Alternative and Complimentary Treatment
What does Complementary and Alternative Treatment of ADHD look like?
Complementary and Alternative Medicine describes many treatment types that are not considered part of Western medicine. Alternative treatments includes mind-body practices like meditation, body-based practices like massage, and natural products like nutritional supplements. Recently, computer training and app based programs have become proposed new treatments to target ADHD. This may be used along with (i.e., complementary), or instead of (i.e., alternative) Western medicine.
Although some of these treatments may be beneficial, it is important to understand the risks and benefits of each treatment.
It consists mostly of nutritional supplements or mindful eating, making sure your brain and body have the optimal levels of nutrition needed to function correctly, while staying away from foods and additives that would negatvly impact you and cause spikes in ADHD symptoms. At the same time, this also includes mind and body based practices such as meditation or “grounding” and muscle massages to release tension.
Nutrional Suplments include but are not limited to:
Melatonin
Research shows that melatonin improves difficulty falling asleep and nighttime awakenings in a wide range of children, including those with ADHD, as well as adults
Omega 3/Fish Oil Supplements
Omega 3 fatty acids are found naturally in many foods, but tend to be lacking in Westernized diets. Benefits, if present, take up to 3 months to show
Eliminating or refraining from:
Food Dyes (Particularly Red40)
Artificiual Sweeteners
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Preservatives
Elimination diets may lead to a variety of vitamin/mineral deficiencies, so be sure to discuss with a doctor or dietician when considering elimination of specific foods
What does complimentary or alternitive medicine consist of?
Mind-Body and Body-Based
Practices
Acupuncture
Involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin to improve body functioning and promote self-healing
Originated in China over 2000 years ago
Most commonly used for treating pain
Small amounts of pressure or electrical stimulation may also have similar benefits
Limited evidence exists showing the benefit or safety for acupuncture in treating ADHD
Further studies are warranted to establish these facts
- Learn More at -
Acupuncture for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents »
a Cochrane Database Review
Yoga
Concentrates on controlled breathing, meditation and focusing on body postures
Provides overall health benefits
Widely used for relaxation and stress management
Randomized trial in 2015 suggests that yoga helped improve ADHD symptoms as well as CBTg (Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) which is frequently utilized for ADHD treatment
Further research is needed to determine whether yoga is an effective treatment
Yoga is safe, has minimal risks, and may have potential benefits for those with ADHD
- Learn More at -
Computer Training Programs
Utilize specialized computer games to target ADHD symptoms including inattention and distractibility
Many also target the executive function deficits that are common in people with ADHD, including working memory (the part of memory that holds information temporarily so you can use it) and inhibition (the ability to resist acting impulsively)
There are many new computer-based treatments being developed and tested for ADHD and executive function challenges
More research is needed to determine whether these programs will provide lasting benefits
- Learn More at -
Here is an article describing several of the popular computer based training programs currently available. Keep in mind that there is mixed evidence about the benefits of these programs: 10 Best Brain Training Programs for Children with ADHD from ADDitude »
This Section was researched and written by Benjamin Wade