A Holistic Approach to ADD and ADHD

What is ADD and ADHD
ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, are one in the same. There are actually six types of ADD according to Dr. Amen of Amen Clinics. ADD and ADHD can be caused by a deficiency of adrenaline. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys. These small glands produce countless neurotransmitters and hormones, and control the autonomic nervous system.

A deficiency of adrenaline would indicate weakened adrenal glands. This weakening can occur due to excessive stress, chemicals, drugs, acid build-up within the body, or hormone ingestion or exposure. When the body is given something, such as a hormone that it naturally produces, the body will eventually slow production or stop production all together.

The most unknown source of adrenaline that is consumed on a daily basis is in the consumption of meat products. In a slaughterhouse setting, the animal can sense danger and smell death. The animals, like humans, go into a state of “fight or flight”. During this state, the body releases adrenaline. After the animal is killed the adrenal remains in its flesh and is then consumed.

An acidic diet is also a major contributing factor. Acids are corrosive, irritating to the nervous system, inflammatory promoting, and damage cells. The glands and organs become damaged by acidic waste that is not being removed efficiently. This waste begins to affect cell health and function.

Heavy metals, drugs, food additives and specific foods could all be possible culprits. All of these things are harmful to the nervous system and can cause or acerbate symptoms. These substances can create an environment within the body that is conducive to irritation and inflammation of the nervous system, creating ADD and ADHD like symptoms.

Symptoms
- Frequently late, takes them longer than predicted to do projects
- Have a haphazard approach to projects
- Doesn't always learn easily
- Blurts things without thinking
- Not always truthful
- Having difficultly do boring things
- Can’t always sit still for long periods of time

Treatment
The treatment commonly used to address ADD/ADHD is a widespread use of stimulants such as Ritalin and Mehylin. The goal is to correct the behavior, however stimulants subdue behavior by impairing mental function and they often cause the very problem that they are administered to correct.

Effects of ADD/ADHD Medication
Stimulants have a very powerful affect on the functioning of the brain and can lead to addictions and abuse. In most children these drugs cause a rebound reaction, causing a worsening of behavioral symptoms a few hours later after the last dosage. With larger dosages and prolonged use, they can lead to severe withdrawal reactions such as crashing and symptoms such as extreme fatigue, depression, and even suicidal feelings.

Stimulants can over stimulate the brain causing personality changes, insomnia, agitation, irritability, and nervousness; confusion and disorientation, apathy, social isolation, sadness, seizures, and very commonly severe depression. Stimulants can also cause paranoia involving fearful and even violent feelings towards others. In addition, stimulants can also create emotional disturbances and mania.

Causes and Contributing Factors

Processed Sugar – Children with ADD and ADHD have weakened adrenal glands. One of the many responsibilities of the adrenals include sugar metabolism. When there is an excess sugar intake, sugar metabolism is hindered and there is an excess of sugar within the blood, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Our bodies use carbon as fuel, carbon is simply sugar. When processed sugars are ingested, there is an excess of fuel that can create ADD/ADHD type behavior.

Excitotoxins – Excitotoxins are isolated amino acids that over-stimulate brain cells to death. The most common excitotoxins are MSG (monosodium glutamate) and Aspartame. These chemicals are found in almost all processed foods and even some health foods. Theses additive are often listed under different names on the food label

Neurotoxins – The adrenal glands are in control of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls all involuntary actions of the body including breathing, heart contractions, and the contractions of the digestive tract that move food through the body. A neurotoxin is a compound that poisons the nervous system. These chemicals are often found lying around a person’s home in products such as laundry detergent, air fresheners, perfumes, etc.

Excessive Television, Video Games, and Computer Usage – Digital dementia is a new diagnostic term used among the medical community caused by the excessive usage of electronics for anything other than work. Video games and television also tend to be excessively violent; this exposure stimulates the weakened adrenal glands temporarily making the person feel better but further weakening the adrenal glands in the long-term due to over-stimulation.

Yelling or Scalding – Yelling or scalding a child creates the same reaction within the body as violent or scary video games or movies. Yelling at a child with ADD/ADHD creates the same stimulating adrenal affect within the body as frightening movies. The adrenals are over stimulated, creating a false sense of well-being. This may cause a child to act out more in order to stimulate the adrenals to release hormones for that temporary feeling. Some adults may even display conflict seeking behavior and intentionally start fights and arguments seeking the same physiological response.

Holistic Approach
The first step to addressing any issue within the body is to stop treating the symptoms and begin addressing the cause or causes. When the cause is removed, only then can the body begin to heal and regenerate itself. Every person is dealing with different causes including genetic and glandular weaknesses and different states of health. Some may see improvement immediately with minor changes, while others may require complete lifestyle changes.

All illnesses and abnormalities within the body are due to inappropriate behavior of the cell that is subject to the environment of the internal fluids that are dependent on the functions of the nutritive and eliminative processes. Once the body is brought back into balance, it is only then the body is capably of healing itself and normal cell function resumes.