Homeopathy for ADD

Having a 10-year-old son, this article is close to my heart. I have great empathy for parents whose child suffers from any neurological disorder. Kids with attention deficit disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, tics, depression, autism and hyperactivity all have a difficult path ahead of them. These kids often suffer low self-esteem and self worth because of their unique condition. Their teacher, peers and/or parents may ridicule them. Often they get into trouble that can be quite exhausting for any parent or teacher to contend with.

Children are growing both emotionally and physically. They depend on the right conditions for optimal growth. The number of children on Prozac, Ritalin and Paxil is astonishing. One wonders what consequence these medications have on the developing nervous system. Some disorders are considered hereditary. It is my opinion that many of these conditions requiring medication are due to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. These imbalances can lead to improper development of the child’s neurological wiring.

It saddens me to see the pressure put on parents to drug their young children who are labeled as ADD or ADHD. In my opinion, it is better to get to the cause of the problem than to mask it with drugs. There are many natural methods helpful for treating Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder.

Although each case has its own individual qualities, diet is always key in these cases. Doctors often dispute this fact. However, you cannot argue the visible changes of behaviour. Ask a weary mother who has hosted a birthday party for a group of seven-year-old boys. Anyone can see the difference in behaviour before and after pop and cake! A wise diet is one that excludes deep-fried and processed foods (such as white flour, food dye, sugar and chemicals). Instead, eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats (such as flaxseed oil or olive oil) and proteins.

In practice, I test these children for food sensitivities (such as wheat, sugar, corn, eggs and dairy products) using electro-dermal testing. Food sensitivities can cause a type of adrenaline surge that causes a “hyperactive” reaction. This reaction has a peak and then a low. The person usually craves the food that they are sensitive to because the low is uncomfortable. It is like an addictive reaction, when they eat this food they are “high” again.

Candida is a naturally occurring fungus in the gastrointestinal system. An overgrowth of this yeast can make people more susceptible to food allergies because of its interaction with the intestinal flora. Candida naturally overgrows in a starchy or sugary environment. Breads, sugars and yeasts help candida to over grow.

Some research has found that heavy metals directly effect the nervous system of all people, including mercury, lead and aluminum. The individual must be tested for heavy metals and then put on a chelating formula to help draw these toxins out of the tissues and to excrete them.

Many people already know the benefits of nutritional supplements for ADD/ADHD children. I will just highlight a few. One of the most important is essential fatty acids. Because our brain is made up of mostly lipids (fats), EFAs aid in brain development. It is best to get a blend of omega-3s and omega-6s, found in fats such as fish, flaxseed, evening primrose and borage oil. Calcium and magnesium are also useful for their calming effect on the nervous system. Grape seed extract is a powerful antioxidant and protects the cells of the brain and body. The dosage depends on the size and age of your child. Follow directions on the labels.

Homeopathic remedies are very helpful with ADD/ADHD because they can address the emotional components of the disorder without concern for side effects. A good book to read on homeopathy is Ritalin-Free Kids by Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Robert Ullman. Homeopathic remedies are suited to the symptoms of the individual rather then the disease name. This makes things very individualized. A typical dose of a homeopathic remedy is 12 or 30CH, four pellets twice daily between meals unless otherwise specified. Here are examples of typical homeopathic remedies used for ADD/ADHD:

• Phosphorus is a good remedy for ADD. These types of children are usually tall and slender. They have many fears, an active imagination and are easily distracted by external stimuli. They love company and find it hard to work in a group because they want to socialize. They have many friends and are very likable children. Physically they can become easily tired and tend towards respiratory infections.

• Sulfur is a remedy that suits intelligent types. However, if a Sulfur has ADD/ADHD, they seem too lazy to rouse themselves to study. They are messy and do not care for details. These types often have skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. They are deeply interested in things that they like. For example, they may have a collection of sticks or rocks they have found. These finds seem like a treasure to them and garbage to us. These types can be loners who get caught up in their own world. They can become immersed in the Internet, reading, computer games or building things. These kids can be an all or nothing type. For example, if I cannot pass math, I will not do it. If you think my room is a mess now, wait until next week! They are very challenging in this regard.

• Baryta Carb is a remedy that is often used for children who are not quick to learn new things. This child can be considered mentally handicapped or simply a slow learner. They are typically shy and fear new situations. They avoid strangers and new situations. They have self-esteem problems such as feeling ridiculed and dislike any attention drawn to them. Physically these types can have swollen glands, tonsils or adenoid problems. This may also signify an underlying allergy or infection.

• Lycopodium is a magnificent remedy for attention problems. These types of children have low self-esteem like Bartya Carb. They fear public speaking, presentations and tests. They have poor concentration and are forgetful. Especially in the morning, they can be moody, irritable and confrontational, even to adults. This overconfident behaviour can be a front for their insecurity. They can be quite difficult and have tantrums if contradicted. They worry due to an essential lack of confidence. They hate taking on new tasks because they fear failure.

A PHOSPHOROUS CASE STUDY

A young boy of age seven had come to me with his concerned mother regarding attention difficulties at school. They did a quick checklist of behaviours and found that “Joey” had attention deficit disorder. He had been on Ritalin for six months with no improvement. His mother was concerned that he had lost his appetite with this drug. He seemed like quite a little character when he came into the office. He was very chatty and social, not at all shy of adults. He was very curious and touched everything on my shelves. He had many questions about the things in my office, whether I had kids and where was my son while I was at work.

His mother had a very hard time with him. She would ask him to do his chores and he would stop and play with his toys on the way and forget the task. He would need to have company most of the time without any independent play. He also wanted to sleep with his parents every night.

The seating arrangement at school was not suitable for Joey. His desk was in a group and they sat facing each other. He would chat with the other kids instead of doing his work. He would hear the clock ticking and then a crumpling of paper. His mind would go from here to there. He loved art class and hated math. He seemed very bright and passed his courses but his teacher felt that he could be getting straight A’s if his concentration would improve.

His mother also noted that he had many unreasonable fears. His friends had invited him to an indoor climbing arena and he was concerned someone could hurt themselves. If he watched a cartoon with a scary plot, he would be fearful with nightmares for a few nights. He was very sympathetic for others. He would cry and worry about his pet going to the vet. He would question whether the dog would be hurt and if he will live. How do we know what the dog is feeling? His mind was an uncontrolled plethora of worrisome thoughts.

Physically this boy was thin and tall, he was fair skinned and reminded me much of my son. I gave him Phosphorus 12CH daily. I normally prescribe essential fatty acids and a multi-vitamin, but his mother already had him on a very good diet and supplement regime. I was very positive he would do well with this remedy. After the two-week follow up, his teacher remarked on how well Joey was paying attention. I continued the Phosphorus 12CH, four pellets daily. I then saw him at the one month follow-up and he was continually improving. He was starting to gain some confidence with his schoolwork. He was a bubbly child with an internal spark about him that was endearing. Over the past year, I have only given him Phosphorus up to 200CH potency. His improvement was quite dramatic with this remedy. This case highlights how homeopathic remedies can help to correct an attention issue when there is a proper diet and supplement regime in place.