Part #2 ADHD : Herbal and natural treatments for an intriguing kind of mind.

The history of ADHD / ADD.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental behavioural disorder, or that is how it is classified anyway. It becomes noticeable in some pre-school children or early on in school years. Many children struggle to control their behaviour and have difficulty paying attention. In the USA the National Institute of Mental Health estimates 3-5% of all American children have ADHD – so in a class of 25-30 there would be at least 1 child likely to have ADHD. Although Harvard researcher Joseph Biederman puts the estimate at around 10%. Interestingly 4 out 5 children with ADHD are boys.

30 to 40% of children will grow out of AHD at puberty, but 60% will continue having to cope with this into adulthood and there is no apparent cure. Of those with ADHD, learning disabilities, Tourette’s anxiety, depression and bipolar are all much more common than in the rest of the population.

Symptoms:

Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity – all with potential to disrupt school life, relationships and home life. Children may have difficulty in time keeping, keeping their mind on track for more than a few minutes and forgetfulness. Positives are that when presented with something that really interests them their focus can be better than those without ADHD. Hyperactivity is common – children in constant motion and eternally restless. Children and adults will do things which have immediate rewards rather the put in more effort for a greater but delayed reward.

Diagnosis:

There is no definite test for ADHD, instead diagnosis by a professional is made based on a number of criteria. The DSMIV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) defines 18 symptoms, of which 6 must be present for diagnosis of ADHD and it defines 3 different behavioural patterns:

• Inattentive type (inattention symptoms)
• Hyperactive type (impulsive and hyperactive symptoms)
• Combined Inattentive / Hyperactive type

Symptoms must be demonstrated to a degree inappropriate for the person’s age, appear early in life (prior to age 7) and present a handicap to normal life.

Diagnoses must be by a professional – for example psychiatrist, family physician, neurologist, psychologist, etc. The professional must first rule out other causes and symptoms and they will then interview the child’s teachers, parents and those that know the child well. For adults it can be more difficult and often it is necessary to go back through the person’s childhood history to establish behavioural patterns.

Part #3 to follow

• Effects of brain formation in children.
• Physiological problems causing inadequate nutrient absorption.
• Blood sugar and how this effects ADHD / ADD.
• Food additives and toxic exposure.
• Stress and lifestyle influences on ADHD / ADD
• Conventional treatments.
• Plant based treatments.
• Vitamin supplements and ADHD and ADD.
• How to structure learning.
• Ideal jobs for those with ADHD / ADD.
• Any other related topics I stumble across!
• Case study.

 

References:

http://www.additudemag.com/
Ohlone Herbal Centre: ADHD by Daniel Burton
Gingko Biloba by Dr Desmond Corrigan
University of Maryland University
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthy_kids

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ADHD : Herbal and Natural Treatments for an intriguing kind of mind. Part #1

Learn with me as I investigate natural and nutritional remedies for ADHD.

My youngest son (age 14) is fidgety, has a low attention span and when homework gets too tricky he has almost fit like moments where he visibly can’t cope with taking any more information in. Recent educational reports checking for dyslexia have revealed that he also has, what they call ‘slow processing speed’. An awful way to describe a child’s mind.

I worry about him as he struggles to learn due to his difficulty in retaining information. We have to watch educational videos explaining topics, read out loud, write notes, act them out, draw pictures and then maybe it will sink in… for a while anyway.

I am reluctant to take him to the doctor as the chances are they will suggest some awful drug, so I have started to research diet and vitamins to see if I can help him in a natural way.

Whilst doing research for his fidgety symptoms, Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and kept cropping up (ADD and ADHD). I had of course heard about these disorders but never really considered this may be the problem, or really understood what it was but the more I read about them the more I feel this maybe what I am dealing with.

As I research this extensive topic, I realise this is a very common problem and I would like to share my learnings with other parents to help them understand and to help them support their child as they learn and grow. The same findings are of course also interesting for adults.

There is so much to cover, way too much for this one blog so I will be writing a series of blogs over the coming months to explain:

• What is ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
• The history of ADHD / ADD.
• Effects of brain formation in children.
• Physiological problems causing inadequate nutrient absorption.
• Blood sugar and how this effects ADHD / ADD.
• Food additives and toxic exposure.
• Stress and lifestyle influences on ADHD / ADD
• Conventional treatments.
• Plant based treatments.
• Vitamin supplements and ADHD and ADD.
• How to structure learning.
• Ideal jobs for those with ADHD / ADD.
• Any other related topics I stumble across!
• Case study.
• Conclusion.

Whilst learning about this and trying to offer my son the best help I can give him, if you have similar experiences or are frustrated with conventional treatments for ADHD / ADD, please do get in touch. Together we can learn about how to manage this intriguing mind to get the best out of our children so they can be free to be the best they can be.

What is ADHD / ADD

Originally called ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), more recently named Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). More children on the late 20^th and 21^st Century have been diagnosed with this than in any other time. Many are put on medication for unruly and unmanageable behaviour, some as young as 3 years old are being treated with stimulant medications. In 1997 90% of Ritalin was consumed in the USA .

ADHD is classified as a neurological disorder. People diagnosed tend to be more creative, novelty seeking types. In the book ‘Delivered by Distraction’ by Edward Hallowel, MD writes that when symptoms impair a person’s life it is a disorder, when managed one can take advantage of the many unique gifts and talents.

Mainstream view tends to enhance the negative aspects but as Halloweel pointed out the more the negatives are highlighted, there becomes secondary problems – shame, embarrassment, down heartedness. He explains we should focus on the positives – originality, energy, charisma, creativity. Having said that ADHD does bring with it tendencies that make coping with modern life harder, which can bring distress, and it is this that worries me.

 

Part #2 to follow

• The history of ADHD / ADD.
• Effects of brain formation in children.
• Physiological problems causing inadequate nutrient absorption.
• Blood sugar and how this effects ADHD / ADD.
• Food additives and toxic exposure.
• Stress and lifestyle influences on ADHD / ADD
• Conventional treatments.
• Plant based treatments.
• Vitamin supplements and ADHD and ADD.
• How to structure learning.
• Ideal jobs for those with ADHD / ADD.
• Any other related topics I stumble across!
• Case study.
• Conclusion.

References:

http://www.additudemag.com/
Ohlone Herbal Centre: ADHD by Daniel Burton
Gingko Biloba by Dr Desmond Corrigan
http://adhdisnotafourletterword.blogspot.co.uk/
University of Maryland University

Beautiful thoughts

This is incredible, people in Japan thinking beautiful thoughts about a bottle of water in the US and the crystals formed are prettier than in the other bottles that the thoughts were not directed at.

Quantum University presents the 2015 World Summit of Integrative Medicine, featuring world-renowned speakers discussing Entangled Minds.