My son is having trouble paying attention in school. I really don't want to put him on Adderall or Ritalin or any drug like that. Is there some kind of herbal/natural option that I can try?
135499
I was told about Valerian Root when my son was having attention issues. You can get it in both pill or liquid form at just about any vitamin or herbal store. It calms both the body and mind and aids in concentration.  it also (In higher doeses) can be used as a sleep aid in adults. I myself used the liquid for my son and mixed it with a glass of juice in the morning.  And when I packed him lunch I would incloud a bottle or thermos of juice or chocolate milk and add the afternoon dose to that.  It worked really well for him.  I warn you however that the stuff stinks something awfull...lol.
655674
get them to create something. Drawings, building blocks, games that excite or test their ability to remember, painting, crafts. You can try making them discuss issues. You will be surprised what comes out. If you are facing hyperactive children know that their attention span is very short so a variety of quick games may help. TV is your last resort. They would likely not enjoy the same program anyway. Good luck.
414351
well sometimes there is the need to use meds my son was on Ritalin i would have him seen by several others 4 there opinion teachers r quick to point out add-adhd it seems now days they used to not med until 3 or 4th grade u need more opinions or mom can keep him home put him in 1st grade next yr not alot of folks know this but in most states kinder is not mandatory good luck and i know what Ur going thru
372616
Check out DrugStoreAmerica . Org... No Dr' Visit, No worry... Talk to you Parents..  They can help..
221121
As far as homeopathic/natural things go-- I found that feverfew tea (or now I think they have tablets) was a natural ingredient that helped migraines.  I didn't like the tea, so this one didn't work that great for me.\n\nWhat really helped me, was to up my intake of B vitamins/niacin.  That did help me prevent/get ride of a significant number of migraines.\n\nGood luck-- I know they are pretty miserable.
51518
I feel your pain, and share your view in general on medications. I have a daughter, now 8 years old who has ADHD. They told me when she was six that she needed to be medicated and I absolutely refused to consider it. I thought that medication was being used way too often and I was not about to put her on it. Well, things continued to get worse for her, me our family as we tried to control her behaviors without meds. She started losing her friends, doing poorly in school, and her brothers started to resent her for the behaviors she would act out and ruin our family outings. I finally agreed about 6 months ago  to try her on the lowest dose possible to try to make things a little better. Now, I regret not doing it sooner. She is by no means perfectly behaved or on task, but she is now able to do her school work with minimum redirecting, sustain friendships, and has control over her behaviors. This medication has not altered her pesonality or put her in to a dazed state like I thought it would. It really has just helped her to be able to live a more normal life. She still has her times when she doesn't want to listen, do homework and pouts or cries, but it is now within reasonable limits. I agree that medication should not just be handed out like candy, but sometimes the child really does need it. With proper monitoring and dosage your son should be fine. The only side effect my daughter has had is a little weight loss, but even that tapered off after the first 2 months. She is a much happier child now, and it is a much more peaceful house. I wish you luck with your son, and in making this decision, as I know it is a hard one to make. I fought it for 1 1/2 years. Good Luck.
15039
I had as a child, and still have ADD.  Trust me, there was a distinct difference in what I dealt with.\n\nIn fact, I was taken to the Child Study Center when I was in fourth grade because of my school problems.\n\nMom recently told me about one of the problems that I would have.  I would stand up during class(elementary school) and walk around the room.  From memories about later school years, I probably just blanked out.  This wasn't a matter of lacking discipline or self-discipline.  It was more like I shifted to another mental state and the rest of the world disappeared.  How do you beat that out of someone?  It would be like beating a dyslexic kid into reading.\n\nI'm sure that it's overdiagnosed and overprescribed.  But this has more to do with our having a private health care system that encourages using pills to solve problems; as opposed to the socialized system in many of the first world countries where the culture of pill popping isn't as strong as it is here.  (In Canada, medical care is paid for but not prescriptions.  Doctors are more likely to look for non-prescription solutions there)
522558
A can of redbull could do the trick (one every 3 hours or so). Also keep the temperature cool, your brain can focus better and heat makes you drowsy. You could also look into an ADD medication like Ritalin. It helps to maintain focus and attentiveness, however you might have trouble getting that instantly. If you don't like energy drinks such as redbull, there are caffeine pills available at the pharmacy. Make sure your area is well lit and you are organized. The best thing is to make yourself comfortable: play some jazz or classical music (although it might be tempting to listen to heavier stuff, this will just distract you).
132214
If cutting caffiene (e.g. sodas, teas) IMPROVES behavior, the child DOES NOT have ADHD. Someone with ADHD will visibly calm down when given caffiene.\n\nAbout 5% of kids who are hyperactive are really having a food allergy.\n\nhttp://www.nutramed.com/Foodallergy/fachildren.htm\nhttp://www.nutramed.com/children/hyperactivity.htm\nhttp://www.healingwell.com/library/allergies/kaemmerer6.asp\n\nSensory Integration issues also contribute to hyperactive behavior:\nhttp://www.sensoryint.com/\n\nADHD is a MEDICAL condition...in spite of all the debate. And, I can tell you from personal experience that without the right doctor, his treatment can be messed up very quickly.  Your parent(s) need to ask around...find parents of kids with ADHD, and ask them about whether they are happy with their child's current medical treatment for it. Remember that they will run into people who have been burned so badly by inept doctors that they won't medicate their child, no matter what (instead, their kids are in constant trouble at school, not academically achieving like they could be, and may not have many friends). We went through five different pediatricians until we finally found someone who was really able to help our son.\n\nIf the doctor feels that your brother may benefit from medication, your parents may have to go through trials of different medicines and dosages before they find something that works for him. Always keep in mind that medication is a tool...if something is making him sick from side effects, or he's groggy all the time, or it's just not working, they need to go back to the doctor and insist that dosages and/or medication types be changed. If you're lucky, the first medication prescribed will work wonders. \n\nOr your parents and the doctor together may decide not to start trying medication until he's older...the doctor will have management and parenting tips for them.\n\nIf the doctor diagnoses ADHD, they need to take a written letter (not a prescription) from the doctor to your school district's special education office (YES, even at age 3 or 4, you can get specialized services free through your school system). This will get them started on getting him specialized help, including a school social worker who can help them find good community resources, therapies, and specialized preschool programs that have teachers who are highly trained in helping your brother start to build good school skills early.\n\nHere are some additional links to help:\n\nhttp://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/adhd.htm\nhttp://www.genetics.ucla.edu/labs/nelson/adhd.htm\nhttp://www.chadd.org/\nhttp://www.adhd.com/family/index.jsp
447041
Good Luck! I have a 15 yo with the same problem. He is ADHD with severe impulsivity and it has been a continuous battle to do any kind of school work. He would come up with all kinds of excuses about not doing his school work. I also didn't know what to do. So I started NOT letting him do anything. No TV, no video games (on TV or portable), no friends over, no going anywhere, nothing. He finally got the message. He told me he was going to give me "The Mean Mom" award because I wouldn't let him do anything or go anywhere. The thing was he knew most of the work, just had a hard time putting it on paper. He is in high school now and being homeschooled (which really works out much better). But the 'doing nothing' still stands if he doesn't do the work. He still has a problem with taking it out of his head and putting it on paper (he can tell you anything you want to know about his subjects, orally). But he has to put it on paper. But now he will sit down and do the work. I told him I was not having this foolishness anymore, I know he can do the work and if he wants any free time he'd better get it done.
92669
voodoo medicine. the easy way to curb your children. i should have been put on it. couldn't seem to keep a focused thought as a kid. learned to tame the mind. it was hard. still have problems. sort of like dyslexia, just gotta concentrate and manage your thoughts. happy i never took the meds.  hit the bottle. killed a man. just like allergies.
185006
I have ADHD and I'm still in school on mysenior year about to graduate.. ADHD is what it is and yea it makes your attention span short and you a little hyperactive, but him not wanting to go to school has nothing to do with his diagnosis..\nSo for some help i gave you a link below for some signs of ADHD and ODD\nAnd about staying in class yea i do sometimes when my medicine starts to wear off so i go to sleep or doodle my thoughts n stuff and it really helps
299699
you are in a very bad situation and I wish I could help more. i think you are on the right track with the herbal meds, and you can't quit work because starvation won't help your child. maybe you should look for a holistic doctor and try them- they tend to use herbs when possible and in some cases their results are quite remarkable. godd luck and vaya con dios
147357
Be careful with the meds. There are non-drug alternatives for ADD/ADHD treatment. One I have heard great things about is biofeedback, sometimes referred to as neurofeedback. Try a Google or Yahoo search on the those 2 words.
397411
TRY   INDERAL , ELAVIL  ..THESE  DRUGS  TREAT    MIGRAINES ..KEEP  HIM  AWAY  FROM  TOO  MUCH  CAFFEINE !   HE  MAY  BE   HAVING   ALOT  STRESS  FROM  SCHOOL!
348629
I have found great success with herbal supplements and they are cheaper than prescription meds. But you should talk to your doctor about free samples, they usually have some on hand, even if it is for only a portion it would help. Good Luck!
196353
get a 2nd opinion on the ADHD, it seams to be a lot of bull to me. doent matter how hyperactive or how little attentive someone may be, they concentrate on something. what ever that is can be used as a building block, i havent seen any of that stuff work. the meds just slow down brain function which is ultimatly bad for the entire body.