Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) is defined as age-inappropriate impulsiveness, lack of concentration, sometimes excessive physical activity or hyper-focus on certain things. ADD is associated with lack of focus, which could lead to learning difficulties. There is no objective criteria exists to accurately confirm the presence of ADD. We usually only think of children could have ADD or ADHD. However, adults could have it too. Many adults may have suffered his/her entire life without realizing it. Some people were born with it, but others may have developed at some point in their lives due to brain injuries. ADHD is a real medical condition that can affect both children and adults in daily life. For adults with ADHD, the symptoms aren’t limited to the workplace. Their symptoms can impact them at home, and in social settings during their day.
An ADHD adult I know had shared his experience with me. He didn’t know he had ADHD. But he had noticed the trouble of focusing, especially with reading and learning things in the school. After spent four hours on reading a three pages of article, he still had no idea what the article was about. It would always be an effort for him to sit down to study. Every few minutes, he would want to do something else. He had trouble sitting in the class. It really affected his performance in school. Then, he often left the burner of the stove on after the cooking. For few times within couple weeks, he almost burned down the house. There were times he sat to start drawing, and he could be so focused without realizing the place was filled with smoke until the smoke detector went off. He used to think he was just forgetful and clumsy. Because of the frequency of left the burner on, he was scared one day he would burn himself. So he reached out for professional help. Later, he was diagnosed with ADHD.
The main drug treatment for ADD, Ritalin (methylphenidate), stimulates our central nervous system (CNS), and inhibits the re-uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine by blocking the receptors of their transporters, so dopamine and norepinephrine could get accumulated between the pre and post nervous synapses. Paradoxically, these types of drugs can cause hyperactivity in adults but most often have a calming effect in those with ADD. There is not really been studies shown the negative side effects of methylphenidate. But some parents and adult patients have concerns of the long term dependency on the medication. A variety of natural approaches to this condition have been investigated as alternatives to drug therapy.
Possible Examinations:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Psycho-physiology:
Lifestyle changes for parents:
Dietary changes:
Nutritional supplements – highly recommend to consult with a nutritionist or a naturopathic doctor
A deficiency of several essential fatty acids has been observed in children with ADD compared to unaffected children.
I will highly suggest having a food sensitivity test, so you know what foods to avoid. There are herbal formulas that could help with this condition, but it has to be prescribed by an herbalist. There is a book you can read about:
Food to avoid to eliminate hyperactivity because your body could be sensitive to:
Foods chelating heavy metals
An ADHD adult I know had shared his experience with me. He didn’t know he had ADHD. But he had noticed the trouble of focusing, especially with reading and learning things in the school. After spent four hours on reading a three pages of article, he still had no idea what the article was about. It would always be an effort for him to sit down to study. Every few minutes, he would want to do something else. He had trouble sitting in the class. It really affected his performance in school. Then, he often left the burner of the stove on after the cooking. For few times within couple weeks, he almost burned down the house. There were times he sat to start drawing, and he could be so focused without realizing the place was filled with smoke until the smoke detector went off. He used to think he was just forgetful and clumsy. Because of the frequency of left the burner on, he was scared one day he would burn himself. So he reached out for professional help. Later, he was diagnosed with ADHD.
The main drug treatment for ADD, Ritalin (methylphenidate), stimulates our central nervous system (CNS), and inhibits the re-uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine by blocking the receptors of their transporters, so dopamine and norepinephrine could get accumulated between the pre and post nervous synapses. Paradoxically, these types of drugs can cause hyperactivity in adults but most often have a calming effect in those with ADD. There is not really been studies shown the negative side effects of methylphenidate. But some parents and adult patients have concerns of the long term dependency on the medication. A variety of natural approaches to this condition have been investigated as alternatives to drug therapy.
Possible Examinations:
- Check for increased level of Lead or other heavy metals
- Learning disability evaluation – usually by the schools
- Good psychosocial evaluation of home environment of a psychotherapists
- Behavior rating scales to be completed by parents and teachers
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Psycho-physiology:
- Heart - is the house of the Shen (Spirit) and governs fire and heat. It is considered the Emperor of the bodily realm in TCM. When the Heart is disturbed, all the other organs will be disrupted.
- Spleen - relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel balanced and centered. When spleen is out of balance, it could manifest anxiety, excessive worries, over thinking, trouble to concentrate, mental sluggishness, obsessions turned toward the past; fixed and rigid ideas.
- Kidney - houses the will and supports the core vitality, expresses ambition and focus. When Kidney is out of the balance, it could manifest confused speech, feeling of discouragement, scattered thoughts, lack of will, negativity, and impatience.
- Liver - houses the ethereal soul. It expresses itself in nervous system and reflects emotional harmony and movement. When liver is out of balance, it manifests discontent, anger, priapism, inflexibility/stubbornness, impulsive behaviors, irritability, or even violence.
Lifestyle changes for parents:
- Avoid smoking or alcohol usage during the pregnancy
Dietary changes:
- Feingold diet – developed by Benjamin Feingold, M.D.,
- Salicylates are chemicals similar to aspirin, which are found in a wide variety of foods. This chemical is an underlying cause of hyperactivity. But about 10-15% children may be sensitive to it.
- This diet also eliminates synthetic additives, dyes and chemicals which are commonly added to processed foods.
- If you are interested in this type of diet, you may want to contact local Feingold Associations for more information about which foods and medicines contain salicylates.
Nutritional supplements – highly recommend to consult with a nutritionist or a naturopathic doctor
A deficiency of several essential fatty acids has been observed in children with ADD compared to unaffected children.
- Vitamins B especially B6 for ADD - Please consult with a nutritionist for a proper dosage of Vitamin B and B6 because it could vary for each individual.
- Fish oil: Omega-3 fatty acids or Algae Omega-3 for vegetarians
- High proteins foods
- Low sugar foods
- Vitamin C: 3gm. (for chelating heavy metals)
- Vitamin B6: 20-30 mg./kg.
- Niacinamide: 1 – 3 gm.
- Calcium: 1 gm.
- Magnesium: 500 mg.
I will highly suggest having a food sensitivity test, so you know what foods to avoid. There are herbal formulas that could help with this condition, but it has to be prescribed by an herbalist. There is a book you can read about:
Food to avoid to eliminate hyperactivity because your body could be sensitive to:
- Coloring and preservatives
- Cow’s milk
- Soy products
- Chocolates
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Eggs
- Cane sugar, simple sugars
- Fish
- Oats
Foods chelating heavy metals
- Apples
- Seaweed
- Foods high in methionine and cysteine,
- Garlic
- Beans
- Book “Healing the New Childhood Epidemics” by Kenneth Bock, M.D.
- Book "Finally Focused" by James Greenblatt, M.D.
- book "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!" is the Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly and Peggy Rumundo
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