Mental Health Treatment

We always tell our children about the importance of drinking eight glasses of water a day. Yet many of our kids don’t do it, especially since colorful, artificially-flavored drinks and sodas are far more enticing and pleasant-tasting. Yet when it comes to ADHD natural treatments, water is an important part of any treatment plan. In fact, water is essential to maintaining overall good health; after oxygen, it is the second most important nutritional element.

The body is made up of 60-70% water, and the brain requires adequate hydration in order to function well. Do you recall how neurotransmitters – the chemical messengers of the brain – travel from neuron to neuron to trigger cognitive processes like attention and learning? They use the water in the brain as their means of travel.

Can you imagine what would happen to a child’s brain function if he or she does not have enough water to carry information? Imagine that a raging, white-water river is one of the brain’s neural pathways. Now picture a boat traveling through this river, carrying a messenger with vital information. A white-water river has a swift current that allows the messenger to reach his destination without delay. This is a brain that functions at its best, capable of generating new ideas, learning new concepts, and accomplishing great things. Now, picture this river during a drought. The water’s levels are low, and the current moves slowly, if at all. Traveling on a dry river will take a long while for the boat to reach its destination. Worse, the boat might end up drifting aimlessly or getting beached onto a sandy cove. This is the brain of a child with ADHD who drinks nothing but sodas and sugary juice. Continue Reading

Most teens diagnosed with ADHD are normally given prescribed medications to control the symptoms. While medication is the fastest way to improve focus and reduce impulsivity, it is also known to cause serious side effects that may aggravate the disorder. It’s also fairly common for teens with ADHD to sell or trade their excess pills to friends, who use them like they would use cocaine and other substances. One of the best ways to manage ADHD in teens is to look for a treatment program with a specialized academic plan and behavior modification approach. Keep these characteristics in mind while you look for schools or treatment programs:

Structured activities

Teens and adolescents with no focus or direction have difficulty using their time productively. An environment that sets limits and encourages self-discipline will minimize the tendency to procrastinate and teach kids how to manage their time wisely. Look for a school with a structured program – that is, well-defined rules and a rigorous schedule. The routine enforced by the school will do much to counteract the symptoms of ADHD.

Individualized education

Most students with ADHD struggle to pay attention in a traditional lecture-style classroom setting because the medium of instruction fails to engage their interest. Additionally, the traditional classroom expects everyone to learn at the same pace, but the limitations of the disorder tend to make ADHD students fall behind. Look for a school that uses diverse instructional methods like hands-on learning or multimedia presentation. Montessori schools offer this type of self-directed instruction, and it’s not surprising that ADHD teens in these types of schools do better when they are allowed to learn at their own pace.

Minimal distractions

It’s not uncommon for kids and teens with ADHD to have difficulty finishing projects and meeting goals due to lack of focus. Choose an academic environment with fewer distractions so your child can make significant achievements in terms of academics and personal growth. Common distractions include large student populations, frequent announcements, and social activity. Place a limit on the amount of time your child can spend with his or her friends on school days. Continue Reading