Alternative ADHD Treatments
Treatment for ADHD often involves prescription medication, but there are many alternative ways to address the symptoms.
While the most commonly used prescription medication is stimulants, these drugs can have negative health outcomes and are under-studied in terms of their long-term effects. Alternative treatments for Alternative ADHD treatments focus on holistic approaches to improving symptoms and can be used alongside, or instead of, medications.
Some of these include psychoeducation, which helps children and adults make sense of their ADHD diagnosis; and behaviour therapy, which teaches kids and teens to manage their problems with self-control. Some people also find benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which aims to change how someone thinks about their problems and thus change their behaviour.
Beyond Medication: Exploring Alternative ADHD Treatments for Better Focus and Wellness
Other alternative ADHD treatments include dietary changes, yoga and neurofeedback training. Dietary changes can help with ADHD by eliminating sugary foods, artificial food colorings, and additives, as well as increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Some people also use elimination diets to try to identify any food allergies that could be triggering ADHD symptoms.
Neurofeedback, or EEG biofeedback, uses electrical measurements to “picture” brain activity. When a part of the brain that is less active in ADHD patients is trained to become more active, it can improve symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity.