Effective Alternative Treatments for ADHD

Having your child diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is anything but a pleasant experience. The first thoughts that often come to a parent’s mind are, “What did I do wrong?” and “What could I have done to prevent ADHD?” The truth is that ADHD does not occur because of bad parenting. To date, science is yet to uncover the exact cause of this disorder. The good news is that there are many treatment options available, including alternative treatments, which have been found effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.

Read on to know more about ADHD and why you should consider ADHD alternative treatments before using ADHD medications.

A few facts about ADHD
ADHD is the most common behavioral disorder that develops in childhood. It is estimated that nearly 8% to 10% of schoolchildren in the U.S. have ADHD. While the exact cause of ADHD is yet to be found, there is a growing belief that ADHD occurs due to a certain chemical imbalance in the brain. Common symptoms associated with this behavioral disorder include: inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Why you should consider ADHD alternative treatment
The primary reason why it is necessary to give alternative treatments a try before using ADHD drugs is that ADHD treatment medications are known to inflict various undesirable side effects. Side effects of ADHD medications include mood swings, trouble eating and sleeping, nervousness, and weight change.

4 most effective ADHD alternative treatments
1. Herbal Supplements
Over the years, various herbal supplements such as St. John’s wort, gingko biloba, valerian, and Brahmi have been used successfully for the treatment of ADHD. To ensure maximum benefit from herbal supplements with fewer side effects, you must consult a reputable herbalist before using herbs as ADHD alternative treatment.

2. Behavioral Therapy
In many ADHD cases, behavioral therapy has been found effective in controlling fear, anger, depression, anxiety, and other self-damaging emotions. Regular behavioral therapy under an expert’s guidance can teach your child how to successfully live with and manage ADHD symptoms.

3. Mineral Therapy
Various studies reflect that there is a relation between deficiency of minerals such as zinc, magnesium, iron and ADHD. In ADHD patients who lack these essential minerals, related mineral therapy has found to be quite beneficial. Get in touch with your doctor to determine if your child lacks any or all of the aforementioned minerals and if mineral therapy is required.

4. Omega-3 fatty Acids
A diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids is recognized as an effective ADHD alternative treatment. When using this treatment option, remember to use only fish oil to get the required dosage of omega-3 fatty acids. Only omega-3 fatty acids that come from fish oil contain EPA and DHA components, which have been found useful in ADHD treatment.

The advantage of using ADHD alternative treatments is that they administer similar positive effects as ADHD treatment drugs, but with fewer or no side effects.