According to the American Psychiatric Association, ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a syndrome that effects approximately 5 to 7 percent of school aged children in the United States. Although pharmaceutical treatments have been proved effective in controlling symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention, other treatments that utilize herbal remedies, changes to the diet, and behavioral methods have also provide good results in treating symptoms of ADHD.
Herbal and Natural Products
The Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs, 15th Edition, outlines the various herbal products that proved effective in treating certain disorders. Compared to pharmaceutical remedies, herbal remedies require consistent dosages and tend to take much longer to take effect. Nonetheless, preliminary research data published in the Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience in 2001 indicated that 50 mg of Ginko Biloba combined with 200 mg of American ginseng extract improved hyperactivity, impulsiveness and social problems in children ages three to 17 with ADHD. Furthermore, Omega 3 fatty acids can also help symptoms of ADHD, although results often prove contradictory. Research about Omega 3 in the Program of Neuropsychopharmacological Biology Psychiatry indicates that Omega 3 fatty acids administered in the form of efamol, otherwise known as evening primrose oil, may compensate for zinc deficiencies and improve symptoms of ADHD, however other research by L.E. Arnold of the Department of Psychiatry at Ohio State University looked at a combination of studies on Omega 3 and ADHD found mixed results.
Dietary Changes
The Feingold Diet can help to reduce symptoms of ADHD and many other mental health problems in both children and adults. The Feingold diet eliminates certain food dyes and preservatives including artificial or synthetic coloring and flavoring, Aspartame or NutraSweet and Artificial or synthetic preservatives such as BHA, BHT and TBHQ, says the Feingold Association of the United States.
Environmental Structure and Behavioral Methods
Behavior modification techniques have also helped individuals with ADHD. According to an article by N. Mather and Sam Goldstein entitled "Behavior Modification in the Classroom," behavioral techniques require an identification of the problem or target behaviors and the use of a reinforcer to increase target behavior. Some techniques that are easy to use at home include establishing a routine and using an alarm to indicate the start of homework time and fifteen minute break periods is one technique. For younger kids, a star chart can be useful for reinforcing good behavior and reminding them of goal behaviors. Allowing kids to take breaks and run around or do a "silly dance" can help them get energy out in a positive way. Another good technique includes making a competition out of activities like household chores. For example, time your child making the bed--according to pre-agreed standards--and then in a fun spirited way, see if they can break their time record from day to day.
References
- "Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs"; Herbal and Natural Products; Bezchlibnyk-Butler and Jeffries (Eds.); 2005
- Feingold Association of the United States: Scientific Research
- "Journal Psychiatry Neuroscience", Effect of the herbal extract combination Panax quinquefolium and Ginkgo biloba on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study, Lyon et al., 2001.
- "Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry", A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids on ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties, Richardson, 2002
- "Journal of Attention Disorders", Treatment Alternatives for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Arnold, 1999
