Attention Deficit
Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder are now widely recognized in western countries as lifespan disorders. Often these disorders remain undiagnosed in adulthood. Persons with adult ADD and ADHD also typically have conditions such as major depressive disorder, substance abuse and anti-social personality disorder. These disorders are treated in adults while the underlying ADD/ADHD goes unaddressed. Treating the ADD/ADHD will often alleviate these other symptoms.
ADD and ADHD Basics
The diagnosis for these conditions is typically arrived upon through a behavioral checklist described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (under "disruptive disorders"). The signs include difficulty sustaining attention and inability to follow through on tasks. Persons who exhibit impulsiveness and have excessive activity are also classed as hyperactive. Some cases will go undetected and untreated since there may not be any serious presenting symptoms at all.
Treating ADD/ADHD with Medications
The conventional medical approach is to treat ADD/ADHD with a range of medications that, strangely enough, are from very different classes. Examples include psychostimulants to increase brain arousal and attention, anti-hypertensives (that lower blood pressure), anti-psychotics (tranquilizers) and anti-depressants. These medications address the symptoms, but do nothing to address the problem itself. Children who are placed on powerful drugs such as Ritalin must be on them long-term. These medications may cause severe side effects, such as tics and stunted growth), and many parents refuse to administer them to their children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Fortunately, alternative treatments to medication exist.
Living with ADD/ADHD without Medication
Living without medication should not be equated with living without treatment. Children do not outgrow ADD/ADHD and not treating it may result in serious psychological and social adjustment problems. Some alternative treatments people use include biofeedback, massage (15 minutes a day for 10 consecutive days was shown to improve concentration), hypnotherapy and guided imagery, diet and exercise to lessen anxiety.
New Perspectives
Today, a non-invasive procedure can be done to map the brain. A stretchy hat with strategically arranged electrodes is placed on the head and brainwaves are measured. Individuals with ADD/ADHD typically have higher occurrences of Theta brainwaves. This means that the brain is under-aroused; in ADHD, there also is a higher occurrence of Theta brainwaves but in this case, the brain attempts to wake itself with hyperactivity. Conventional drug therapy attempts to arouse the brain and thereby stop the hyperactivity; but non-drug alternatives can do this, too.
More than 30 years of studies show that ADD/ADHD can be effectively treated with non-invasive neurofeedback (which retrains the brain to function at higher, optimal brainwaves). Eating a diet that restricts preservatives, refined carbohydrates and high quantities of meat; and including foods rich in essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants is also very beneficial.
It is imperative to stay the course until a professional neurofeedback clinician is satisfied even though improvements will be found early in the treatment. It may be necessary to have 40-80 sessions. Health insurance does not typically cover these sessions, but once individuals have completed this treatment they may never need any further treatments (aside from a regular health fitness routine).
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