By Thomas Stearns Lee, NMD

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a neurological disorder.  Its major symptoms are distractibility, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, poor attention span, and impulsiveness.

ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder — Inattentive Type, and ADHD is Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.  According to the National Institutes of Health, 3-5 percent of the population in the U.S. are affected by ADD/ADHD.

ADD is without hyperactivity, with which a person can be withdrawn, shy, and quiet.  ADD and ADHD can both be difficult and cause distractibility, forgetfulness, disorganization, difficulty following rapid conversations, and low self-esteem.  Both can cause difficulty in completing school work and assignments in a timely manner.  Either can affect an individual’s ability to keep track of their belongings or to keep track of time.

The impact of ADD/ADHD is dramatically depicted in an illustration from The Impossible Child: In School, At Home by Doris Rapp, Practical Allergy Research, 1986.

Signs of Allergies or Sensitivities

• Increased physical or emotional sensitivity, if noticed frequently.

• Mood swings, if excessive or recurring.

• Respiratory distress, wheezing, throat and sinus irritations, if food- or air-related.

• Twitches, itches, ticks, or repeated patterns of nervous behavior.

• Facial changes, bags under eyes, red earlobes, rashes, and tensions.

• Tantrums, rages, fears, crabbiness, and regular “emotional dramas.”

• Bowel or urinary changes, bedwetting, with changing frequency.

• Personality shifts;  changes in values and judgment.

Remedies

The following herbs are botanical medicines that gently modify behavior without addiction.  Use them carefully with some help from a trained advisor.  All work as either a tea or capsule.

Passion Flower

Cools, calms, decreases aggressive energy, and acts as a mild anti-depressive.

 Hops

Increases calm, soothes nerves, clears the skin, and helps in calming down before bed.

 Catnip

Relaxes the nervous system, circulates energy, and is cooling.

 Nettles

Enhances blood building, helps against fatigue.  The freeze-dried form also serves as a mild antihistamine without the drowsiness.

 Green Tea

A mild stimulant which complements the effects of Vitamin C and benefits the immune system and circulation.

Home practices to help manage behavior

• Gentle hugging as a restraint.  One minute will seem like 50 seconds too long for a hyperphasic child, so use this carefully and kindly.

• Avoid and restrict sugars and food colorings, which are known allergens.

• Manage blood sugar levels during problem times or flare-ups.  Soaked organic, raw almonds help as a snack to level blood sugar, as do organic, oily foods.

• Change the environmental conditions if the person has experienced prolonged exposure to fluorescent lights, poor ventilation, or airborne chemicals.

• Avoid difficult people.

• Take a neutral/tepid bath before bed or if agitated.  Use body-temperature water (~99°F).

• Avoid over-stimulating entertainment.

• Apply moist heat over the chest and neck for 20 minutes with a hot washcloth, and apply a cold washcloth at the base of skull or nape of neck at the same time.

• Provide tangible or intangible rewards for accomplishments requiring attention, such as reading.  Give compliments, companionship, approving attention, and shared collaboration.

• Ask for help from family, friends, friends of your child, and the child him/herself.  Agree on goals and expectations, and demonstrate consistency.