Natural Remedies for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition where an individual finds it difficult to stay on task. Trouble staying on task and paying attention are just a few of the many issues that those suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have to deal with. Unfortunately, many of the individuals most recently diagnosed with ADHD are children. This has caused some concern among parents.
Although there are some individuals, even those in the medical field, who claim that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is over diagnosed, especially in children, there are many parents who are still interested in seeking relief for their children. After all, a child who finds it difficult to pay attention and stay on tasks can suffer in school. However, at the same time, the last thing that most parents want to do is encourage their children to take medications that may or may not provide relief. In fact, some claim that the medications for ADHD end up doing more harm than good. So what is a parent to do? Examine natural remedies.
One of the many natural ways that parents can help their children manage and cope with having ADHD is by being supportive. This is extremely important to a child’s self-esteem. Adults suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also benefit from a tight support system. Both children and adults who suffer from ADHD are known to have self-esteem and self-confidence problems. Positive praises are a must for children. Even if an ADHD child makes a mistake, it is important to discipline in a positive matter. This can be done by putting a young child in timeout, but letting them leave when they explain what they did wrong or what they should do the next time to make the situation right.
In addition to helping your child at home, it is also important to provide support and encouragement with schooling. The first step in doing so is making sure that all teachers are aware of your child’s medical condition. If you choose not to have your child take ADHD medications, it is important to let your child’s teachers know so. Unfortunately, so many ADHD children are medicated that most teachers expect it. Your child will need more care, attention, and support than another ADHD child is on medication. If you know an adult who suffers from ADHD, support is important in social circles, as well as the workplace.
Although there is currently no known cause for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there are many who claim that symptoms can be triggered by diet. Many professionals recommend restricting the diet of a child or even an adult who suffers from ADHD. This is done in hopes of finding a trigger factor, which can make many of the symptoms of ADHD worse. Examples of this involve eliminating or limiting a child’s consumption of sugar, chocolate, dairy products, and juices. If you notice a decrease in ADHD related symptoms when one specific item has been eliminated from the diet, such as chocolate, continuing limiting exposure.
The above mentioned ways are just a few of the many ways that those suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can manage or treat their symptoms. As a reminder, if you are a parent whose child is diagnosed with ADHD most of the work will be your responsibility. This may seem like a stressful and overwhelming task, but the above mentioned natural approaches can provide assistance, but in a safe and effective way.
Tags: natural cures, natural remedies, natural health remedies
You are right that many professionals recommend using diet to address the symptoms of ADHD, but the foods you mention are not the major offenders.
Researchers at Harvard and Columbia published their meta-analysis of the studies on ADHD and food dyes in 2004. They found clear support in the studies.
Then in 2007 researchers from the University of Southampton in England published the results of their double-blind study. It showed that a modest amount of food dye and one preservative brought on ADHD symptoms in most children, not just those with a diagnosis.
The research to date is so compelling that the British government is encouraging manufacturers to get rid of petroleum-based food dyes and the European Union will be requiring foods with these dyes to carry warning labels.
In February the American Academy of Pediatrics published an article saying that diet is a reasonable treatment for ADHD and in May the British Medical Journal called for it to be a standard treatment for the problem.
There is a great deal of information on these events as well as the research at http://www.ADHDdiet.org. The site also has practical information on how parents can implement this program in their home. The site is run by the non-profit Feingold Associaiton of the US, composed or professionals and parents who have seen how effective a simple diet like this can be for their children.