Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant medications for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if possible, a growing need for the development of alternative treatments for ADD ADHD has developed over the past twenty years. Although there are many products that claim to help any child with ADD ADHD, the truth is that there are only a few non-medication treatments for attention deficit disorder that have actually undergone even the simplest of clinical trials. Most alternative treatments have never been carefully studied to determine their effectiveness in the real world.
Our four favorite non-medication treatments for attention deficit disorder have been studied in the real world. They are Behavior Modification therapy, the Nutraceutical medicines called "Attend" and "Extress," Brainwave Biofeedback training, and Eating or Diet Interventions.
Counseling can have positive benefits under certain circumstances, such as the skill of the therapist in working with ADD ADHD individuals. Most therapists have little experience working with this population.
"Attend" and "Extress" are excellent alternatives to prescription stimulant medications. They are very complex formulas, engineered to optimize brain functioning in individuals experiencing problems with attention, impulse control, temper, paying attention, or over-activity.
EEG Biofeedback training, also called Neurofeedback, is about a twenty year old technology. With the continuing development of faster and faster computers it has become a viable alternative treatment for attention deficit disorder. There is a great deal of research on EEG Biofeedback which you should read if you are at all interested. The EEG Spectrum web site for great information on this treatment option.
Eating programs, or diet interventions, may also have some positive impact on individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although we do not feel that this intervention is as effective as either the Attend and Extress, or EEG Biofeedback training, we do believe that every individual with ADHD should try a diet intervention.
Many individuals with ADD ADHD will also benefit from nutritional supplements. The most effective are probably Essential Fatty Acids (Omega Oils) and certain minerals such as Zinc. The essential fatty acids are found in the "Attend" nutraceutical. They can also be found in Flax Seed Oil or Borage Oil. They can also be found in fish, and you can simply feed your child more tuna fish.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Fish Oil's Powerful Abilities Against ADD or ADHD
Does your child have problems concentrating or remaining on an activity? Impulsive? Then your child probably has a specific learning difficulty called Attention-deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD).
Autism and ADHD Linked to Child Vaccines
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.
What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a medical condition. It is caused by genetic factors that result in certain neurological differences.
7 Tips For Surviving Back-2-School With An ADHD Child
Back-2-School can be a challenging time, for parents and students alike. But for families living with ADHD it can prove particularly trying. One of the often overlooked facts about this is that it doesn?t go away after elementary, middle, or even high school. Families dealing with ADHD often battle Back-2-School challenges throughout their school career, even through college. What follows are 7 things that will help you survive the Back-2-School season and even come out ahead! (These are written for the parent but can be adapted for the student or even the teacher very easily)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Neurologically Based
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurologically based disorder.
This position has become controversial as many would like to dismiss the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder altogether saying that there is no evidence of neurological differences, or that there are no medical tests to diagnose ADD ADHD, or that the diagnostic criteria is too broad.
The Neurology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Part One
What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?The most recent models describing what is happening in the brains of people with Attention Deficit Disorder suggest that several areas of the brain may be affected by the disorder. These impacted areas include the frontal lobes, the inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex, the limbic system, and the reticular activating system.
The What and Hows of ADD/ADHD in Children
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and unfortunately most of its causes are unknown. It can persist through adolescence and into adulthood.
PsychoGenics Announces Positive Phase-IIa for Its First-in-Class Partial 5-HT1A ? 5-HT1B Receptor Agonist in ADHD : Statistically Significant Reduct
PsychoGenics Inc. today announced positive data from its randomized, placebo controlled, multicenter, Phase IIa trial of eltoprazine, the company?s lead partial 5-HT1A ? 5-HT1B receptor agonist, in adult patients with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The primary objective of the exploratory study was to compare the effects of two doses of eltoprazine with placebo in a cross-over design on the symptoms of ADHD in adults using the total scores from the ADHD Rating Scale-Version IV.
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, Part Five
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
Stress Can Create Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder
Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and produce physical, mental and emotional symptoms weakening the immune system and impairing coordination and thinking ability. Stress comes from relationships, from school or work situations, and from our own expectations.
Results of VYVANSE (Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate) Pivotal Trial in Adult ADHD Presented at Major Scientific Meeting
All doses of VYVANSE studied demonstrated significant efficacy within one week of daily treatment.
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part three
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
Appropriate ADHD Medication For Child - Meds For ADHD Child
Dealing and treating with children suffering from ADHD everyday, I engage a number of parents many of which are despondent about their childs condition, and more often than not, I end up offering consoling and emotional support to the parents than the children. They would often as on what is the best medication for an adhd child. It is a parents nightmare that their child should suffer and be in pain, but such parents forget one very crucial fact with ADHD: it is a readily treatable and curable condition.
Is There Truth In The Television Adhd Connection?
The question about the television ADHD connection has been around for a while, and different studies seem to suggest different answers. However a recent study carried out last year on kindergartners suggests that television is not to blame for ADHD symptoms.
Callin All Parents Who Are Looking For Information On ADHD
It can be hard to find good information on ADHD. We have a society that is so quick to Medicate, after all, that often other solutions are ignored. Don't get me wrong, ADHD medication can be very helpful for a lot of people. Whether you suffer from adult ADHD, ADD, or childhood attention deficit disorder, there are many medical options to choose from. Nonetheless, there has been some evidence that taking Ritalin in the long term is not very good for the health. It is easy to pop a pill, of course, but it is not the only solution. There is information on ADHD that indicates that there are other, perhaps better choices.