My 6 year old son was just diagnosed with Limbic ADHD.....should we use medication or diet control?

Answer 1

Diet first! Look into the Feingold Diet. A friend of mine started slow and didn't make huge drastic changes, but eliminated ARTIFICIAL colors & flavors, aspartame (Nutra sweet) and Mono sodium glutamate, (MSG). She didn't go full boar into the Feingold Diet...just the basics. Her Son, (Started diet at age 5) has never had to takes Meds, he has calmed down and was able to focus better within a few days. It really was a miracle. My boy's have never been diagnosed with ADHD, but I made many of the changes in their diet after I saw the dramitic change in her childs behavior, and I really do think it has helped my kids focus better in school and are much calmer at home.

Her son is now 8, and if he cheats on the diet, (like once he chugged a huge container of Cherry Koolaide) You can tell immeadiately, he's bouncing off the walls and later crying & throwing fits. She thinks red dye # 40 is the worst of all.

Answer 2

I'll be honest with you, ADD and ADHD is something you do not want to mess around with. When my brother was in school, no one had ever heard of it. He couldn't get his grades up and keep them that way; he acted out and reacted violently at times to situations when he became overly frustrated.

He wasn't diagnosed until late in his middle school years and by that time, the damage was done. Entering high school, he barely had a third grade reading level.

Facts - it is genetic, you don't grow out of it, and depending on the severity of the condition, medication will be needed.

Now, as your son has been diagnosed with ADHD, meaning the hyperactive part is in effect, combining diet with the medications will assist in his treatment. Sugars and certain dyes can contribute to the hyperactivity. That is the part where I encourage combining a DOCTOR APPROVED diet with the treatment plan.

Medication is for the physical part of ADD/ADHD. The brain literally has an imbalance and starves itself for oxygen when the person is trying the concentrate. It was explained to me that instead of widening to allow greater blood flow for times of concentration, the vessels constrict.

Depending on how severe the condition is, it could be a very small dose in the morning. DO NOT let the doctor tell you that you need to see him once a year. All drugs for ADD/ADHD must be routinely checked at least every three months. Yes, this is a chore, but given the effectiveness of these medications, it's worth it.

How do I know this? My brother and father both have a diagnosis of ADD. *smiles* And where is my brother today? He's an EMT, people. He overcame it, and I am so proud of him.

Answer 3

I would really encourage you to try the diet option first and Meds as a last resort. The trick with diet is really not that tricky, it's getting back to the basics. Processed food should be eliminated and natural whole foods given instead. Processed foods have been known to cause a huge host of neurological problems in many people. Ask any health conscience guru and they'll tell you artificial colors and flavors are terrible for a developing brain especially MSG. processed sugars can cause all kinds of health problems. If you cook like our ancestors, I can guarantee you son will do better. ADD, ADHD, Autism and other ASD spectrum disorders have shy rocketed along with increasing processed foods. I personally think there is a correlation. Fresh fruits and Veggies, lean meats, nuts, and whole grain bread with out preservatives & fresh fruit juices. Milk is tricky, many of these kids have a milk intollerence, and need milk substitutes.

JUST REMEMBER: No ONE has ever died from a healthy diet...Thousands die every year from perscription medication

Answer 4

Both of my sons have ADHD, one is hyperactive and the other is inattentive and both are treated with Ritalin. I found this on WebMD regarding Type 4 ADHD or Limbic ADHD:

"Type 4 we call Limbic ADHD, which looks like a combination of ADHD and depression. They do not do well on stimulants; stimulants make them sad, make them cry. They do better on stimulating antidepressants, such as buproprion."

I would suggest talking to your doctor about all your different options. Diet control did not work for our boys, but they have a different type of ADHD so it's impossible to say that it wouldn't work for your child. The tricky part with any diet control program is keeping it up when you aren't the one controlling what foods are prepared for them (school lunches, overnight visits with friends and family, etc.) ~ some kids go into a terrible tail-spin with the slightest deviation from the strict diet. Again, talk to your doctor about what has worked best for kids with this type of ADHD. And please do not listen to people who discourage medication. You should absolutely explore every option, and if medication ends up being the best option for your child, that's what you should do. Good luck!

Answer 5

It probably depends if diet can control it or not ..... I have a son with ADHD and medication has worked wonders he has all A's and B's now ...... Some people dont like the medications though ... My opinion is not to let a family doctor perscribe medication for such a problem see a counselor who will refer you to a doctor there to keep a close eye and monitor your child ....there is bloodwork and a lot of monitoring to be done to make sure the medication is working to its full ability....,,. my son is doing great and it is a great relief to see your child happy

Answer 6

I would definately try diet control before medicating him. I used to be a camp cousoler and had a lot of medicated ADD and ADHD children. I really think before any child diagnosed with either should be given special attention rather than medicated. Along with a special diet, find special activities to help them develope better concentration habbits and control their energy.

Answer 7

Medicines for ADHD have not fully been proven although in many cases in England they do support the child to learn at school and minimize danger for the child.

All medicines come with side effects and Ritilin which is one of the drugs used in the UK is not without exception. It takes a while with any medication to find the right one this is the same with calming medicines too.
Food is important and there are many books to support you. look on play,com and put in the search bar ADHD loads of books come up.

You have difficult times ahead so goodluck and there is support and other parents out there experiencing the same.

Answer 8

Go to www.caer.com and buy the book "ADHD: A Path to Success." It'll change your life and the way you view your son. you'll be able to start viewing the world as he sees it, which is the most important step to take before you can help him. Diet helps, but isn't enough alone and meds are only a band-aid... sometimes they are necessary, but should NEVER be used as a solution. They should ALWAYS be used with an ongoing theraputic program, and only temporarily. A band-aid helps the body's natural healing process. It doesn't fix the problem. Most of all, your son needs love and UNDERSTANDING! But again, it's not enough. It takes a balance of all of these. Good luck.

Answer 9

I would try diet control first, if that does not give you the results you are looking for then use medication.
You may want to also get a second medical opinion before you start medicating your son.

Answer 10

Listen, my little sister was diagnosed with ADHD when she was in the 2nd grade. And to tell you the truth my mom said if she had just known a little bit more about ADHD she would have never put my sister on medicine. She takes Aderal and she does ok now, she was put on it to help her focus in school, well she focuses now but her behavior and attitude is awful! Plus the medicine that you get, your child has to stay on it for the rest of his life. If he stops taking it, he could have depression, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of comitting murder or extreme harm to someone or something, acts of violence stuff like that, with males the side effects are more severe and violent towards others. Females, the side effects are more introverted with thoughts of suicide and depression. I would really suggest not to put your child on medicine, there are other alternatives, remember he is only 6 years old. Of course he's going to be rambunctous and wild. It is a fact that families that have more than 1 child in their family, at least one child is going to have ADHD. It's natural, it does not necessarily mean you have to put your child on meds. Research it before you make any decisions.