How to Overcome ADHD Without Medication

How to Overcome ADHD Without Medication
by John W. Samuels

parents do to help children overcome these symptoms without medication? Does TV,
video games and movies contribute to the symptoms of ADHD? Is there anything
that teachers can do in the classroom to help children who display the symptoms of
ADHD to be able to focus in school? What about diet, does it play a role in ADHD?
Food additives? In a similar vein, what about childhood depression, are there any
contributing factors that can cause a child to become depressed and what can
parent's do.

There is not a single answer to the question "what causes ADHD". What seems to be
the case, is what Joel Nigg states, and provides substantial evidence for in his book
"What Causes ADHD?, is that there are multiple factors involved. Diet might play a
small role for some children. The book Overcoming ADHD Without Medication: A
Parent and Educator's Guidebook suggests that children benefit from a low sugar
diet, low in refined carbohydrates. Food additives might also contribute to such
symptoms in a small number of children.

However, there is some evidence that the media plays a role in symptoms of ADHD
in some children. Long hours in front of the TV can create tension in both adults and
children, and this can contribute to the symptoms normally associated with ADHD
both in the home and in the classroom. Additionally, a large percentage of children in
the inner cities regularly view violent movies in many forms, including movies of
intense horror, R-rated movies, and sometimes can be exposed to pornography
from pre-teen years. Violent video games are the daily fare of millions of children in
the U.S. and elsewhere. Such violence and sadism does effect the mental health of
children in various ways.

There seems to be a difference between the way boys and girls internalize stress and
violence in the media. While boys might become agitated and aggressive, girls may
tend to internalize and become subdued, "disconnected" or depressed.

There are three basic types of ADHD which have been defined, that is, ADHD with
hyperactivity and impulsivity, ADHD without hyperactivity, what used to be referred
to as ADD, and which is now sometimes referred to as ADHD-IA, or Inattentive type,
and most commonly "combined type," which includes both hyperactivity and
inattention.

Interestingly, in the classroom and elsewhere, art has been shown to positively effect
the symptoms of ADHD in both children and adults.

There is much that can be done to help children who have symptoms of ADHD, as
well as adults. Medication does not have to be a part of the answer to this problem,
rather, there are many practical solutions, both in prevention, and in "curing" the
symptoms of ADHD, so that children can succeed in the classroom and at home,
without medication.

About The Author

John W. Samuels is a writer and author on the subject of children's mental health, a
resident of Newark, NJ U.S. and currently teaches science in public schools in
Newark, NJ. He runs the NJ non-profit, Association for Natural Psychology, and its
mental health website. Please see: Articles and resources are presented on ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, eating
disorders, schizophrenia, OCD, borderline personality disorder, autism, the
psychological effects of abortion, positive parenting, child psychology, and many
other topics, 146 pages of free information.

The Overcoming ADHD Without Medication: A Parent and Educator's
Guidebook, is available on Amazon.com in paperback and as an ebook on Kindle.

Many of the underlying causes of ADHD are considered, as well as positive
non-pharmaceutical solutions for both parents and teachers. Mental health
professionals can also benefit from insight into aspects of children's mental health
that might not usually be considered. Research from scores of clinical studies and
other professional sources, an extended bibliography and index, as well as nearly 100
footnotes help to distinguish this book from some others on the subject.

ADHD effects millions of children in
the United States. When a child is
diagnosed with ADHD, there is usually
a tendency to prescribe medications,
and in fact, about 80% of those who
are diagnosed with this disorder will,
at some point in time, be prescribed
medications for the disorder.

Questions that come up with regards
to ADHD are, is ADHD a real disorder?
Is medication necessary? Do children
outgrow ADHD? Is there a cause, or
underlying causes of ADHD? Are there
any natural solutions to the
symptoms of ADHD? What can

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.