Naturopathic Doctors Ontario

ADHD

Naturopathic Doctors Ontario

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AttentionDeficitHyperactivityDisorder

ADHD

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History

• 1970's - Attention deficit disorder (ADD)• 1980's - Attention deficit disorder with or

without hyperactivity (ADD / ADHD)• 1990's - Attention deficit hyperactivity

disorder (ADHD) further defined

History

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Symptoms3 symptom categories:• Inattention• Hyperactivity• Impulsivity

Symptoms

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DiagnosisOtherwise Normal Behaviour except

frequency and severity of symptoms increases to the point that:

• It occurs in most situations• Has a negative impact on the child’s life

Diagnosis

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Inattention• Inattention to details • Easily distracted• Difficulty organizing tasks and

activities

Inattention

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Hyperactivity

• Cannot sit still• Difficulty playing quietly• Excessive talking

Hyperactivity

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Impulsivity

• Blurts out answers before question • Difficulty waiting till turn• Interrupts

Impulsivity

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Incidence: Children• ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed

behavioral disorder of childhood. • It affects about 3 - 5% of school aged

children. • ADHD is diagnosed much more often in

boys than in girls.

Incidence: Children

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Incidence: Adults• It is now known that ADHD symptoms

continue into adulthood for about 60% of children with ADHD.

• That translates into 4% of the US adult population, or 8 million adults.

• Few adult cases are identified or treated leads to complications

Incidence: Adults

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Long term complications

• Addiction: Drug and alcohol abuse• Failure in school: Underachievement• Problems maintaining a job• Trouble with the law • Rejection from peers: rejection, low self-

esteem, anxiety, depression

Long Term Complications

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Possible causes:• Inherited? • Genetics? • Stressful early childhood experience• Trauma /PTSDCurrently accepted mechanism: Lowered

Dopamine levels, under-stimulation of reward center of the brain

Possible Causes:

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Current Medical TreatmentStimulant drugs to increase dopamine in the

brain: • Methylphenidate ( Ritalin, Concerta) • Amphetamines ( Dexedrine, Adderall)

Current Medical Treatment

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Outcomes As long as treatment is on-going and

consistent, it:• Is effective - Reduces and controls

symptoms• Lessens likelihood of complicationsHowever, it is not a cure for ADHD and

side effects are many

Outcomes

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Side Effects• Cardiovascular: rapid heart beat, palpitation, stroke,

hypertension• Nervous system: depression, seizures, insomnia,

headache, Tourette’s syndrome, psychotic episodes• Gastrointestinal: dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation,

anorexia• Skin: hives, rash• Endocrine: impotence, decreased libido

Side Effects

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Nutritional SupportBoost Dopamine levels with nutritionIncrease intake of dopamine building blocks: • l-phenylalanine (essential amino acid)• Wheat germ• Eggs, Soy, Cheese, Dairy, Meat

Nutritional Support

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Specific Nutrients

• EFA’s• Magnesium• B Vitamins: Anxiety, Depression, Mood• B6

Specific Nutrients

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Antioxidants

• Antioxidants (beets, celery, carrots, blue-berries, greens) to protect oxidation of dopamine

• Apples contain quercetin: protect dopamine breakdown/oxidation

• Bananas contain building blocks for dopamine

Antioxidants

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Botanical MedicineNerve Tonics:

• Chamomile• Avena• Hops• Melissa

Are gentle and safe for children and calm hyperactivity by acting on the nervous system

Botanical Medicine

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Lifestyle• Prenatal and postnatal care• Stress reducing treatments to mother

and child which are safe• Underlying food intolerances/ allergies

Lifestyle

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Other Treatments• Elimination Diet• Feingold Diet• Homeopathy• Counseling• Stress reduction

Other Treatments

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Maintenance• Strategies: daily, weekly, monthly and

annual to remain healthy• How to listen to your symptoms• How to take care of your health

Maintenance

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References• Pub Med Online:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/

• National Institute for Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml

• ADHD Canada: www.adhdcanada.com/• Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance:

http://www.caddra.ca• Ritalin-free Kids: Robert Ullman N.D. and Judyth

Reichenberg-Ullman N.D. http://www.ritalinfreekids.com/

References

For more information call 416-233-2001 or [email protected]

To find out more about naturopathic medicine visit: www.ndontario.com