5 Tips to Help Your Child Overcome the ADHD Syndrome

ADHD is a disorder that affects children by intruding in their attention span, making them hyperactive, as well as impulsive in behavior. ADHD is something that is more common in boys as compared to girls. A child dealing with this disorder has an attention span of 3 to 5 minutes per year of a child's age. This article will assist you deal with a child that is suffering from attention deficient disorder.

Tips to handle a child showing ADD Symptoms:

1. Be accepting- As a parent, it is your responsibility to help your child handle this disorder with ease. Accept the fact that your child is bound to be active and energetic at all times. Understand the fact that the hyperactivity is not intentional, however, you can help bring it under control with a smile.

2. Provide an outlet- Give your child a break free from being tied down at home. Help him/her to indulge in outdoor activities and provide an outlet for the excess energy. Even in the case of getting him/ her toys; ensure they are safe and not too many in number.

3. Create a daily routine- Help your child learn the systematic things in life. Teach him/ her to be more organized and less messy. You could also involve him/ her in your daily chores to keep them busy. Creating a daily routine chart will help your child understand the importance of following a systematic living pattern, which is very vital.

4. Maintain firm discipline- Teach your little one to know where to draw the line. It is critical that your child understands what should and should not be done. You could reward him/ her as and when he/ she do something worth the reward. Also, don't forget to punish him/ her for his/ her ill behavior.

5. Stretch their attention span- Help your child cope with the low attention span by teaching them how to listen and develop their listening skills. You could start with picture books and gradually move on to storybooks. Help him/her learn how to color and buy them a host of coloring books to use, after which praise them for their good work.

It does get difficult to be handling a kid with this disorder. However, make use of the above-mentioned attention deficiency remedies and watch the difference it brings about in your little one's behavior. In addition, make sure to take your child for a consultation if he/she shows unprovoked aggression and destructive behavior. You can also get access to all the best ADHD symptoms & remedies with the help of the consultant.-Abhinav Kumar

ADHD Herbal Remedies - Spirulina

Can food supplements and herbs be used as natural remedies for ADHD? Parents who are aware of the side effects of medication are constantly on the lookout for the best natural treatments for their children. Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered by a simple "yes" or "no." Every child is biochemically unique, which means that he or she will have a different response to different treatments. One child might experience reduced symptoms after taking one herbal remedy while the next child may show no improvement at all.

Lately, a lot of experts recommend using spirulina as an ADHD natural remedy because of its wide spectrum of benefits. Spirulina is a blue-green algae with an extensive nutritional profile. In fact, some experts say that spirulina alone offers more nutritional benefits than most foods, and can replace expensive multivitamin formulas. If you look at spirulina's nutritional offerings and compare them to the nutrition deficits suffered by children with ADHD, you'll see why this algae has so much potential to be a natural treatment for ADHD.

Spirulina is rich in ten non-essential amino acids, eight essential amino acids, and even essential fatty acids needed by the brain. It has a rare essential fatty acid called GLA, which can only be found in human milk and evening primrose. Pound for pound, spirulina provides 200 times more protein than beef and 20 times more protein than soybeans. And if you're searching for a multivitamin formula that can treat the vitamin and mineral deficiencies found in children with ADHD, spirulina might answer your child's nutritional needs. Spirulina contains a host of minerals like iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins B6 and B12. There's no need to give your child antioxidants, either, because spirulina contains vitamins E and C, two natural antioxidants that protect vitamins and minerals from free radical damage.

Aside from being a potent source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, spirulina has natural detoxification properties. In many cases, high levels of lead, mercury, and other neurotoxins are responsible for the ADHD symptoms in children. There is some evidence that spirulina can increase the efficiency of detoxification and reduce the amount of toxins on kidneys.

Although there are no studies that investigate spirulina's effects in treating ADHD, its nutritional content shows that it could be an important source of nutrients needed to manage the disorder. For instance, a number of studies show that zinc supplements can correct ADHD symptoms triggered by a zinc deficiency. One clinical trial observed that spirulina is more effective than zinc sulfate supplements in boosting zinc levels.

Since spirulina is fairly new to consumers of natural medicine, experts have yet to determine the recommended dosage of spirulina for children. However, you can include it in your child's diet by adding spirulina flakes to soups, sauces, and salads. Make sure you consult a qualified holistic health care practitioner before you use spirulina or any natural treatments for ADHD.

By Dr. Yannick Pauli

Natural Self-Care for ADD-ADHD

Experts recommend a holistic approach for living with ADD/ADHD. As well as learning as much as you can about ADHD and receiving support from peers and professionals, here are some self-care strategies that can increase your well-being and help you function at your best:

1. Realize that having to focus all day can be draining and find the time to rest and renew. This could mean playing a video game, taking a walk, reading a good book, or just lying on the couch and staring at the ceiling! The most important thing is to NOT feel guilty because taking the time to re-energize your body and mind is an essential component of functioning at your best.

2. Try to evaluate whether you are putting unrealistic demands and expectations on yourself. None of us are perfect and having ADD/ADHD and executive functioning challenges makes certain aspects of life harder. Practice recognizing your accomplishments and all the good things that you do. And try to develop some compassion for yourself if you fall short. See if you can give yourself a break.

3. Spend time with caring non-judgmental people whenever possible. Creating a personal support system where you can be yourself and feel accepted is crucial for everyone, ADHD or not.

4. Find ways to feel grateful every day. Most of us take so much for granted that we often overlook our blessings. Do we have food to eat? A warm place to live? Our health? Family? Safety? Some people keep a gratitude journal and others just say a prayer of thanks every night. Do whatever works to remind you of everything good in your life. When we read the news about starvation, violence, loss, and terror, it can broaden our perspectives and lessen the importance of losing our keys!

5. Practice taking brief pauses throughout the day to become aware of what you are thinking, feeling, or doing in the present moment. If we set reminders (electronic or written) to trigger us to step back and observe ourselves, it can help in so many ways. This observation can be called mindfulness. Is my attention matching my intention? In other words, did I really mean to be checking my emails right now? Is my neck tense? What am I telling myself about this task I am avoiding? Developing the skills to step back and observe ourselves can help us make sure we are acting in our own best interests.

6. Exercise! Dr. John Ratey, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain suggests thinking of exercise as a form of medication for ADD/ADDH. Exercise improves attention, energy, and mood. Anything aerobic, even 30 minutes of brisk walking, can cause your brain to release endorphins, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These brain chemicals increase your ability to focus and pay attention. So if you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or don't know where to start, try running up and down some stairs or doing jumping jacks!

7. Keep yourself fueled with healthy food and liquids throughout the day. This means different things to different people, depending on whether you are a vegetarian, a meat eater, on a Paleo diet, or whatever! Regardless, a diet low in sugar and simple carbs and high in fruits, vegetables, and good quality protein is probably best. Try not to go too long without eating and keep yourself hydrated. These all add up to an optimally functioning brain and body. If you tend to hyper-focus, you may want to set electronic reminders: Don't forget to eat!

8. Get enough sleep. Staying up late seems to go along with ADHD and some people get a second wind at 11 p.m. It helps to develop a bedtime routine that will work just for you. For at least an hour before bed, what could you do that would allow you to relax, let go of the day, and get ready for sleep? Some suggestions are keeping the lights low, listening to relaxing music, slow stretching, meditation or yoga, turning off electronics, and settling into bed with a book. What time should you start winding down? Once you've figured it out, set an alarm to remind you to start your routine. Not easy, but getting enough sleep can improve your whole next day and help you function at your best.

By Mimi Handlin 

ADHD & ADD - Symptoms, Treatments, and Natural Alternatives

ADHD(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) also known as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is defined as a syndrome that is usually characterized by a short attention span, inattentiveness, poor concentration, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination of these things. Symptoms appear to begin in early childhood and can persist into adulthood.
While ADHD is often genetic, the root cause is not fully known or understood. Whatever the specific cause, it seems to appear early in life as the brain is developing. Studies have suggested that the brains of children diagnosed with ADHD are significantly different from those of other children. Neurotransmitters such as adrenalin, dopamine, and seratonin seem to be handled differently in the brains of ADHD children.
Many children are misdiagnosed with ADHD every year. This is why every child suspected of having ADD or ADHD should be carefully evaluated to determine exactly what is contributing to the suspected behaviors. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association divides the symptoms of ADD and ADHD into three categories: Inattentiveness, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity. Some of the symptoms in each category include:
Symptoms of Inattentiveness:
* Failure to give close attention to details
* Careless mistakes in schoolwork
* Difficulty sustaining attention
* Appears not to be listening when spoken to directly
* Difficulty organizing tasks
* Easily distracted and often forgetful
Symptoms of Hyperactivity:
* Fidgets with feet and hands or squirms in seat
* Runs around or climbs on things inappropriately
* Difficulty playing quietly
* Excessive talking
Symptoms of Impulsivity:
* Interrupts others
* Blurts out answers before questions are completed
ADHD is a frustrating problem for parents as well as the sufferer, and unfortunately many parents are very quick to jump on the pharmaceutical bandwagon in an attempt to "cure" their child. Positive effects of these drugs include a calming of the central nervous system, while the negatives include possible addiction, and all of the other fine print that you always hear in the disclaimers of pharmaceutical commercials. In addition, some ADHD drugs have been linked to sudden death in children with heart problems. This is why it is so important to get all the facts before implementing any type of treatment for ADD or ADHD.
Natural treatments and remedies for ADHD include a change in lifestyle with a healthier diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, the elimination of unhealthy items such as soft drinks and processed foods, and of course plenty of exercise. An added benefit would include the introduction of yoga and meditation into the daily routine. All of these things together will most likely cause a reduction in the ADHD symptoms. Of course, as with anything, please consult a healthcare professional before beginning any type of treatment.

By M. A. Rose