Attention Deficit Disorder

1. The foremost reason to use homeopathy is that Homeopathy works effectively and naturally to bring a person into a state of wellness. This will be illustrated by the case later. You will see not only the resolution of symptoms associated with ADD-ADHD which often lead to learning disability, concentration difficulty, impulsiveness, fidgetiness, and inability to follow multiple tasks but also other general health concerns such as bed wetting, eczema, stomach aches that have been present during and before the diagnosis of ADD-ADHD for this child.

In the April 25, 2005 issue of Newsweek, an article was published entitled: "Your Family and Your Health with Harvard Medical School". In reference to effectiveness of conventional drugs it stated "In the child study center survey, about 28% of parents who gave their kids drugs deemed the treatment somewhat unhelpful or extremely unhelpful. For children whose symptoms are hard to classify or who seem to have several disorders at once, pinpointing the right conventional treatment can depend more on clinical judgment than on hard science. For those kids, says Dr. Richard Gorman, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics, committee on drugs, there is a lot more ambiguity and a lot less data about what works. Medicine aimed at one set of symptoms can exacerbate other symptoms.

2. The second reason for choosing homeopathy is homeopathic remedies when used correctly are free of side effects. Research, records and clinical experience of over 250 years support this statement. If you compared this statement with the most recent data published in the Newsweek issue, April 25, 2005: Your Family and Your Health with Harvard Medical School, you will understand exactly what I am stating. "Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) are leading treatments for ADD/ADHD. The most common side effects such as appetite suppression are easily managed, but recent studies have raised more troubling possibilities. In a small trial involving 12 children with ADHD, researchers found a high number of chromosome abnormalities in those who took methylphenidate for 3 months, abnormalities seen in some forms of cancer. Other studies have found that rats given stimulants as pups become passive and helpless as adults. IN another troubling episode, Canadian regulators suspended sales of Aderall XR this winter citing reports of sudden death. But US officials concluded that the death rate was no greater than expected in light of the kids' underlying medical problems. The FDA suggests only that children with heart defects avoid Aderall XR.

Doctors use antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants to treat a range of mood and behavioral problems in kids. Antipsychotics like olanzapine (Zyprexa) and reisperidone (Risperdal) can cause significant weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes. The mood stabilizers valproic acid (Depakote) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) can damage the liver and dangerously alter the production of blood cells. Lithium can affect heart; thyroid and kidney function and worsen acne. And common antidepressants may foster suicidal thoughts and actions in some kids."

3. Homeopathy treats the whole person. Rather than targeting a specific learning or behavioral problem, homeopathy supports the wellness of the whole person. Not only do learning and behavioral problems improve, so do many or all of the other physical, mental, and emotional complaints of the person.

4. Homeopathic remedies are generally given infrequently and over limited periods of time with the potential for long lasting, satisfactory and permanent results. Conventional medications are given frequently, often with high costs and in many instances, offering temporary relief limited to the time that the person is on the medication. However homeopathic remedies work differently in that they provide support of an individual's own unique healing system and potential. The process of reversing imbalances brings about new experiences of wellness which are most intense in the first year of healing. 4-8 week regular consultations with your homeopath help the homeopath assess the work of the remedy used. But once the improvement comes about, the frequency of visits is notably reduced. As the case presented below illustrates, in the last year I saw the child only 2-3 times with long lasting, satisfactory and permanent results.

5. A Homeopathic Case from my practice: DN is a male child, age 9 years. I first saw DN in October 2000. The following information was shared in the first consultation by DN and his mom.

His Mom said that he gets croupy coughs and that he still continues to wet the bed and he sleeps deeply.

When asked about his food preferences, he told me he likes oranges and lemons.

When I inquired about his fears or worries, he said, "I would worry if dad did not eat peanuts on couch. I worry about mom and dad not being together. I also worry that my dad would get sick as he smokes a lot."

When asked about dreams, he reported dreams of fights and battles. Fights with brother where brother was a bad guy. Fight never finished. He also had dreams of robots battling with each other.

He is taking Karate lessons.

After studying the patterns that DN was displaying, I gave him the homeopathic remedy that would help strengthen his system. I suggested one dose the first time and then suggested repeating it every 4-8 weeks depending on our conversations in his follow up appointments in the first year.

As DN improved, his mom reported, "Stomach aches: none. Headaches are practically unheard of. There have been zero absences at school. Overall he is very happy and doing well at school. School performance is great. His grades are better, report card is so much better. I am very pleased with all these positive changes in his life. It has boosted his self-confidence. When I work with him on homework, it is so much easier. Writing is better. No bed-wetting.

His ability to concentrate is so much better. He just had a spelling test and he did so much better than before. Learning in general is so much better. Gone are the days of battling for hours and tears over home work. He is happier and calmer. To my surprise, wart on back of palm has almost gone away. He no longer wets the bed. He is still hungry a lot and eats a lot. He is more social at school now. Oh and he got his black belt.

DN continues to live up to his potential and is free of the ADHD symptoms along with total improvement in his skin problems stomachaches, headaches, warts, and bedwetting.

When he comes back for a follow up, I evaluate the symptoms and recommend any changes to the remedy needed until next follow up which is scheduled 3 to 6 months apart.