Alternative Care for ADHD?

Question

Something other than medicating. My daughter and I both have it. Does anyone know of anythign that works? Diet? Herbs? (SERIOUS ANSWERS PLEASE)

She is actually taking Concerta at the moment, but I am hoping to find something else. I was taking Welbutrin and may have to go on it now that school is back in session and life is getting a little more complicated.

Answer 1

The best thing to do is find a nutritionist and read the book "Adhd and your diet" if diet ends up being the cause.

Alot of Adhd people are misdiagnosed allergy sufferers (I was). Many times food allergens and season allergens can cause behavior mood to be modified to seem like Adhd. I know when my allergies act up it makes it very hard to concentrate. Sometimes ADHD doesn't involve being hyper, although I don't know your situation. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have used this, it works, I have several friends who have used it- it works.

First get the book "How to Stop ADD Naturally"
It talks about amino acids that occur naturally in the brain and why a deficiency in these amino acids will cause ADD and ADHD. You will find out what each specific amino acid does for the brain. You will be able to use the book to formulate an amino acid therapy specifically for oyur childs symptoms.
Amino Acids are easy to come by and cheap and your child does not have to be on them forever.
Another book that will help you with understanding amino acids is called "The Diet cure" this does not focus on ADD but it is VERY helpful.
One other thing that may be affecting your childs behavior is food allergies and intolerances. get her tested and take her off of the offending foods so that she can get some healing.
I have seen some miraculous things happen with this and heard praises from teachers that have had Add kids all year and witnessed the change when placed on amino acid therapy.
The good thing is that oyur child may only need to be on it for a month or two, then need an occasional boost, but once they get started, the body gets sort of a jump start and begins to produce the needed amino acids that they were lacking before .


*****I have not read the books she speaks of but Katie T has some excellent advise also- don't listen to those that owuld encourage you to put your child on drugs- your child is not ritalin deficient- none of the drugs they are offering occur naturally in oyur body- did oyu know that every case of school shooting in the US has been perpetrated by children who were on or once on ritalin? It is not worth it!

Answer 3

i have adhd. i am not medicated and have not been medicated since age of 13 when i flushed my medicine down the toilet. in highschool i gratuated with a 3.8 gpa. i kept myself busy. had many after school activities and found something i could do that induced patience and discipline like marching band and writing. spankings is not the answer but my brother has adhd too and he has 4 days a week to do his chores after those four days he gets reward but the most important thing to do is stand your ground. if there is a lot of sugar intake these heightens adhd believe it or not some sugar free things taste as good as the real thing also keep a journal i do that and you can figure out what also aggravates the adhd lack of activities, high stress boredom lack of mental stimulation. if ya need anything email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

ADHD is pretty much an inheritated chemical imbalance, so medication is usually the best route. Psychotherapy also helps. (Talking with a psychologist or psychiatrist.) There are a lot of options for medication, so try and be open to it. Strattera is a great non stimulant, and non addictive drug for adhd. One dose works 24 hours.

As far as diet, you can try and cut out caffeine and sweets as much as possible, which can add to the hyperactivity and anxiety.

I struggled growing up and was finally correctly diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. I have tried many therapies, and was also very against medication to begin with. Trust me, it makes such a difference in the quality of your life, be open to it! Good luck!!

Answer 5

to relax..or Take charge and learn the alternative solutions that STOP the triggers causing ADD/ADHD. Medication is only treating the symptoms but it does not stop what may be triggering the reaction. After reading The ADD ANSWER by Dr. Frank Lawlis (Excellent Book), we learned that the toxins in our homes can cause some of the triggers of ADD/ADHD as well as asthma, allergies, depression, anxiety and a host of other problems. Toxins such as formaldehyde, phosphates, ammonia, chloride bleach, lye and a group of others that can be found right in your toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos, body soap, household cleaners just to name a few. Within two weeks of removing all of the toxins and replacing them with chemical free products, the symptoms of ADD/ADHD should stop.

Answer 6

I have this issue with my son too. And I HATE medicating him. I myself haven't found any "alternative" treatment that has worked for him, but maybe it could be different for your daughter. There is a product called calm child, in conjunction with b-12 for more calming effects and omega 3 capsules for mood. Caffiene actually settles an ADHD kid down. They say that sugar has no true effect on ADHD kids, but I have to say, it does effect mine quite a lot.

Answer 7

Prescription for Natural Cures - Balch & Stengler lists:
Essential Fatty Acids (esp. DHA)
Phosphatidylserine
Calcium and magnesium complex
Probiotics
Pyridoxine
People have also tried pycnogenol and magnets with interesting results

Answer 8

If you are not willing to take meds, this will take a strict behavior modification plan for both of you and learning appropriate self-monitoring techniques.

I think not everyone needs medication for AHDH ( I also feel its overdiagnosed), but think of it this way...if your child had a diagnosis of diabetes, would you try alternatives rather than giving her the medication her body needs?

Answer 9

Try craniosacral therapy. www.upledgerinstitute.com