ADD / ADHD
What is ADD / ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- also referred to ADD or ADHD -- is a biological, brain based condition that is characterised by poor attention and distractibility and/or hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. It is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children. Symptoms may continue into adolescence and adulthood. If left untreated, ADHD can lead to poor school/work performance, poor social relationships and a general feeling of low self esteem.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
The most prevalent symptoms of ADHD are inattention and distractibility and/or hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. Difficulties with concentration, mental focus, and inhibition of impulses and behaviors are chronic and pervasive and impair an individual’s daily functioning across various settings -- home, school or work, in relationships, etc.
What is the Prevalence?
It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of preschool and school age children have ADHD or approximately two million children in the United States. This means in a class of 25 to 30 students, it is likely that at least one student will have this common condition. ADHD begins in childhood, but it often lasts into adulthood. Studies estimate that 30-70 percent of children with ADHD will continue to have symptoms into adolescence and adulthood.
What is the Cause?
The exact cause of ADHD has not been determined, however the condition is thought to have a genetic and biological component. ADHD tends to occur among family members. Many research studies currently focus on identifying which genes, or combination of genes, may cause a person to be more susceptible to ADHD. Physical differences in parts of the brain are also thought to be linked to ADHD.
How Do We Treat ADD / ADHD?
There is no "cure" for ADHD at this stage, however, many treatment approaches may alleviate or significantly decrease ADHD symptoms. As a result, improvements are evident in school/work performance, relationships with others improve, and self esteem increases.
Naturopathy / Nutritional Medicine
Eating a balanced diet is important for us all. When we eat well, we feel better. We are healthier and happier. Good nutrition is especially important for children who are growing and developing and although it's exact "cause" is unknown, major aetiologic contributors to ADD/ADHD include adverse responses to good additives, intolerances to foods, sensitivites to environmental chemicals, molds, and fungi, and exposures to neurodevelopmental toxins, such as heavy metals and organohalide pollutants. Our Naturopaths work on these areas including any dietary allergies that may be present.
Psychology
Counseling and/or psychotherapy provides an individual with ADHD a place to process feelings and develop strategies for dealing with the effects of ADHD. ADHD often results in broken friendships, poor relationships, and a plunging self-esteem.
ADHD and Diet
Chiropractic
In the study 'Chiropractic Management of Hyperactivity,' (JMPT 1989), a Doctor of Chiropractic, a Professor of Psychology, and an Associate Professor of Special Education investigated the effectiveness of Chiropractic with emotional, learning and behavioural impairments.
The investigation examined the effect of Chiropractic treatmnt on students with learning and behavioural impairments resulting from neurological dysfunction. A group of 12 ADHD students receiving medication were compared to a group of 12 ADHD students receiving Chiropractic care. Hyperactvity and attentiveness improved initially (not gross and fine motor co-ordination) among the medication group. The medication's effectiveness gradually decreased requiring higher dosages. The medication group also experienced personality changes, loss of appetite and insomnia.
The Chiropractic Group experienced improvement in both hyperactivity and attentiveness, and in gross and fine motor co-ordination. The end result was that Chiropractic care was 20-40% more effective than medication.
The conclusions from the study included "...that Chiropractic... has the potential to become an important non drug intervention for children with hyperactivity."
Further research is ongoing.
