Correction of these nutritional imbalances or sensitivities
takes time. Some improvements can be seen very quickly, oth- ers can take several months. If warranted, I will use medication as a bridge until the benefits of these corrections can be seen. The reward is tremendous though. As these body systems nor- malize, we are often able to wean the medications, sometimes completely.
I often make the point to parents that a diagnosis of ADHD does not mean automatic use of stimulant medication. Usually it is reasonable to try non-medical interventions before con- sidering stimulants. I have 3 criteria that I feel justify the use of stimulants when other interventions do not work. 1. When the child’s attentional difficulties are so great that he or she is unable to learn, and keep up academically. 2. When ADHD causes severe social difficulties. Often
ADHD children are so impulsive and pay so little attention to social signals that they end up friendless. 3. When behavior at home has a seriously disruptive effect on family life, causing significant problems for the child, par- ents, and/or siblings.
In addition to the nutritional guidelines, I recommend the following:
• Exercising on a regular basis has a natural calming effect; it also raises levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, which facilitates the ability to focus attention. Non-competitive martial arts including tai chi and karate can improve self-discipline, boost concentration and slow the restless cascade of intrusive thoughts. • Employing consistent and positive behavior management at home is very important as well. Children with ADHD are often subject to almost constant ongoing criticism. Focus on what they do well, not just the areas of difficulty. • Make sure your child is getting the appropriate accommoda- tions at school. Sometimes relatively simple school interven- tions can make a big difference. • Where appropriate, other modalities such as herbs, neurofeed- back, homeopathy, etc. can be very effective. Herbal therapies can be very beneficial in treating some of the co-existing issues such as anxiety, insomnia, abdominal pain, etc. • Parent education and support are other important parts of treatment for a child with ADHD. Children with ADHD might not respond as well as other children to the usual parenting practices, so experts recommend additional parent educa- tion. This approach has been successful in teaching parents how to help their children become better organized, develop problem-solving skills, and cope with their ADHD symptoms. Parent education can be conducted in groups or with individual families and is offered by therapists or in special classes. Chil- dren and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) offers a unique educational program to help parents and individuals with ADHD navigate the challenges of ADHD across the lifespan. Find more information about CHADD’s “Par- ent to Parent” program by visiting the CHADD website at www.
chadd.org.
It is tempting to hope for a simple answer to explain a child- hood neurological disease such as ADHD. However, most con- vincing studies point towards a combination of risk factors and exposures together. It is very unlikely to find a “magic bullet”. Rather, by identifying risk factors, making lifestyle modifications, and providing necessary support services, improved outcomes will likely follow. For a comprehensive guide, see the book “ADHD Without
Drugs” by integrative physician Sanford Newmark, M.D. He is a graduate of the fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Univer- sity of Arizona where I trained. I strongly recommend the book to all parents and relatives of children with ADHD.
Dr. Donnelly practices Integrative Medicine in Portland. Infor- mation about his practice can be found at
www.theMCIM.com. Schedule an appointment today at the Maine Center for Integra- tive Medicine by calling 207-899-0386. See ad on page 19.
20 Essential Living Maine ~ September 2014
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