subject: Natural ADHD Alternatives - Why Widening Our Horizons Is So Important In Treating ADHD [print this page] Natural ADHD Alternatives - Why Widening Our Horizons Is So Important In Treating ADHD
Did you know why natural ADHD alternatives are not even considered? Simply because parents and doctors have a very unbalanced approach to the whole ADHD problem. They are definitely not thinking outside the box. They are merely looking at symptoms and getting medicine prescribed which will relieve those symptoms. Now that may be suitable for a headache or the common cold but certainly not for ADHD.
Let me explain why. One of the few certainties of ADHD is that there is a chemical imbalance and this causes various problems such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, distractability and poor concentration and short attention spans. But the effects of these imbalances goes much further than a mere symptom. It is rather like ripples on a pond. Just treating a mere symptom is pretty useless.
Why? Simply because the ADHD child is disabled in a way. The lack of concentration means that he has to be given more learning skills. The aggressive and disruptive behavior means that he has to be able to tell the difference between inappropriate behavior and good behavior. The impulsivity means that he has to be taught the effects of that behavior and all the consequences that may follow. Can some pills do all that? The answer is a deafening no!
But what do we mean by natural ADHD alternatives? It means looking at natural ways to come to terms with these problems without relying on powerful mind altering drugs. Natural alternatives could include parenting skills and strategies in coping with behavior problem as they arise. It means organizing green time and giving your child a physical outlet for pent up energy so that hyperactivity is reduced. Also looking after diet because we now know that certain nutrient deficiencies can actually exacerbate the ADHD symptoms. Lack of magnesium, essential fatty acids in Omega 3 and Omega 6, have all been identified with the problems of inattention, distractability and restlessness.
Natural ADHD alternatives also means looking at herbal and homeopathic remedies. These can relieve all the ADHD symptoms while we can get on with the really important issues of helping a child to cope, to socialize and to learn.
As we have seen, by enlarging our view of ADHD to take in all the complex behavioral aspects, we will have a much better chance of helping our kids to cope with this difference. That is all it is but sometimes it seems we are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Why not check out all the natural ADHD alternatives? You really do owe it to your child.
