Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that causes inattentiveness, impulsive behavior or inability to remain calm or seated. In a recent scientific study, investigators determined that 5 to 7 percent of Americans have some form of ADHD — the inattentive form, the hyperactive form, or a combination of the two.
For a child struggling in school, diagnosis and proper treatment for ADHD can be life-changing. A child who had been lost and confused, and perceived by others as unintelligent, may respond to treatment dramatically — by bringing home good grades and “student of the week” citations, and attaining enhanced self-esteem, self-worth, and strength and self-confidence.
Contrary to earlier views, we are now finding that children and adolescents do not usually “outgrow” this condition, but rather it continues on throughout adulthood, requiring medical or psychological support, or both. An adult struggling with ADHD can be very intelligent, hard-working and successful, and still suffer from ADHD. With proper treatment, productivity increases, and quite often relationships improve. Adults can go from “being absent” in a relationship to “being there.” The change in the quality of professional and personal relationships can be remarkable.
In the past, Ritalin was the only medication that was thought to be useful in treatment of ADHD. Many parents were dissatisfied with that drug because they had to give it to their children two to three times a day, and they believed it exerted a “zombie” effect. Now many highly effective medications are available; some require only one daily dose.
ADHD in females
One area that is poorly understood and clinically underappreciated — yet easily manageable if properly diagnosed and medically treated — is ADHD in females of all ages, and particularly in previously undiagnosed adult women.
ADHD often remains undiscovered in girls because they typically do not exhibit the hyperactivity and “class clown” behavior that affected boys adapt. Boys receive clinical attention because of the disruptive nature of their symptoms. Females who have the inattentive form of ADHD tend to sit quietly in the back of the room and simply “look dreamy.” Because they escape the attention of school personnel, these symptoms remain unrecognized until affected females are in their adult years.
Healing Pathways clinicians observe that 20 percent or more of mothers who bring a son or daughter to the clinic for ADHD diagnosis and treatment are themselves unknowingly suffering from symptoms of an inattentive form of ADHD. We have, over the years, effectively treated many such women, with dramatic, life-changing results. The quality of their social relationships, their performance at work, and the overall quality of their lives improves significantly. The newer, safer medications available today result in few unintended side effects. See our “in their own words” page to read the testimonial statement of one such woman whose life was transformed through ADHD treatment at Healing Pathways.
Usefulness of Yoga in ADHD treatment
People use Yoga to respond to a variety of health conditions. Yoga usually is used as a part of a general health regimen to achieve physical fitness and to relax. A national health interview survey conducted in 2007 revealed that Yoga is among the top 10 complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches used. The survey determined that more than 1.5 million children use Yoga.
The use of Yoga as a therapy has attracted scientific interest. Yoga in its many forms is primarily investigational as an intervention for ADHD. Numerous studies are under way to determine the efficacy of Yoga in treating specific health condition. Yoga is generally considered to be safe in healthy people when practiced appropriately, and has been found to be well tolerated with few if any unintended side effects.
Research indicates that because Yoga therapy may aid in “leveling out temperament,” it can be useful a complementary treatment for ADHD in children, adolescents and adults. Yoga and meditation therapy have resulted in improvements in self-esteem and quality of relationships. Yoga also has proven effective in combination with pharmacotherapy. When Yoga is used as a complementary treatment for boys with ADHD who already are stabilized on medication, its effects may be useful in the evening, when medications for the disorder are no longer effective.
In some studies, parents reported that their children practicing Yoga felt happier and less stressed, and the parents were consequently able to manage their child’s behavior more easily.
Healing Pathways also offers treatment of problems experienced by military personnel and their families, as well as treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder for people of all ages.
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