Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complicated behavioral disorder that affects 3 to 5 percent of school-age children—90 percent of whom are boys. ADHD is a biological disorder caused by irregularities in brain chemistry and it usually continues throughout life. Diagnosis is difficult particularly in adults because symptoms are similar to those seen in other illnesses. In order to be classified as ADHD symptoms must have appeared before the age of 7 years and must be causing significant disruption across several settings such as at home school or socially for at least six months.

Signs and Symptoms

The following are indications of a person with ADHD.

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
• Easily distracted when playing or doing tasks
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to
• Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work
• Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Avoids or dislikes tasks that require a lot of concentration
• Loses things; forgetful
• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat; leaves seat
• Runs or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations restless
• Difficulty playing quietly
• Acts as if "driven by a motor;" acts without thinking first
• Talks excessively
• Blurts out answers before questions are completed
• Has a hard time waiting for a turn; interrupts others

What Causes It?

ADHD is not caused by poor parenting poor teachers too much television or excess sugar. The following are some likely causes.

• Biological factors having to do with brain activity
• Environmental factors including low birth weight lack of oxygen (hypoxia) at birth and fetal exposure to toxins such as lead or mercury alcohol cocaine and nicotine.
• Children of fathers with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD.
• Nutritional factors; many specialists believe allergies to food food colorings or additives or sugar as well as low levels of certain vitamins and other nutrients can cause or aggravate symptoms.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your child's provider will ask for a detailed history from you and others who spend time with the child and will review your child's report cards for comments on behavior. He or she may also spend time observing your child in a comfortable setting such as a playroom.

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

Treatment works best when drugs and behavioral therapies are used together. Behavioral therapies may include any of the following.

• Rewarding good behavior instead of punishing bad
• Specific and positive incentives or rewards
• Exercises and activities to improve learning deficits
• Individualized education plans for children with ADHD
• Avoiding food allergies
• A set schedule of work and play times

Drug Therapies

Prescription

• Drugs that reduce hyperactivity—such as Ritalin Dexedrine and Cylert
• Antidepressants—for severe symptoms and low self-esteem

Over the Counter

N/A

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Many parents seek alternative treatment for ADHD because of concerns with the effects of chronic drug therapy in young children. Some but not all children respond dramatically to dietary changes. The doses listed are for children. For adults increase the dose by 1 1/2 to 2 times.

Nutrition

• Essential fatty acids help regulate inflammation and nervous irritability. Reduce animal fats and increase fish and vegetable oil intake especially olive and grapeseed oils. A mix of omega-6 (evening primrose) and omega-3 (flaxseed) may be best (2 tbsp. oil per day or 1 000 to 1 500 mg twice per day). For children under 10 cod liver oil may be the most effective (1 tsp. per day).
• Foods containing salicylates (almonds apples berries tomatoes oranges) may be another dietary factor affecting ADHD. A possible mechanism is related to prostaglandin metabolism. Common food sensitivities are dairy corn wheat soy and eggs.
• Vitamins: C (1 000 mg twice per day) E (400 IU per day) B-complex (50 to 100 mg per day)
• Minerals: Calcium/magnesium (250 to 500 mg per day) especially before bed

Herbs

Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules powders teas) glycerites (glycerine extracts) or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day.

• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): mild sedative relieves spasms
• Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia): mild sedative and blood purifier
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): reduces swelling and spasms
• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): relieves nervous gastrointestinal complaints
• Linden (Tilia cordata): mild sedative antispasmodic
• Catnip (Nepeta cataria): helps you relax and relieves spasms
• Kava kava (Piper methysticum): anti-anxiety

A combination of four to six of the above herbs (1 cup tea two to three times per day or 30 to 60 drops tincture) can be helpful.

Homeopathy

Some of the more common remedies for ADHD are listed below.

• Chamomilla for a person who is irritable and easily distracted
• Arsenicum album for anxiety especially with stomach pains and insomnia or restless sleep
• Argentum nitricum for anxious children that may be very cheerful

Acupuncture

Adults and some children respond well to acupuncture to treat ADHD.

Massage

Parents can be taught massage techniques to use on their children.

Special Considerations

ADHD can affect people throughout their lives. A team approach to care and emotional support is necessary to help you cope with its impact.

Supporting Research

Balch JF Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Garden City Park NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1997.

Bartram T. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Dorset England: Grace Publishers; 1995:270 238.

Blumenthal M ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Boston Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:160 107.

Gruenwald J Brendler T et al eds. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale NJ: Medical Economics Company; 1998:929 961–963 967–968 991–992 1015–1016.

Morrison R. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Albany Calif: Hahnemann Clinic Publishing; 1993:33–36 39–44 115–117.

Murray MT Pizzorno JE. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rocklin Calif: Prima Publishing; 1998:372–377.

Werbach M. Nutritional Influences on Illness. New Canaan Conn: Keats Publishing; 1988:221–226.

Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application use or misuse of any of the information contained herein including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability negligence or otherwise. No warranty expressed or implied is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor pharmacist nurse or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage precautions warnings interactions and contraindications before administering any drug herb or supplement discussed herein.