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ADHD Naturopathic Doctors Ontario www.ndontario.c om
ADHD
Naturopathic Doctors Ontario
www.ndontario.com
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]
