As an ADD coach I am often asked about the treatment options available for Attention Deficit Disorder. Generally when someone says "ADD" the first thing that will come to the layperson's mind is 'Ritalin' or an image of a hyperactive "Dennis-the-Menace" type. Fortunately, there is a lot more to Attention Deficit Disorder than drugs and hyperactivity. Each individual is unique and therefore different people will respond well to different treatment options.
There are a number of treatment options available for children and adults with ADD. Let's explore some of the most common options.
1) Medication - Medication such as stimulants (i.e. Ritalin, Dexedrine, Concerta, Adderall) is probably the most common treatment for ADD. Often antidepressants (such as Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Wellbutrin) are used instead of or in combination with the stimulants. Some individuals will respond quite well to treatment with medication while others will see little to no difference. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of treatment with medication with your doctor.
2) Counseling and Therapy - Many children and adults with ADD will benefit from counseling from a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social worker or other mental health practitioner. There is no one form of counseling ? some professionals will focus on exploring events in the past or emotions while others will work with behavior modification techniques. Some professionals will use a combination of approaches depending on the individual.
3) ADD Coaching - Coaching can be conducted in person or over the telephone and focuses on the whole-person. An ADD coach creates a partnership with each client to explore treatment options for ADD while focusing on creating balance and satisfaction in each area of the client's life. ADD coaching is recommended for a period of 3-6 months for maximum effectiveness. Coaching utilizes regular communication, goal setting, personality and interest inventories and an extensive battery of tools to design an individualized strategy for each client.
4) Biofeedback and Neurofeedback - Biofeedback uses monitoring devices to furnish information regarding autonomic body functions such as heart rate or blood pressure. The individual patient is therefore trained to gain some voluntary control over that function. Neurofeedback uses technology to train individuals to gain self-regulation of individual brain wave states so as to remain alert, relaxed and focused.
5) Nutritional Therapy and Natural Treatments - Naturopathic and Homeopathic Doctors, Dieticians, Nutritionists, Allergists and other practitioners stress the importance of the dietary treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder. These professionals can design a customized diet that will help to reduce the symptoms of ADD. Nutritional supplements and vitamins are often recommended to ensure a balanced diet and proper levels of essential vitamins and minerals.
6) Supplemental Education - Educational centres such as Sylvan Learning Centre and Kumon Math & Reading Centre offer educational programs for children who fall behind in the classroom. Current research indicates that an estimated 50% of children with ADD have a co-existing learning disability. Supplemental Education also exists for adults in the form of career-based training in facilities such as the Academy of Learning.
With all of these possibilities how does any ADDer know where to turn? Remember that no one treatment is a miracle! Often the best treatment comes from a combination of several of the treatments listed above. If you are struggling to find the treatment that is right for you we are here to help. ADDvocacy makes a commitment to presenting unbiased information on all treatment options available. Contact ADDvocacy to schedule a free 30-minute coaching session to explore ADD treatment options for you or a loved one. For more information please visit our website at www.addvocacy.com
Julia Anne Allworth is the business owner of ADDvocacy, an organization designed to educate, serve and coach those with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). ADDvocacy works with adults, teens, parents, educators, organizations and medical professionals to shed light on the facts and positives about ADD, its co-existing conditions and implications for the future.
The recent removal of several high profile and popular prescription... Read More
As much as 95% of the population suffers from some... Read More
There are five basic types of drugstore laxatives you should... Read More
NEW YORK, N.Y., February 18, 2004 ? On a visit... Read More
Before a child can be appropriately diagnosed with cerebral palsy,... Read More
1. Online Canadian pharmacies offer overall best prices on Canadian... Read More
We all know that there's no such thing as cheap... Read More
Endocervical polypsEndocervical polyps are the most common benign neoplasms of... Read More
Our modern preservatives and other pollutants like yellow dye no.... Read More
A hypnotic "trance" is not something that is foreign to... Read More
At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable... Read More
Pain and Stress. They seem almost to go hand in... Read More
You might disagree, but hear me out on this...The drug... Read More
Modern civilization has produced an unusually stressful environment to humans... Read More
In September, 2004, pharmaceutical giant Merck voluntarily withdrew its painkilling... Read More
Propulsid was a popular nighttime heartburn drug before it was... Read More
It is very interesting this hypochondriac attitude which permeates our... Read More
The Food and Drug administration urges people to stop taking... Read More
GET TO KNOW YOUR ARTHRITISArthritis is referred to as the... Read More
There is a huge concern in the medical industry that... Read More
Q. Why is there so may uninsured people in America?A.... Read More
Although you make a patient feel better, there isn't usually... Read More
Don't treat your migraines, prevent them. A life without migraines... Read More
For well over a century modern science has progressed at... Read More
Medical Care:Treatment options depend on the stage of ingrown toenails,... Read More
Medical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands... Read More
All medications, which include prescriptions, over-the-counter preparations, vitamin and mineral... Read More
Cord BloodCord Blood is the blood that remains in the... Read More
The market for painkillers is huge. People don't like pain... Read More
There is the underlying assumption that modernity translates into better... Read More
Domestic violence is not over when the victim is safe... Read More
As Pres. Bush was touring the Midwest, shortly before he... Read More
Electronic Medical RecordAn Electronic Medical Record is a secured electronic... Read More
Inflammatory disease of the bowel- regional enteritis (Crohn's disease) and... Read More
When Aspirin Isn't EnoughIt's surprising how clearly we can recall... Read More
Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More
Things are moving forward and new and advanced procedures are... Read More
We've all had garden variety headaches from time to time.... Read More
Cord BloodCord Blood is the blood that remains in the... Read More
Risperdal is an atypical anti-psychotic drug that balances the levels... Read More
Even in clinical trials, Lotronex displayed a tendency towards causing... Read More
Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial,... Read More
Zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor); a prescription... Read More
Results of a new study comparing the effectiveness of Pfizer... Read More
Today there are about 70 million Americans with arthritis?that's one... Read More
(NC)-In most cases insect bites are harmless and if left... Read More
Tea tree oil is the essential oil comes from the... Read More
Purchasing drugs from a Mexican pharmacy is, for the most... Read More
You are going to find this incredible and I assure... Read More
According to Jennifer Lyons' chart, she's just a bad slip... Read More
I remember a friend in college who would blush, sweat,... Read More
The American Heart Association estimates that one of three Americans... Read More
Of all the places in the body that can hurt,... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition, but... Read More
Quality, dependable Medical Equipment is an important component of every... Read More
Do you suffer from ulcers?If yes, what kind is it... Read More
Many people today realize the importance of keeping their blood... Read More
Over the past few years, stem cells have been getting... Read More
Today in the United States, there are hundreds of thousands... Read More
It was Saturday morning and while I was making breakfast,... Read More
The vaccine industry insists that their vaccines against the flu... Read More
This year, the New York Medical Spa Expo confirmed the... Read More
Rezulin, a prescription type 2 diabetes drug has been withdrawn... Read More
Last year I told an acquaintance that at the age... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome is a debilitating and distressing condition, which... Read More
The drug Lorazepan is marketed under the names Alzapam, Ativan,... Read More
Medicine |