Alternative Method Of Treating ADHD - Why Not Try A Much Safer Solution?

Have you read about the recent shortages of the amphetamine like drugs to treat ADHD recently? If you have, you will no doubt be wondering about an alternative method of treating ADHD. Well there are other possibilities but first let us have a look at this shortage of some of the drugs during the past twelve months. When we look at the causes and how this has come about, we will probably have a better insight into what is going on in the ADHD world.

The key player in all this is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as these are the people who actually control the amount of amphetamines that are manufactured and then released to the drug companies. As you can imagine, this is a pretty tricky business and the supply and demand issues have obviously come unstuck as more and more people demand Adderall, the most popular drug in this group.

Actually, when we look at why the demand is so great and what the actual implications are, we might well become alarmed:-

• Limited distribution is necessary because amphetamines are controlled substances
• Addiction is a possibility
• There is a risk of stockpiling and the drug falling into the wrong hands
• Systems need to be in place to stop the already widespread illegal use of these drugs to help students improve their academic performance.

These students do not have ADHD or any other related disorder and the tendency is growing, unfortunately. This is what should make us sit up and take notice and look at an alternative method of treating ADHD. The whole question of addiction and drug dependency is a grey area and it is very hard to get reliable information and statistics. The best thing is just to avoid using these drugs altogether and we need to be absolutely sure that we do not want a four year old on this type of stimulant, no matter how severe his symptoms may be.

The implications of using such a drug for our children are enormous and the increase in the number for prescriptions being written every year for Adderall is skyrocketing. The fact that 18 million prescriptions in the USA alone showed an increase of 13.4% on the previous year is proof enough of this. This is also one explanation why demand is outstripping supply.

If you choose this type of medication, you may have to worry about strange side effects such as suicidal thoughts, psychotic episodes and other things which should have no place in a happy childhood. Why not consider how an alternative method of treating ADHD, such as homeopathy, could change your child's life.

If you read the testimonials from delighted parents who have chosen this path, you will be heartened to know that there is no risk of drug dependency, no risk of supplies running out and also absolutely no chance of your child ever being approached to sell his ADHD drugs on the school parking lot.

By using homeopathy, you may well be getting real and tangible results which pose a threat to no one:-

• calmer children
• fewer mood swings
• improved concentration levels
• better academic performance
• improved social relationships.

Why not discover how this could be the answer if you are thinking of an alternative method of treating ADHD?

Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in children's health. He has written extensively on ADHD. Discover what Alternative ADHD Therapy is available. Find out about ADHD natural cures.

Original article

Treating ADHD Without Medication - Using Non-Medicinal Methods To Treat ADHD

Many parents want to know more about treating ADHD without medication because they have heard about the harmful and disturbing side effects that traditional ADHD medications can result in. These side effects include:

* Nausea, stomach upsets, and abdominal cramps

* Headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision, etc.

* Paranoia, mood swings, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, anxiety, depression

* Liver and kidney failure, rapid heartbeat, seizures, death

With side effects like these, it is no wonder that more and more people are choosing to try natural remedies to combat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. If you are inclined to investigate other alternatives, rest assured that you are not alone. In fact, over-cautious parents are not the only ones who are skeptical and afraid of regular ADHD medications. There are a growing number of medical professionals who feel that using these drugs should only be done as a last resort when all other options have been attempted.

Of course, one must point out that there are children taking ADHD medications who have responded very well. They have exhibited no side effects and show improvements. However, there are also a great many of them who find the side effects to be intolerable as well as those who show no improvement at all when it comes to their symptoms and behaviors. The reason for this is that ADHD presents individualistic symptoms. That means that each person diagnosed with the disorder must be evaluated and treated on an individual basis. What works for one will not necessarily work for another. This is why finding the right medication and dosage is tricky and is achieved through trial and error for the most part.

Deciding that you are interested in treating ADHD without medications is commendable because you know you will not be subjecting your child to any possibility of the aforementioned side effects occurring. Natural remedies and treatments do not produce side effects. Many are very effective in combating the symptoms and behaviors of the disorder. Some even produce lasting results even when the treatment is discontinued. That is wonderful news for anyone living with the disorder.

Traditionally, ADHD has been treated using stimulant medications. They are the most well-known and they have been around for over fifty years now. Some need to be taken several times a day while others can be taken only once or twice a day. There are also non-stimulant drugs. These were approved back in 2002 as being effective in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. They do not result in as many side effects as the stimulant drugs but the side effects they can result in are no less disturbing. Usually they are longer lasting, meaning that the child only has to take one tablet a day. Another treatment used with limited success in the fight against ADHD symptoms has been in the form of anti-depressants. The FDA issued a warning about these back in 2004 due to the increased risk of suicide by kids taking these drugs.

Different drugs affect different kids differently. It is vital that this be remembered. Although you might know of a child on ADHD drugs and they are responding really well, your child might not. Deciding that you prefer treating ADHD without medications is a personal choice that you need to make only when you have investigated all the options that are available to you. Non-medication treatments include biofeedback, behavioral modification therapy, homeopathic remedies, diet, etc.

Studies have shown that certain behavioral modification therapy can be very beneficial in helping children control their ADHD behaviors. Likewise, equipping parents with the right set of skills and techniques that they can use in managing their child's ADHD behaviors have also proven to be very successful. There are things that parents can do, techniques that they can employ, to improve their child's behaviors and restore peace and calmness to the home. The secret is to be clear and consistent in your approach.

The ADHD diet is another wonderfully natural way to help your ADHD child. By introducing the right foods and eliminating the ones that intensify the symptoms it is possible to greatly affect the behaviors your child exhibits. Supplements and vitamins are also important. These provide the nutrients that the developing brain requires so that it can function properly and normally. These can be used in conjunction with ADHD medications.

A word of caution:

Always view any remedy or treatment with healthy dose of skepticism and suspicion if it promises to be a cure for ADHD! No cure exists! Before you try something new, always be sure to educate yourself about it first and discuss it with your child's doctor as well.

Are you interested in learning about treating ADHD without medication? Are you interested in learning about a natural homeopathic remedy that will help you to help your ADHD child without the risk of dangerous and alarming side effects? If you have answered yes to these two questions, be sure to visit my website at: http://www.adhd-treatment-info.com/. I look forward to sharing this vital information with you. Brought to you by V K Rajagopalan - advocating natural healthy living.

Original article

Is a New Approach To Treating ADHD Needed?

Until recently medical professionals have been intent on prescribing an ever-increasing number of stimulant medications to those struggling with ADHD symptoms. The percent of increase annually is somewhere around 4.5 percent.

This increase has occurred despite a steady flow of negative research linking ADHD stimulant medications to all sorts of serious problems. For example the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) made a compelling argument that these types of drugs could be linked to heart disease and sudden death in children. Another study seemed to make a compelling case for linking ADHD stimulant medications to drug addiction later in life.

When you combine these studies, and many more, with the new finding that the areas of the brain controlling self-regulation are slow to develop in ADHD children it seems that even the most ardent supporter of prescription stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall would at the very least proceed with extreme caution before even considering prescribing stimulant medications to children.

Nevertheless, this has not been the case until now. The reason for the change in course is a rare long-term study comparing populations of children who regularly use prescription medications for ADHD to those that don't. The study in question spanned over a 20 year period and included over 9,000 Finnish children studied by UCLA researchers.

The crux of the study was that in populations where medication is rarely prescribed to treat ADHD, the prevalence and symptoms of the disorder is roughly equivalent to populations where medication is widely used.

As you know ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) revolves around the primary symptom of inattention with a dash of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior thrown in from time to time. In adolescents, ADHD is generally associated with cognitive defects, most notably with working memory and inhibition, which is linked to overall intelligence and academic achievement. According to Susan Smalley (UCLA psychiatry professor) who headed this ground breaking study these deficits are only present in about half of adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Part of this might be explained away in the general diagnostic evaluation process which relies on medical professional to make a judgment call as to what actually constitutes cognitive impairment.

The study also found that children with cognitive defects don't show increased levels of inattention or hyperactivity when compared to other children diagnosed with ADHD.

But the real kicker in this study had to do with the effectiveness of medicine in treating the disorder. When children from Finland which rarely use prescription ADHD meds were compared with children from the United States who regularly take ADHD meds no difference was found in the "look" of the disorder - its prevalence, symptoms, co-existing conditions, and cognition.

In conclusion, this study raises serious doubts as to the efficacy of prescription ADHD medications and is sure to be ignored by many doctors who have a deep set believe in their effectiveness. Nevertheless, parents should know there are a number of safe and effective alternatives worth considering if the information in this study concerns them. A couple of highly regarded examples would be homeopathic ADHD remedies along with cognitive behavioral therapy.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To discover more about ADHD along with information about a safe and effective herbal and homeopathic ADHD remedies Click Here

Original article

Homeopathic Remedies for ADD - Treating ADHD Naturally

Homeopathic remedies for ADD are alternative treatments. While Ritalin and other stimulants are still the treatment of choice, there is no evidence that medications of any kind improve educational, occupational or social function in the long-term.

The medications are often helpful initially. Sometimes it is necessary to calm down, before other therapeutic approaches can be initiated. But, the medications are not without risk, some of which are life threatening.

The homeopath's approach helps the child or adult to calm down without causing any unwanted side effects. There are no risks associated with the natural treatments, simply because of the way they are designed.

The homeopath's approach is actually similar to the pharmaceutical approach. Stimulant medications have a calming effect on children and adults with attention deficit disorders for unknown reasons.

In a person without attention deficit, stimulants would cause fidgeting and other hyperactive behaviors. The drugs would make it difficult to stay seated. Outbursts and excessive talking would also be caused by stimulant therapy.

Outbursts, excessive talking, difficulty sitting still, fidgeting and hyperactive behavior are common symptoms of attention deficit disorders. It seems contradictory that something that would cause those behaviors in a healthy person would soothe the person with those symptoms. But they work in most cases.

Homeopathic remedies for ADD are similar in that the compounds the solutions contain would cause symptoms in a healthy individual. But in a person with attention deficit disorders they are soothing.

The whole basis of homeopathy is treating "like with like". All of the treatments are based on the idea that a compound that would cause symptoms in a healthy person can effectively be used to treat the symptoms in one who is unhealthy.

The main difference between homeopathic remedies for ADD and stimulant medications is that the stimulating compounds are present in very, very low quantities. In fact, a scientific examination of the solutions using the methods currently available would show there was no detectable level of the compound.

That is why they do not cause side effects. That is why they are completely safe.

In years to come as detection methods improve, it may be possible to see exactly the concentration of the active component. Currently, many scientists view homeopathy as unscientific, because they cannot determine how the treatments work.

Yet, they consider pharmaceuticals scientific, even though we do not know how most of them work. There are only theories about the mode of action of most prescription drugs.

Homeopathic remedies for ADD can be purchased in the US without a prescription. There are no warning labels concerning behaviors to watch for. There are only directions about how much and how often the dose should be repeated.

It is important to remember that the treatment is not a cure for attention deficit disorders. Many of these problems resolve with time. Some continue into college or adulthood.

Children may be able to learn how to control their own behavior while taking homeopathic remedies for ADD. If their problems do not lessen with time, they have a lifetime of coping mechanisms to help them through the day.

Gaby Dekker-Jones raised 2 boys who were diagnosed with ADD. She has done extensive research on the wide variety treatment options, paying special attention to natural ADHD treatments.

To help other parents she has started a website. To learn more visit http://addnaturaltreatment.com/

Original article