Content updated from previous publish date.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also called attention deficit disorder (ADDD) is a national health crisis that continues to grow. Even though it is now being diagnosed more frequently than ever, it remains one of the most misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and incorrectly treated illnesses
of our day. Prescription medication is the traditional default treatment for
ADD/ADHD, but it is NOT the only treatment. There are many ways to manage this condition without medication. Here are 5 natural solutions for ADD/ADHD you need to know.
THE PROBLEM WITH ADD/ADHD MEDICATIONS
Medication is one of the most common treatment methods for people with ADD/ADHD. About 62% of kids ages 2-17 with ADD/ADHD take medication for the condition, according to statistics in a 2018
study. Among adults with ADHD, the
rate of those taking medication hovers around 33%. Kids and adults are often put on powerful stimulant medications in short office visits without any biological information. While medication may help some people with the condition, it doesn’t help everyone, and it can make some people worse.
Taking medication for a mental health issue such as ADD/ADHD should never be the first or only thing you do. Healing ADD/ADHD requires a more comprehensive approach that includes a host of natural solutions.
ADD/ADHD TREATMENT WITHOUT MEDICATION
Here are 5 effective interventions that can help ADD symptoms
without using medication:
1. Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a specialized treatment that uses advanced computer technology to help balance and optimize the brain. During each session, you (or your child) play a video game using just your brain. It’s a fun, interactive, and engaging treatment that helps strengthen and retrain the brain to achieve a healthier, more focused state.
Using real-time displays of brain activity,
neurofeedback for ADD/ADHD helps you learn how to regulate your own brain function.
2. Nutrition
A nutritional intervention can be especially helpful for those with ADD/ADHD. A higher-protein, lower-carbohydrate diet that is relatively high in healthy fats can be beneficial in reducing symptoms. This diet has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar levels and helps with both energy levels and concentration.
Unfortunately, the Standard American Diet is filled with some of the
worst foods for ADD/ADHD. Many popular food items, including high-glycemic snacks and treats lower dopamine levels in the brain and make it harder to concentrate. Dopamine is typically low in people with ADD/ADHD and eating foods that decrease it further can have a negative impact on symptoms.
3. Ask Yourself, “Then What?”
For anyone with ADD/ADHD, the two most important words in the English language are: “Then what?” In other words, “If I do this,
then what will happen?” and “If I say this,
then what will happen?”
For example, “When I eat 3 chocolate doughnuts, skip the gym, get really drunk on the weekends, or call my husband a jerk,
then what will happen? Do any of these behaviors help me achieve what I want for my life or help me with my goals?” Clearly, they do not!
According to research in the book
The Longevity Project, the people who live longest and achieve great success are the most conscientious. They know what they want and then they act in consistent ways over time to get it. This can be a unique challenge for those with ADD/ADHD because they often struggle with impulse control. Put up these two words where you can see them every day:
Then what? and practice using them.
4. Exercise
Physical activity increases
blood flow to all parts of the body, including the prefrontal cortex in the brain, which is particularly beneficial to those with ADD/ADHD. In people without ADD/ADHD, concentration typically increases blood flow and activity in the prefrontal cortex. However, the brain
SPECT imaging work at Amen Clinics shows that when people with this condition try to concentrate, activity in this area of the brain decreases, making it harder to stay focused.
Exercise also increases the availability of serotonin in the brain, which has a tendency to calm hyperactivity. At Amen Clinics, the psychiatrists have seen a direct relationship between the level of exercise a person gets and the severity of their ADD/ADHD symptoms.
In general, aerobic exercises that get the heart pumping and cause you to break a sweat are best for people with ADD/ADHD. Play a recreational sport like table tennis, basketball, or
pickleball. Swim, ride a bike (always wear a helmet to protect your brain), or simply walk at a fast pace for 30 to 45 minutes 4-7 days a week.
5. Meditation
Decades of
research have shown that
meditation can calm stress, enhance brain function, and benefit those with ADD/ADHD. Learning to meditate is easy—even kids can do it.
Whether at home or at work, find a quiet spot where you can sit comfortably, then gently close your eyes and focus on your breathing. When your thoughts drift away (which they will), simply draw your attention back to your breathing. Start with just a few minutes and work up to 10, 15, or 20 minutes if you can. Make a meditation practice part of your life and watch your brain function improve.
FINDING NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR ADD/ADHD TYPE
Did you know that ADD/ADHD is not just a single and simple disorder? The brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics—more than 225,000 brain scans—has helped identify
7 types of ADD/ADHD. Each type has unique symptoms and requires a targeted treatment plan. Giving everybody with ADD/ADHD the same treatments invites failure and frustration. Knowing your type (or your child’s type) is critical to finding the natural solutions that work most effectively for you.
ADD/ADHD and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. 
