ADHD alternative treatments can be a helpful alternative when used with other primary treatments and are a side effect free way to rein in such problematic ADHD symptoms as inattention/distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity/restlessness. While many in the mainstream would choose to conveniently discredit alternative ADHD treatments in favor of stimulant prescription medications the research simply doesn’t support their view. Study after study shows that one form of treatment alone rarely produces better results than a multi treatment approach. In fact one study actually put a form of psychotherapy on equal footing with prescription medications such as Ritalin.
In this article we will be mainly focusing on neurofeedback therapies and experimental therapies that most experts in the field of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder believe to be credible.
Neurofeedback is a therapy reserved primarily for adults and is often referred to as EEG-biofeedback or neurotherapy. The assumption of doctors in this area of medicine is that neurofeedback improves the overall level of activity in the brain thus improving ADHD symptoms. During the therapy session electrodes are hooked up to the scalp to give your doctor a birds-eye view of what is happening in that skull of yours. Your readings are then compared to a database of normal brain readings to isolates and measure discrepancies. Once isolated a series of learning exercises are chosen to stimulate those areas of the brain which are weak. Neurofeedback therapies are considered to be somewhere between conventional and experimental and definitely have strong support in certain areas of the medical community.
Experimental therapies on the other hand haven’t been readily embraced outside the natural health community. Nevertheless, naturopaths and specialist in the field of natural medicine base their whole treatment approach on these unconventional forms of ADHD alternative treatments. These therapies are generally considered side effect free and safe for all ages.
What are referred to as balancing therapies are at the center of the ADHD alternative therapies falling under the umbrella of experimental therapies. These would include homeopathic medicines, yoga, chiropractic adjustments, osteopathy, and acupuncture. These treatments are applied on a broader full spectrum scale which could be aptly defined as total mind and body therapy. They work to moderate and manage ADHD symptoms by reducing stress, slowing racing thoughts, and producing a feeling of general relaxation and wellness. Where neurofeedback tends to reeve up the brain, many experimental solutions try to give an already stressed brain a rest, thus allowing time to recalibrate brain chemical balance.
Other examples that fall under the heading of experimental ADHD alternative treatments are sensory integration, auditory integration, and vision therapy. While results of these forms of treatments have not been scientifically documented there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence to support their efficacy. However, they seem to be at their best when combined with other forms of more conventional treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
