ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) / Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

submitted by Dr. Gary Farr Last Updated May, 23, 2002

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If food allergies are present these will need to be tested.

1) Change the child's diet to all natural whole foods. This means fruit, grains and vegetables full of natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

2) Eliminate dairy products and other animal products because these contain hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and the diseasesof the animal itself.

3) Eliminate caffeine, sugar and other sweets, processed food, MSG, aspartame (Nutrasweet) and other sugar substitutes and any foods that contain preservatives, food dyes or other chemicals.

4) Eliminate eating at fast food restaurants as most of these apparently use MSG and preservatives, plus the food in many restaurants often contains less nutrition, but many harmful chemicals.

5) Encourage the child to eat a lot of raw fruit and vegetables because they are full of health-producing enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

6. Drink water, and fresh home-made vegetable and home-made fruit juice. Eliminate soda pop, caffeinated beverages or milk from cows or any other animal. Rice Drean (rice milk) from your health
food store is a reasonable substitute.

7. No white bread. Only whole grain bread, either home baked or from a health food store.

8. No white rice. Only whole grain brown rice and other whole grains.

9. No peanut butter: It contains aflatoxin, a fungus that causes cancer. Instead use Almond butter (It spreads like peanut butter and tastes just as good) from your health food store or other store.
Also you can make home-made cashew nut butter.

Other dietary changes that may be helpful: The two most studied dietary approaches to ADD are the Feingold diet and a hypoallergenic diet. The Feingold diet (see below) was developed by Benjamin Feingold, M.D., on the premise that salicylates (chemicals similar to aspirin that are found in a wide variety of foods) are an underlying cause of hyperactivity. In some studies, this hypothesis did not appear to hold up.⁴ But in studies where markedly different levels of salicylates were investigated, a causative role for salicylates could be detected in some hyperactive children.5 As many as 10–25% of children may be sensitive to salicylates.6 Parents of ADD children can contact local Feingold Associations for more information about which foods and medicines contain salicylates.

The Feingold diet also eliminates synthetic additives, dyes, and chemicals, which are commonly added to processed foods. The yellow dye, tartrazine, has been specifically shown to provoke symptoms in controlled studies of ADD-affected children.⁷ Again, not every child reacts, but enough do so that a trial avoidance may be worthwhile. The Feingold diet in any form is complex and requires help from an experienced healthcare professional.

In another study, twenty-six children diagnosed with ADD were put on a hypoallergenic diet, and the nine children who improved were then challenged with food additives. All nine showed an exacerbation of symptoms when given these additives.8 Other studies have shown that eliminating individual allergenic foods and additives from the diet can help children with attention problems.^{9 10}

Some parents believe that sugar may exacerbate ADD. One study found that avoiding sugar reduced aggressiveness and restlessness in hyperactive children.¹¹ Girls who restrict sugar have been reported to improve more than boys.¹² However, a study using large amounts of sugar and aspartame (Nutrasweet™) found that negative actions were limited to a few children,¹³ and most studies have not found sugar to stimulate hyperactivity except in rare cases.¹⁴

Results of 2 separate studies reveal that hyperactivity, and other behavioral conditions respond well to chiropractic care and even exceed results seen from medication.

Walton EV. The effects of chiropractic treatment on students with learning and behavior impairments due to neurological dysfunction. Int. Rev Chiro 1975; 29:4-5, 24-6

Giesen JM; Center DB; Leach RA. An evaluation of chiropractic manipulation as a treatment of hyperactivity in children. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989; 12(5): 353-63 / Medline ID: 90111454

There exists a positive relationship between cranial motion restrictions and learning disabled children, as well as children with a history of an obstetrically complicated delivery.

Upledger JE, The relationship of craniosacral examination findings in grade school children with developmental problems., J Am Osteopath Assoc 1978; 77(10):760-76 / Medline ID: 78193624

Children with ADHD and coordination problems were more than twice as likely to have a mother who smoked during gestation, compared with children who did not have ADHD. Many subjects with ADHD also experienced language problems (65% compared to 16% of children without the disorder). The study evaluated 113 6-year olds, including 62 who had been diagnosed with ADHD plus deficits in motor control and perception.

Landgren M, Kjellman B, Gillberg C. Attention deficit disorder with developmental coordination disorders. Arch Dis Child 1998; 79(3):207-12 / Medline ID: 99092173

1971 - Study entitled "Hyperactive Children as Teenagers: A Follow - up Study". 83 Children were followed up on, from 2 to 5 years after being diagnosed as hyperactive or as having attention deficit. 92 % of the children were treated with Ritalin. Results were as follows:

• 83 % had trouble with frequent lying
• 78 % found it hard to sit still and study
• 60 % of the children were still overactive and had poor schoolwork (the original reasons for being put on Ritalin), but in addition were now viewed as rebellious
• 59 % had some contact with police
• 59 % were viewed as a discipline problem at school
• 58 % had failed one or more grades
• 57 % had reading difficulties
• 52 % were destructive
• 44 % had arithmetic difficulties
• 34 % threatened to kill their parents
• 23 % had been taken to the police station one or more times
• 15 % had talked of or attempted suicide.

  Mendelson W; Johnson N; Stewart MA; Hyperactive children as teenagers: A follow-up study. J Nerv Ment Dis 1971; 153(4):273-9 / Medline ID: 72027685

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1987 - Satterfield study states: "We found juvenile delinquency rates to be 20-25 times greater in our hyperactive drug-treated only group than in the normal control group." In the "Delinquency Outcome for the drug-treated group" the results were: of 61 Boys,

• 46% were arrested for one or more felony offenses before age 18
• 30% were arrested for 2 or more felony offenses
• 25% were institutionalized

The authors go on to state "Studies of the long term effectiveness of drugs have been consistently discouraging."

Satterfield JH; Satterfield BT; Schell AM; Therapeutic interventions to prevent delinquency in hyperactive boys. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1987; 26(1):56-64 / Medline ID: 87222077

1976 - Study by Riddle & Rapoport - it was concluded that among the continuously treated hyperactive children it was found that peer status and academic achievement did not seem to improve.

Riddle KD; Rapoport JL; A 2-year follow-up of 72 hyperactive boys. Classroom behavior and peer acceptance. J Nerv Ment Dis 1976; 162(2):126-34 / Medline ID: 76121908

1976 - Study by Hechtman &Weiss stated: Thirty-five individuals aged 17 to 24 in whom severe chronic hyperactivity had been diagnosed 10 years before were studied together with 25 matched controls. Cognitive style tests indicated continued difficulty in reflection (resulting in more errors) but less impulsivity (longer reaction time) in the hyperactive individuals. Compared with controls, hyperactive subjects were continuing to have more scholastic difficulty, although this difference seemed to be less pronounced than 5 years before. Restlessness, both reported and observed, continued to be a problem for the hyperactive individuals, and socialization skills and sense of well being continued to be poorer than in the controls. The authors concluded that methylphenidate (Ritalin) did not significantly alter poor long-term academic performance, delinquent behavior or poor emotional adjustment.

Hechtman L; Weiss G; Finklestein J; Werner A; Benn R; Hyperactives as young adults: Preliminary report. Can Med Assoc J 1976; 115(7):625-30 / Medline ID: 77023552

1978 - Study by Blouin stated the following: "Clinical treatment with Ritalin was found to have no beneficial effect, and there was some evidence to suggest a poor behavior outcome for the drug-treated group."

1980 - Ackerman report entitled "Report on Drug Withdrawal Symptoms"; "The abstinence (withdrawal) syndrome associated with amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin) is marked by lethargy, sleep disturbances and prolonged depression." "Depression is perhaps the most significant symptom."

In the book, "Predicting Dependence Liability of Stimulant and Depressant Drugs" researchers Travis Thompson, Ph.D. and Klaus R. Unna, M.D. describe the "chronic effects of stimulants in man": "Perhaps the best-known effect of chronic stimulant administration is psychosis. Psychosis has been associated with chronic use of several stimulants; e.g., d- and 1- amphetamine methylphenidate (Ritalin-P), phenmetrazine and cocaine."

Thompson T; Unna KR; Predicting dependence liability of stimulant and depressant drugs. Published by University Park Press ISBN: 0839111479

1987 - The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III-R, states: That methylphenidate (Ritalin), along with other amphetamine-type drugs and cocaine, can create "persecutory delusions" and may "cause a highly organized, paranoid delusional state indistinguishable from the active phase of schizophrenia." It states "The person may harm himself or herself or others while reacting to delusions."

This American Psychiatric Association’s Manual goes on to state: "Initially, suspiciousness and curiosity may be experienced with pleasure but may later induce aggressive or violent action against ‘enemies’. Delusions can linger for a week or more, but occasionally last for over a year." This DSM III-R also states "Suicide is the major complication of withdrawal from methylphenidate and other amphetamine or amphetamine-like drugs."

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Dsm-III-R. by American Psychiatric Association January 1987. ISBN: 089042019X

1991 - Journal of Behavioral Optometry, "The Efficacy of the Use of Ritalin For Hyperactive Children". This study evaluates 22 previous studies/articles since 1976 concerning Ritalin use for hyperactive children. It states: "The fact that the above studies do not show the efficacy of Ritalin for helping hyperactive children should be apparent to the skeptic and make a skeptic out of the believer. But the argument should not stop at this point. The weak evidence of the value of Ritalin must now be viewed in the light of its reported side effects." And it concludes: "...at this time there is scant evidence for the use of Ritalin in hyperactive children to produce improved learning. This lack of evidence is consequential because of the many side effect produced by Ritalin administration."

1988 - Journal of the American Academy of child and Adolescent Psychiatry, January 1988 Case Study entitled: "Methylphenidate-induced Delusional Disorder in a Child With Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity" discusses a case study involving a 6 year old child, J. R. who was placed on 20mgs of Ritalin in the morning and 10mgs in the afternoon, but due to measurable weight loss after 1 ½ months the dosage was decreased to 20mgs. After 4 months the child was placed on 20mgs of the sustained released Ritalin, the results were as follows: "Approximately 6 months into therapy, J.R.’s mother reported that the child was becoming physically and verbally aggressive and difficult to manage. He was agitated and verbalized repeatedly that "someone" was " going to kill "him." ...the child was suspicious and delusional, accusing others of thinking homicidal thoughts towards him " "J.R.’s stimulation (Ritalin) therapy was terminated and his behavioral disorganization and psychosis resolved completely over the next several days but only with a full return of his attention problems and hyperactivity." The conclusion: "J.R.’s psychological disturbance certainly seemed to have been associate with his methylphenidate therapy." The final paragraph of this study states: "Young (1981) suggested that psychotic reaction to stimulants in children may be common, as prescribing physicians are generally less alert to possible signs of toxicity when these medications are prescribed within normally accepted dose ranges. J.R.’s reaction was certainly more intense than what has usually been described and it is unlikely that his behavioral changes would have gone unnoticed indefinitely. On the other hand, as most reported instances of psychotic reactions in children have involved less dramatic behavioral changes, such as tactile hallucinosis, there may be considerably potential for such changes to remain unrecognized for prolonged periods of time."

Bloom AS; Russell LJ; Weisskopf B; Blackerby JL; Methylphenidate-induced delusional disorder in a child with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1988; 27(1):88-89 / Medline ID: 88139122

For more information regarding chiropratic care go here.

Get proper exercise daily, outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.

The following steps are ways to help prevent ADD and ADHD and to reverse the factors that cause them:

1. Get proper rest. Children need a lot of rest and should go to be early.

2. Eliminate TV watching. It is reported that children watch an average of 43 hours of TV per week, that's longer than the average adult work week. While watching, they rapidly become almost hypnotized. It has been shown scientifically that within minutes of beginning to watch TV, the brain changes from the alert brain waves (beta waves) to the hypnotic waves (alpha waves) where the judgment center of the brain is bypassed. So the violence and decadence that the child sees, bypasses the judgment center in the brain and is implanted in the child's brain without any ability on the child's part to decide whether what they are seeing is right or wrong. The violence and decadence are accepted by the brain without any moral judgment being applied to it. It then becomes part of the child's permanent subconscious. What goes into a child's mind is just as important as what goes into his or her mouth!

There are several tests you can take to look for a medical cause for "ADD". The blood sugar test and the nervous system tests are a good place to start.