Natural Help for
ADHD
Getting to the root of behavioral problems,
medication-free.
by Nancy Buono
PARENTGUIDE
News May 2006
There’s a new epidemic in the U.S.—
the ADHD epidemic. Use of ADHD medication
has increased by 311 percent for 15 to 19
year olds over the past 15 years, while use
among children ages 5 to 14 years has risen
by 170 percent, according to research by the
Journal of the American Medical Association.
In 1970, 150,000 children were treated for
ADHD. Today, the number stands between six
and eight million— a full 12-18 percent
of U.S. schoolchildren. In the past three
years alone, spending on children’s
drugs for ADHD and depression has soared by
77 percent.
The United States uses 90 percent of the world’s
Ritalin supply. Consumers Union, publisher
of Consumer Reports, claims stimulant drugs
are being used to treat ADHD in millions of
American youngsters who do not have the disorder.
Meanwhile, in rural areas and foreign countries
including New Zealand, Hong Kong and Great
Britain only four percent of all school-age
children meet the diagnostic criteria for
ADHD, says the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. Is it possible that as Americans
we are overmedicating our children? As you
face the statistics, you may want to consider
the use medication-free alternatives to treat
behavioral problems.
What is ADHD and do so many of our kids really
have it? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
is a label to diagnose children or adults
with significant problems of inattention,
hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. Kids can
often blurt things out without thinking first,
jump from one task to another or become disorganized
and forgetful. But before labeling a child
with ADHD, specialists look for all of the
following key criteria in behavior:
•Problems that commence before age 7.
•Problems that last for at least six
months.
•Problems occurring continuously in
multiple settings (not just the classroom).
•Behaviors that create a real handicap
in at least two areas of the child’s
life— home, school, play, social situations
or community settings.
These criteria are extremely significant.
Many other situations can cause ADHD-like
symptoms, including a sudden change in the
child’s life (death, divorce, moving),
seizures, middle ear infections, vision problems,
spinal misalignment, underachievement, anxiety
and depression. Make sure that your child
meets all the criteria and is not medicated
simply for being an active, impulsive tween
or teen.
While medications can be effective and beneficial
in some cases, the costs and risks remain
high. Pharmacological treatments include stimulants
(Ritalin, Concerta), amphetamines (Dexedrine,
Adderall), and inhibitors (Prozac, Zoloft,
Paxil, Straterra). Some studies link Ritalin
to drug dependency in later years. Inhibitors
recently received black box warnings from
the FDA, due to an increase in suicidal thinking.
Specifically, the FDA warns that children
should be closely monitored for agitation,
irritability and suicidal thinking or tendencies.
Other drug side effects include seizures,
cardiac problems, psychosis, aggression, hostility,
anxiety and hallucinations. Most importantly,
doctors agree that while medications minimize
symptoms, they do not cure ADHD and are not
for everyone.
When we were kids, playing outdoors was the
norm. For the most part, we did not plant
ourselves for hours in front of a TV or computer
screen, get dropped at daycare for 12 hours,
dine on fast food and go to bed late. Could
these lifestyle changes influence ADHD behaviors?
A 2004 study published in Pediatrics found
that the amount of time spent watching TV
correlates with the chance of developing attention
problems by age 7. TV and video games alter
brain waves, creating more alpha waves and
a light hypnotic state. One ADHD symptom is
lack of focus and concentration. Psychoanalyst
Bruno Bettelheim suggests that television
retards social skills, another ADHD symptom.
And, some researchers warn that early childhood
learning programs such as Sesame Street actually
create “over-stimulation and frenetic
behavior.”
Every hour spent in front of a television
or computer screen is spent indoors. We should
have enough common sense to realize that outdoor
activity is healthy. Just in case we don’t,
research actually exists on the power of outdoor
play. What was once considered typical outdoor
play time is now, according to the American
Journal of Public Health, a treatment for
ADHD. Being outside in natural settings for
afterschool and weekend activities reduces
attention deficit symptoms in children.
Does the frenetic schedule we maintain with
our kids also influence their behavior? A
hectic lifestyle does increase stress, which
lowers dopamine levels in the brain, and kids
with ADHD demonstrate lower dopamine levels.
In addition, lack of sleep makes us irritable,
unable to concentrate and more easily affected
by stress. Overtired tweens and teens don’t
politely yawn and go to bed; instead, they
become hyperactive, cranky and irritable,
more ADHD symptoms.
Increasing research supports natural alternatives
in place of ADHD medications as effective
and safe. Actually, 64 percent of families
currently utilize some sort of nonprescription
therapy.
The most basic natural therapy is diet. Cutting
down on fast food represents a healthy choice
for all family members. Sugar, salt, additives
and hydrogenated fat are the leading components
in fast food. Sugar, chocolate, colors/additives/flavors,
eggs, milk, wheat and corn can produce symptoms
mimicking ADHD. Just think of your kids on
Halloween. Low sugar consumption is especially
critical, because children with ADHD also
display decreased levels of adrenal hormones
to regulate low blood sugar. Their uncontrolled
drop in blood sugar decreases brain activity,
and they then unconsciously compensate by
becoming physically hyperactive to force their
exhausted adrenals into producing more hormones.
In 2005, researchers reported that when food
colorings and preservatives were removed from
children’s diets, the ADHD symptoms
of 1,800 3 year olds decreased, only to increase
again when the additives were reintroduced.
Evidence also supports food allergy testing
for ADHD cases.
Food supplements can help, too. Alternative
Medicine Review reported in August 2003 that
food supplement treatment for ADHD is as effective
as Ritalin. Several studies demonstrate that
kids with ADHD are deficient in minerals,
especially magnesium, zinc and iron. Zinc
helps regulate fatty acids and neurotransmitters,
including dopamine.
Because ADHD is related to brain activity,
it only makes sense to feed the brain. The
human brain is 60 percent fat. This does not
imply eat more french fries, however. Protein
and essential fatty acids are, in fact, essential.
Children low in essential fatty acid levels
display excessive thirst, frequent urination,
dry skin/hair, as well as more temper tantrums
and problems with behavior, learning, immune
function and sleep. Cold water fish (salmon,
tuna), eggs, flaxseed and nuts are smart dietary
choices to spur brain activity. A healthy
diet coupled with a good children’s
multivitamin supports kids’ nutritional
needs.
Remember your family’s emotional needs.
Take parenting classes and attend counseling
sessions to better support your child. Learn
behavioral interventions to create structure
for your child— ADHD kids function better
with clear instructions and rules. And read
up on nonprescription solutions to curbing
ADHD.
Research conducted at Penn State Hershey Medical
Center in 2002 showed Bach Flower Essences
and Rescue Remedy effective in managing the
symptoms of ADHD. These natural remedies improve
focus, concentration and self-esteem while
alleviating stress, worry and anxiety without
side effects or drug interactions. A multidisciplinary
approach is key— medical, psychological,
nutritional and complementary care. With this
multi-pronged approach, we may find ourselves
utilizing drugs for four percent or less of
our kids, not 15 percent.
We all know it takes a village to raise a
child. Develop your village. Locate specialists
who will take the time to properly diagnose
and treat your child as a complete human being—
caring for your child’s body, mind and
spirit.
Nancy Buono is an international wellness
educator and consultant. She is the director
of the Bach International Education Program
in North America and a Bach Flower practitioner
with over 20 years experience. Buono is also
the mother of five children. Reach her at
www.livingenrichment.com or (631)563-5007.
