ADHD Treatments
What are the new ADHD treatments, if any? Most parents seem resigned to the fact that psychostimulants combined with some behavioral therapy seems to be the best solution. But this is somewhat clouded by the bad press that the ADHD meds are getting.
ADHD treatment in children means drug therapy too. According to some specialists this is the first line therapy. All that the child needs is some stimulant drugs that help him/her to behave normally in his/ her surrounding. The drug treatment of the child must be multidimensional. The stimulants seem to work best when the question of treatment with drugs come to the forefront.
Again the question of side effect can not be ruled out. These side effects prevent them from taking the medicines for a long time. Again it has been noted too that the children who have been given the ADHD medications though have responded to drugs there remain some problems associated with them. How can these problems been tackled?
Class action lawsuits and financial conflicts of interest
Class action suits have been won against some drug companies. Even more alarming is the fact that there is a conflict of interest in that the drug companies are far too closely involved in the pharmaceutical research and the clinical trials of these medications. This was stated very clearly, quite recently, by a former editor of The New England Journal of Medicine, Marcia Angell. She now teaches medical ethics at the Harvard School of Medicine
Neurofeedback / EEG (electroencephalogram)/Biofeedback
One of the new treatments for ADHD being tried is EEG or biofeedback. How does this work and what are the results? First, electrodes are placed on the skin around the forehead area. The biofeedback training by the therapist present will help the ADHD child through a series of mental activities to maintain the smile on the smiley icon or some similar visual. The actual feedback from the brain shows which brainwaves are being used to keep the smile on the icon. In this way, the brain is being trained to improve concentration, attention and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Why is neurofeedback not used more in ADHD treatment?
One recent trial published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry did actually show that there was a 25% reduction in the ADHD symptoms of the children given this EEG treatment. But the main problem seems to be that there have not been enough trials done to show conclusively that this treatment may actually be adopted as a newer ADHD treatment. Up to now the samples have been too small and also the testers were not blinded as to the status of the children being tested and there was also a lack of appropriate control groups.
Green time activities for ADHD
One of the new ADHD treatments is where children were taken for a 20 minute walk in the open air surrounded by greenery. These children actually showed higher levels of concentration compared to when they were taken for a walk downtown in the shopping malls. This study was done by the University of Illinois but more studies will have to be done and on a larger scale before this is adopted as a newer ADHD treatment. However it makes sense for children to be given more green time for a wide range of healthy reasons.
ADHD behavior therapy and ADHD homeopathic remedies
As I remarked at the beginning of the article, the mainstay of new ADHD treatments and old ones, seems to be a combination of behavior therapy with some medication.
But which medication? As the psychostimulants and the companies that produce them are the subject of more and more controversy, it seems wise to look at alternatives such as ADHD homeopathic remedies. Why not find out what these involve. There are no risks and no side effects either coupled with the fact that they are much cheaper. Why not discover more by clicking on the link below.
With so much being written and said about the harmful side effects of ADHD drugs, there is a huge demand for safe ADHD treatments. Among the safest of treatments, are the ADHD herbal remedies. Herbs have been trusted medicines for humans since time immemorial and so it is not surprising at all now that more and more people are turning to these very herbs to seek a cure for ADHD.
Listed below are the most effective herbs used to treat ADHD.
1. Brahmi – Brahmi is an herb that is known to strengthen the remembering capacity of the brain. It therefore is useful as children with ADHD are often forgetful.
2. Scuttellaria laterifolia – Scuttellaria laterifolia or simply Skullcap, is a herb that soothes the mind and body. It is used to balance out emotions and hence prevents inappropriate emotional outbursts in children suffering from ADHD.
3. Green oats – Green outs make the nervous system healthy. This helps an ADHD child by giving them greater control over their actions.
4. German chamomile – German chamomile is considered to be one of the best ADHD herbal remedies as it naturally eases tension and stress. Anxiety is a very common symptom of ADHD and so using this herb helps relax the child considerably.
5. Schisandra – Another very effective ADHD herbal remedy, Schisandra is used to boost the capacities of the brain. Most children with ADHD are slow learners and workers. For them, this herb proves to be a blessing.
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