Some Alternative Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or ADHD is a childhood disorder that is neurological in nature. ADHD has three characteristic symptoms: inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. A child who suffers from ADHD is not able to focus on one activity, have difficulty in concentration and decreased inhibition of impulsive behaviors. The family members of a family with a child suffering from ADHD should have lots of patience and understanding. ADHD is treated with medications plus behavioral therapies. There are also alternative treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder that many parents and guardians utilize for their children.

The alternative treatments for attention deficit hyperactive disorder include the following remedies: herbal supplements and remedies, megavitamins and diet. Other helpful approaches include meditation, neurotherapy, music therapy, chiropractic care, and relaxation training.

Herbal medicines are one of the most common alternative treatments for attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Many family members resort to herbal medicines for their children with ADHD because of fear of too much medication. Professionals observe the use of herbal remedies as alternative for drugs with high interest. The herbs and supplements that quite a few use for ADHD include the ginkgo biloba, brahmi, gotu kola, green oats, melatonin, Siberian ginseng, panax ginseng, pine barck extract, and St. John's wort. Although these alterative medicines may be effective in some patients, these however, are not to be given to children.

Being a stimulant, coffee is considered a potential remedy. Caffeine in high doses is proven to be effective for children with ADHD according to several studies. Leaves of ginkgo biloba increase the blood supply to the brain supplying enough nutrition to allow increased mental focus. Cignition and learning is increased with the use of brahmi, which is an antioxidant. Siberian ginseng acts by increasing brain activity. Another stimulant, green oats is a nerve tonic that fuels child's ability to perform and finish tasks. St. John's wort is effective for depression related with ADHD.

Diet also plays a role in alternative treatment of ADHD. There are diets formulated to be implemented as a nutrition plan for children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Feingold diet is an additive-free diet and salicylate-free diet that prevents the occurrence of the ADHD's sufferer's impulsive, hyperactive and inattentive behaviors. That is mainly because this diet is free from food that heightens up these unpleasant behaviors of a person with ADHD.

In megavitamins therapy, ADHD sufferers take several vitamin supplements. Physicians, during the earlier times, prescribe high doses of vitamin supplements to increase cognitive abilities. The use of several vitamin supplements for ADHD, however, doesn't have any scientific claims for effectiveness. Large doses of vitamins can have an effect to the body and this therapy should be discussed first with the doctor before application.

Homeopathic treatments are also available as alternative remedy for ADHD. Hoemeopathic utilize the placebo effect in treating ADHD. Stramonium, Hyoscyamus niger and Cina were found to be effective homeopathic medicines.

Alternative remedies for ADHD, and for other disorders as well, may relieve the symptoms of a child with ADHD temporarily but there are no, if not few, scientific claims on the effectiveness of these alternative treatments. These alternative remedies, herbal and megavitamins in particular, aren't necessary to be approved by the FDA previous to sale in the public. This means that these alternative remedies are not tested and may be harmful in some way because of their unknown properties. Alternative treatments, although considered as "natural" treatments, may not really be safe to use because of other unknown effects. It is very important to discuss first with the child's physician any plan of using alternative treatments for attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

More On Alternative Treatments

  1. ADD Holistic Resource Center- This set of archives looks at the holistic medical site. Preventative rather than fully contact treatment.
  2. Aromatherapy For Attention Deficit Disorder- An interesting concept.
  3. Focus on ADD- Looks at many treatment options.
  4. Neurowaves Home- Looks at the concept and treatment of Neurobiology.