Managing ADHD Naturally

March 4th, 2013 by Loretta Lanphier, NP, BCTN, CN, CH, HHP

Managing ADHD Naturally

Most everyone knows children who seem to be unable to sit still for more than a few seconds. They are constantly operating at a level of intensity that can wear us out just watching them!  While some of this can be written off to “youthful exuberance,” in some cases it seems that it goes beyond the norms of a high-energy child. And what about the guy at the office that never seems to be able to settle down and concentrate on the task at hand? He jumps from one thing to the next, and never completes anything he takes on. He seems to be a very bright man, but what causes all of these patterns that drive him and everybody else a little crazy? Both of these individuals could be suffering from a psychological disorder known as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic development disorder, or group of disorders, that begins in childhood and may carry on into adult life for many people. It is associated with impulsive behaviors, distractibility, inability to focus on tasks, and hyperactivity. ADHD can have negative effects on many aspects of life, including self-image, interpersonal relationships, and school or work performance.

ADHD is currently the preferred term for this illness, but it has gone by other names such as hyperkinetic disorder (HKD), attention-deficit disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, and minimal brain dysfunction. ADHD may appear in toddlers as young as 2 or 3, even though it is difficult to definitively identify at that age. It is estimated that ADHD affects nearly 9% of all U.S. children (1), and approximately 50% of cases remain active into the patient’s adult years. Hyperactivity seems to dissipate for most people as they enter adulthood, but impulsive tendencies and inattention problems typically remain, and may even worsen. ADHD is much more common in boys than in girls. In order to warrant a legitimate diagnosis of ADHD, even in adults, the symptoms must have been present before the age of seven.

oxy-powder-colon-cleanser

What are the Symptoms of ADHD?

The typical symptoms of ADHD are generally put into three main classifications:  Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Many of these are shared by both children and adults, with a few noticeable differences. Kids generally exhibit the following:

  1. Inattention
    1. Easily distracted
    2. Difficulty staying focused on tasks or activities
    3. Easily bored
    4. Difficulty following directions
    5. Difficulty paying close attention to details
    6. Hard time following through and completing things they start
    7. Difficulty organizing thoughts and projects
    8. Failure to listen when spoken to
    9. Forgetful in daily activities
    10. Often loses things such as clothes, books, or toys
    11. Often avoids or procrastinates tasks that are difficult or disliked, especially multi-step projects such as school work or chores
  2. Hyperactivity
    1. Constantly moving (running, jumping, etc.).
    2. Excessive talking, shouting, singing, or laughing
    3. Climbing and running at inappropriate times
    4. Difficulty staying seated
    5. Difficulty playing quietly
    6. Boundless energy. Some kids are described as “driven by a motor”
    7. Constant fidgeting and squirming
  3. Impulsivity
    1. Interrupts or “butts” into conversations or activities
    2. Difficulty waiting his turn
    3. Blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed

The symptoms in adults with ADHD are usually a bit more subtle and internally subjective. For example, instead of running around in a frenzy, an adult patient might struggle with disorganized thoughts, or have a hard time sitting for long periods of time at the office, or may tend to interrupt others or be impatient and demanding in relationships. This can often cause problems in marriages and on the job. One of the most frustrating things that many adult ADHD patients have shared is that they often have been puzzled most of their lives by their own behavior. Nothing ever seems to go as well as hoped, and there is no apparent reason for it. Sometimes the “inattention” symptoms get worse in adults the older they get, because their lives seem to get exponentially more complicated as time goes on.

While we’re on the subject of adults with ADHD, here are a few tips that have helped some people to better cope with their illness:

  1. Be honest with your spouse about your difficulties and frustrations. An understanding mate can help you work together as a couple on communication, problem resolution, and constructively handling conflicts. Just being open and talking about your struggles can be very therapeutic.
  2. At work, be open and transparent with appropriate individuals, especially those that may be willing and able to help you deal with the issues related to your ADHD. Some people have had found certain actions to be helpful. Some suggestions are:
  • Ask for a private office, or a cubicle that’s out of the way in a quiet place
  • Repeat back instructions from your superiors so that you are clear on what they mean
  • Break up bigger projects into reachable, measurable, goals.
  • Make a to-do list, and prioritize it daily
  • Ask for organizational help or reminders from your secretary or office assistant.
  • Take breaks throughout the day; collect your thoughts and take some deep breaths.
  • Anything that you can do to reduce stress in your life is definitely going to help you deal with ADHD

What Complications can Result from ADHD?

If ADHD is not dealt with constructively, other behaviors and conditions may arise. Many of these can be avoided if there is intervention in the earlier stages of ADHD. Common complications include Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, learning disabilities, Tourette’s syndrome, depression, substance abuse and being accident prone.

intraMAX-intraMIN-intraKID

What Causes ADHD?

The exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, but some of the dynamics of the disease are becoming clearer as research continues. The most likely culprit is structural changes in the brain. Several factors have been identified:

  1. Low levels of dopamine, a chemical that is involved in transmission of messages to parts of the brain that deal with movement, attention, and motivation, are often found in ADHD patients. However, recent studies have indicated that more than a chemical imbalance is at work here. Scans show that the brains of ADHD children may have abnormal neural pathways that normally carry the messages. The combination of inadequate dopamine and dysfunctional pathways both contribute to ADHD. The triggers for these abnormalities are not yet known.
  2. Heredity plays a role as well. About 25% of all children with ADHD have a family history of the illness, and most of the time, when one identical twin is affected, the other has ADHD too.
  3. Some researchers believe that allergies to food and food additives play a role. This is controversial to some who claim that there is not sufficient clinical evidence to support such a hypothesis. However, there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence from parents who have seen definite improvement in their children with ADHD after eliminating allergens from their diets.
  4. Environmental toxins are strongly suspected to be a factor in ADHD. This includes mothers who smoked, drank, or used other drugs during pregnancy. Exposure to lead, PDBs, and other chemicals may also trigger ADHD in children.
  5. Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism can also cause children or teens to present ADHD symptoms. It’s a good idea to ask your ADHD doctor to perform all pertinent blood tests to check for the most common and sometimes uncommon medical conditions that can cause problem behavior or ADHD like behavior.

What Treatments are Available for ADHD?

The most common mainstream solution is to pump children (and adults) with drugs that are supposed to help alleviate the symptoms. I feel strongly that this is a big mistake, and a very irresponsible way for the healthcare industry to deal with ADHD.  The risks far outweigh any potential benefits as far as I am concerned. The results are often not impressive, and the side effects are frightening from many of these drugs. The list of possibilities is long, but suffice it to say that many serious complications, some of them life threatening, may result from using these medications. In addition, many of these drugs are addictive, especially in adults who generally are prescribed higher doses. Last, but not least, it gives the suggestion that “a pill” will always make everything in life seem okay.

Natural Suggestions for ADHD

  • Healthy Diet focusing on gluten-free and dairy-free; organic vegetables and fruits and the elimination of pre-packaged foods
  • Digestive tract and liver cleanse – Oxy-Powder digestive tract oxygen cleanser and Livatrex liver support
  • Address heavy metal overload – ACZnano – Chlorella – Removal of any mercury fillings
  • Parasite overload – Harmful Organism Cleanse
  • Organic, liquid multi-vitamin/mineral complex – intraKID or intraMAX
  • Max B-ND – Liquid B Complete
  • Digestive Enzymes Ultra
  • Magnesium Orotate
  • Lithium Orotate
  • Bio-D Mulsion – Vitamin D3
  • Vitality C
  • Emotional Freedom Technique – EFT
  • NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique)
  • Wild Salmon Oil or Cold-water Fish Oil
  • Change of scenery to a green surrounding. Example – Taking a walk outside when the first signs of attention fatigue are observed.  A study was done in 2004 and published in The American Journal of Health about the effect of green/natural surroundings on children with diagnosed ADHD. The objective was to observe the impact of “green” or natural settings on ADHD symptoms with children. The conclusion was that green outdoor settings appear to reduce ADHD symptoms in children across a wide range of individual, residential and case characteristics.(2)

I believe those with ADHD, both children and adults, are much better served through natural therapies such as behavior therapy, family therapy, full body cleansing and detoxification, natural supplementation, healthy diet and possibly support groups for both those who suffer with ADHD and their families. Dealing with ADHD is not easy, and at times it can be a huge burden to bear, especially as a parent of an ADHD child. But addressing the issues in an informed, compassionate manner, with the support of other knowledgeable empathetic persons, is a far better option than drugging up children with dangerous substances that do nothing to get to the behavioral roots of the concern.

References

1.  9% of US Kids Have ADHD. The Washington Post.By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter Tuesday, September 4, 2007.

2.  A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence From a National Study. Am J Public Health. 2004 September; 94(9): 1580–1586. Frances E. Kuo, PhD and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD.

Loretta Lanphier is a Naturopathic Practitioner (Traditional), Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Clinical Herbalist as well as the CEO / Founder of Oasis Advanced Wellness in The Woodlands TX. She studies and performs extensive research in health science, natural hormone balancing, anti-aging techniques, nutrition, natural medicine, weight loss, herbal remedies, non-toxic cancer support and is actively involved in researching new natural health protocols and products.  A 17 year stage 3 colon cancer survivor, Loretta is able to relate to both-sides-of-the-health-coin as patient and practitioner when it comes to health and wellness. “My passion is counseling others about what it takes to keep the whole body healthy using natural and non-toxic methods.” Read Loretta’s health testimony Cancer: The Path to Healing. Loretta is Contributor and Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.

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