ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, develops in children but may last well into adulthood in some people. Many people cannot or choose not to use drugs to treat the disorder in themselves or their children. Instead, these people rely on other methods such as behavioral techniques, counseling or alternative remedies.
Reasons
Some parents choose to treat their child's ADHD using options other than drugs. Often, this is the case when the standard ADHD drugs don't work for a particular child or the disadvantages of the side effects outweigh any advantage the drugs can give. In fact, up to 20 percent of people with the disorder may not respond to medication, according to AtHealth.com. Older ADHD patients, including teenagers and adults, may be unwilling to take medication for the condition and express an interest in treating the problem through other means.
Counseling
Some ADHD patients may be helped by counseling, including psychotherapy and behavioral counseling. Counseling can accomplish a few different things for someone with ADHD. A psychotherapist may discuss life changes and feelings with the patient to help her deal with the symptoms of ADHD. Behavioral counseling can help the patient develop specific strategies to use in daily life that can minimize the impact of ADHD on work, school or family.
Alternative Remedies
According to MayoClinic.com, many people with ADHD try alternative remedies to combat their symptoms. Little research has been done on alternative remedies for this disorder, but activities such as yoga and dietary changes have shown some promise in preliminary trials. Other alternative remedies for ADHD that have little to no data on their effectiveness yet include taking herbal supplements, vitamins or omega-3 fatty acids.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy, also known as behavioral management, is a method of treating ADHD that was primarily designed for affected children. According to AtHealth.com, the goal with behavioral management is to increase good behavior and decrease bad behavior in the child by taking advantage of a child's natural propensity for wanting to please his parents. Behavioral therapy uses a pre-set system of rules, rewards and punishments to allow the child to gain more responsibility as he becomes more able to control his behavior.
Considerations
Family involvement is an important part of any kind of treatment for ADHD and this is especially true for many alternative treatment methods. In addition to the involvement of parents and other family members in providing structure and support for the ADHD sufferer, teachers and coworkers should also be kept informed of the treatments being tried. Mental health professionals, social workers and support groups can also be sources of ideas, resources and suggestions for coping with ADHD without medication.
References
- AtHealth.com: Behavioral Treatment for ADHD
- Cleveland Clinic: Behavioral Treatments for ADHD
- National Institute of Mental Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- American Association of Family Physicians Family Doctor: ADHD What Parents Should Know
- MayoClinic.com: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children
