What is ADHD?
“Living with ADHD is like being locked in a room with 100 televisions and 100 radios all playing. None of them have power buttons so you can turn them off and the door is locked from the outside.”
_ Sarah Young
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is amongst the most common neuro-behavioural disorders presenting for treatment in children and adolescents. ADHD is often chronic with prominent symptoms and impairment spanning into adulthood. ADHD is often associated with co-morbid symptoms including disruptiveness, mood fluctuation, anxiety, and substance abuse. The biological underpinning of ADHD is supported by genetic, neuro-imaging, neuro-chemistry and neuro-psychological findings. A great deal of consideration of all aspects of an individual’s life needs to be considered when diagnosing and providing the treatment of ADHD. Multimodal and a holistic treatment is often used. This includes educational, family, and individual support. Psychotherapy alone and in combination with medication is helpful for ADHD and comorbid problems. Pharmacology including stimulants, noradrenergic agents, alpha agonists and antidepressants can assist in the ADHD symptoms however they can bring along negative side-effects.
What are the side-effects of regular pharmacology treatment for ADHD?
ADHD medication can help improve symptoms by enhancing and balancing neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry signals between neurons in your brain and body. There are several different types of medications used to treat ADHD, including:
Stimulants, such as an Amphetamine (Adderall) or Methylphenidate (Ritalin), can assist one to focus and ignore distractions.
Nonstimulants, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) or Bupropion (Wellbutrin), can be used if the side-effects from the stimulants are overwhelming or if other medical conditions prevent use of stimulants.
While these drugs can improve concentration, they can also cause some serious potential side effects. Side-effects can include:
Sleep problems
Mood swings
Loss of appetite
Heart problems/palpitations
Weight fluctuations
Suicidal thoughts or actions (more common in adolescents)
Overprescribed? Not comfortable with all the pills? There are other options.
The production of medication used to treat ADHD has drastically increased in recent decades. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that ADHD diagnoses in children increased by about 41% between 2003 and 2011. It was estimated that 11% of children between the ages of 4 and 17 years old had been diagnosed with ADHD, as of 2011. That is 6.4 million children in total.
The most common treatment for ADHD is the prescription of medication. As previously stated, this can include some serious side-effects.
However, many individuals are not comfortable with treating the symptoms with medication alone. The truth is that there are other, more natural options.
Alternative treatments may assist in managing some symptoms associated with ADHD, including:
Difficulty paying attention
Organisational problems
Forgetfulness
Frequently interrupting others
Natural and homeopathic remedies* to decrease ADHD symptoms:
1. Limit various foods, food colourings and preservatives
Foods to avoid (The Mayo Clinic, 2016):
Sugar — This is the primary trigger for most children, adolescents and some adults with ADHD. Avoid any forms of concentrated sugar including sweets, desserts, soft drinks or fruit juices.
Conventional Dairy — Most cow milk dairy contains A1 Casein that can trigger a similar reaction as gluten and therefore should be eliminated. If problematic symptoms arise after eating dairy, discontinue use. Goat’s milk, however, does not contain the protein and is a better option for many individuals with ADHD. Coconut and Almond milk are also alternatives and replacements for cow’s milk.
Caffeine — While some studies have shown that caffeine may help with some ADHD symptoms, it is wise to minimize or avoid caffeine, as these studies have not been validated. In addition, the side-effects of caffeine, including anxiety and nervousness, can contribute to the symptoms of ADHD.
MSG and HVP — These two additives are believed to decrease dopamine levels in both children and adults. Dopamine is associated with the brain’s pleasure and reward systems. For individuals suffering with ADHD, balanced levels of dopamine are essential.
Nitrites — Commonly found in lunchmeat, canned foods and many processed foods. In addition, it can cause an increase in heart rate, difficulty breathing and restlessness that worsen ADHD symptoms.
Artificial Sweeteners — Artificial sweeteners are not good for your health in general. This is more so in individuals who are living with ADHD as the side effects can be devastating. Artificial sweeteners create biochemical changes in the body, some of which can harm cognitive functions and emotional balances.
The Mayo Clinic (2016) also notes that certain food colourings and preservatives may increase hyperactive behaviour in some children. Avoid foods with the following colourings and preservatives:
Sodium Benzoate, which is commonly found in carbonated beverages, salad dressings and fruit juice products.
FD&C Yellow No. 6 (sunset yellow), which can be found in breadcrumbs, cereal, candy, icing and soft drinks.
D&C Yellow No. 10 (quinoline yellow), which can be found in juices, sorbet and smoked haddock.
FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can be found in various foods like pickles, cereal, granola bars and yoghurt.
FD&C Red No. 40 (allura red), which can be found in soft drinks, children’s medications, gelatine desserts and ice cream.
2. Avoid potential allergens
Diets that restrict possible allergens may help improve behaviour in some children with ADHD.
Eliminating the top seven allergens can assist. These include soy, wheat and conventional dairy mentioned above, as well as peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and shellfish. In addition, eliminating any foods or beverages that are personal allergens can also assist. This might include papaya, avocados, bananas and kiwis (for those with latex allergies) and/or coriander or fennel (all from the same family).
It is always best to check with an allergy doctor if you suspect that your child has allergies. But you can try, in the interim, by avoiding these foods (The Mayo Clinic, 2014):
Chemical additives/preservatives such as BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), which are often used to keep the oil in a product from going off and can be found in processed food items such as potato chips, chewing gum, dry cake mixes, cereal, butter and instant mashed potatoes.
Milk and Eggs
Chocolate
Foods containing Salicylates. Salicylates are chemicals which are naturally found in plants and are the major ingredient in many pain medications. This includes berries, chilli powder, apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes and tomatoes.
3. Calming exercises such as Yoga or Tai Chi
Studies indicate that Yoga may be helpful for people with ADHD. Research published in 2013 reported significant improvements in hyperactivity, anxiety and social problems in boys with ADHD who practiced yoga regularly (Hariprasad, Arasappa, Varambally, Srinath & Gangadhar, 2013). Some early studies suggest that Tai Chi may also assist in improving ADHD symptoms. Researchers found that teenagers with ADHD who practiced Tai Chi were not as anxious or hyperactive. They also daydreamed less and displayed fewer inappropriate emotions when they participated in Tai Chi classes twice a week for five weeks.
4. Spending time outdoors
Spending time outside can be extremely beneficial for children with ADHD. There is strong evidence that spending as little as 20 minutes outside can benefit them by improving their concentration and decreasing their hyperactivity levels. Greenery and natural settings are the most beneficial (Taylor & Kuo, 2009).
According to Taylor and Kuo’s (2011) study, and several studies before it, they support the claim that regular exposure to outdoors and green space is a safe and natural treatment that can be used to help people with ADHD.
5. Behavioural and Parental Therapy
Children and adolescents with more severe cases of ADHD may benefit from Behavioural Therapy. The American Academy of Paediatrics (2011) states that behavioural therapy should be the first step in treating ADHD in young children.
This approach works on resolving specific problematic behaviours and offers solutions to assist in preventing them. This can also involve setting up goals and rules for the individual.
Parental Therapy can also assist in providing parents with the tools in which they can use to assist their child with ADHD symptoms. Equipping parents with techniques and strategies for how to work around behavioural problems can help both the parent and the child in the long term.
6. The use of supplements and essential oils
In addition to the above natural treatments, the additions of supplements may assist in improving symptoms of ADHD. These supplements include:
Zinc
L-carnitine
Vitamin B-6
Magnesium
Fish oil (Omega 3 supplements)
In addition to the above-mentioned supplements, herbs like Ginkgo, Ginseng and Passion Flower may also help calm hyperactivity.
Supplementing without a doctor’s opinion can be dangerous, particularly in children. Consult with your doctor first should you be interested in trying these alternative treatments. They can order a blood test to measure the current levels of nutrient in your child before they start taking supplements (Sonuga-Barke, Brandeis, Cortese, Daley, Ferrin & Holtmann, 2013).
Essential oils are a natural and healthy option, without little or not side-effects, which can assist with ADHD symptoms. Rosemary and peppermint oils can assist in improving with alertness while enhancing memory. In order to achieve a calming effect, ylang-ylang, eucalyptus and lavender are effective, while Frankincense oil brings emotional wellness, focus and heightened cognitive function. A few drops of the desired essential oil can be used in the bath, on the pillow before sleep, rubbed on the temples or added into a humidifier/steam bath. A steam bath is created by adding the desired essential oil into a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam/vapour.
“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow” _ Robert Tew
*PLEASE NOTE:
Despite all of the above-mentioned alternatives, please take into consideration that ADHD presents uniquely for every individual. Thus, effectiveness of treatments can vary from person to person. It is advised to always check with your doctor before commencement of any of the above-mentioned treatments.