The number of cases for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has increased tremendously in the past decades. While large numbers of adults have been affected, the increase is especially notable in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the increase in ADHD diagnoses among children increased by 41 % with 11% of the children being 4 to 17 years old. This statistical record means that a total of 6.4 million children have been affected in the past years[1].
ADHD—Medications and Side Effects
With the increasing amount of cases of ADHD, the pharmaceutical industry came up with a number of drugs to cure it. ADHD is a condition where there is an imbalance in the neurotransmitters, which are chemicals responsible for carrying signals between the brain and the body. Therefore, these drugs treat the disorder by balancing and enhancing the neurotransmitters[2].
Although such treatments have shown positive results by causing improvement in concentration, they are also reported to cause some serious side effects. These may include:
- Mood swings
- Sleep problems
- Appetite Loss
- Suicidal thoughts
- Heart problems
An Australian study in 2010 reported that there was no significant improvement in the symptoms of children aged between 5 and 14 years old, who were given medication to treat ADHD. There was no improvement in their attention problems, behavior, social functioning, and self-perception. On the other hand, their diastolic blood pressure increased and they showed lower self-esteem when compared to the other group of ADHD affected, non-medicated group of children[3].
Alternative Treatments for ADHD
As a result of continuous reports of side effects for drug treatments, people have started looking for alternative treatment for ADHD. These natural therapies have been successful in curing some of the ADHD induced symptoms such as:
- Frequently interrupting
- Organizational problems
- Difficulty paying attention
- Forgetfulness
Following are some of the natural alternative therapies:
- Electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback, also termed as a most promising treatment by a study [4]
- Yoga has been reported to cause significant improvement in people with ADHD [5]
- Regular exposure to green spaces and spending time outside is a great natural treatment for curing ADHD [6]
- Behavioral therapy is proven to work well for children suffering from ADHD[7]
- The symptoms of ADHD can be alleviated by avoiding certain foods such as food additives, sodas, food allergens, and salicyclates. On the other hand, adding certain foods, which are rich in proteins, Magnesium, Zinc, and Omega-3 fatty acids can help too[8]. Chinese herbal treatment plays a crucial role in controlling ADHD symptoms. These herbs include oriental ginseng, red jujube, thorowax root, poria, and ginkgo biloba[9].
- Immunoceutical supplements have also been reported to work well in curtailing the ADHD symptoms
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[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Key findings: Trends in the parent-report of health care provider-diagnosis and medication treatment for ADHD, United States, 2003–2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[2] Husain, M., & Mehta, M. A. (2011). Cognitive enhancement by drugs in health and disease. Trends in cognitive sciences, 15(1), 28-36.
[3] Smith, G., Jongeling, B., Hartmann, P., Russel, C., & Landau, L. (2010). Raine ADHD study: long-term outcomes associated with stimulant medication in the treatment of ADHD in children. Perth: Government of Western Australia Department of Health.
[4] Lansbergen, M. M., van Dongen-Boomsma, M., Buitelaar, J. K., & Slaats-Willemse, D. (2011). ADHD and EEG-neurofeedback: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled feasibility study. Journal of neural transmission, 118(2), 275-284.
[5] Hariprasad, V. R., Arasappa, R., Varambally, S., Srinath, S., & Gangadhar, B. N. (2013). Feasibility and efficacy of yoga as an add-on intervention in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder: An exploratory study. Indian journal of psychiatry, 55(7), 379.
[6] Faber Taylor, A., & Kuo, F. E. M. (2011). Could exposure to everyday green spaces help treat ADHD? Evidence from children’s play settings. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being, 3(3), 281-303.
[7] Sonuga-Barke, E. J., Brandeis, D., Cortese, S., Daley, D., Ferrin, M., Holtmann, M., … & Dittmann, R. W. (2013). Nonpharmacological interventions for ADHD: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of dietary and psychological treatments. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(3), 275-289.
[8] Stevens, L. J., Kuczek, T., Burgess, J. R., Hurt, E., & Arnold, L. E. (2011). Dietary sensitivities and ADHD symptoms: thirty-five years of research. Clinical pediatrics, 50(4), 279-293
[9] Sarris, J., Kean, J., Schweitzer, I., & Lake, J. (2011). Complementary medicines (herbal and nutritional products) in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a systematic review of the evidence. Complementary therapies in medicine, 19(4), 216-227.