Finding An ADHD Alternative Treatment For You

Though I'm not a doctor, I am somewhat an expert on ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a little less of an expert on ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. You see, I am affected by ADHD and have had the disease for more than 40 years of my life. But it was diagnosed only four years ago in me and before that I had a history of self-medicating my condition with street drugs. But recently I have begun therapy and legitimate medical treatment for my ADHD. In this article, I would like to tell you about the ADHD alternative treatment methods that I discovered over 40 years of ADHD affliction.

Many smart people who have ADHD but who have not been diagnosed with the disease reach their wits' end and try to cure themselves by self medicating. Most often these people self-medicate with street drugs like crystal meth, which, though it's not a legitimate treatment, does have some of the same positive effects as medication prescribed by some doctors. If you are one of these people, there's no need to be ashamed or obsessed with esteem issues connected with using street drugs. Just get to a doctor or psychiatrist for diagnosis so that you can get good treatment.

Once you've been diagnosed, look carefully at the options for ADHD alternative treatment that are available to you. Read everything that you can on the matter: magazines, books, internet articles, etc. Look for books and articles devoted strictly to ADHD that are written by experts and professionals in this disease. Some of these include David Sudderth, Thom Hartmann, Michelle Novotni, Sari Solden, Joseph Kandel, Thomas Whiteman, Kate Kelly, and Peggy Ramundo.

In your research and reading you will become familiar with the "traditional" or common treatments. These include psychotherapy and drug therapy. Drugs used in therapy include Amphetamine and Ritalin, which you may have heard about already. Some of the texts will cover some ADHD alternative treatments, too. Here are some that you will come across:

HOMEOPATHIC/NONTRADITIONAL MEDICINES Some people prefer to turn to Eastern medicine and alternatives like acupressure, which has been used successfully to treat smoking habits, weight problems, anxiety, infertility and some ADHD symptoms. Since 1997, the Lincoln Hospital Recovery Center in New York includes acupressure to ADHD patients and have had amazing results. Kids have had improvements in sleep and hyperactivity patterns, blood pressure and depression disorders. They study better, participate better, work better and are able to sit calmly without the "mind spinning" that is so familiar to ADHD patients.

ENERGY HEALING Energy healing approaches include Reiki and Therapeutic Touch. These are based on the premise that people are dynamic beings and exist not only physically, but also mentally, spiritually and emotionally. ADHD treatment by energy healing methods strive to balance out these components of our life so the ADHD patient has symmetry, which leads to calming the person and slowing activity down so the patient can focus and be less anxious.

DIETARY CHANGES Looking closely at the foods you consume can also lead to an ADHD alternative treatment. Many foods in this country contain allergens and chemicals that irritate the nervous system. Studies suggest some of these foods have a serious negative impact on victims of ADD and ADHD. Treatments with dietary changes include eliminating or reducing how much white flour, sugar and additives/preservatives the patient consumes. However, the FDA and other regulatory agencies haven't yet acknowledged the effectiveness of this treatment method.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS Many vitamin manufacturers claim that some vitamins reduce symptoms such as not being able to focus, edginess and sleep disorders. But any therapy involving ingestion can lead to inappropriate application and that can damage other organs of the body, particularly the body and brain. Many specialists acknowledge the importance of nutritional balance and the need for antioxidant vitamin supplements, like Vitamin A & E, and a multi-vitamin. However, as with many ADHD alternative treatments, they will not acknowledge the amazing cures and recovery experienced by some ADHD patients until it's been document in medical journals.