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Natural Supplements and Vitamins and ADHD
It's often difficult for parents to have the child they love diagnosed with ADHD. Our natural instinct is to protect them from problems. It's harder still to consider a trial of medication for ADHD, and many parents wonder whether natural supplements are an alternative to medications. Almost anything that is 'good for someone's brain' is good for ADHD, including adequate nutrition, sleep, exercise, and methods of reducing stress (relaxations techniques, yoga, meditation, prayer. Although natural products are helpful for many medical conditions, there is little scientific evidence supporting the use of any natural product for the treatment of ADHD.
I am not an expert in natural medicines. I know physicians who have also completed their degree in natural medicine who are far more knowledgeable than I am. However, I do read the scientific research from studies on the use of natural products for various psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.
I am frequently asked about the effectiveness of caffeine for ADHD. A small amount of research reports mild improvement in symptoms of ADHD in a minority of children. However, most children primarily experience side effects and achieve little benefit from doses high enough for an effect.
Antidepressants have been used as second-line medications for the treatment of ADHD (e.g. Wellbutrin, imipramine), as they increase neurotransmitters involved with ADHD. Likewise, 'natural' antidepressants have been tried. St. John's wort has not been found effective for ADHD. Although some studies have found SAMe effective for ADHD symptoms in some adults, there has been no evidence for its effectiveness in children, and additional research is needed before SAMe can be recommended for the treatment of ADHD.
Ginkgo is thought to increase blood flow to the brain and is used for dementia. There is little evidence for the effectiveness of ginkgo when used alone in the treatment of ADHD, although one study indicated that the combination of ginkgo and American ginseng might treat symptoms of ADHD in some children. However, additional research is needed.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) was a prescription drug for ADHD-like symptoms until the 1980s when it was withdrawn because of lack of proof of effectiveness and safety, and it is now available as a dietary supplement. As was true in the 1980s, there still isn't enough evidence about effectiveness or safety to recommend it.
Many children with ADHD have difficulties falling asleep, either because they are restless and can't settle into sleep, or secondary to their stimulant medication. Some studies of melatonin have found it to be effective for treatment of insomnia in children with ADHD. However, risks vs. benefits must be weighed as there is some worry that melatonin might have an effect on gonadal (sex organ) development in children.
Antioxidants are felt to prevent oxidative damage in the brain and nervous system. Antioxidants from pine bark extract (pycnogenol) and grape seed extract are often recommended for ADHD. Although a small number of parents and adults with ADHD report effectiveness, no current research studies have found them to be effective.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are called 'essential' because our body cannot make them, and they must be ingested in our diet. About 25% of children with ADHD seem to have lower serum levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It would seem logical that giving supplements of omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids would be beneficial for ADHD. However, most studies have not found EFA supplements to be of benefit. A recent study did find that a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin C improved restlessness, impulsivity, and behavior in a significant percentage of children studied, but additional research is needed.
There is no evidence that taking very large doses of vitamins or minerals is effective for treatment of ADHD. However, some children with ADHD have lower levels of zinc and magnesium. Low zinc levels might be related to a poor response to traditional treatment with stimulant medications, and one study suggested that the addition of zinc to traditional treatments might improve that response. There is little research on the supplemental use of magnesium. A recent study suggested that iron supplements might improve hyperactive symptoms in boys with ADHD, but more research is needed, and too much iron can be toxic. Vitamin B6 was reported to be of some benefit in older studies, but those studies need to be duplicated using current diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Blue-green algae is often recommended for ADHD, although there is little research to support its effectiveness, and there is concern about its purity from product to product and the possibility of contamination with heavy metals or toxins.
I wish that I could recommend an effective, safe, side effect-free natural supplement for the treatment of ADHD. Not everyone responds to or tolerates treatment with traditional medications, and many parents and adults with ADHD would prefer a 'natural' alternative. Although additional scientific studies are needed, two ADHD experts have reviewed their recommendations for use of natural supplements. I would recommend reading, "Healing ADD" by Daniel Amen (or read information on his website: www.amenclinics.com), and/or "Delivered from Distraction" by Edward Hallowell, M.D. and John Ratey, M.D.
Related Links: Are Herbal Supplements OK for Kids?, Choosing the Right ADHD Medication for Your Child
Technorati Tags: adhd, herbal remedies, ADHD treatment
I am not an expert in natural medicines. I know physicians who have also completed their degree in natural medicine who are far more knowledgeable than I am. However, I do read the scientific research from studies on the use of natural products for various psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.
I am frequently asked about the effectiveness of caffeine for ADHD. A small amount of research reports mild improvement in symptoms of ADHD in a minority of children. However, most children primarily experience side effects and achieve little benefit from doses high enough for an effect.
Antidepressants have been used as second-line medications for the treatment of ADHD (e.g. Wellbutrin, imipramine), as they increase neurotransmitters involved with ADHD. Likewise, 'natural' antidepressants have been tried. St. John's wort has not been found effective for ADHD. Although some studies have found SAMe effective for ADHD symptoms in some adults, there has been no evidence for its effectiveness in children, and additional research is needed before SAMe can be recommended for the treatment of ADHD.
Ginkgo is thought to increase blood flow to the brain and is used for dementia. There is little evidence for the effectiveness of ginkgo when used alone in the treatment of ADHD, although one study indicated that the combination of ginkgo and American ginseng might treat symptoms of ADHD in some children. However, additional research is needed.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) was a prescription drug for ADHD-like symptoms until the 1980s when it was withdrawn because of lack of proof of effectiveness and safety, and it is now available as a dietary supplement. As was true in the 1980s, there still isn't enough evidence about effectiveness or safety to recommend it.
Many children with ADHD have difficulties falling asleep, either because they are restless and can't settle into sleep, or secondary to their stimulant medication. Some studies of melatonin have found it to be effective for treatment of insomnia in children with ADHD. However, risks vs. benefits must be weighed as there is some worry that melatonin might have an effect on gonadal (sex organ) development in children.
Antioxidants are felt to prevent oxidative damage in the brain and nervous system. Antioxidants from pine bark extract (pycnogenol) and grape seed extract are often recommended for ADHD. Although a small number of parents and adults with ADHD report effectiveness, no current research studies have found them to be effective.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are called 'essential' because our body cannot make them, and they must be ingested in our diet. About 25% of children with ADHD seem to have lower serum levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It would seem logical that giving supplements of omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids would be beneficial for ADHD. However, most studies have not found EFA supplements to be of benefit. A recent study did find that a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin C improved restlessness, impulsivity, and behavior in a significant percentage of children studied, but additional research is needed.
There is no evidence that taking very large doses of vitamins or minerals is effective for treatment of ADHD. However, some children with ADHD have lower levels of zinc and magnesium. Low zinc levels might be related to a poor response to traditional treatment with stimulant medications, and one study suggested that the addition of zinc to traditional treatments might improve that response. There is little research on the supplemental use of magnesium. A recent study suggested that iron supplements might improve hyperactive symptoms in boys with ADHD, but more research is needed, and too much iron can be toxic. Vitamin B6 was reported to be of some benefit in older studies, but those studies need to be duplicated using current diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Blue-green algae is often recommended for ADHD, although there is little research to support its effectiveness, and there is concern about its purity from product to product and the possibility of contamination with heavy metals or toxins.
I wish that I could recommend an effective, safe, side effect-free natural supplement for the treatment of ADHD. Not everyone responds to or tolerates treatment with traditional medications, and many parents and adults with ADHD would prefer a 'natural' alternative. Although additional scientific studies are needed, two ADHD experts have reviewed their recommendations for use of natural supplements. I would recommend reading, "Healing ADD" by Daniel Amen (or read information on his website: www.amenclinics.com), and/or "Delivered from Distraction" by Edward Hallowell, M.D. and John Ratey, M.D.
Related Links: Are Herbal Supplements OK for Kids?, Choosing the Right ADHD Medication for Your Child
Technorati Tags: adhd, herbal remedies, ADHD treatment
36 Comments:
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A new site about health care will be online in the next week. It would be great if you can check and recommend any change you consider appropiate.
You can visit the health care site clicking on the previous link. The domain name is http://www.symptomandtreatment.com
Congratulations for your blog and thanks for taking a minute to review
Thanks - that was an interesting read. I'm not much for "alternative types" of medicine, but I also notice that fish oil comes up often in discussions about ADHD. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that.
my diagnosis was delayed. Sad but true.This led to depression and non-flourishing (not keeping up)This was in part to being 7 months a premmie and during the 50's & 60's being exposed to smoke and subsequent toxins.Finally- A psychiatrist intervened,& the outcome was remarkable!Tye L. CPhT
My son was diagnosed with symptoms of ADHD when he was a preschooler. We tried everything imaginable to not put him on medication. We used natural supplements like synaptol but they didn't seem to work. When he finally went into grade school we decided that perhaps it would be best to start him on a medication. We are now on the third type and it seems to be working. Along with constant communication with the doctor and the school we have asked for an increase twice in the dosage level. He seems to respond well, although it makes him more sensetive than he normally is and it does affect his eating and sleeping patterns. I for one, along with my wife, would love to see a natural alternative to ADHD medication that works as well as the psychotropic kinds.
Medications for ADHD are very wrong as they need to be increased every few months. The side affects are not worth it especially for children. I have had my son on several medications and finally took him off due to the side affects. Remember all kids are hyper, that was the word they called it when I was growing up. The problem lies in the teachers now a days. I believe they are just to bothered to deal with a "hyper child" It is just easier to medicate them so they do not have to be bothered.
Children who do drugs will grow up and do drugs. If they get into a habit of taking them at a young age they will be addicted and continue as they get older. How can a child take a form of cocaine on a steady basis and not get addicted but an adult who should have more self control can easily become addicted? I strongly believe that we have to examine the foods we are giving our children. Food and nutrition is essential to one's life, drugs are not. The companies that make food and drugs are not looking out for you or your child they are trying to make money. Read the information on the packages and know what you are feeding your child. Dr.s promote drugs because it is their job medicine keeps them in business. I am a hairstylist and I promote the hair products at my job because I am required to do so. Alot of people don't even like the things that are offered by their profession but they do what they are expected or required to do. I think medication should be the very last option when it comes to prescription drugs. Before you even consider it you should take a good look at what your child is comsuming.
anonymous 11:42am:
That's the biggest crock of nonsense I've read in years, AND it's absolutely false. Studies prove over and over again that untreated ADHD children are far more likely to self-medicate and become addicted.
As a special educator,administrator and parent, I see children who respond to ADHD meds and some who do not. Schools should not be in the business of "pushing" medications on children. We need the natural, healthy child-ready to learn. A balanced, healthy diet, lots of fresh air excercise is the key for learning. Children have become consumed by indoor TV/computer games.
I am very concerned about long term side effects of psychotropics and children. I have witnessed signficant, negative changes in children on these drugs.However, quite often we are at the mercy of the child's environment and many parents want a "quick fix" to their child's high activity level and Doctors are often ready to comply.
Want I'm hearing is that there are no "sure cures". However, by assuring our children receive a loving/nurturing environment, a good and healthy diet and a school setting that supports individual needs, our ADHD children will have a strong chance at success.
I have had ADHD since I can remember, and only a few years ago self diagnosed. I have found that my success in understanding and changing my environment is a direct result of using pot to take myself out of a cycle. With the help of excersise, yoga and spiritual guidence the need for pot has significantly decreased over the last year.
Management is key, as well as being able to identify where on the cycle you are at any time. The latter a difficult and rewarding thing to work toward.
Thank you for those posting all this helpful information
6 weeks ago I got custody of my two nephews, 5 and 6. The 6 year old boy was diagnosed with ADHD a little over a year ago. Since I have had him I have cutt out almost all sugar(a few fruit snacks, fig bars and a little Ice Cream every now and again) and all red and yellow food dyes and even his teache and Doctor have noticed a difference. I am still desperatly serching for more natural ways to deal I would love to eventually take him off his meds. But for now even the little changes are working, slowly we will figure this out. Keep comments comming all the advice I can get I will take.
Thanks,
Angela
i have a boy thats teacher is trying to get me to medicate. she says he cant read at the level he needs to be at. he can do math problems in his head and colors for hours. he hates reading though and so she is telling me he need to be put on meds. please help i know he is hyper and talks alot but i think thats just him.
My grandson is 28 months and at 2 years of age we took him off high sugar items. We also give him nothing but milk or water to drink and there has been a tremendous difference. I suspect that he is alergic to many dies and we stay away from anything that has artificial die. Hard to do due to the fact even darker breads have some die. Has anyone else had similar experiences? We are still having issues at about 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. when he becomes extremely hyperactive and hard to calm down but he is still alot better than he was. Has anyone had experience with Omega 3 oils or Primrose oil for ADHD in children this young?
My son has ADHD. I have tried ALL the prescription meds only to find he suffered the worst of the side effects. I have used vitamins and have found some relief to his behaviors but am still working on the right combo. I found selenium very helpful but have heard it is toxic in high levels so gave it up for safety. Omega's and Magnesium, calcium, zinc combo has helped some. Hope this is helpful.
It is very clear when you need to medicate for ADHD and when you don't. Yes I do agree that there are some people out there who might be looking for a quick fix, but you as mothers or fathers know when you have tried EVERYTHING to help your child and nothing seems to work. I wish there was another fix for ADHD instead if medication. My son doesnt like taking meddication and I HATE giving it to him, I have dosed him off many times thinking that maybe it was me, maybe I couldnt tolerate my own child, i even went and got me medication thinking well if i medicate myself maybe i could handle him. NO that wasnt the case, my son has a disability and I want to be the person that made every efffort in his life to help make it possible to stop and think and listen. My son is in 3rd grade and although he has some bad days, they are very minamal compared to all the great days that he has thanks to his strattera.
my son tried the sadated medications and the side effects were anger, you might want to try strattera, he has been on it for five years and i love the fact that he still has his personality, I also love the fact that he doesnt look zoned out from his medication. He still gets a little hyper at times but i can handle that. Sorry i am a really bad speller.
My son is ADHD and I have resisted medication in favor of alternative treatment. One of the most helpful things has been dietary changes, specifically the Feingold diet. www.feingold.org Removing artificial colors, preservatives has made a real difference in his ability to focus and stay on task. The diet is not difficult or exotic, just healthy food without petroleum based junky stuff. I was skeptical, but it worked for us.
It doesn't surprise me WebMD doesn't see the benefits of alternative treatments for ADHD. WebMD is bought and paid for my big pharma. Good for informational puposes but DRUGS are always the solution. Of course the only thing that works for ADHD according to them are the heavy drugs! Do the research yourself. Funny how each alternative treatment mentioned by the doc was followed by the comment "further research is needed." Well further research is always helpful, but there's plenty of valid research on this topic. Your peditrician doesn't read the latest research. They are not inclined, they are too busy already, it's not their job. They are not researchers, they treat sick kids all day every day. Unfortunately they get their information from the drug reps that visit their office. Sad but true. There are plenty of studies on ADHD and alternative treatments. Do your kids eat fish? Most likely no. So they're not getting the necessary essential fatty acids (fat makes up 60% of the brain)? Hidden food allergies (dyes, milk?) Do they eat processed food loaded with chemicals? Have you tried "nature's calming vitamins" like B6 and magneisium? There's much more and it's a lot of work to research on your own. And, if you do you do choose to listen to the medical establishment, realize these are the same people that put drugs on the market that have caused death. How can you trust a medical establishment that puts drugs on the market saying they are safe and end up actually killing people?
I wanted to say that we have a ADHD Bipolar Six year old little girl and she is on very low dose of Risperdal.25 1/2 in the AM and the other 1/2 in the PM works some what :( an this is for her sevear b/p she is also on focalinXR 10mgs in the AM and 5mgs in the AM :( I spend every day on the internet Looking for all Nalural things Like fish oil and what ever will work so we can take her off all meds !! shes been on the meds for almost two years now seems to help shes home schooled as we tried the k once but she was so bad and out of control hitting talking back not lisning to teachers Chakori our little girl has been like this from about the Age of 15months she started putting holes in walls nothing worked and we are Christian my husband is a minister so its not that we are mean or not giving any disaplyn its that nothing worked !! and anyone out there with a ADHD Child/B/P well I can understand !! we did try other things but as Chakori started getting older her ADHD /B/P got worths:*( I want to take her off of the Meds and go all natural can anyone help or know what will help? I am a 56 year old mom and we did Adopt Chakori from Birth from our younger daughter then 16:was raped :*(
now 24 with three other Children!but Chakori has been a blessing in our life :) and if we had it to do over we sure would do it !But I'm here to say it has been hard at times and I'm still always looking for new ways to help Chakori!so if anyone out there has any good News please send me a email at milfam77@yahoo.com and Thanks Good Luck to all that have a child with ADHD or Both adhd/b/p its very hard God Bless you all,
my oldest son, now 23, was diagnosed severe ADHD before kindgarten, at the time there was retelin, then aderall. we tried all doses, then buspar and other anti-depressants. by 9th grade, he was on a total roller coaster- and the meds werent working. after the 3rd or 4th Dr., finally one advised that because of puberty, the meds were working in reverse! Had to take him off all meds, and ended up taking him out of public school after they put him in handcuffs on the floor of the vice-principals office and had the cops there! The "Special Ed" teachers whined he wouldnt do his work, etc. They are supposed to be trained in this disorder?? Not hardly. I tried home school- which I think is best, due to there are not enough schools with trained teachers for this disorder. The public school even special ed teachers really dont want to put out th extra effort needed for them. there is only 1 school especially for adhd children in this Metro area, with a wait list years long! my youngest son(21) also has ADD w.out hyperness.He was on retlin until 6th grade, then took him off it. He is in college now! so it can be done, but he still struggles with focus and studying. The oldest is in trouble with law, drugs.Middle class, single Mom, did all the pyscologists, and the meds constantly. Was there for everything, took off work, etc. I dont know for sure, but I think taking all the meds as a kid may have made it easier to him to take the street drugs for fun, or just to escape the problems he had everyday with ADHD. I was looking into "adult Focus" and Listol for youngest. FYI: there is a good article on adderall and college kids- so go look! I am not letting him take anphetamines in college! My oldest when he gets to come home, I will try some of the herbal supplements. He really has closer to bi-polar and the hyperness has calmed down, but just my opinion, if I had it to do over, I would have went with the diet and natural supplements first instead of blindly following Dr's. There are more products these days, and I only hope they will have more schools available in the future. after 24 years, there is still only 1 available here,and its a fair size city. Public school is just a nitemare for these kids, or home school is the best if you can do it. as a single mother at the time it was impossible for me to do it all right. just wanted to warn anyone about the puberty changing the effects of the meds!
and if anyone has tried the Focus or Listol natural supplements for adults, teens ??
I want to thank all of you for your feedback on adhd. I have a 9 yr old son who was recently diagnosed with adhd. I always knew it, but was really opposed to medicating him! Well after reading a book called "The attention Deficit Child" I decided to talk to his doctor about medicaton, as the book says that untreated adhd can lead to substance abuse, and numerous other negative affects due to the impulsiveness!! Really scared me, so now he's on Concerta, a little spacey, and also the child could stay up all night. I took the medicine before he did to see what it would do, it made my heart race really fast, also made my nerves bad. Anyway, I'm trying to learn more about natural remedies, as the more I read about medicine, the more scared I get. So your damned if you do and damned if you don't??!! I will have Faith in God that he will guide me!
I use the product Focus that one post asked about. I LOVE it.
I originally bought it for my 6 year old son. But because he could not handle the taste (it's not bad it's just that he was so young to adapt to the strong vitamin flavor)
I did not want to waste it and used it for myself.
Oh my gosh.....with in two days I could tell a huge difference in my focus level and over all feeling alert. I started using it and have been for over two years now.
I buy it in cases from my homeopath. I would not be without it.
I wasn't diagnosed and prescribed stimulant medication until I was 22. I have been able to reclaim a lot of my life - my self esteem, my education - since then, but the impact on my self image from all those undiagnosed years is still enormous. Parents, please don't underestimate this when you get frustrated with the side effects of medications.
If I have a kid with ADD I will definitely explore things like neurofeedback and try to get them on a healthy diet with a fish oil and a multivitamin supplement. But so far, nothing has been proven to work, certainly not as well as medications.
Remember that no intervention has very real side effects too!
Hello everyone, I could share my story with you. Since my son stared kindergarten it has been very difficult for me to deal with the schools and teachers. My son was only 5 years old went the school and teachers recommended me to go to a neurologist to have my son check, because they think that he have the ADHD and I did!! The neurologist told me that my son has the symptoms and he needed to be medicated with a low dose. And I said that I was not going to medicated a child who had not even developing him on body and that was exactly what I told the school and teachers.
We are taking wait back from 2002.
From 2002 until 2006 I was still dealing with schools and teachers, I remember having a meeting with the school and 5 different teachers at the moment I walk into the room and they star taking me about how we can help my son and what is the best for him I told them not to waits their time trying to convince me to medicate my son because I not going to do it and I also told them if they sight me a paper that said that if anything happens to my son they’ll take care it even if he dies they have to bring my son back to life and guess what? They told me that we don’t have anything to talk about it… the meeting was done and I said OK.
3 weeks later the director call me at work to let me know that my son was disrupting the lunchroom and acting weir that I have to pick up my son on lunch time and drop him off ½ hour later I told him that I could not do that because I work, and if that was the wait they trying to put pressure on me? “So” I could medicate my son!! “ I said” you have no clue what a mother could do went someone is trying to mess around with their Children’s and if that is the way he wants to solve this problem!! That he was going to here from me soon... Since that date, they stop bather me and work thing out with my son.
I could tell you that my son is now 11 years old who is going to star middle school and have never medicated my son with psychotropic pills. What I had done is taking to him about his problem and what can he do to controlled, at home we just talk to our child and let him know that he is not different them the other ones. He is a much calm down kid and more mature them he was before my son never have a academy problem, his problem was that he could not stay still.
But I ask my self? How people want to medicated a 5 years old kid who just wants to play all the time and who body has not even develop!!
The pressure that schools put families, its incredible!! We have to stand for our on children’s and believe n them.
North NJ
We've gone the diet and supplement route hoping to avoid the use of medications as my son grows older.
It's difficult to determine how much of what we have experienced is attributable to simple maturation and how much to the change in diet, but we've seen a truly remarkable turn around over the course of six months. It may not work for others, but it certainly did for us. It just takes a lot of work and consistency.
Under the care of a local MD our son is taking 4 basic supplements (Fish Oils, the relaxing agent in white/green teas, Gluatmine and PhosphatidylSerine. All of these are in powder or liquid form and are easy for our boy to take. We've also cut out as many food dyes as possible -- probably 90% reduction. We also try to buy organic where/when possible.
We started with the fish oil and added another supplement each week. After about 3 months we saw a fairly dramatic turnaround.
The real test comes at school this fall ... but we are heading into this year with a greater degree of optimism than we've ever had.
The number of medical professionals who believe that supplements and diet changes can have a meaningful impact of AD/HD is limited -- and these folks tend to marginalized by their peers. I went into this process also believing that a change in diet and the addition supplements was going to fail. But it has worked far beyond my expectations -- my son has never been happier or healthier. And I think that goes for our family as a whole.
My son has ADHD and has the essential fatty acid deficiency. He has taken Efalex since he was about 5. Has made all the difference in the world. There are scientific studies that show that adding essential fatty acids can improve mood disorders and ADHD. Signs of an EFA deficiency are dyslexia, dyspraxia, asthma and allergies, vision problems at an early age, and behavorial problems. Studies also show that a great number of ADHD kids are deficient in calcium, zinc and magnesium. My son is now 14 and takes the Efalex, 25 mg B-complex, 600 mg calcium + D, 400 mg magnesium and 25 mg zinc per day plus a multivitamin. B6 helps with concentration but you have to take all of the B vitamins together in order for them to work properly. He also takes a low dose of ritalin during school. I feel the more you can do to either eliminate the meds or keep the dosage low the better.
A lot of ADHD kids react to things in their diet. Whatever your child craves and wants the most can be causing problems. For my son it was artificial dyes, corn syrup, and dairy products. He would beg for cheese, milk, ice cream and yogurt. When you see red ears and pink/purple allergy "shiners" under the eyes you are dealing with a reaction. Always cook from scratch and eliminate frozen dinners, etc. from the diet. Limit junk food and soda and give cut up veggies and fruits as snacks, whole wheat crackers (without corn syrup), lots of water, and make sure you eat as wholesome as you can. This may not help all kids but it does help a lot of ADHD, OCD, and ODD kids. Limit carbs and sugar, but when you do eat carbs always balance it with a protein, especially for breakfast. Carbs are brain food but can cause hyperactivity and protein helps with attention. Carbs, sugar, and yeast breads can cause a Candidia yeast overgrowth that can cause increased hyperactivity and arguing, especially if the child is allergic to Candidia yeast. My son is allergic and goes into hyperspace when he eats a lot of carbs and sugar. Voice of experience.
I agree with prior post that not medicating has its own "side effects." Parents know their child the best. I strongly agree with the post at 5:08.
I have bought my son some stuff at vitamin world..thats completely helped him stay focused and calm down.
heres what they are:
**Pedi-Active "gluten free" PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE/DMAE Supplement for acive children NATURE'S PLUS
** L-Carnitine Liquid
** Omega 3 Fish-oil supplement (its comes in a packet)
**Omega-3 gummy fish with dha Brain booster *promotes healthy Brain Function
I have found these to work great..try these before you medicate.
Hi All,
I am so dissapointed to see that none of comments inlcuded "Neurofeedback or Biofeedback" My son is 7 and got diagnosed with ADHD and Turrets. After a "lot" of research and the need of keeping away from Meds we found this non-invasive treatment. This showed me results in justa few weeks. I am happy to say his ADHD is improved. Teachers find a difference. My Doctor found a difference in his overall attutde. His Tics are still something we are working on....but the ADHD is defintely on the right path to treatment. It may not work on everyone but parent...It is defintelt worth to try this"
My son was put on folicalin in Dec 2006. Found out he has a fast metabolism, so I didn't want him on a high dose where another 8 year old was on 1/2 the dosage as my som. I've been using vitamins for about a month. I see much improvment, however he is still to hyper for a classroom environment. He is constantly getting out of seat / restless, excessive talking etc. He is in 3rd grade. I've been using 1/4 tsp super b complex, 2 calcium citrate with magnesium & vitamin d, Calm child, child brain & body, attentive child, and just recently I tried flax oil & vitamin c. His pediatrition isn't into the vitamins. I found another doctor he thinks it's food allergies. He showed me that my son's skin is a darker color just before his fingernails, he has a white film on his tongue, and very dry hands. He suspects he has yeast in his intestines. I sent off his urine to a lab fedexed as directed. I won't find out the results for another 3 weeks. I've had to go back to his medicine lower dosage with the vitamines to try to get through these 3 weeks. He got in a fight due to hurt feelings, his teacher is on her last leg. My son's having a real hard time while I'm trying to figure this out. If I could find something to help with the hyperness I would be home free. I don't know if I've got the right vitamins & wrong dosage or what. Hopefully the doctor is correct and it's food allergies causing the adhd behavior. Anyone have any ideas on what I can try vitamin wise to aid with the hyperness/restlesness?
MY son is 9 years old and I,m really sad that the school teachers are not better trained to help children with adhd; My son has been feeling singled out because of his loudness. He already is on 30mg of vyvanse. Do all the vitamins that some wrote about really work? My Husband also is having a hard time with our son. Help annonymous
I have a husband and 5 children with severe ADHD. Why is nothing being done to help people with ADHD. I am so angry that our government has not come forward with support. This affects every part of your life. It is not condidered a learning disability so the school does not want to recognize it. It affects their social aspects. I do not believe, there is anything, it doesn't affect and yet we are alone with no help. We spend tons of money on vitamins and medicines and fixing everything thats broke, but it never ends. Where is the help for these children. They have help for every other cause where is the ADHD HELP. It is long over due, something is causing this and something needs to be done to help these children. It is a life of hell for them. My children suffer each day. They struggle to fit in emotionally. They struggle to concentrate and learn at the same speed as other children.Parents we need to make a movement and be heard for ourselves and our children.
Medicating children because they are more "Hyper" then what some would call "Normal" Sounds like something that should be only found in fiction, yet we do it to thousands of children everyday. I raised two boys in the 80s when AD/HD was becoming as common known as a cold. The schools and the doctors kept increasing the dosage and jumping them from one drug to another. My eldest son would wake with nightmares, he was scared of everything and became increasingly fearful. My other son was scared of the way he was feeling at one point they put him on some sort of blood pressure medication and he freaked out. I sat on the floor with him in my arms crying while dialing the phone. I did take them both off the medication, however there are still effects from their "Happy childhood, thanks school system and doctors," One son is now a supervisor at a local plant, but suffers seizures (Which does not run in our family) and my other son still suffers with bouts of fearfullness. My grandchildren are now being tageted by the schools. My family is active, creative and non conformist, we are dreamers and very intelligent as I am sure most of these ad/hd children are. Please be careful when dealing with AD/HD Drugs.
My son was diagnosed with ADHD, 25 years ago. I took him to neurologists and doctors all over the world. They suggested I put him on rydlin (SP). I have always felt that, you are what you eat. I refused to put him on it and took him off of processed drinks, foods and in a regular routine. But the most important part was to get him into sports. He needed to control the energy and frustration. Kicking a ball and running until he was exhausted was great for him. I cannot say that he was never a little pain in the neck, but he was very good and extremely intelligent. He just had energy he didn't know how to control.
Today, he is a Marine in special ops working on top computer systems. He dislikes taking drugs or pills of any kind.
I understand the ADHD children need a schedule, plus take them off the chemically enhanced foods. Whoever heard of powdered cheese, and chemically enhanced water? Lord what are we drinking, and eating, we have no idea, and neither does the FDA. It's the government saying sure feed them this. Are you crazy it's your child.
My son was diagnosed with ADHD /W Anxiety, a mild form of Tourette’s and Impulsivity at 5 years old. (Kindergarten) We were reluctant to have him diagnosed but he could not function on level and had to repeat Kindergarten.
The Dr. prescribed Ritalin, that was a disaster, considering children at that age are not even suppose to be prescribed that medicine. With him being so much smaller than the other children, we were already concerned but tried it anyway. Within 1 day we took him off of it. He was crying, biting and screaming. It was a nightmare.
By the time he started 4th grade, he was still unable to; write legibly, read, stay on task or in his seat nor was he able to perform basic math functions. We were referred to family and children services – What A JOKE!
We took the file that had been growing from the school to the supposed Dr. types there, the woman didn’t even open the file, have us fill out any checklist or anything. She asked my son a few questions pertaining to right and wrong and did he know the difference. Because she felt he knew right from wrong she sent us home. I asked her “did you even open the file and look at the contents?” Her reply was that we should go home and if he has another incident within the month to bring him back.
I was infuriated. With the impulsivity on top of everything else my son had already been suspended and expelled. (May I remind you this is in elementary?) So, with the highly anticipated call from the school (within 24 hrs), I had to yank him out of class and we headed for our primary care physician. He referred us to a psychiatrist who has been very helpful. We were lucky to have only had to try two medications before sticking with the Focalin Rx.
ONCE MY SON STARTED TAKING THE MEDICATION, HIS MIND WAS ABLE TO FOCUS, and he was able to sit in class, write more legibly and read. By the end of his 4th grade year, he won the grand prize in the science fair. (WOW) he just completed the 7th grade and is still in an IEP for reading but has managed to achieve grade level or higher scores on all testing.
I know how terrifying it is to have to even consider medicating your child, but some of these children can not even slow their mind enough to function. I can also see how he (my son) would be diagnosed with anxiety on top of the ADHD. When you spend your whole life with everyone trying to stop you or calm you down or getting on to you, you will definitely start having some issues.
My next task is to take him to an Endocrinologist; he is 14 and still the size of a 3rd or 4th grader. He finally hit 90 pounds after being at 70 pounds for 4 years.
I know that you parents do not want to medicate your child, but sometimes it is a miraculous event. I have a pretty good relationship with my son and he pretty much keeps to himself unless something is really bothering him and if you are able to open up the lines of communication in a positive way, they will be able to tell you exactly what is going on.
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