Are Five Alternatives to ADHD Medication Right For You Or Your Child?

[brenanpeak]

ADHD can be a serious problem for parents and their kids. ADHD can develop in virtually every child and when parents find out that their child has ADHD, most of the time they don't know what to do. They try many things like talking with the child or giving them medicines, but it's best to leave this to the doctors. Only a doctor can provide the best diagnosis and propose a medication, or other activities that might influence the symptoms. Medication is not always the best choice and is always given as a last resort.

1. What is ADHD?

ADHD in its simplest explanation is the inability of children to focus on tasks presented to them. They can easily disregard what they are doing in search of something more fun. They can have mood swings and problems with homework, school, etc. These problems lead to poor school results. It can also cause excessive behavior in children and energy bursts that are difficult to control.

2. Why are Medications used?

Even though medications aren't recommended as the first line of problem-solving methods, they are sometimes necessary. Medications can lower the energy amount in children, calming and relaxing them to the point where they simply do not have enough energy to be impulsive. A much more common method of solving ADHD-related problems is through counseling and communication with the child.

3. Which Medications are used?

Stimulants are the most commonly used types of medicine in regards to ADHD. Ritalin is the most common of these stimulants. Unfortunately, we don't know a lot about the long-term use of medications for ADHD and it's not recommended for preschool children because of this reason. Some of the stimulants have an effect on addiction, and the intake of these stimulants should be monitored at all times.

4. ADD/ADHD Medication Stimulant safety concerns

There are some concerns regarding the medication and stimulants for ADHD and ADD:

• Effect on the developing brain – The main concerns about the use of stimulants is their effect on the developing brain of the child. Constant use can lead to consequences that can be irreparable after the brain stops developing because stimulants can alter their perceptions.
  
• Heart-related problems – Some people may find taking stimulants to fix their ADHD and ADD be the cause of heart problems. If you react badly to any stimulants, stop taking them immediately and contact your doctor.
  
• Psychiatric Problems – There can be several psychiatric problems that are connected to the use of stimulants which is another reason people are unwilling to take them.
  
• Potential for Abuse – As mentioned before, people can develop an addiction to stimulants and also have their minds changed in a negative way.
  

5. Are ADHD Medications safe?

As for the health concerns, they do exist. However, they don't happen that often if enough monitoring and supervision are provided. They do have their side-effects which can be devastating, but it's like that with all medication.

6. Can Medicine Cure ADHD?

This is a difficult question to answer. ADHD can go away completely on its own after some time and as the child develops into a teenager or adult. Some people have ADHD for their entire lives and taking medication helps them prevent it from being very violent and serious.

7. ADD/ADHD Medications and your child

You should always seek professional help regarding your child and ADHD and try to avoid taking medicine. It should be used as a last resort as the first choice for fixing the problem is counseling and communication. Try to make regular tasks fun for your children!

8. Medication alone is not enough

Obviously, medication cannot be used as the only resort in ‘curing' ADHD. There have been cases about children developing heart-related and psychiatric problems, as well as having an increased potential for abuse. This is why most doctors are concerned about giving it to children and always strive for a different method of controlling ADHD. Not only can that but the medicine has prolonged effects on the developing brain of the child. Hence there is the need for alternatives. Medicine itself cannot cure ADHD and can only, in the best case, regulate the symptoms.

So what alternatives are there?

1. Maintain a positive attitude and healthy living

You can try and talk to your child and constantly teach them something new. It's important to pay attention to him/her because it can help them understand the nature of the problem. Also, it's important that the child has enough play time and recreation and a healthy diet because these can influence the symptoms of ADHD. Lastly, the child needs to get enough sleep so they can have a healthy and rested life. The parents also need to keep their attitude positive and try to make the child happy and entertained.

2. Therapy

People may try therapy to get rid of ADHD and thus they need to consult with a specialist. Therapy and counseling are great first options if you want to get help for ADHD.

3. Food/Eat a healthy diet

The child needs a healthy and balanced diet, but there are some foods which can be bad for the symptoms of ADHD. Food coloring and foods like apples, plums, milk, eggs, chocolate, etc. can make the symptoms worse and by taking them out of the child's diet, you lower the risk of that happening. We understand that some of these foods that are mentioned are very healthy, but it's something that needs to be restricted from the child's diet.

4. Yoga Classes and Massages/Exercise regularly

Science has proven that taking yoga classes and receiving massages helps alleviate stress and similar symptoms. Not only that but you feel relaxed and refreshed. The same can be applied to children with ADHD. This is a harmless alternative method of battling your child's hyperactivity and can be done fast. Massages don't take a lot of time and yoga classes will help improve overall health! The best way to try to improve the situation is doing something that isn't boring, and that is rewarding – exercise!

5. Proper sleep

Getting enough sleep is imperative for feeling good about yourself as well as feeling rested

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

Would you kindly share your source for the claims made in this article? Also, what is your own professional experience with ADHD?

Edit: Lastly, it doesn't seem that your target audience was the educated health professionals that make up the majority of AN members.

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

I don't like click bate on AN. I like sources, and science.

[HyzenthlayLPN]

A grammar note:

"ADHD can develop in virtually every child and when parents find out that their child has ADHD, most of the time they don't know what to do."

That should say any.

I also note that the article title is not really supported by the content and there are no sources cited to the claims made.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

I also note that the article title is not really supported by the content and there are no sources cited to the claims made.

The title is asking a question......not making a claim. The writer is leaving it up to the reader to decide.

[Barnstormin' PMHNP]

The title may be asking a question, but the body of the article makes many "claims", many of which I find to be incorrect and show a definite lack of research and supporting literature to said statements. As a PMHNP I find this "article" disturbing and not educational at all. Go post this on the psychiatry forum at SDN and see what kind of responses are forthcoming from the psychiatrists.

How can a person 'decide' when they are not given the correct information.

"Medications can lower the energy amount in children, calming and relaxing them to the point where they simply do not have enough energy to be impulsive."

This statement shows a complete lack of understanding in the actual mechanisim of most medications used to treat ADHD.

I'm a pretty positive, live and let live type of person/poster but these psuedo educational articles are ridiculous.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Hopefully the OP will return to address some of these issues.

[l1234567]

The title is asking a question......not making a claim. The writer is leaving it up to the reader to decide.

We understand that some of these foods that are mentioned are very healthy, but it's something that needs to be restricted from the child's diet.

Who is we>?

Getting enough sleep is imperative for feeling good about yourself as well as feeling rested

You should always seek professional help regarding your child and ADHD and try to avoid taking medicine. It should be used as a last resort as the first choice for fixing the problem is counseling and communication. Try to make regular tasks fun for your children!

Who is this post targeted to? Nurses or parents. What is the point of posting this as an article?

There are no references, aren't we supposed to be professionals and back ourselves up with literature for assertions?[h=1]

[/h]

[canigraduate]

What is this dreck?

It's embarrassing, inaccurate, and downright dangerous. There is an obvious anti-stimulant bias and the alternatives listed are... "we'll" say misleading.

As an adult sufferer of ADHD whose entire immediate family has been diagnosed with the disorder, I can tell you that this "article" is crap. Do your own research, talk to your psychiatrist or provider, and don't look to the Internet to provide you with medical advice.

By the way, this whole "article" seems like medical advice, which is against the TOS.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

This is crap. I am ADD, hubby is self-medicated ADHD (runs in his family). Both of our children are dx: one ADD like mommy and the other is a poster child for ADHD, sensory issues and hates himself when not medicated. Both are Type 1 diabetics too, so that is an added struggle.

My children see a neurodevelopmental pediatrician b/c it is near impossible to find a decent child psychiatrist. Both see therapists (I do too as well) Both have had sensory integration therapy and seen DAN! doctors. I am a nurse that was a former teacher and I have seen kids that are medicated that shouldn't be and ones that weren't and should be. My oldest is gifted and not sure if he is somewhere on the ASD. Many of the symptoms are similar. We work everyday to keep some organization and structure. It is difficult.

This article is a fluff piece, not for someone who actually lives this every. single. day. Very complicated.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Okay while I agree this is not "professional nursing" information, it might provide some nurses with some general info to provide to provide to pts/families who might not need the professional lingo.

[OldDude]

I don't see a mention of the consequences of untreated ADD/ADHD; bad stuff - the information is out there. This is my 15th year as an elementary school nurse. Articles like this are completely detached from reality and contribute to the delay of real intervention and education of the child; by way of stimulants - Ritalin, Focalin, Vyvanse, and the like, which is the only successful treatment for a valid diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. The child is successful educationally and emotionally.