduce sugar in the diet before the allergy to sugar has been eliminated with kinesiology. Your boyfriend deserves a good life!

Answer 3

I would like to tell you about Himilayan Goji Juice. This is the only functional juice on the market with medical validation. There are 34 Scientifically proven benefits to this juice as well as 72 clinical studies published on Pubmed.org under the heading Lycium Barbarum. This juice tastes delicious and is safe for anyone, including pregnant mothers. Goji is an adaptogen, effective on auto-immune deficiencies. Parents are reporting amazing results for ADD and ADHD...please read what others are saying about what this has done for their children..You will be glad you did!
The Best of Luck to you!

Answer 4

I am scout leader and have a young fellow in my troop who is definitely ADD (and had one a few years ago who is ADHD)

I see how disruptive this can be, but am cautious about trying to deal with it because the parents are somewhat protective.

I was trying to find something natural to suggest to them, and found these two pages. Just scroll down a bit for ADD and you will see it on the left.

Answer 5

Okay, I belive that some children truly have ADD or ADHD, but I also believe that the number of children that truly have it and NEED meds is much lower than is being diagnosed. Kids have different levels of energy and different personalities and ways of learning. I have heard that Fish Oil is supposed to help. Check out a website on children's personailities called:www.teachinouryouth.com. They have a great edge on individual personality vs. everyone fitting a mold. They have great books to offer you. Good luck and God bless you and your son.

Answer 6

I am against meds for kids unless its the last resort. I have found that diet modification, behavior modification and some natural remedies help. They also need structure. I recently heard in Seattle they tried yoga which seems to really help them focus better.

See "The ADD Book" by Sears and Thompson, a great book I highly recommend because they really discuss the alternatives to medications. Too many doctors want to medicate because the drug companies have them in their pocket and schools know it is the easy way out for them. But stand your ground, this is your childs future we are talking about here.

I know of adults who really had problems later in life after taking meds as kids. A religious program of diet, behavior modification and structure along with maybe trying yoga exercises too could get the results you want without harming your child. Get the book, it really is great.

Answer 7

NATURAL APPROACH TO HEALING

The natural approach holds that ill health is brought about by imbalances in our body. The aim is to get to the root causes (if possible) of the problems and then provide the body with the right non-toxic approaches so that it can heal itself.

WHAT ABOUT DRUG-FREE, NATURAL APPROACHES
There are many causes of ADD / ADHD and as many safe and non-toxic solutions. Remember that each individual is unique and getting to the root cause of the problems can be like solving a puzzle. Read and get informed. The more you know, the more equipped you will be at solving the puzzle to good health.The information provided here is centered on basic nutritional support. We hope to provide you with a head start in your research. Please check out the many excellent books available on this subject.

Below are some of the most popular approaches :

Clean up the Diet
Although many authorities have discounted the role of diet in ADD /ADHD (and in many other health problems), you only have to talk to observant parents to receive information to the contrary.

remove or reduce from the diet :
refined white sugar(sucrose),
artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin),
artificial colors,
preservatives,
caffeine, and
phosphates

These ingredients not only have poor or no nutritional values but can bring about health problems for the sensitive individuals and those with poor immune systems. Read food labels carefully. Choose wholesome sweeteners like pure juice/fruit juice concentrates, maple syrup, honey, brown rice sugar, barley malt, stevia (an herbal sweetener) etc., whole grains and foods that are minimally processed.

The amino acid "Glycine" can be very effective in removing craving for sugar (ref: Control Hyperactivity A.D.D. Naturally by Billie Jay Sahley, Ph.D.)
Many excellent books are available to show you how to choose healthier food for better health. For example,

"Rx Prescription for Dietary Wellness" by Phyllis & James Balch explains the good and the bad in the foods we normally eat. Contains lots of wholesome and healthy recipes.

"Help for the Hyperactive Child" by Dr. William Crook, M.D. is an excellent book teaching you the basics in diet management and candida control.
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Vitamin, Mineral and Food Supplements
Enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids work synergistically to maintain proper functions of body and mind. A deficiency or imbalance can bring about poor health which may manifest itself as inability to concentrate, fatigue, irritability.....

Ideally we should be getting all the nutrients we need from our daily foods. Unfortunately, few of us eat well, especially kids. Even for those who try hard to eat a well-balanced meal, the grains and vegetables may be low in trace minerals due to poor soil conditions. A healthy body begets a healthy and calm mind.

Many people have benefited from taking well balanced multi-vitamin formulas, trace mineral drops and super green foods like blue green algae. When taking single supplements, it is important to take a multi-vitamin with it too, as certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids have to work together for best results.

Below are some of the food supplements being used with good results.

- Well balanced multi-vitamin and mineral formula
- Super blue green algae or Spirulina
- Calcium and Magnesium - Calming effect. Needed for the nervous system.
- Zinc- especially useful in the case of copper toxicity or deficiency as well as immune system support.
- Ginkgo Biloba - Increase blood circulation to the brain. Helps memory.
- Evening Primrose Oil - Aids in transmission of nerve impulses and brain function.
- Vitamin B Complex - Important for brain and nerve function, food absorption and anti-stress. Helps the body tolerate foods that produce low blood sugar reactions.
- DMG (N,N Dimethyl Glycine) - Carries oxygen to the brain. Important for normal brain and nervous system function.
- GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) - research shows that it reduces hyperactivity.
- Valerian - acts as a sedative.
- Rescue Remedy - All purpose Bach flower remedy. Brings on peace and calmness during times of stress.

Recommended readings:
"Prescription for Nutritionally Healing" by James Balch and Phyllis Balch. If you are looking for a GOOD book about vitamins, minerals, herbs and food supplements, this is the one.

"Control Hyperactivity A.D.D. Naturally" by Billie Jay Sahley, Ph.D. is a excellent book detailing the role of amino acids in the treatment of ADD.
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Food & Environmental Allergies

Most people recognize itchy eyes, runny noses and hives as allergies. These are typically accepted forms of allergy. However, there is another form that is not easily, recognized, suspected or even agreed upon. It can affect any part of your body from inability to concentrate, fatigue, inability to fall asleep, joint pains, bed wetting, ear-infections (check that milk intake !), asthma (check that milk, dust mites and the family cat !) etc. to ADHD. Any foods can cause allergies, even healthy ones like apples and pears. Some of the biggest culprits are cow's milk, wheat, and artificial colorings. Some common environmental allergens are dust mites, molds, cigarette smoke.

"Is This Your Child" by Dr. Doris Rapp is an EXCELLENT book about food allergies, including information on supplementations for ADD / ADHD.
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The Yeast Connection

Yeast (Candida Albicans) normally lives in healthy balance with other bacteria and yeasts in our body. An upset in the balance can be caused by eating too much refined carbohydrates or taking ANTIBIOTICS. Antibiotics kills the good bacteria in the gut but does not affect the yeast leading to an excess of yeast which produces toxins. The symptoms are varied and include headaches, inability to concentrate, depression, mood swing, hyperactivity etc. These symptoms often overlap those of food allergies.

Candida can be controlled through proper diet, which is sugar-free, yeast free and more. Many good books are available on the subject.

"Help for the Hyperactive Child" by Dr. William Crook, M.D. is an excellent book on this subject.

"The Body Ecology Diet" by Donna Gates is very helpful in teaching you how to control yeast and to restore the inner "ecosystem' by using food-combining and sound nutrition. Gives an all round approach to the problem.

Food supplements used to control candida:
- Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Acidophilus
- Garlic
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Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

A high intake of refined carbohydrates will cause a sudden raise in blood sugar. Insulin is produced to counteract this. As the blood sugar drops, hormones like glucagon, cortisol and adrenalin are produced to bring the sugar level back to normal. This can bring about symptoms like fatigue, light headedness, irritability, depression, .....This drop in blood sugar also produces a craving for food, esp. foods which will help raise the sugar levels again. So the cycle repeats.
Eat several small meals a day that are higher in complex carbohydrates and protein. Avoid refined carbohydrates, caffeine and other unwholesome foods.
Important supplements : Chromium Picolinate and B-Complex.

Recommended Readings

The following books are extremely useful reference for anyone interested in a drug-free approach to ADD /ADHD.
- Is This Your Child by Dr. Doris Rapp
- Help for the Hyperactive Child by William Crook, M.D.
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James and Phyllis Balch
- Rx Prescription for Dietary Wellness by James and Phyllis Balch
- Control Hyperactivity A.D.D. Naturally by Billie Jay Sahley, Ph.D.

To locate a holistic physician near you, check with your local health food store. They usually are a great resource. "Parents Against Ritalin" is working on a list. 1-800-469-5929

GOOD LUCK and LIVE WELL NATURALLY.