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Natural ADHD Treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) typically emerges in childhood and is characterized by impulsive behavior, limited attention span, difficulty sitting still and problems with concentration. These symptoms can sometimes be controlled with the use of prescription stimulant medications. The use of these medications on children is controversial, however. Many parents would rather attempt to treat ADHD with a more natural approach. Some common natural treatments include dietary changes, psychological counseling and homeopathic medicine.

  1. Nutrition

    • Nutrition is one of the first points of discussion when it comes to treating ADHD naturally. One theory is that many ADHD symptoms are contributed to by the preservatives and man-made chemicals that are contained in many of the foods kids eat. These chemicals may have adverse effects on the child's ability to concentrate or may be causing allergic reactions affecting the brain and nervous system. Benjamin Feingold is one of the pioneers of this theory and created a specific dietary plan for the treatment of ADHD, called the Feingold Diet. This diet includes eliminating processed foods and including more lean protein, antioxidants and B vitamins in the diet from foods like fish and vitamin-rich vegetables. Testing for food allergies is also recommended.

    Psychological Counseling

    • Another natural option for treating ADHD is to visit a psychologist or counselor who specializes in the disorder. Counseling can help to uncover any problems that may be contributing to inattention or hyperactivity such as family problems or learning disabilities. In addition, counseling can be helpful to both the child and parents by teaching both how to handle symptoms more effectively. For instance, the parents can learn more effective strategies for disciplining and motivating the child. The child, in turn, can learn ways to get a better hold on his or her own behavior as well as how to better communicate to parents and teachers when he or she is having a problem with focus or concentration.

    Homeopathic Remedies

    • Homeopathic medicine is based on the concept that small doses of an illness-causing agent can act to activate the immune system, combating that illness. Substances such as barytra, carbonica, lycopodium, stramonium, and tarantula hisp may be used to combat ADHD homeopathically. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that there is very little conclusive evidence that homeopathy actually works, but there are strong believers in its practice, nonetheless. This type of treatment must be undertaken strictly under the supervision of a homeopathic specialist and/or medical doctor.

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