ADHD - what is it?
What is ADHD? ADHD is an acronym for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a common diagnosis which can be initiated from multiple possible causes, such as from severe or chronic stress or emotional trauma or other causes, which then triggers a lot of symptoms and conditions.
However the diagnosis of ADHD is typically from only the "head", of behaviours and moods, and does not include the rest of the body, which I believe is inaccurate and incomplete, and just one of the many controversies of this diagnosis. Everyone with ADHD has a multitude of other symptoms and conditions which are ignored in the medical diagnosis of ADHD.
The diagnosis of ADHD is vague, ambiguous and controversial. It is based simply on observations of behaviours and moods, including:
ADHD can affect children and even adults can be diagnosed later in life. Everyone is likely to experience some of most of these symptoms at some point in their life. This is another of the controversies of ADHD. Does that mean that everyone has ADHD?! Or is ADHD even real?
While there is no biochemical or pathology testing for the medical diagnosis of ADHD, pathology testing is needed to help find the causes of the condition. But such testing is typically not done in the medical system, but is how I work to help with treating ADHD, reducing your symptoms and improving quality of life!
However the diagnosis of ADHD is typically from only the "head", of behaviours and moods, and does not include the rest of the body, which I believe is inaccurate and incomplete, and just one of the many controversies of this diagnosis. Everyone with ADHD has a multitude of other symptoms and conditions which are ignored in the medical diagnosis of ADHD.
The diagnosis of ADHD is vague, ambiguous and controversial. It is based simply on observations of behaviours and moods, including:
- Impulsiveness
- Disorganisation and problems prioritising tasks
- Poor time management skills
- Problems focusing on a task
- Trouble with multitasking multiple tasks
- Excessive activity or restlessness
- Poor planning
- Low tolerance to stresses
- Frequent mood swings
- Problems following through and completing tasks
- Hot temper or an extreme response to stress, even to small things
- Trouble coping with stress.
ADHD can affect children and even adults can be diagnosed later in life. Everyone is likely to experience some of most of these symptoms at some point in their life. This is another of the controversies of ADHD. Does that mean that everyone has ADHD?! Or is ADHD even real?
While there is no biochemical or pathology testing for the medical diagnosis of ADHD, pathology testing is needed to help find the causes of the condition. But such testing is typically not done in the medical system, but is how I work to help with treating ADHD, reducing your symptoms and improving quality of life!
Controversies of ADHD
ADHD is a common diagnosis for people to have, but there are many controversies about this condition and diagnosis.
Such as:
This is why this website is called "The ADHD Naturopath" - as while ADHD might be the diagnosis, it does not tell you what is causing it, or that there are actually other better ways to treat ADHD naturally and holistically, which CAN reduce and reverse your ADHD symptoms and conditions. If you know what your causes to ADHD are, then those causes can be fixed and treated, to help to improve your health, by reducing your symptoms quickly to improve quality of life, and for long-term resolution and prevention too.
Such as:
- In every condition or diagnosis, there will ALWAYS be causes of the condition, why do doctors or other practitioners never seem to try to find the causes of the ADHD, and just prescribe medications for it, forever?
- If ADHD is a real diagnosis, why are there not any biochemical, physiological or blood pathology tests done to prove you have ADHD? (ADHD is just a diagnosis of observation of behaviours, or ticking symptoms on a checklist, which isn't ideal nor accurate)
- Why are all the other symptoms and conditions which a person with ADHD has (such as digestive issues, inflammation, oxidative stress, anaemia, sleep issues, food intolerances and allergies, and others), ignored in the diagnosis and "treatment"? Or in other words, the ADHD diagnosis is based on analysing the "head" only, and ignoring all the symptoms of the rest of the body
- Why most people would be diagnosed with ADHD if they completed the diagnostic assessment in times of stress
- Many people with ADHD just say this condition is just "normal", and will take ownership of the condition and not treat it. However there are some serious long-term progressions of this condition if not treated. 25% of people with ADHD have a very severe presentation which requires 24/7 care. Do we just tell them that ADHD is "normal"?
- Why does ADHD seem to run in families or in some ethnicities in many cases, but not in others?
This is why this website is called "The ADHD Naturopath" - as while ADHD might be the diagnosis, it does not tell you what is causing it, or that there are actually other better ways to treat ADHD naturally and holistically, which CAN reduce and reverse your ADHD symptoms and conditions. If you know what your causes to ADHD are, then those causes can be fixed and treated, to help to improve your health, by reducing your symptoms quickly to improve quality of life, and for long-term resolution and prevention too.
Symptoms of ADHD
Stress causes many body dysfunctions, typically from the high level of stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) reprioritising normal body functions. This can cause many nutrient deficiencies, in turn will cause many symptoms and diagnosed conditions, including:
But it doesn't have to be this way, as an ADHD diagnosis isn't "normal". ADHD and its many symptoms and conditions can be reduced and even cleared, only by finding all the root causes in you, and then treating and fixing those root causes. Treating ADHD in this way can greatly improve your life, your health, your relationships, your work, and much more! This is what I can help you with! I look forward to helping you!
- low energy, fatigue and poor endurance
- anaemia and low iron
- headaches and migraines
- digestive complaints - constipation, reflux, indigestion, heartburn, GORD/GERD, gas, bloating
- poor tolerance to stress, or an over-reaction to minor stresses
- sleep issues (can't get to sleep, or interrupted sleep)
- skin issues - acne, eczema, poor healing
- poor immune system and lots of infections
- allergies and intolerances to foods or environmental substances
- sensitivity to light, sounds, tastes, medications
- weight issues, especially weight gain
- poor production of neurotransmitters which leads to depression and/or anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, or other mental health conditions
- and many more symptoms.
But it doesn't have to be this way, as an ADHD diagnosis isn't "normal". ADHD and its many symptoms and conditions can be reduced and even cleared, only by finding all the root causes in you, and then treating and fixing those root causes. Treating ADHD in this way can greatly improve your life, your health, your relationships, your work, and much more! This is what I can help you with! I look forward to helping you!
Causes of ADHD
There are several known causes of ADHD, with the main one being stress or trauma. Stress or trauma over a long time triggers many changes in your body. There are many other causes of ADHD (which we actually do know!), and the causes in each person can be different, and are often a combination of factors.
Treating all the root causes in you will reduce symptoms and turn this condition around! To treat ADHD, the causes of it MUST be investigated and identified, so that these causes can be stopped and resolved. In addition, other treatments are needed to reduce your symptoms to improve your quality of life.
Sadly, the medical system tends to not look at finding the causes of ADHD and only treats the symptoms with dangerous medications, which is a major reason why conditions aren't ever resolved, and they become worse over time.
Reducing the symptoms of ADHD can take time, and from experience, the younger the person is when diagnosed and treated, the quicker they start to recover and to improve their health and wellbeing. Some improvements will be noticed within weeks and continue to get better over time, providing the treatment plan is specific to you.
I will spend a lot of time with you to investigate and find all of the causes of your symptoms and conditions, as everyone has different causes and symptoms. Then a personalised treatment plan can be designed specifically for you! An ADHD treatment must be focused on treating the individual, NOT the diagnosis or symptoms alone.
Treating all the root causes in you will reduce symptoms and turn this condition around! To treat ADHD, the causes of it MUST be investigated and identified, so that these causes can be stopped and resolved. In addition, other treatments are needed to reduce your symptoms to improve your quality of life.
Sadly, the medical system tends to not look at finding the causes of ADHD and only treats the symptoms with dangerous medications, which is a major reason why conditions aren't ever resolved, and they become worse over time.
Reducing the symptoms of ADHD can take time, and from experience, the younger the person is when diagnosed and treated, the quicker they start to recover and to improve their health and wellbeing. Some improvements will be noticed within weeks and continue to get better over time, providing the treatment plan is specific to you.
I will spend a lot of time with you to investigate and find all of the causes of your symptoms and conditions, as everyone has different causes and symptoms. Then a personalised treatment plan can be designed specifically for you! An ADHD treatment must be focused on treating the individual, NOT the diagnosis or symptoms alone.
Medical Treatments
The medical treatments for ADHD include medications and perhaps referrals for counselling or other related therapies.
Doctors often misdiagnose ADHD as being depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, or other related conditions, and then prescribe medications which don't address the root causes, and often make symptoms worse. A common sign of ADHD is having an intolerance to medications, or that medications actually increase the symptoms. This is not what you want!
I will work with your medical or allied health team, if needed. Natural ADHD treatments and therapies can be used alongside or around your other medical treatments, and we are careful to prevent interactions that might reduce or increase the effect of the medical treatments.
Doctors often misdiagnose ADHD as being depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, or other related conditions, and then prescribe medications which don't address the root causes, and often make symptoms worse. A common sign of ADHD is having an intolerance to medications, or that medications actually increase the symptoms. This is not what you want!
I will work with your medical or allied health team, if needed. Natural ADHD treatments and therapies can be used alongside or around your other medical treatments, and we are careful to prevent interactions that might reduce or increase the effect of the medical treatments.
Alternative ADHD Treatments
There are many safe, effective and proven natural treatments and therapies for ADHD and related conditions. I use and recommend only evidence-based treatments from published studies and from years of clinical experience. Such treatments can include the following:
- Nutritional medicine - to address nutritional deficiencies, improve your nutrition intake, and reduce excesses
- Herbal medicine - many herbal medicines have a variety of therapeutic benefits
- Lifestyle improvements - to improve your lifestyle, and address any symptoms of past poor lifestyle choices
- Reducing stress and the symptoms of stress
- Improving immune system function
- Reduce symptoms of any medical treatments - being careful to not cause interference with these treatments
- Reducing inflammation, pain, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, and other symptoms
- To balance hormones for improving body functions
- Improving mental health by balancing neurotransmitter levels.
ADHD Information Webinar
From my experience in clinical practice and seeing hundreds of people with ADHD, I have put together an introduction webinar on this condition. This information and training is for people with ADHD or related conditions, parents and family members, as well as for practitioners (Nutritionists, Naturopaths, Doctors/GPs, Integrative Doctors etc), or mental health practitioners (Psychologists and Psychiatrists).
This webinar and training introduces the condition, explains what it is and its causes, how it affects the body and your health, testing for the condition, and the treatments and secrets you need to know.
More details of my ADHD education and other webinars can be found HERE.
This webinar and training introduces the condition, explains what it is and its causes, how it affects the body and your health, testing for the condition, and the treatments and secrets you need to know.
More details of my ADHD education and other webinars can be found HERE.
