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Attention Deficit Disorder
Recommendations
By Thomas Stearns
Lee, NMD
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a neurological
disorder. Its major symptoms are distractibility,
forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, poor attention span, and
impulsiveness.
ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder -- Inattentive
Type, and ADHD is Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 3-5 percent of the
population in the U.S. are affected by ADD/ADHD.
ADD is without hyperactivity, with which a person
can be withdrawn, shy, and quiet. ADD and ADHD can both be
difficult and cause distractibility, forgetfulness, disorganization,
difficulty following rapid conversations, and low self-esteem.
Both can cause difficulty in completing school work and assignments
in a timely manner. Either can affect an individual’s ability
to keep track of their belongings or to keep track of time.
The impact of ADD/ADHD is dramatically depicted in
an illustration from
The Impossible Child: In School,
At Home
by Doris Rapp, Practical Allergy Research, 1986.
Signs of Allergies or Sensitivities
-
Increased physical or
emotional sensitivity, if noticed frequently.
-
Mood swings, if
excessive or recurring.
-
Respiratory distress,
wheezing, throat and sinus irritations, if food- or air-related.
-
Twitches, itches, ticks,
or repeated patterns of nervous behavior.
-
Facial changes, bags
under eyes, red earlobes, rashes, and tensions.
-
Tantrums, rages, fears,
crabbiness, and regular "emotional dramas."
-
Bowel or urinary
changes, bedwetting, with changing frequency.
-
Personality shifts;
changes in values and judgment.
Remedies
The following herbs are botanical medicines that
gently modify behavior without addiction. Use them carefully
with some help from a trained advisor. All work as either a
tea or capsule.
- Passion Flower
- Cools, calms, decreases aggressive energy, and acts as a mild
anti-depressive.
- Hops
- Increases calm, soothes nerves, clears the skin, and helps in
calming down before bed.
- Catnip
- Relaxes the nervous system, circulates energy, and is cooling.
- Nettles
- Enhances blood building, helps against fatigue. The
freeze-dried form also serves as a mild antihistamine without the
drowsiness.
- Green Tea
- A mild stimulant which complements the effects of Vitamin C
and benefits the immune system and circulation.
Home practices to help manage behavior
-
Gentle hugging as a
restraint. One minute will seem like 50 seconds too long for
a hyperphasic child, so use this carefully and kindly.
-
Avoid and restrict
sugars and food colorings, which are known allergens.
-
Manage blood sugar
levels during problem times or flare-ups. Soaked organic,
raw almonds help as a snack to level blood sugar, as do organic,
oily foods.
-
Change the environmental
conditions if the person has experienced prolonged exposure to
fluorescent lights, poor ventilation, or airborne chemicals.
-
Avoid difficult people.
-
Take a neutral/tepid
bath before bed or if agitated. Use body-temperature water
(~99°F).
-
Avoid over-stimulating
entertainment.
-
Apply moist heat over
the chest and neck for 20 minutes with a hot washcloth, and apply
a cold washcloth at the base of skull or nape of neck at the same
time.
-
Provide tangible or
intangible rewards for accomplishments requiring attention, such
as reading. Give compliments, companionship, approving
attention, and shared collaboration.
-
Ask for help from
family, friends, friends of your child, and the child him/herself.
Agree on goals and expectations, and demonstrate consistency.
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