Although much excellent research on the use of these medications continues, surprisingly little is actually known about them. Their precise dosages, their long-range side effects, and use in various combinations require further investigation. For this reason we suggest a conservative approach to their use.

References

Levine, Melvin D Developmental Variation and Learning Disorders, Educator Publishing Services Inc., Cambridge and Toronto, 1993

Physicians’ Desk Reference. 52nd ed. Montavle (NJ): Medical Economics Data Production Company, 1998

Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children, Adolescents and Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36:10 Supplement, October 1997

Taylor, M Evaluation and Management of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. American Family Physician 1997: 55 (3); 887-894

Diet

The subject of diet modification in the treatment of ADHD continues to be controversial. Many parents insist that eliminating certain foods from a child's diet leads to a significant reduction in ADD symptoms. As we have stated elsewhere, removing sugar from diet does appear to help some children particularly younger children. Also, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry believes that the removal of certain dyes and other substances may be beneficial to some children (again very young children). Our viewpoint is that removal of sugar and other substances thought to be harmful to children may help and this action will not cause any harm.

The most widely followed diet for the treatment of ADHD is the Feingold Diet. While it does have it's supporters, generally, the scientific and medical communities do not recommend this diet. There are certainly a large number of parents who feel this diet has been extremely beneficial to their children. We do not recommend the diet but we also would not discourage any parent from giving it a try. We have provided several links which provide useful information about the Feingold Diet. They provide both pro and con discussions of this approach to treating ADD.

The Feingold Association of The United States

Quack Watch

National Network for Child Care

University of Virginia: Information and Links About the Effects of Sugar and Diet on Children's Behavior

References

Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children, Adolescents and Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36:10 Supplement, October 1997

Taylor, M Evaluation and Management of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. American Family Physician 1997: 55 (3); 887-894

There are a wide variety of "natural" remedies for ADHD being promoted on the world wide web and elsewhere. The official position of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is: "Megavitamin therapy, the prescription of vitamins in quantities greatly in excess of the Recommended Daily Allowance guidelines, has been suggested as a treatment for hyperactivity and learning disabilities. Extreme claims have been made from uncontrolled studies. Not only is scientific evidence of effectiveness lacking, but there is a possibility of toxic effects....Herbal remedies also have no empirical support."

There is one substance that has been shown in some scientific studies to be beneficial in treating ADHD, L Tyrosine. This is an amino acid (a protein) that the body uses to synthesize dopamine and norepinephrine, the two neurotransmitters believed to be involved in ADHD. These neurotransmitters are the targets of the medications used to treat ADHD. Some studies have shown that children with ADD may have lower levels of this amino acid. By increasing the intake of L Tyrosine through diet or supplements, it is possible to increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine available in the brain.