Children once labeled energetic or precocious may now meet the criteria for ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Many receive medications to improve focus. But there are natural therapies that can treat the root cause of their inattention and provide lasting relief. 

What is ADD/ADHD?

ADD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, concentration, and impulse control. ADHD also includes hyperactivity. Signs and symptoms begin to show at approximately 4 years old. Healthcare providers often diagnose the condition after children begin struggling in school.

ADD affects 3-5% of all school-aged children, making it the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorder in children. It occurs more often in boys than girls, and usually with a more pronounced hyperactive component.

Girls ften show more inattentiveness than hyperactivity. As a result, diagnosis may occur later or be missed.

How is ADD Diagnosed?

The symptoms of ADD fall under three main categories: 

  • Inattention
  • Impulsivity
  • Hyperactivity

Not all children with ADD/ADHD will experience symptoms from all categories. Healthcare providers diagnose ADD or ADHD after symptoms persist for at least six months. Symptoms must affect multiple settings. Children must exhibit at least 6 symptoms in the inattentive OR hyperactive categories, with at least some of the symptoms presenting before the age of 7. Healthcare providers can diagnose ADD in older children and adults. However, diagnosis becomes more challenging and uses different criteria.

Signs of inattentiveness

  • Cannot focus or concentrate; easily distracted.
  • Does not follow/pay attention to what he/she has been told
  • Has a hard time finishing large or complicated tasks without frequent reminders to stay on track.
  • Is not well organized; may appear forgetful or careless
  • May daydream

Signs of impulsiveness

  • Frequently interrupts and blurts out answers.
  • Impatient, cannot tolerate waiting, line-ups, and can become extremely agitated.
  • Unable to control impulses (acts and often speaks without thought – crosses the street without looking, makes rude comments, is socially inappropriate).
  • Overreacts, may not be able to control frustration or anger (very common in adults with ADD/ADHD, who have gone untreated).

Signs of hyperactivity

  • Cannot play independently or quietly.
  • Cannot sit still or fidgets when sitting for longer than a few minutes.
  • Restless, jittery, and always moving
  • Talks excessively, in a loud/inappropriate voice.

What Causes ADD/ADHD?

The cause of ADD/ADHD is still relatively unknown. Studies have confirmed there is a genetic component. Children with ADD or ADHD often have siblings with the condition. Having a parent with ADD/ADHD triples one's risk of developing the disorder. Research has identified thinner brain tissue in attention-related brain regions. Brain development may reduce symptoms over time. Researchers have also found chemical imbalances in some individuals with ADD or ADHD.

A lack of norepinephrine causes dysfunction in the area of the brain responsible for tuning out background noise/unimportant information.

Environmental factors may contribute to the development of ADD or ADHD. Smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy increase the risk. Heavy metals, including lead and mercury, may also play a role. Lead exposure can shorten attention span and increase disruptive behaviour.

Nutrition may also play a role. Poor maternal and childhood nutrition has been associated with a higher risk of ADD or ADHD. Food additives and preservatives from processed foods are the biggest group to avoid in terms of prevention. Researchers have found low calcium and magnesium levels in some children with hyperactivity and attention deficits.

Some theories suggest early illness, infection, or antibiotic use may increase ADD or ADHD risk. However, evidence remains limited. Other suspected causes of ADD/ADHD are stress, emotional problems, birth trauma and premature birth.

The Link With Depression and Anxiety

Children with ADD/ADHD will often present co-existing disorders, such as anxiety and depression, learning disabilities, conduct disorders, and bipolar disorders. People with ADD or ADHD often face social and academic challenges. Researchers still do not fully understand why related conditions commonly occur together. One underlying cause may exist, but the relationship remains unclear. An effective therapy for ADD sufferers is behavioural therapy, as it provides assistance with social issues as well as help with practical tasks like school work and coping appropriately with strong emotions.

Conventional Treatment Options

A commonly prescribed pharmaceutical medication for the treatment of ADHD is Ritalin (or Methylphenidate), one of the many pharmaceutical stimulant classes of drugs used to treat the disorder. There has been some controversy over the last 10 years that these medications have been over- and wrongly prescribed. Interestingly, the stimulant medications have a significant calming effect on individuals affected by ADD/ADHD. Those who are not, however, will notice these medications have an opposite effect, which some doctors, teachers and parents think is that these individuals are simply being under medicated. These medications often cause a lack of appetite and can cause sleep problems (insomnia) in many children, as well as slowed growth, weight loss, increased heart rate and blood pressure and dependency. Some believe it may increase the susceptibility to Parkinson’s disease. It goes without saying that some parents are looking for natural alternatives to these medications.

Clinical Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions

Assess nutritional status and food sensitivities when managing ADD/ADHD. Nutrient deficiencies can affect nervous system function. Keep blood sugar stable to help reduce attention-related symptoms. Choose a whole foods diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Avoid fast foods and highly processed foods whenever possible. Serve a protein-rich breakfast to help prevent mid-morning energy and attention declines. A high-quality multivitamin may help children with limited diets meet nutrient needs. Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, support healthy brain development. GLA from borage and evening primrose oils may also provide support. Some research suggests ginkgo biloba and American ginseng may improve certain behavioural symptoms. L-theanine may support concentration, mood, sleep quality, and anxiety management. Assess B vitamin and magnesium individually, as they play important roles in healthy nervous system function.

Proper brain development begins in utero. Expectant and nursing mothers taking pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplements have been shown to have calmer babies. These babies develop daily schedules more quickly than babies born to mothers who did not take fish oil. Decreasing stress during pregnancy and limiting the intake of caffeine, alcohol and other stimulants may also prevent ADD/ADHD symptoms from developing.

Tips To Help With Focus

  • Don't buy junk food – processed foods, candies, high in sugar and artificial colourings.
  • Limit intake of bad fats – introduce flaxseed (oil), pumpkin seeds, a high-quality olive oil, and fish oil, instead.
  • Eating fish twice a week provides the brain with important essential fatty acids, in particular DHA.
  • Give them lots of veggies to eat.
  • Give them a good multivitamin.
  • Consider additional supplements & herbs to support healthy brain function: EFAs, magnesium, ginkgo, L-theanine
  • Take fish oil when pregnant, as well as avoiding alcohol and excessive caffeine.
  • Limit TV and video games.
  • Talk with them every day, encourage reading and puzzles, and make sure to get outside for exercise on a daily basis.

ADD/ADHD FAQs

  • Current estimates state that ADD/ADHD affects 1-5 % of all children worldwide.
  • Adults can also have ADD. – A diagnosis of adult-onset ADD/ADHD is becoming much more widely seen and accepted.
  • Ritalin, the most commonly prescribed drug for attention problems and hyperactivity, has serious side effects, including hyperactivity.