Andrew J. Kaufmann, ND

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All Posts in Category: ADD/ADHD

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Treating Teens With Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Using Homeopathy

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The Use of Homeopathy

Homeopathy refers to the method of treating some form of ailment by intentionally producing some of the symptoms thereof. The German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) developed the idea on which modern homeopathy is based during the early 1800s, theorizing that a drug that produces certain disease symptoms in a healthy person will have the opposite effect on somebody who already has a disease of which such symptoms are characteristic. (The older school of medicine, based on the opposite principle, is known as allopathy.)  In this article, we will look specifically at the use of homeopathic treatments for attention deficit disorder (ADD).

ADD-affected children

boy-608821_1920About 35 percent of all children in the United States are affected by this disorder. Traditionally, doctors have used central nervous system stimulants to treat ADD. One such drug is Ritalin and other brands of methylphenidate. This particular drug has been prescribed with increasing frequency since the 1990s, partly as a result of the more widespread acceptance of ADD as a valid diagnosis. If the use of this and other such drugs is monitored carefully, they can be effective at least some of the time; however, there is a risk of toxicity, and their effects on children under six has not yet been adequately tested, so these drugs should be considered off-limits to that age group.

That leaves homeopathy as a viable alternative for those who want to see their children treated for ADD as early as possible. Although objective evidence for its effectiveness has been lacking up to a point (see next section), clinicians have reported that homeopathy does have positive results when used properly.

Testing the effectiveness of homeopathy

A blind test was performed in 1997 on 43 ADD children. Each was selected for either a homeopathic remedy or a placebo, which was administered for ten days. Those in the first group improved more greatly than those in the placebo group. An article on this study appeared in the October issue of the British Homeopathic Journal that year.

Some individual homeopathic remedies

The number of homeopathic ADD medicines are great. A few of the medicines are listed below:

  • Agentum nitricum
  • Calcarea carbonica
  • Lycopodium clavatum
  • Natrum muriaticum
  • Hyoscyamus
  • Tuberculinum
  • Remember, when considering homeopathic treatments for you child you should never self diagnose or treat.  Please seek advice and treatment from a highly trained and experienced homeopathic practitioner.  Treatment should only be performed by an experienced homeopathic practitioner, after an extensive medical history as been performed to make sure the appropriate medicine is administered.
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Treating ADD and ADHD in Children Using Homeopathy

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Treating ADD and ADHD in Mesa, AZ with homeopathy.ADD and ADHD in Children

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and ADD are some of the most commonly diagnosed disorders among children in the US, with rates having increased by 42 percent between 2003 and 2011. Clearly, this is an issue that must be addressed, as a child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD is also at comparably high risk of other difficulties. He or she may:

  • exhibit behavior problems such as aggression or lashing out
  • experience difficulty learning
  • have issues maintaining peer relationships
  • be saddled with low self-esteem and anxiety

If left untreated, these difficulties can persist, leading to troubles later in life such as difficulty finding and maintaining a job, relationship issues, and in some cases even legal problems or incarceration.

Treatment

Roughly twenty percent of children treated with chemical prescriptions either experience negative side effects or show no improvement whatsoever in response to the first stimulant prescribed. By contrast, one key study found rapid and sustained in children with ADD receiving homeopathic treatment, noting that even after cessation of homeopathic treatment, 57 percent of the children continued to improve, while another 19 percent continued to improve while taking the prescribed homeopathic remedy. Some of the homeopathic remedies that the study found useful, especially in terms of cognitive and behavioral improvement were:

  • Stramonium
  • Cina
  • Hyoscyamus niger

Many other treatments are effective and available, though it is important to note that even in the case of this study, the remedies used were guided by an experienced and knowledgeable professional.

The Importance of Knowing Your Caregiver

Illnesses, particularly chronic ones, are sometimes unbearable– a truth that may lead many to self-diagnosis and self-medication. This can hold even truer when the person afflicted is one of your own children. But regardless of the case, it is crucial that a patient not only seek professional help, but also be informed about the background and qualifications of the health care professionals he or she chooses. Although many medical professionals are familiar with diagnosing and treating physical illness, a fraction of these practitioners are truly knowledgeable about mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and how to effectively treat them. While many who seek to diagnose and treat illnesses are well-intentioned, they are not all qualified. Make sure you seek help from someone who is.

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Treat ADHD with homeopathy

Is It Possible To Treat ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) With Homeopathy?

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What is ADD/ADHD?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects both children and adults and can drastically affect a person’s ability to learn or work in most traditional settings.

There are three types of ADHD:

Treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with homeopathy in Mesa, AZ

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  1. Combined ADHD (most common), patient has both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
  1. Inattentive ADHD (previously known as ADD), patient has impaired attention and concentration.
  1. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, patient has hyperactivity without inattentiveness.

What are the symptoms of ADD/ADHD?

Typically to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms that cause impairment must be present before age 7 and in more than one environment.  The symptoms fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Common inattention symptoms:

  • Consistently producing messy and incomplete assignments/work.
  • Easily distracted by small noises or activities that others easily ignore.
  • Unable to follow conversations, not listening to others, constantly shifting the conversation from one topic to another.

Common hyperactivity symptoms:

  • Inability to sit for prolonged periods of time, even when absolutely necessary.
  • Often “on the go”.
  • Talking excessively.

Common impulsivity symptoms:

  • Extremely impatient.
  • Obsessively blurting out answers to questions before the question has been asked.
  • Interrupting conversations to the point of causing issues.

How many people are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD?

The most recent statistics on the number of people, in the United States, diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are from a 2013 CDC (Center for Disease Control) report which analyzed findings from 2011.

  • 1 in 10 school-aged children were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD by a healthcare provider in 2011.
  • The number of children ages 4-17 diagnosed with ADD/ADHD is on the rise.  A 42% increase between 2003 and 2011.
  • Approximately half of all children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD continue to experience some level of impairment from the symptoms in adulthood.

What are the traditional treatments for ADD/ADHD and are there side effects?

Typically ADD/ADHD is treated with medications and behavioral therapies. Finding the right medication, dosage and schedule can often take quite a while.  Typically doctors will start with pyschostimulant or stimulant medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta or Dexedrine.  This class of medications is effective in 70% to 80% of patients.  If this class of medications does not work or if the side effects are too great then nonstimulant medications are tried such as Strattera or Intuniv.  If neither the stimulant or nonstimulant drugs are effective or well tolerated then there are a handful of other medication options such as Wellbutrin, Elavin or Catapres.

The side effects of stimulant drugs typically go away after prolonged use.  They include: weight loss, sleep problems, headaches and jitteriness.  Occasionally severe side effects such as cardiovascular problems, depression, psychosis or anxiety occur.  It has also been shown that stimulant drugs are toxic to nerves because they stimulate the cells until they exhaust their energy reserves and die.  In some instances, growth and maturity has been impaired in children.  It also can inhibit the normal development of attention span which leads to adults with ADHD.

How can ADD/ADHD be treated naturally with homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a very effective and gentle treatment option for ADD/ADHD. Homeopathy takes a holistic approach by first removing all toxins from the diet such as: artificial sweeteners, caffeine, all forms of sugar, MSG, artificial colors and all allergic prone foods (milk, wheat, etc.).  After all toxins are removed, a natural and organic baseline diet is implemented. Then treatments can be given based on the patient’s remaining symptoms and medical history.  Options include:

  • Aranea iaxabola – Encourages others to misbehave.
  • Baryta carbonica – Acts out, class clown.
  • Baryta iodatum – Difficulty concentrating.
  • Chamomilla – Irritable, impatient, restless.
  • Cina – Very difficult behavior, disobedient.
  • Cornus circinatus – Cannot concentrate, doesn’t want to read, think or work.
  • Zincum metallicum – Fidgety and restlessness.

The above list should not be used for personal diagnosis and treatment.  This is a short list of possible treatments.  The exact treatment, dosage and schedule should be determined by a trained homeopathic doctor.

Disclaimer: No statements on this website are intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any condition or disease but rather are given for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a licensed, trained health care provider when using any dietary supplements, herbal, homeopathic, over-the-counter medicines, prescription drugs or making any dietary or lifestyle changes.

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