Attention Deficit Disorder | Jesse Hanley MD

ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder

"Frustration, fear and panic, I often see these emotions in the faces of parents with a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The child is usually taking one or more prescriptions to control the "diseased behavior."

The diagnosis typically comes from a frustrated schoolteacher and is often confirmed by a psychologist who visits with the child for a few minutes. As a result of our "quick fix" society, parents are often pressured into giving their children a prescription medication like Ritalin or even Prozac.

Soon, parents realize that in an effort to control their child's behavior, they've lost their child's personality. Often, children with ADD are actually gifted children who just don't fit in with today's education system.

Ritalin is an amphetamine, similar to cocaine or "speed" that drug dealers sell on the street. The World Health Organization has stated that about five percent of the elementary school children in the United States are taking Ritalin. Most parents do not want their children to be taking Ritalin or other powerful prescription drugs. Out of frustration and lack of information, parents often go along with drug therapy as the only choice. Dr. Hanley can tell you from her own personal experience with children with ADD and their families, drug therapy is not the only or the best choice. In Dr. Hanley's medical practice, she used prescription drugs for ADD as treatments for a last resort.

The Damaging Diet

Science has confirmed that the body responds to what we eat and drink in a positive or negative way. Foods are medicines or poisons.

High fat foods have been linked to heart disease. A low-fiber diet can lead to cancer. Empty calories can cause obesity, and chocolate can irritate acne. Certain foods can cause or exacerbate ADD.

Sugar can make children (or adults with ADD) become hyperactive and others become subdued or over stimulated. To help alleviate or lessen ADD symptoms, Dr. Hanley starts with the elimination of sugar in the diet. The difference can often be amazing.

Food sensitivities and allergies are probably the most overlooked and underestimated treatment option available for individuals with ADD. Allergies and sensitivities to certain foods can cause a variety of symptoms related to ADD. The most common problem foods are dairy, wheat, corn and citrus. If Dr. Hanley has a patient with ADD who has chronic congestion, ear infections, sinusitis and other bronchial disorders, she immediately eliminates dairy from the diet. The results are incredible. Not only does the immune system get stronger and the congestions and infections clear up, the ADD symptoms may improve or even disappear.

Food colorings, additives and preservatives have definitely been associated to ADD. Aspartame, the artificial sweeteners, has been linked by the Department of Health and Human Services to 90 different symptoms including depression, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, memory loss, headaches - all of which could be considered symptoms of ADD.

A good way to identify the food culprits in the diet is by utilizing an Allergy Elimination Diet and eliminating the most common problem foods such as wheat, dairy, corn, sugar and preservatives for two to three weeks. Every three days, rotate one category back into the diet and track the symptoms. If there is a problem food, it's always best to avoid it or eat it only once in a while.

Dr. Hanley recommends incorporating more healthful foods into the daily diet, such as fresh, unprocessed whole foods, or protein, and fresh, cold-water fish. A comprehensive, quality multivitamin/mineral should be taken daily. B vitamins have been demonstrated to improve brain function and behavior and should be included. Pycnogenol, an extract of pine bark, has powerful antioxidants that improve the immune system and brain function and supply nutrients to the brain to keep it functioning optimally. Pycnogenol is extremely safe and effective and could be taken in doses of one milligram per pound per day.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) are critical for brain function; they help learning, concentration and behavior. Essential fatty acids deficiencies are seen in hyperactive children with symptoms including frequent urination, thirst, dry skin and hair, as well as asthma and ear infections.

There is no question that ADD can be a difficult and challenging condition to treat. However, science and Mother Nature have shown us that children and adults do not have to struggle with the symptoms of ADD or suffer from the side effects of drug treatment.

The results from this drug-free approach may appear suddenly within a few days, or may take several weeks. Support from the people in your life is a key element in the success of this plan.

Be patient with yourself, your family, and the child or adult with ADD - it may take time to fine-tune the treatment plan. You will discover that the extra effort is well worth it.

E-mail Jesse Hanley, M.D.
Phone: 310-457-5806 Fax: 310-457-1994
Malibu, CA 90265