LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE WITHOUT DRUGS FOR ADHD

[D'RA]

YES MY SON IS NOW 13 YEARS OLD NOW & WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD AT THE AGE OF 3 OR 4.SINCE THEN HE HAS BEEN ON & OFF DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS RITALIN,ADDERAL,STRATTERA. WERE FRUSTRATED WITH THE FACT THAT HE DOESN'T EAT,MOOD SWINGS,INSOMIA,FEAR OF SLEEPING ALONE,TICS,SUCKS HIS THUMB,FEAR OF TALKING IN PUBLIC BECAUSE WHEN HE'S NERVOUS HE STUTTERS. WE ARE IN SEARCH OF HELP & WOULD LIKE TO DO IT WITHOUT THE HELP OF MEDICATION. WE ARE CONCERNED OF THE LONG TERM AFFECTS & AS PARENTS IT IS KILLING US TO SEE OUR SON GOING THROUGH THE EFFECTS OF THE MEDICATIONS.WERE AT THE POINT TO WHICH WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN.

[Genome69]

Ah, there is intelligent life here.  Bravo to you for seeking non medicinal methods.  Let's be honest with ourselves...can anyone really know whether a 3 or 4 year old has ADD or ADHD?  I'm no professional, but, I think not.  I mean, making such a diagnosis is like diagnosing a child for a heart problem because his heart beats faster than a normal adult.   Hello!!...A child is not a normal adult! Their hearts aren't supposed to beat like a normal adults.  What makes us think that a childs brain is any different?  

You're doing the right thing by staying involved in the treatment of your child.  Most parents these days seems to think the docs have all the answers.  Sure, they're an excellent tool. A tool to be used for their expertise, experience, and insight. Ultimately, it's up to you, the parent; to educate yourself, and decide what's best for your child.  Good Luck.

[shrek]

There is an alternative to drugs for ADD & ADHD, it's called "food".  Actually what children eat, effect their behavior.  Thus if you eat chemically altered food, the body can't always digest it.  Check out www.feingold.org for a alternative to meds.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It would be sensible to have tour son reevaluated. The symptoms you describe are not ypical of children with ADHD. It may be that he has been treated (via medication) either inappropriately (i.e., he may not actually display ADHD), or not completely (i.e., he may indeed display ADHD, but alongside some other condition - e.g., anxiety disorder). In addition, if you do choose to have him evaluated again, let the clinician know of your interest in obtaining some non-pharmacological treatment for him. We usually recommend that children be involved in some couse of outpatient therapy, even if they are taking medication, and not rely solely on the medication. This is not to say that there are not children who can profit from medication alone. In other words, some children who are emotionally healthy and display only ADHD may simply require medication. But if a child displays symptoms alongside those of ADHD therapy can be very productive (particularly at your son's age).