A 44-year-old member asked:
is there an alternative way to treat adhd besides prescription medications?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Saccomando answered
Psychiatry 20 years experience
Yes, but not much: Nothing has ever been shown to help adhd better than medication. However, there are other things that might help. For hyperactivity, sometimes exercising the large muscle groups in your legs and torso may help. Jumping on a trampoline for 10 minutes before focusing can help. Also, sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair may help you stay more focused.
5702 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Jennifer Diabo answered
Pediatrics 22 years experience
Possibly: An alternative to precription medications would be behavioral therapy/ modification techniques. I would recommend seeing a child psychologist who specializes in adhd. Things to do at home that are important are setting up a consistent regimen, ensuring your child gets enough sleep, avoiding caffeine, candy, and junk food, and having a defined set of rules for the household.
5674 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Carla Enriquez answered
Pediatrics 50 years experience
Not really : Amer acad of ped practice guidelines state that stimulant medication must be recommended for adhd, since it is so safe & effective. Treatments that don't require a prescription are ineffective & may be dangerous. If you dont use a stimulant your brain won't grow 2 it's potential & you're cheating yourself of high achievement. It makes no sense not to use safe incredibly effective medications.
5640 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Carla Enriquez commented
Pediatrics 50 years experience
Provided original answer
See my Health Files
Aug 26, 2012

Dr. Andres R Villar answered
Pediatrics 40 years experience
Yes,but do they work: There are anecdotal reports and small studies showing benefits of mineral, vitamins, dietary changes in small populations, on case by case basis.Behavioral intervention, parenting skill training and neurofeedback are recommended as level i or level ii interventions by the aap, however, medications have the longest track record of benefit and are the mainstay of an adhd program.
5618 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Carla Enriquez commented
Pediatrics 50 years experience
Anecdotal Information is just testimonial personal information, not subjected to a rigorous verification. These are not even observations of a naturalistic kind that have some weight medically. They're just wishful thinking. The plural or anecdote is not data.
Sep 7, 2012
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Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
Are there any alternatives for regular ADHD medication?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Marlene Eisen answered
Clinical Psychology 44 years experience
Yes: Behavior modification, learning to focus on one thing at a time, hypnotherapy, which helps
with focused attention, and restructuring behavior patterns. In hypnotherapy, one becomes aware of the observing ego, which may help monitor and alter behavior patterns.
5310 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Can ADHD make you want to kill yourself if you're too crazy/psycho with no medicine?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Hmm: It sounds as if there may be more going on then adhd. Please obtain psychiatric care promptly if you have thoughts of killing yourself
5322 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
What tips can you give me to conquer my adhd?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Eyerman answered
Psychiatry 47 years experience
Stimulants, feedback: Different therapies are helpful, but only while on stimulant meds. Biofeedback works but must be kept up as a maintenance, that gets costly. Stimulants are some of the safest, most effective medications in the field of medicine.
5310 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between ADHD and add? Which is more serious?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Hyperactivity: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can present with or without hyperactivity. Add does not present with hyperactivity. One is not necessarily more serious than the other.
5322 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
What happens if a normal person takes ADHD (or add) pills?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Stimulants: Stimulants could cause jitters, insomnia, sweating, nausea, decreased appetite etc.
5322 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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