ADHD: 5 Natural Treatment Options

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Sometimes it seems that ADHD is everywhere.  Everyone’s kid either has ADD or ADHD and the majority of those kids are medicated to deal with the symptoms.  ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a brain disorder with symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.  There are different types of ADHD and the symptoms may display differently depending on the child.   For this reason, it is difficult to diagnose ADHD and even more difficult to treat it with a one-size-fits-all medication approach.  If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, there are many ways to manage symptoms and treat the disorder in a more holistic and natural way.  Below are 5 natural ADHD treatment options.

5 Natural ADHD Treatment Options:

1. Diet
   • The foods we put into our bodies affect us all in different ways. One of the most important ways to treat ADHD naturally is through diet.  Even if there are no known allergies to certain foods, there may be sensitivities that trigger reactions within the body that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.  Most people that change diet to treat ADHD opt for foods that are gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, contain no food coloring or dyes, have little or no caffeine, have no MSG, have no soy, and have no nitrites.  It is important to completely eliminate those foods for at least one month to see how they impact behavior and ADHD symptoms.  After 30 days, you can introduce one food group per week to see if there is a reaction or change in behavior.  If there is a reaction, you know that is a food to avoid, if there is no reaction, you may be able to reintroduce it to regular diet.
2. Therapy
   • Therapy may include a variety of options including cognitive behavioral therapy that addresses specific behaviors and provides tools for how to manage and eliminate those behaviors. It may also include cranio sacral therapy which is a gentle massage that helps encourage normal healthy brain cycles.  Further, occupational therapy may be used to treat sensory disorders and encourage awareness of senses such as alertness and body position.
3. Nutritional Supplements
   • Rather than immediately turning to prescription medications, many naturopathic physicians encourage treatment of ADHD with nutritional supplements. Supplements may include things like B12, B6, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, zinc, DMAE, St. John’s Wort, and more.  The specific supplements will be determined by your naturopathic doctor and tailored to meet the specific behavioral and health needs of the individual.
4. Homeopathy
   • Homeopathic remedies may be determined beneficial after diagnostics testing is completed by your naturopath. Homeopathic remedies can be naturally compounded and created for your specific needs and will vary from patient to patient.
5. Lifestyle Changes
   • Certain things like schedule, time spent on technology, and time spent with parents can impact the behaviors of individuals with ADHD. Creating more defined schedules, limiting time spent on technology, encouraging exercise and individualized attention can help treat the symptoms of ADHD.