My 7 year old son has just been diagnosed with ADHD and we are not really to keen on the whole medication issue. We have tried for about 2 years with the behavior modification plan but he is now begining to struggle in school. Is there anything that works beside medication? I so don't want to have him on amphetamines at 7 years old but I want the best for him and for him to be successful at school.
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
Absolutely! I know it sounds like a generic answer but eating right and exercising has been PROVEN to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and Bipolar disorder (usually misdiagnosed as one or the other).
There's a list attached below of foods that are especially beneficial to those with ADHD. Don't you think taking your son to a place where he can run, play and jump around will help him release his anxiety and anger? Trust me, I have Bipolar disorder (which is very similar) and I feel so much better after I made these changes!
ADHD:
* Eat a high-protein diet, including beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts. Add protein foods in the morning and for after-school snacks, to improve concentration and possibly increase the time ADHD medications work.
* Eat fewer simple carbohydrates, such as candy, corn syrup, honey, sugar, products made from white flour, white rice, and potatoes without the skins.
* Eat more complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables and some fruits (including oranges, tangerines, pears, grapefruit, apples, and kiwi). Eating complex carbs at night may aid sleep.
* Eat more Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in tuna, salmon, other cold-water white fish, walnuts, Brazil nuts, olive, and canola oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in supplement form.
Anonymous
There is nothing wrong with trying the medication your doctor gives out. I'm in between on how one would deal with ADHD in a child, they're crazy as is. Diet and exercise are very important, I heard that Omega-3 can also help quite a bit. Supposedly children usually will develop coping mechanisms to compensate, and therefore will be able to come off of the medication. If your child acts really funny or like a zombie on one medication ask your doctor for another. It's nice to try the natural way for all intents and purposes, but my mom was a hippie and my dad doesn't believe in adhd. So now I'm 26, failed out of college three times and just realizing I should be tested.
PR
Go online, on used booksites, and get books by Dr. Doris Rapp. "Allergies and the Hyperactive Child", is one very helpful book. This will give you a lot of information that may be a great help. Cut out sugary foods and beverages, white flour products, and possibly milk. Peanut products can be very difficult for some ADHD people and can cause tension and temper outbursts. Read the books and, hopefully, this will give you some insight. Support your son and give him lots of encouragement.
yoohoo
if you don't work or want a part-time job & can devote several hours a day for a week or so to researching & setting up a diet for your little tyrant, there's lotsa info on the web & books to read & learn!
Once you learn it, you can then prepare meals for your family based on the needs of your little one & micro-manage his life as you carry on & participate in the lives of your other family members & friends...(not!)..
Really, you can TRY the meds--try them for 3 days; try them for 2 weeks. Stop if you're alarmed or if you find anything wrong w/ them. It's not like you're locked into a decision for a year!? WHY prolong his & your agony. Get him normal & allow the child to flourish!
Good luck!
Anonymous
Do not medicate. Try nutritional supplements as there are many out there. A few off the top of my head are Focus Fast, ADD, Think Fast, Brain Quicken etc...