ADHD Treatment

The goal of ADHD treatment is to reduce the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There are different ways to treat these symptoms. Prescription medication, behavioral therapy, and natural remedies are all common ways to help treat ADHD. In the United States, the criteria for diagnosing ADHD is relatively broad which has resulted in the increase of prescription medication consumption (see Disorder NOT Disease). With the dangerous side effects and habit forming tendency of prescription drugs, many ADHD patients are looking to drug-free treatments. You might be surprised to find out how effective natural remedies can be.


Prescription Medication


Stimulants: These medications have been very effective in treating the symptoms on ADHD. Ritalin, Concerta, Dextrostat, Adderall, and Vyvanse are all stimulant drugs used to treat the disorder. Stimulants are the most common medications prescribed to ADHD patients. Although they are effective, they come with a long list of dangerous side effects, and can be habit forming. 


Nonstimulants: Strattera (see Adderall vs Strattera) and Intuniv are two nonstimulants used to treat ADHD. One advantage of nonstimulants is the low risk of abuse or dependence. They work with brain chemicals to reduce the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Although they are not habit forming, they do have other dangerous side effects.


Anti-depressants: These are also used to treat all three symptoms of ADHD. Anti-depressants can be an effective option for patients who have not found success with other prescription drugs. They are also an alternative for patients who experience harmful side effects with stimulant drugs, even though they come with their own list of side effects. 


Behavioral Therapy


Behavioral therapy for ADHD can be used with or without prescription medicine. Parents work with a behavioral therapist in order to set goals and establish boundaries for their child. Personal goals will vary with each individual child. They may be related to school work, home life, or social situations. It is important to provide ADHD children with an environment that provides rewards for good behavior and consequences for negative behavior. It is important to be clear with these family rules, and consistently follow through with consequences. 


Behavioral therapy can be an effective ADHD treatment with or without medicine. Consult your doctor for advice. 


Natural Remedies


Diet and nutritional supplements are two common natural remedies used to treat ADHD. The goal of these treatments is to maximize brain health. 


Dieting for ADHD patients involves two things: consuming foods that reduce symptoms, and eliminating foods that make symptoms worse. Adding protein, complex carbohydrates, and Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce symptoms of ADHD. It is also helpful to reduce intake of simple carbohydrates like sugar and white flour. Preservatives and food coloring are also believed to make ADHD symptoms worse. Work with your doctor to come up with and individualized diet plan.


Supplementing your diet may be a good way to help treat ADHD symptoms. Some ingredients used are Ginko Biloba, Brahmi, Centella Asiatica, and Siberian Ginseng. There are a number of supplements on the market that have combined these and other ingredients. Watch for "spotlight" posts that report on the effectiveness of these treatments. Also check the natural remedies section for more details. 




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