Saturday, October 25, 2008

ADHD Help - 2 Methods to Help Your Child Overcome ADHD

If your child has just been diagnosed with adhd, help is within your grasp. There are three current therapies for ADHD: prescription medicines, natural remedies and behavioral therapy. In this article, you'll learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each, so you can make the most informed decision about how to help your child.
Help for ADHD - The Prescription Method
Medicines such as Ritalin, Adderall and others have traditionally been used to treat ADHD. Although these drugs can be quite effective at suppressing symptoms, they are well known for their side effects, such as loss of appetite, difficulty falling or staying asleep, stomach issues, heart problems and psychosis.
It's important to note that some drugs don't work for certain people, so your doctor may have to experiment with both the drug and the dosage until you start to see changes in your child's behavior. Also, there is also the concern that giving your child a drug to manage his behavior could encourage recreational drug use later on in life.
ADHD Help - Behavioral Programs
Behavioral programs can teach your child coping skills that will show him how to curb impulses and soothe himself when he gets agitated, so he can avoid tantrums and outbursts. Your child will also learn skills that will help him focus and stay on-task.
The benefit of behavioral therapy is that it teaches your child skills that can last a lifetime. Since behavioral programs are available on DVD, you can use them in the privacy of your home. The only drawback of this therapy is that you are not addressing the nutritional deficits that may have caused the disorder in the first place. This is where natural remedies come in.
Lasting Help for ADHD - Natural Remedies
Like a lot of parents, you may be concerned about giving your child drugs because you are worried about the short and long term side effects. What you may not know is that quality natural remedies are just as effective at suppressing symptoms as drugs and just as important, they have no side effects or concerns about addiction.
Beyond this, natural substances contain ingredients which work to heal the brain, so it can function optimally, increasing the child's ability to regulate moods, calm himself, focus, and stay on task. This means that with continued use, one day, the brain will be able to function normally on its own.
Recommended Help for ADHD: A Two-Pronged Approach
In conclusion, the best, most effective therapy for ADHD is comprised of natural remedies that suppress symptoms and give the brain the nutrients it needs to function properly, along with a behavior program that teaches your child coping skills that he will use throughout his life.
Be aware that some of the most creative people in our society struggled with ADHD when they were children. Give your child the tools he needs to overcome this disorder--natural remedies in conjunction with behavioral therapy--and who knows what unique contributions your child will make to the world as an adult.
Of course, since there are many natural supplements and behavioral programs out there, make sure to do your research, so you can give your child the best possible chance for success.

Laura Ramirez

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