First, ADHD can be a difficult diagnosis to hear. With no true cure, a child diagnosed will spend the rest of their life combating the symptoms such as the inability to sit still, lack of focus, forgetfulness, and avoidance of difficult tasks. At times, parenting a child with ADHD can be emotionally exhausting. In Niantic, Connecticut, does you child have a difficult time doing class work and sitting still to learn?
And, do they get excited, angry, frustrated easily and have many intense emotions that challenge school life?
At East Lyme Middle School, did your child get poor behavior referrals? Or, does your adolescent tend to be the jokester or disrespectful to teachers in class?
Often times, impulsivity, challenges in friendships, frequent crying, high emotions, and disrespectful language can be signs of ADHD.
So, if you notice trouble with concentrating, tearfulness, anger, or disrespect in your child, there is a deep need for positive coping skills and self-confidence. A holistic East Lyme, Ct therapist can help determine and diagnose ADHD professionally.
What are natural remedies for ADHD all about?
You may think the answer to ADHD lies within an abundance of doctor visits. If your insurance covers medical bills, you may not be as concerned. But, some people who don’t have the coverage or simply don’t want the medication or the accompanying side effects. Now, you may be wondering what other options are out there to help.
In East Lyme, Connecticut and in Southeastern Connecticut, the team at Wisdom Within Counseling helps anxious children, depressed teenagers, young adults seeking LGBTQIA+ exploration, and high conflict couples thrive.
Specifically, for children with ADHD and anxiety, we specialize in holistic movement therapy. Overall, alternatives to medication through outdoor nature walks, creative art, holistic yoga, and music therapies can help children feel safe and build trust in counseling.
Concerns with Medication
Medicating a child or adult with ADHD can seem like the easiest and quickest route to take. Now, because these medications are so readily available, it is the option most people will jump to first. But, these medications are not a cure all. Overall, medication may help a child sit in class, but positive coping skills will be lifelong tools.
The team of marriage and family therapists offer holistic, alternative therapies as natural remedies for ADHD.
Overall, we use creative art, yoga, music, and outdoor play therapies to help children and adolescents build confidence. From there, trust, better self-esteem, and better behavior at home and at school follow. Also, if your child has tried therapy before, or holistic and creative approach is out of the box and totally unique for connecting with children.
Call/text Wisdom Within Counseling at 860-451-9364 to begin with a phone consultation.
ADHD suppressant medication can come with negative side effects that most people do not want to deal with. Possible side effects can include but are not limited to:
- Trouble sleeping
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
To note, there are also long term effects that can come from someone taking these medications. For instance, from childhood on into the rest of their lives, children can feel impacts. Long term effects may include, but are not limited to:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Irregular heartbeat
- Decreases in body weight and appetite
- Stunted growth
It can be difficult to make the choice of whether to take these medications as an easy fix rather than hunting for something natural to combat symptoms. But, with possible negative side effects and long term effects, perhaps looking for something more natural is the overall safer option. Often, children and adults who are on medication can slowly taper off by learning positive coping tools to express emotions in healthy ways.
Combat ADHD Naturally
Here are some natural alternatives to try before reaching for that prescribed medication.
The Wisdom Within Counseling therapists in Southeastern Connecticut specialize with children with high energy levels, ADHD, ADD, and customize outdoor movement therapy. Art and painting to help teach self-leadership and emotional coping tools. Call/text 860-451-9364 to learn more about ADHD counseling using creative arts.
#1 – Exercise
We are encouraged to exercise for a number of reasons. To start, movement beneficial to our health. And, it keeps our body strong, and it can also help with symptoms of ADHD.
Exercise is proven to be a mood booster, and it is no different for someone dealing with ADHD.
Because exercise boosts dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, the benefits are extremely helpful. These chemicals in the brain support focus and attention.
Though any kind of exercise is better than none when it comes to improving ADHD symptoms, some can be more beneficial than others. Exercises such as yoga, martial arts, and ballet have proved to be extremely beneficial.
Also, yoga allows the body to focus and build strength, which is helpful to someone who experiences ADHD symptoms.
On that note, skill-focused exercises such as martial arts and ballet allow for short term goals to be met while keeping focus on the task at hand. At Wisdom Within Counseling in East Lyme, Connecticut, the team specializes in outdoor play therapy for ADHD coping skills. Call or text 860-451-9364 for creative, holistic counseling using natural remedies for ADHD.
#2 – Meditation
Meditation can be very powerful if done correctly. At first, meditation may be scary. But, mindfulness meditation not only allows you to build attention and awareness skills, but also self-regulation and focus. In yoga therapy sessions, your holistic family therapist can teach mindfulness meditation.
Through meditation, you are able to thicken your prefrontal cortex, which is the part of your brain responsible for impulse control, focus, and planning. Meditation also raises your brain’s dopamine levels, which is very helpful to someone with ADHD. Lastly, to learn more about mindfulness meditation, yoga therapy, and learn these lifelong coping tools, call or text to get started with a phone consultation at 860- 451-9364.
If focus is a struggle while first starting meditation, soothing music can be a great help. There is no requirement that meditation be silent, simply focus based. Moreover, search for mediation music on the internet or music apps, and you will find plenty of options to choose from to start your meditation journey.
#3 – Getting Outside
Green therapy or spending time in nature can be beneficial to people with symptoms of ADHD. Studies have shown that spending short amounts of time can improve concentration and impulse control.
In East Lyme, Connecticut and along the Southeastern Connecticut shoreline, the marriage and family counselors offers
unique child therapy for emotional confidence. For instance, play therapy outdoors, nature, movement, dance therapy, and art therapy is for children are calming. Plus, these teach lifelong calming skills for friends and family.
Try to incorporate outside time into your everyday routine when possible. Starting off the mornings with green therapy can allow someone with ADHD to have a much more focused day. To add, the nature scenery does not have to change. It can be a green backyard, a walk in the park or woods.
The important part is that as long as there is greenery around the positive effects should show.
#4 – Fish Oil Supplements
It may not sound like the most appealing option, but fish oil can be helpful as a natural way to help ADHD symptoms. Therefore, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements can decrease hyperactivity, increase dopamine, and improve memory function.
When looking at ADHD symptoms, all of these are beneficial, positive effects. Adding a fish oil supplement to your daily routine or your child’s could have a positive impact without the need for medication.
Look Out for Triggers
While naturally treating ADHD proactively, keep in mind there are some triggers that can sometimes make symptoms worse. Be sure to avoid these triggers if possible while treating ADHD without medication.
#1 – Lack of Sleep
Not getting enough sleep isn’t good for anyone as it can cause a multitude of problems. For someone with ADHD, being sleep deprived can cause heightened symptoms like increased lack of attention and higher impulsivity.
It is important to get a proper amount of sleep each night. If this is a struggle, consider a natural sleep aid such as melatonin to help you get a better night’s sleep.
#2 – Undiagnosed Food Allergies
Food intolerance can increase the severity of ADHD symptoms. Looking out for foods that seem to increase hyperactivity is a good place to start when determining food intolerances.
Wisdom Within Counseling in Southeastern Connecticut offers natural remedies for ADHD through nutrition, exercise, and sleep changes.
Beyond just the commonly thought of sugar, many people who have ADHD have shown to have intolerances to foods such as dairy, corn, wheat, soy, and eggs. Paying attention to your reaction or your child’s reaction to these foods could allow you to identify a possible trigger for symptoms.
#3 – Too Much Technology
Studies have shown that people with ADHD have a higher chance of becoming addicted to technology than those who don’t. Those with ADHD could become dependent on technology if they are using screens too much.
To combat this, limiting screen time is key. If you are a parent of a child with ADHD, try giving them allotted screen time at only certain points during the day.
During other parts of the day, encourage them to do non-technology related activities, like reading inside or playing outside. Over time, your child will be less attached to their technology. Sometimes, children with ADHD need extra encouragement to go play outside in nature. Being with friends, jumping on a trampoline, and biking around are great natural remedies for ADHD.
To start in holistic, alternative, creative marriage and family counseling for ADHD treatment, call or text us at 860-451-9364.
Also, if you are an adult with ADHD symptoms, try limiting your own screen time when possible. Instead, go outside, pet your dog, or do a fun hobby.
ADHD is Difficult, But there is Hope
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a hard one to cope with. It is something you will be dealing with for the rest of your life. But don’t see it in a completely negative light; there are plenty of options to treat and manage symptoms.
Medication isn’t the only option when it comes to natural remedies for ADHD. Try a few or all of these options to keep symptoms in check, and avoid triggers to best keep symptoms in check. You never know what great results could come from natural remedies!
Alexandra Arcand writes for the auto insurance comparison site, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com and has someone very close to her heart who works naturally to combat ADHD.
