Over time, as the other skills and strategies are employed, the need for medication can be re-evaluated and the dose reduced.Īn example of an integrative medicine plan for ADHD may combine psychotherapy (a conventional strategy), stress-management skills (holistic thinking), and omega-3 fatty acids (a complementary supplement). If the ADHD symptoms are mild to moderate, the non-medication and lifestyle approaches can be tried first. Still, just as ADHD affects many aspects of wellbeing, a variety of treatments and approaches can do the same.Īs an integrative practitioner, my approach for treating patients with ADHD is this: If the ADHD symptoms are significantly impairing, I start with medication, and then phase in other strategies, often outside of conventional care. Research studies have found that “stimulant medications are most effective, and combined medication and psychosocial treatment is the most beneficial treatment option for most adult patients with ADHD.” The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends treating ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 with FDA-approved medications, plus parent training in behavior modification and behavioral classroom interventions. Moreover, the most common treatments for ADHD are the conventional – medication and psychotherapy. Studies exploring the effectiveness of integrative approaches for ADHD specifically are limited. Integrative medicine considers the whole person and leverages all options - holistic thinking, complementary therapies, and conventional treatments - in devising a patient’s care plan. Working with an integrative health provider.Nutrition (gut-brain axis, micronutrients, herbal supplements, adaptogens).Mind-body alignment (exercise, breathwork, acupuncture).Stress management (therapy, mindfulness, lifestyle habits).Integrative Medicine for People with ADHD: Index of Topics Integrative medicine is growing in popularity because it’s a treatment approach that addresses symptoms and promotes general health and wellness. The reverse is also true: chronic stress and anxiety can worsen ADHD symptoms.ĪDHD impacts the whole self, so is treatments must likewise target more than inattention and impulsivity. This helps to explain why ADHD is linked to chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, mood disorder, sleep problems, substance use, and other conditions and issues. It interferes with self-care and makes it hard to keep healthy habits. It increases daily stress and chips away at a positive sense of self. Better considered an executive function and self-regulation deficit, ADHD affects the whole person - the mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social self.
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