When people--especially children--are hyperactive, inattentive or impulsive, they may be diagnosed with ADHD. The mainstream course of action to treat ADHD is prescription medication, but David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, neurologist and author of "Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten," says drugs only treat the symptoms of ADHD, not the cause. He says: "According to the American Medical Association, no drug treatment has ever been demonstrated to be effective in any long-term study." Because of that, patients diagnosed with ADHD or their parents might prefer a drug-free approach.
Nutrition
Dr. Perlmutter cites a study by Dr. L.J. Stevens in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which found that boys with ADHD had far lower levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)--which is found in fish oil--than normal kids. He recommends supplementing the diet with DHA, which is reputed to improve focus and brain function. This move is supported by the journal Pediatric Clinics of North America. In addition, Dr. Perlmutter advises that a multi-vitamin and other key brain-boosting supplements be considered, including ALA (alpha lipoic Acid), which is another omega-3 fatty acid; N-acetyl-cysteine; phosphatidylserine; co-enzyme Q-10; and gingko biloba. He also says to eat wholesome, organic foods because they don't have the additives and chemicals found in processed and packaged foods. These may contribute to ADHD-type behavior.
Meditation
Closing her eyes and focusing on her breath might seem simple, but for a child with ADHD, it may achieve more than you think. In a study by medical education consultant Sarina Grosswald, published in 2008 in Current Issues in Education, transcendental meditation was found to have possible benefit for kids with ADHD by reducing anxiety and stress. This, in turn, improves behavior and attention. A separate 2008 study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders by researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles also supported mindfulness meditation to control ADHD.
STNR Exercises
What's often diagnosed as ADHD may be caused by an immature Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR), says Nancy E. Woodworth O'Dell, Ph.D., and Patricia A. Cook, Ph.D., authors of "Stopping ADHD: A Unique and Proven Drug-Free Program for Treating ADHD in Children and Adults." This reflex helps babies learn to crawl by allowing the top half of their bodies to work separately from the bottom, but if a child moves on to walking too quickly, his STNR can remain in control longer than it should. "An immature STNR can significantly interfere with the child's ability to sit still, pay attention, and write easily," they say. They recommend that developmental exercises based on crawling be done for 15 minutes a day, for about eight months by anyone over age 5, including adults.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback, or EEG biofeedback, trains patients on how to control their own brainwaves, which can hone focus and attention. Eugene Arnold, a psychiatriatry professor at Ohio State University and researcher of the method, says it "looks like a promising treatment." However, it's quite expensive and labor-intensive, as reported by U.S. News & World Report. Psych Central, the web's largest mental health network, adds that biofeedback therapy "has been found as effective as medication, without the harmful side effects." It adds that children really enjoy it, because they exercise their brains while controlling video games.
References
- 9 Drug-Free Approaches to Managing ADHD
- Evaluating Drug-Free Alternatives for ADHD
- "Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten"; David Perlmutter, MD, FACN; 2006
