A syndrome (a group of symptoms or signs) that is usually characterized by serious and persistent difficulties, resulting in inattentiveness or distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Dr Brian Kaplan on ADHD, Hyperkinesis (hyperactivity) and Attention Deficit Disorder.

Orthodox Treatment: These conditions are diagnosed on symptom and behavioural patterns. There is no test that confirms the condition. In clinical practice there is a huge range of problems of differing severity that get diagnosed with these labels. Some do require orthodox drugs such a Ritalin but it is my professional opinion that these drugs are over-prescribed and often do not get the desired results. A holistic approach can sometimes (but by no means always) be very effective in dealing with this problem as well as the family problems that often surround it.

Homeopathy:

My experience is that homeopathy can be most useful for many children diagnosed with these conditions and I would certainly want to try homeopathic treatment in most cases before the child is put on orthodox drugs.

Nutrition:

A nutritional approach can also be helpful in some cases and I always ensure that these children are eating a healthy diet.

Autogenic Therapy:

A deep relaxation technique such as this method for the parents can often help the whole family situation enormously.

Dr Damien Downing on ADHD, Hyperkinesis (hyperactivity) and Attention Deficit Disorder

Before the current epidemic of Autism there was an explosion of ADHD - and there still is. In fact many children suffer from a mix of both, which is why we always assess for both. There is an overlap between the causes also, with nutritional deficiencies, environmental pollution, and excess sugar/addiction to sugar all interacting to interfere with learning and neurodevelopment, which in turn upsets the child and makes them feel bad and sad.

Individuality: there are certain combinations of gene patterns that can reduce the capacity to get rid of toxins in the body (through the liver mainly), and will make you or your child more vulnerable to them. Toxins such as a range of metals (mercury in vaccines and in food, cadmium from smoking, etc) and man-made chemicals (pesticides, flame retardants etc) We can test for these genes if we agree it is useful. There is also now a test that can tell us if your child's autism is likely to be due to metals such as mercury.

Does 'electro-pollution' play a part? Well I certainly would not give a child with such a problem a mobile phone, and would advise limiting TV and computer use. Because they are still developing, children's brains are much more sensitive to all potentially harmful factors.

Every child is an individual, and the first step is to look in detail at his/her story, including the family history, and identify priorities to investigate and treat. Often laboratory tests - e.g. for levels of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, or to identify toxins - are necessary, but not always. For instance many parents try omega-3/omega-6 oil supplements before bringing their child to see me; this is good, because sometimes it makes a real, and rapid, difference, and a few weeks of it will do no harm at all. If there is no benefit after 3 months, there is unlikely to be any, and I would want to examine the question in greater detail, perhaps with lab tests.

Children with ADHD often have physical symptoms, which they can find it difficult to articulate; and do not, for a minute, imagine that they feel happy or well the way they are.

Drug therapies such as Ritalin fall into the category of brain-disabling treatments; by shutting down some brain functions they reduce behaviour that adults find difficult. This does not help development at all, nor make the child feel better or learn better. The principal goal of our treatment is not to suppress behaviour but to enable the child to develop and learn well, and so to benefit from school and from your love.

And finally; Researchers at the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have found that "green time" - time spent outdoors in parks, farms or grassy backyards - reduces symptoms of ADHD when compared to time spent at concrete, asphalt or indoor playgrounds.

Our treatment is always planned for the individual child, but it is likely to involve several of the following:

Nutrition: Diet and supplements to correct deficiencies and improve defences against toxins and immune problems.
Detoxing: there are a number of ways to improve and support the removal of toxins from the body.
Genomic medicine: where needed a number of diet and lifestyle changes, supplements and other agents can help your child's system to make the best of the genetic hand he/she has been dealt.

The main purpose of treatment is always to enable your child to take best advantage of the learning and development opportunities offered to him/her - which is up to you, although we can always advise on what approaches are likely to be best.

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