[GreenGirlOU812]

Hi again :-D I'd like to know if anyone here with ADD is using a natural non-medication approach? I really, really do not want to be one of those people I have observed during my lifetime - with a row of pill bottles that they live to take and think it is the answer to all of their problems. I honestly think we in the USA think "there's a pill for everything" and everyone seems to get their own checkbox of what's wrong with them and what pill they should be taking.

I am not going to be that person with a row of pill bottles to take each day, not if I can help it!

[montanan4ever]

Why, what a lovely introduction. Full of bias from the outset.

why? whats so bad about taking pills?

[Modafinil]

If you are happy with your life as it is, then why change?

[GreenGirlOU812]

My personal choice is a natural approach, if there is one for ADD.

You may consider that negatively (bias) Montana, I'm sorry YOU feel like that, but that feeling is ....on you...... - because I don't.

Alonewithmycat - I've personally observed too many people on too many medications, just don't want to be one of them. Perhaps that is a phobia in itself!

[TheNextOne]

If you don't want to take meds then your only choice is to focus and set up a strategy i.e. I used to frequently reward myself, which is highly inefficient, but it's better than not doing the work at all. Although I haven't ever been diagnosed with ADD, I've never been able to concentrate or study for extended periods, which is why I had to come up with such ideas.

Basically you work for, say, 30 mins, then you take a 30 minute break. It's a lot of wasted time in breaks, but the large reward and short duration of focus gives you more reason to try. Most meds work on the same principle and simply adjust your dopamine levels to trick you into thinking you're getting a reward for studying and/or focusing. Any reward that you enjoy will give you the same effect. That's why a lot of ADD meds are methamphetamine-based.

[Maus5321]

The only no medicinal natural approach to adhd is setting up a checks and balances system for yourself. Like was mentioned above, do a reward break strategy. GO hard for 30 minutes rest and reward yourself for 30 minutes. There really is no natural remedy for adhd that I know or heard of. We will just leave it at that. Placing a strategy in place is the only then. Or hiring a coach to help you out and get systems in place.

[psychmajortwenty2]

Originally Posted by GreenGirlOU812

My personal choice is a natural approach, if there is one for ADD.

You may consider that negatively (bias) Montana, I'm sorry YOU feel like that, but that feeling is ....on you...... - because I don't.

Alonewithmycat - I've personally observed too many people on too many medications, just don't want to be one of them. Perhaps that is a phobia in itself!

Hi. I'm not on any meds right now, but that's not by choice. I recently moved locations, and now I'm at a rural town where it's hard to get into see a psychiatrist. There's a looonnnng waiting list.

I think you're thinking about the pills in the wrong way. There's a lot of propaganda out there yes... that having to rely on pills is "bad". And I agree to a certain extent. Having to rely on anything, like smoking weed or ingesting some codeine or drinking alcohol, to make you calm ALL THE TIME is not good.. I'd say. Same with dieting pills - easy way out doesn't always work. Heck, even some anti-depressant pills aren't the greatest.. because like a lot of psychologists say - a pill is not a skill! Pills can only do so much and you have to be motivated to carry out the rest. You have to change your own thinking about the situation so that you don't fall back into a severe depressive episode. (This is only in some cases I think, when their might be a minor related depressive episode and the doctor jumps the gone to prescribe a med that might just make you feel numb most of the time).

However, ADHD doesn't really fall into any of these classes. ADHD people who take pills aren't one of "those people". ADHD is a neurobiological condition. Pills aren't supposed to turn you into a zombie, in this case, but simply aid you in being able to focus when your brain just isn't wired to do that all the time. Pills can be extremely helpful for 80% of individuals with ADHD. The other 20% unfortunately are unaffected by the pills.

Pills are not morals. They don't work off a belief system. They're just meant to treat a medical condition. Nothing bad about that.

It's like getting a prescription for eyeglasses if you were near-sighted. What would you tell the person to do instead? Squint harder?

[IndieVisible]

Sticky notes! Lots and lots of sticky notes!

[venusss]

It's like getting a prescription for eyeglasses if you were near-sighted. What would you tell the person to do instead? Squint harder?

I haven't gotten hooked to my glasses. They don't increase my heart rate, make me lose my apetite or affect my moods. Heck, I can't even sell my glasses in backalley on on college campus.

Stimulants help everybody when at the right dosage. Not just ADHD people. They carry risks though, so let's not judge either way. If you make informed decision to take em.... or not to take em.

As for managing ADHD without... it's individualized. Reminders, planners and routines are the golden standart though. And finding your way. Some find ADHD a gift once they leave rigid school environment and are able to work according how their brain works.

[NWgirl2013]

All of this is true. It is a medical condition that can be treated with drugs.

In my families case, my H and son both have this. Neither take any medication but my son is starting to want to. He struggles to stay on task with school, so he is wishing for a magic cure to his inattention.

H says he is just fine the way he is, thank you very much. But his issues, life long & forged in stone it seems, are much harder on me than he realizes.

Some of them are becoming dangerous but still he will not seek help for a diagnosis he received many years ago. He is afraid to take anything & the unknown scares him more than putting his family in harms way. Not logical, right?

So I Struggle to keep things going as I am the ring master in this households' circus.

Diet is VERY important for them. Sugar seems to give a high/low/crash sort of reaction but magnified.
Son takes Omega 3 oils, fish or flax seed oil lubricate the synapses of the brain and help with focus. This is a science based fact that works.
There are several "natural" supplements out there that have varying degrees of usefulness depending on the person.
He also needs a schedule; 50 mins. on for concentration based activities, 30 off. He is working to whittle away the down time.
He has No trouble focusing on fun things and can spend hours in creative mode when allowed to. Everyone is different.
For him, seeing his dad in real time doing his forgetful behaviors all day long, is a real eye opener. So he wants to overcome it and wants to do whatever it takes.

I hope you find the right thing for you. Best of luck with this.

[joyrjw]

I have ADD inattentive with depression/anxiety and I had to go the natural route myself,but I've been trying different forms of supplements and so far an amino acid complex ,DHA (1000mg)-I had to stop DHA due to finances-,a high protein low carb low sugar diet,and exercise.
Today I am also trying DMAE to see if it might help as well since I still experience brain fog and fatigue.

[AngstyLady]

Wow, very adamant about it, aren't you?
Well, I for one am pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADD, but seeing as I'm already on Prozac dealing with anxiety and depression, I don't think I need to be taking anything else (judge me if you will).
I for one don't notice my add until I'm around my friends and family- needless to say I probably annoy the hell out of my coworkers.
Though I have learned to not interrupt others (as much) and am getting better at not letting my mind wander too much amid conversation- though I can't help getting distracted sometimes by noises and other interesting things in my peripheral vision.

Originally Posted by GreenGirlOU812

Hi again :-D I'd like to know if anyone here with ADD is using a natural non-medication approach? I really, really do not want to be one of those people I have observed during my lifetime - with a row of pill bottles that they live to take and think it is the answer to all of their problems. I honestly think we in the USA think "there's a pill for everything" and everyone seems to get their own checkbox of what's wrong with them and what pill they should be taking.

I am not going to be that person with a row of pill bottles to take each day, not if I can help it!

Good on you, dont be another mindless statistic. There are natural approaches as some have stated. I have observed changes in attention and behaviour from changing to a good diet (no artificial colours, close to natrual as possible). Also setting up a schedual for yourself can be very helpful. Make sure you are getting enough exercise. Far too many people turn to meds as the first option when lifestyle changes may have been the answer.

[punkybrewster6k]

Originally Posted by IndieVisible

Sticky notes! Lots and lots of sticky notes!

O my gosh I do this! lol

And write on my hand!

Funny but excellent advice.

Most supplements get excreted out of the body as it can not store or use.

If it were up to me, I would be on about 15-20 different medications at once with many PRN's just in case. Am I obsessive? Maybe. I'm I another mindless statistic? Maybe. Desperate? Yes.

Until I hear results from people that get better concentration on supplements than amphetamines and not just a placebo, trust me I would be ditching the meds and swiping the before the counter shelves clean.

FULLY AGREE WITH STICKY NOTES WHO CANT

[HinNofHlp]

Originally Posted by GreenGirlOU812

Hi again :-D I'd like to know if anyone here with ADD is using a natural non-medication approach? I really, really do not want to be one of those people I have observed during my lifetime - with a row of pill bottles that they live to take and think it is the answer to all of their problems. I honestly think we in the USA think "there's a pill for everything" and everyone seems to get their own checkbox of what's wrong with them and what pill they should be taking.

I am not going to be that person with a row of pill bottles to take each day, not if I can help it!

Because I had adverse reactions to the Adult ADD medications, I was helped with a support group, helping getting my wife trained to deal with my challenges so she could help me; talking to others and taking advantage of their success aids; a lot of prayer; trying to get more rest; counseling with a great psychotherapy; improving my diet; and doing my best to watch my responses with stimuli.

[steelfang]

Try taking fish oil pills. There is much research showing that fish oil supports our mental functions. My mother and brother and I all have ADHD and have noticed significant improvements whilst on this supplement. They take 2000 mg a day and I take 3000 mg a day because I also have bipolar.

Ginkgo biloba also increases blood flow to the brain and sharpens focus. I love its effects on me,