Most pediatricians and psychiatrists diagnose ADHD based on a series of criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).  According to the DSM-IV, there are three types of ADHD: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type.  But did you know that there are more than three types of ADHD?

Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen has handled hundreds of children and adults with ADHD and developed a special brain imaging technique called the SPECT test to help him find the cause of the condition.  His work on SPECT imaging made him realize the full complexity of the disorder.  Over the years, he noticed that there are six distinct SPECT patterns in his ADHD patients, and that each requires a specialized treatment. Based on these observations, Dr. Amen came up with the six types of ADHD.

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In our Article Library, you’ll find several discussions on various nutritional interventions for ADHD. Although vitamin C is known more for its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, some studies suggest that it may play an important role in managing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Before you get excited and start buying vitamin C supplements, take note that vitamin C works more as a secondary treatment that boosts the efficacy of supplements and dietary methods; in other words, it should not be used as a single, stand-alone treatment. Although some of its speculative benefits still need to be confirmed by further studies, it seems like maintaining or increasing vitamin C levels can reduce ADHD symptoms in five ways:

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Kids with ADHD can be very difficult to buy presents for. Like many parents, you are probably at a loss as to what to get for your ADHD child this holiday season. If you buy an expensive toy, there’s a high chance that they’ll accidentally break it or lose interest in it after a few days. But if you get them something too simple, they may not even glance at it, leaving the present to gather dust at the back of a closet.

Before you head out to go Christmas shopping for your ADHD child, take the time to know your child and what hobbies or topics is he or she interested in. Children with ADHD may be fickle and easily bored, but they only behave this way when faced with tasks or subjects that do not interest them. But give them a present related to their real interests, and you’ll find that your child is actually capable of sitting still and staying quiet for hours – and using your present until it naturally falls apart. Here are some gift suggestions that might help you decide what to get your kids this Christmas.

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In the UnRitalin Solution, we place a lot of importance on diet and proper nutrition as a key to overcoming ADHD. Research shows that artificial additives and certain other food substances can aggravate the trademark symptoms of ADHD, including inattention and hyperactive behavior. These foods cause adverse reactions that impact the brain wave patterns in specific areas of the brain, which in turn triggers the ADHD-like symptoms.

Although very few researchers have looked into the actual mechanisms by which food allergies affect ADHD symptoms, a small study done in 1997 was able to document the phenomenon well. Researchers from Australia’s Institute for Child Health Research investigated the changes in brainwave patterns when participants with ADHD ate foods they were allergic too. The results are very telling and support the theory that an intolerance to certain foods are responsible for ADHD-like behaviors.

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If you look through the Unritalin Website, you’ll find several articles showing how herbal remedies alleviate ADHD. Aside from AD-FX and Vaxa Attend, there are five more herbal formulations that can boost brain functions and help children and adults overcome hyperactivity and inattention. Although these supplements are generally safe, seek the advice of your health care specialist before consuming or giving any to your child.

Flavay Plus for Healthy Immune and Nervous Systems

Research shows that the brain and the immune system have a direct influence upon each other’s functions. One way to achieve better neurotransmitter production is to consume vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that can support this connection. Flavay is a powerful nutritional supplement that provides support for both the immune system and nervous system. As an immune system booster, it recycles the activity of vitamins E and C, providing the body with more ammunition against infection and antioxidant protection against free radicals. As food for the brain, Flavay Plus contains phosphatidyl serine, a group of fatty acids and amino acids from soy lecithin that is a proven therapeutic agent against memory disorders. In a clinical trial where 26 children with ADHD took 300mg of phosphatidyl serine daily, 25 of them had improved learning capacity and behavior without any side effects. Other published double-blind studies show that this nutrient can treat depression naturally.

Phosphatidyl serine has another positive effect child with ADHD. The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders report that children with ADHD are likely to have abnormal rhythms in the stress hormone cortisol. Studies show that this nutrient can calm down exaggerated stress in young people by normalizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal’s stress-induced activation of the brain. In other words, phosphadtidyl serine regularizes brain activity, allowing the child to concentrate on tasks without jumping from thought to thought.

Finally, Flavay Plus contains other vitamins and minerals known to benefit children with ADHD, such as gingko biloba, zinc, magnesium, B-vitamins, and selenium. A bottle of Flavay Plus costs USD 78 ( 120 capsules per bottle). Available at flavay.com.

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Although articles and blogs on the Internet have helped many parents find alternative treatments for ADHD, books are a more comprehensive resource for drug-free ADHD treatments. Here are some titles on ADHD natural treatments that parents read and find helpful. Some of them provide a general overview of why medications are bad and what natural therapies work, while others focus on a specific drug-free treatment. All of them can be purchased on Amazon.Com.

Ritalin-Free Kids: Safe and Effective Homeopathic Medicine for ADD and Other Behavioral and Learning Problems by Robert Ullman ND and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman ND

This book by naturopathic physicians provides excellent arguments against using Ritalin and stimulants to treat ADHD. Besides that, it offers a concise, easy-to-follow guide on homeopathic treatments for ADHD. Homeopathy is no quick fix for ADHD; in fact, it takes months of trial and error to find the right treatment that will work. Parents who are looking to provide their children with holistic, natural ADHD treatments can familiarize themselves with homeopathic approaches using this book. Buy it here.

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If you are reading this blog, you’re probably well aware of the serious side effects caused by Ritalin and other ADHD medications. Fortunately, medicating your child is not the only ADHD treatment option out there. Today, there are a number of natural ADHD treatments that are safe, effective, and easy to purchase. Although certain approaches like ADHD diets can demand a lot out of your time and energy, homeopathic remedies can provide the convenience of taking medication without their side effects. One of the leading homeopathic remedies for ADHD is a product called Vaxa Attend, an herbal formulation specifically designed to boost central nervous system functions and the neurochemical deficits that are thought to cause the symptoms of ADHD.

How Attend works

Attend has over 70 active homeopathic ingredients that target the brain’s Reticular Activating System, which is responsible for consciousness, receiving stimuli from the spinal cord, and control of focused attention. Children and adults with ADHD usually have enough stimuli for conscious thought, but not for attention or focus (inattention). If the Reticular Activating System is receives too much stimulation, the person finds it difficult to stay still and control impulses (hyperactivity and impulsivity). Specific homeopathic ingredients in Attend (carbonicum and lithium bromatum) complement the chemical activity of the Reticular Activating system while directing and regulating attention. Aside from that, the herbs in Attend can stimulate neuron growth and reduce brain fatigue from prolonged mental exertion. And unlike ADHD medications, Attend can produce these useful effects without dulling the overall cognitive abilities and functions of the brain, which is a long-term side effect of stimulant drugs.

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For many individuals, chiropractic  is associated with taking care of the spine and back.

Unfortunately, not many people understand that chiropractic actually works with the nervous system that is encased and protected with the spine. By freeing up areas of tension in the spine, the chiropractor allows for a better flow of information within the nervous system. This, in turn, allows the body’s healing capacities to express themselves better. In other words, the body can heal and function better.

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