Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are similar terms used to describe a group of behavioral symptoms that may include physical restlessness, impulsiveness, inattention and poor focus. Some of these symptoms are normal for kids just being kids, but for those with ADHD, this leads to poor performance in school, hindered social development and can add significant stress to the household. Other symptoms often accompany ADHD, such as behavior and conduct problems, depression and anxiety. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a lesser-known condition involving a high or low reaction to the sensations of touch, sound, taste or smell that may accompany ADHD symptoms.
What’s in a Name?
ADHD affects about 10 percent of school-age children and thanks to increased awareness of these symptoms by parents, teachers and physicians, fewer children are falling through the cracks. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can help communication between parents, schools and health professionals. For families of children with concurrent oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder, one of the greatest benefits can be the acknowledgement of the behavior as a medical condition and not the result of “poor parenting” or “lack of discipline.” Adults with ADHD also benefit from diagnosis. Contrary to the previous belief that children “outgrow” ADHD, it now appears that 50 percent of those diagnosed in childhood are still symptomatic in adulthood. This can contribute negatively to occupational performance.
Drug Treatment
Conventional medical treatment usually consists of stimulant drugs (Ritalin), a non-stimulant drug (Strattera) or anti-depressive drugs (Bupropion) targeting neurotransmitters that alter our brain chemistry to help control impulses, mood and increase attention. Some patients experience great benefits from these medications, but other effects of drug therapy must also be considered. Anti-depressant drugs cannot be stopped abruptly and require the supervision of a doctor to safely stop or change to a different therapy. Therefore, this tends to be a long-term treatment and patient compliance is important. There has been debate over whether Ritalin treatment increases the risk of future alcohol and substance abuse disorders. At worst, patients could be trading one mental health condition for another. A less controversial topic is the abuse of Ritalin by patients dispersing their prescriptions to others for recreational use or for use as a study-aid. Research at a German University showed that in the previous year, 20 percent of students had used someone else’s prescription drug to help them study. This doesn’t take into account those using stimulants to “get high.” Also, misuse of stimulant drugs greatly increases the risk of adverse effects. Adverse reactions to ADHD medications include liver damage, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, stunted growth and suicidal ideation. Though prescribing practices have not changed since the FDA announced these recent warnings, the risks and benefits should be weighed based on individual needs and non-drug treatments should be given consideration.
Naturopathic Care
Naturopathic treatments focus on modifying environmental triggers that contribute to symptoms and supporting normal brain and nervous system function. Numerous studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) plus medication improves ADHD symptoms greater than medication alone. Therapy can also help address low self-esteem and create a positive family dynamic that supports social development. Diet modification and the identification of nutritional deficiencies can be very beneficial in managing symptoms. Food intolerances (sensitivities) are non-allergy reactions to food in the body, which cause symptoms that range from belching and bloating to migraine headaches, mood and behavior changes. Foods commonly associated with ADHD are food additives, preservatives and dyes, sugars and milk or dairy products. Further, tartrazine (yellow dye #5) is a common food dye that was shown to have a strong effect on the brain of mice. It impaired memory, learning responses and increased inflammation was observed in brain tissue. Tartrazine also decreases function of the body’s protective antioxidant systems that may lead to mild ongoing damage to brain cells. Food intolerances and additives are not the cause of ADHD but elimination of offending foods from the diet can significantly decrease symptoms. This also presents an opportunity for the entire family to reap the benefit of transitioning to a predominantly whole food-based diet that decreases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer while it promotes successful integration of therapeutic diet modification to maintain mood and behavior benefit. Appropriate individualized supplementation with essential fatty acids, zinc or amino acids has also been shown effective in placebo-controlled trials and has minimal side effects.
While medications can be an important part of treatment, naturopathic care bridges multiple disciplines to provide gentle, effective long-term support as part of an individualized approach to the management of ADHD. FBN
By Dr. Michael Knapp, NMD. Root Natural Health.
For more information, or to book an appointment at Root Natural Health, contact 928-637-6795 or visit us online at www.rootnaturalhealth.com
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