Children With ADD/ADHD: A Naturopathic Approach

Are you a frustrated parent with a stressed child who has ADD/ADHD? Are you wondering what ways you have to treat your child besides stimulant drugs? A natural approach may be what you’re looking for: it is safe, effective and creates long-lasting health.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and with Hyperactivity (ADHD) are commonly diagnosed for school children, even preschoolers. The diagnosis is common but symptoms vary: some are destructive, aggressive and violent while others are generally considerate but can’t focus for long periods. Individualizing the treatment is the key to helping children with any chronic behavior and learning problems, and is particularly important with ADD/ADHD as there are various causes for their behavior and learning challenges.

As naturopathic physicians, we find diet and nutrition is very important in affecting behavior. Many parents report their child’s behavior is much worse after a sugar or junk food binge or if a meal is late. Blood sugar fluctuations from hypoglycemia need to be tested and can be balanced by diet sources of protein or by improving digestion. Some children have sensitivities to food additives, preservatives and artificial colors while others are significantly improved by avoiding their food allergies, which can be detected by a simple finger stick blood test that can be done at home. For the children that this is a cause, it is amazing to see the changes in behavior and learning after removing food allergies. Nutrient deficiencies can be associated with ADD, such as DHA, an essential fatty acid commonly found in fish and available as fish oil pills.

We often use constitutional homeopathy as it takes into account the diversity of symptoms and personalities; to treat the child as a unique, whole being, connecting the mind and body. Our goal is to strengthen their constitution and restore health by treating the causes of illness, not just covering up symptoms. Compliance isn’t a problem because children, and parents, appreciate that the medicine tastes good and is easy to take. The cost is modest and the effects are long-lasting. Homeopathy is a 200 year old system of medicine. The medicines are prepared in homeopathic pharmacies, mostly from fresh plants and minerals. Also, homeopathy doesn’t have the side effects of prescription drugs, making it safe even for pregnant women and newbo
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There are other natural approaches that balance a child’s overactive nervous system such as herbal medicine and bodywork. Herbs can be used to calm the nervous system and balance the chemistry in the brain, helping children with focus and clarity. These plants are tailored to the specific needs of the child. There is bodywork such as craniosacral therapy, which is a light-touch approach of healing that releases connective tissue tension in the body, calms and decreases stress in the central nervous system which, over time, reduces hyperactivity.

Other possible causes that should be considered are toxins, such as heavy metals, that can collect in the brain or nervous system. They can be detected by a painless hair analysis test. Brain toxins are suspected especially if symptoms occurred or worsened shortly after a vaccination, or if your child has dental amalgam fillings. There are herbal and nutritional ways to help the body detoxify and remove toxins.

Naturopathic medicine uses a comprehensive individualized approach to find the causes of behavior problems and find solutions that lead to profound improvement in your child’s home and school life. Ease your frustrations and look to nature to nurture your child. n