I have been doing some reading on some of the ADD drugs out there, and while they have promising results its the side effects that scare me. About 8 years ago my doctor at the time prescribed some anti psychotic drugs which actually caused me to start having panic attacks, even after I stopped taking the drug. In order to combat the attacks I got prescribed a number of anti anxiety and anti psychotic drugs which caused me to have really, really bad seizures and side effects. Because of that, I have become almost phobic when it comes to prescription drugs.

I was wondering if any of you have tried a more natural treatment for ADD, and if so how long did it take before you saw results. If I have to, I will take prescription medications, but I would rather try natural therapies first.

There are plenty of "courses" to help with ADD online or otherwise.... I don't know how great any of them are. There was a post in an introduciton about a husband who was taking supliments...
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19118
Maybe she can help you.

Justme50, hope I'm not imposing but reading this thread reminded me of your intro:)

Pigeon

Here is a good article about using natural supplements to treat ADD. The author connects DHA levels to a decrease in dopamine synthesis.

http://www.drdebe.com/ADHD.htm

I am also wondering of this information regarding supplements to help ADD. My son has been taking a summer break from taking Concerta and seems to be doing pretty well. I would like to know about the possibilties of keeping him off of the meds and giving supplements. The big question is about dosages. The last article spoke about quite a few (B1, Iron, Magnesium) and I would to try them, but how much is given to a child? He is a borderline ADD case with the biggest problem coming from impulsivity. I know most will request talking to his doc, but she would probably be guessing as we would.

Anyone with any thoughts?
Thanks

There are doctors out there who specialize in suppliments vs "quick fixes" maybe you could consult one of these? Who know, maybe his regular doc will know some of them, or can at least give you a reliable source or pamflet or website...

My therapist actually was able to give me recomendations for suppliments for sleeping instead of popping a knock out drug.

Good luck to all who want to go for this approach!

The only supplement that's been proven to have effects on ADD is L-tyrosine, and even that was not a long lasting effect.

The best thing to do is just eat as healthily as possible. Personally, I take fish oil, vitimins C and E, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, and a multivitamin. None of these has had any effect on my ADD. Fish oil has improved my skin and melatonin helps me sleep. The others are just for general health.

There are plenty of "courses" to help with ADD online or otherwise.... I don't know how great any of them are. There was a post in an introduciton about a husband who was taking supliments...
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19118
Maybe she can help you.

Justme50, hope I'm not imposing but reading this thread reminded me of your intro:)

Pigeon
Not imposing at all Pigeon, I hope it helps. For the record, my husband takes a ton of supplements just for general health but seems to find that St. John's Wort, fish oil, and especially something called SAM-E really seem to help with mood regulation. However, I do not think anything he takes helps with being able to focus more clearly, and that is according to him.