Article
/ Add
Homeopathy
for ADD/ADHD - Treating the Cause
as
published in the May 2003 issue of Vitality Magazine
Hyperactive?
Spirited? Behaves badly? Gifted? A human tornado? Or perhaps a
child diagnosed with ADHD. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is
a medical classification used to identify individuals who are
unable to concentrate and learn. When this condition is presented
in physically overactive individuals, especially children, it
is known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Professionals
often use the acronyms ADD and ADHD interchangeably, and according
to the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by Psychologists
and Psychiatrists) the ADHD diagnosis is awarded whether or not
the person is diagnosed with hyperactivity.
The
label Attention Deficit Disorder often misleads people into thinking
that ADD is characterized by a child's inability to pay attention.
It is actually the child's inability to control his or her attention.
It is not uncommon to see a child diagnosed with ADD or ADHD to
be totally engrossed, for long periods, in a favourite activity
such as colouring, solving a puzzle or playing video games. The
difficulty can come from paying attention to tasks that require
effort and do not provide immediate gratification.
Common
beliefs about the causes of ADHD include watching too much TV,
excess amount of sugar, food allergies and poor parenting. While
all of these will adversely affect a child's health, and possibly
trigger hyperactivity, they do not cause ADHD since ADHD is a
developmental failure in the brain circuitry. Research suggests
that heredity plays the biggest role; 80% of those diagnosed have
a genetic predisposition to ADHD. Other factors associated with
ADHD are premature birth, maternal alcohol and tobacco use, exposure
to high levels of lead in early childhood and brain injuries -
especially to the pre frontal cortex [1]
The
main behaviours that characterize ADHD are:
- Inattention
- Impulsivity
- Hyperactivity
Associated
characteristics can include aggressive or violent behaviour, disorganization,
daydreaming, poor self-esteem, poor peer/sibling relationships,
sensation-seeking behaviour, poor coordination, memory problems
and obsessive thinking and behaviour. [2]
Many
of the above behaviours can also be present in people suffering
with depression and anxiety disorders. Why then are these symptoms
and behaviours combined to form a "disorder"? Dr. Richard Bromfiled,
Ph.D. of Harvard Medical School explains: "ADHD exists as a disorder
primarily because a committee of psychiatrists voted it so. In
a valiant effort, they squeezed a laundry list of disparate symptoms
into a neat package that can be handled and treated.
Children
diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are often intelligent, unique and fascinating.
However, these children often end up in "Special Education" programming
for their learning or behavioural problems. In addition, they
are prescribed medications that do not offer permanent solutions.
One of these medications is Ritalin. Health Canada statistics
indicate that the amount of Ritalin consumed in Canada in 1997
represented more than a five fold increase since 1990, including
a 21 percent jump in the last year of that time period. [3]
Having
a hyperactive or disruptive child who has difficulty learning
is certainly a legitimate cause for concern. The problems arise
from the arbitrary diagnosis and suppressive treatments used to
address the condition. The clinical diagnosis of ADHD, based on
the DSM IV, is an intricate task. It involves a careful examination
of the child's medical and developmental history, observations
of their behaviour over a sufficient time period (at least 6 months)
and the administration of different neuropsychological tests.
"There is a great deal of evidence for co-morbid conditions and
the so called mimic syndromes (i.e., conditions that look like
ADD/ADHD but are clinically different in their etiology, treatment,
and prognosis). Consequently, the clinician must consider several
sources of information besides the developmental history from
parents to piece together the puzzle to sort out which characteristics
are primary, and which ones may be secondary and tertiary problems.
Such a multilevel analysis will frequently lead to a multi-component
treatment program that addresses each significant component."
[4]
Some
authorities believe that many behaviour and learning difficulties
are associated with deficiencies of fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6
in one's diet. The typical North American diet is rich in Omega-6
fatty acids, thus it is the Omega-3 deficiency that is believed
to contribute to the difficulties. Omega-3rich foods include flax
seed oil, salmon, sardines and mackerel.
Homeopathic
Medicine for ADD / ADHD
Regardless
of the contributing factors to your child's ADD/ADHD, Homeopathy
offers a unique approach to its treatment and a long history of
success. There are thousands of homeopathic remedies, rather than
the few conventional medications used to treat this condition.
Since homeopathy treats the person, not the disease, there is
no need for your homeopath to know that your child has been diagnosed
with ADHD. By simply explaining the child's personality, behaviours,
moods, sleep patterns, appetite, fears and idiosyncrasies, the
homeopath will be directed to the indicated remedy.
"Like
cures like" is homeopathy's foremost principle. This means if
a given substance can produce symptoms in a healthy person, it
can cure those symptoms in a sick person, when administered in
infinitesimal doses. For example, the root of Veratrum Album (white
hellebore) a highly poisonous plant, causes violent purging that
leads to severe dehydration, mirroring the symptoms of cholera.
In a tiny, or homeopathic dose, Veratrum Album can cure those
symptoms and restore health. Similarly, arsenic can produce violent
abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath, burning
pains, fears and paranoia. Homeopathic dose of Arsenic (Arsenicum
Album) however is a very important remedy in curing many digestive,
respiratory and psychological disorders.
Homeopathic
remedies are made from natural (in many cases harmful) substances,
from plants, minerals, animal products and even microorganisms
that cause disease. In preparing the homeopathic remedies these
substances are diluted to minuscule doses, rendering them harmless.
Two
of my patients who have been diagnosed with ADHD are prime examples
of homeopathy's curative powers and its ability to address each
person's individuality. While both were diagnosed with ADHD, they
were two unique individuals with very little in common. Here are
the details:
Child A: Difficult
focusing in school; impulsive behaviour; aggressive bordering
violent behaviour; disruptive in class; good appetite; good sleep
- slept through the night; slight asthma; cravings for cold milk.
Child
B: Difficulty focusing in school; clumsy with poor coordination;
accident prove; restless - continuously moved around; poor appetite;
restless sleep with nightmares; aversion to fruit; bedwetting
problem.
In
addition, both children had a different medical history. Child
A was vaccinated against all common childhood illnesses, while
child B was not; child A had her tonsils removed, while child
B did not. The children were given two different homeopathic remedies;
child A was given Tuberculinum, while child B - Arsenicum Album.
Both showed considerable improvement after one dose. Child A was
calmer, much less aggressive and able to concentrate at school.
Child B became less restless, had improved appetite and sleep.
Six weeks later, both children were given a second dose of the
above-mentioned remedies. Both children's health further improved.
Child A was able to concentrate for longer periods at school,
and did not have her monthly asthma attack. Child B stopped having
nightmares and the 'almost daily' bedwetting was reduced to less
than once a week.
Child
C: One mother brought her 7year old son Michael (not his real
name) to me 3 years ago. Michael was diagnosed with ADHD, and
was prescribed Ritalin. It had started with the teacher and subsequently
the school principal complaining about Michael's restlessness
in class, coupled with a strong suggestion for Michael to see
a psychiatrist and "get some help". His mother was worried and
explained to me that ever since Michael started taking the Ritalin,
his personality had changed. He no longer reacted in his usual
predictable way to which his mother was accustomed. "He has lost
his spark", the mother explained. "He says and does things that
makes me think another person has taken over his body". Michael
had also lost his appetite, as well as some weight since going
on the drug. While Michael was paying more attention at school,
he was no longer his happy, responsive and loving self. He had
become withdrawn and pensive. The one hour consultation revealed
that the triggering cause of Michael's inability to concentrate
at school was the apparent disharmony between his parents.
After
2 doses of the remedy Argentum Nitricum, Michael's mother was
delighted with the improvement. Michael was calmer, and his grades
started to improve gradually. Under the guidance of his pediatrician,
Michael discontinued the Ritalin. With 2 additional doses of the
indicated homeopathic remedy Michael was back to his former happy
self, and this time, able to concentrate at school.
Tamara
Der-Ohanian is a Classical Homeopath practicing and teaching in
Toronto and Bolton. She can be reached at 416-385-1001.
References
[1]
http://www.indiaparenting.com/raisingchild/data/raisingchild069.shtml
[2]
G. L. Ph.D., ADD/ADHD Behaviour-Change Resource Kit. The centre
for applied research in education, 1998, p. 1.
[3]
Canadian Statistics regarding Ritalin use: The Vancouver Provimce,
April 3, 1998.
[4]
G. L. Flick, Ph.D., ADD/ADHD Behaviour-Change Resource Kit. The
centre for applied research in education, 1998, p. 37.
