Is there anything else other than meds that is known to help with ADD? I'm not against taking meds, but it probably will be a while before I can afford health insurance to get diagnosed and treated, so I was wondering what else I can do in the meantime.

By natural remedies, I don't just mean herbal supplements and the like, but also diet-related information, exercise, or anything else that is known to help.

Thanks in advance and sorry for all the newbie questions! :D

B supplaments help with memory and focus.

I smoke pot

I'm much better when I exercise daily. I also find it helps to have quiet time alone - in a park or somewhere that I don't have a computer, a TV, a phone, etc. It's not really meditation as much as it is just some mind clearing. Sometimes I combine this with exercise - I'll run to a nearby park that has a dock on a lake and hang out on the dock for a while before running home.

I've never paid much attention to herbal stuff. There don't seem to be many reliable studies (as in double blind, peer reviewed, etc) backing it up and it's not regulated, so there isn't any guarantee that you're getting what you pay for.

I smoke pot
Do you find it helps?
I "self-medicated" throughout high school (and beyond, I am afraid) and now I wonder, did that really help the ADHD or did it just make me chill and not care, or mask symptoms that would have otherwise led to diagnosis and treatment?

I have been taking ritalin on a semi-regular basis during hte day for about 1 month now and it definately helps. BUT, its entirely diff from pot so I find myself wondering how I found relief from pot, which slows me down, makes my head feel foggy, makes me laugh, and makes me eat, and also find relief from ritalin which makes me clear headed no fog at all, focused, and not at all tired (until the crash).

Does this make sense? I dont know if I am describing this right.

Now I feel like I can use the pot to just hang out and relax and laugh at night or whatver, like its intended right, and not to try to overcome whatever inadequecies that I may have.

Alright, I just basically wonder if you find it helps your adhd or if you just smoke because its fun?

-A

Is there anything else other than meds that is known to help with ADD? I'm not against taking meds, but it probably will be a while before I can afford health insurance to get diagnosed and treated, so I was wondering what else I can do in the meantime.

By natural remedies, I don't just mean herbal supplements and the like, but also diet-related information, exercise, or anything else that is known to help.

Thanks in advance and sorry for all the newbie questions! :D
Hi
Some things that I do to cope are
to use an organizer to write down everything because otherwise I will forget

use the calendar function of my cell phone to alert me when there are things i need to do, appts, calls to make, etc it will beep and can be set 15 min in advance 1 week, 1 day etc

i have pads of yellow sticky notes on my nightstand for when i have thoughts i cant forget in bed or my room, by the computer table, in the kitchen, etc. always have a pen there too to write stuff down then stick it where you want for reminders (on teh front door, dont forget phone adn keys, for example)

i have an expandabel folder labeled with all my bill categories (phone, cable, gas, etc) also in there a zippered pouch that holds my checkbook, a pen, and stamps so when bills come in i can have all i need to pay them right there, and stamp them all set to go, no more putting them on teh dresser so i "dont forget"

have a box with all sorts of greeting cards so when its a bday or holiday or whatever i can write a card, stamp it and be good to go, no more meaning to go to the card store for a week then totally forgetting hte bday

someone asks me to do something for them or go somewhere with them i say send me an email about it, then i have it in print and it also serves as a reminder

things like can be of help in organizing life, but wont take away or treat the adhd, just reduce teh negative effects it can have on the life

good luck
-A

There is one natural remedey which someone with ADHD gave me over the Internet. When I told my GP he laughed, when i told my Psychiatrist he chuckled as well then said that he was going to tell an adult patient who did not want to take meds that this was a choice.

This 19 year old jerks off 10 - 12 times a day! That would, indeed, provide the required dopamine to make concentration possible. There are some inherent problems with the solution which you can all figure out. And as both my GP and Psychiatrist pointed out, he will not be able to keep up that pace all his life. This guy has been diagnosed and was given medication, but has rejected it for a number of reasons (which he is entitled to) but found this a workable (for him) solution!

There is your all natural remedy! There is no other all natural solution I know of.

Cheers,
katatak

How can anyone follow that one?