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Some alternative treatments, including practicing yoga and spending time outside, may have a positive effect on ADHD symptoms.

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Production of the medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has skyrocketed in recent decades.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that over 11% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old had been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2022. That’s 7 million children in total.

About 32% of children with ADHD received both medication treatment and behavior treatment to manage symptoms. In addition to medication and therapy, however, there are also natural, supplemental treatment options for ADHD.

Alternative treatments may help manage some symptoms associated with ADHD, including:

Research has found that there may be a link between certain food colorings and preservatives and hyperactive behavior in children. You may want to try limiting foods with these colorings and preservatives:

  • sodium benzoate, which is commonly found in carbonated beverages, salad dressings, and fruit juice products
  • FD&C Yellow No. 6 (sunset yellow), which can be found in breadcrumbs, cereal, candy, icing, and soft drinks
  • D&C Yellow No. 10 (quinoline yellow), which can be found in juices, sorbets, and smoked haddock
  • FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can be found in foods like pickles, cereal, granola bars, and yogurt
  • FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura red), which can be found in soft drinks, children’s medications, gelatin desserts, and ice cream

Diets that restrict possible allergens may help improve behavior in some children with ADHD.

It’s best to check with an allergy doctor if you suspect that your child has allergies. But you can experiment by avoiding certain foods to see if they make a difference. Foods that you may want to test include:

  • chemical additives and preservatives: such as BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), are often used to keep the oil in a product from going bad and can be found in processed food items such as potato chips, chewing gum, dry cake mixes, cereal, butter, and instant mashed potatoes
  • milk
  • eggs
  • chocolate
  • foods containing salicylates: including berries, chili powder, apples and cider, grapes, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes, and tomatoes (salicylates are chemicals occurring naturally in plants and are the major ingredient in many pain medications)

Electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback is a type of neurotherapy that measures brain waves. A 2011 study suggested that EEG training was a promising treatment for ADHD.

A child may play a special video game during a typical session. They’ll be given a task to concentrate on, such as “keep the plane flying.” If they’re distracted, the plane will start to dive, or the screen will go dark.

The game teaches the child new focusing techniques over time. Eventually, the child will begin to identify and alter their behavior to increase their focus.

Some small studies indicate that yoga may be helpful as a complementary therapy for people with ADHD.

Research published in 2013 reported significant improvements in hyperactivity, anxiety, and social problems in boys with ADHD who practiced yoga regularly in addition to taking their daily medication.

Some early studies suggest that tai chi also may help improve ADHD symptoms. Researchers found that children and adolescents with ADHD who practiced mind-body exercises, such as yoga or tai chi, experienced a reduction in ADHD symptoms.

Spending time outside may benefit children with ADHD. There is strong evidence that spending even 20 minutes outside can improve their concentration. Greenery and nature settings are the most beneficial.

A 2011 study and several earlier studies support the claim that regular exposure to outdoors and green spaces is a safe and natural treatment that can be used to help people with ADHD.

For children with more severe cases of ADHD, behavioral therapy can prove beneficial. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that behavioral therapy should be the first step in treating ADHD in young children.

Sometimes called behavioral modification, this approach works on resolving specific problematic behaviors and offers solutions to help prevent them.

This can also involve setting goals and rules for the child. Because behavioral therapy and medication are most effective when used together, they can be powerful aids in helping your child.

Parental therapy can help provide parents with the tools they need to help their child with ADHD. Equipping parents with techniques and strategies for how to work around behavioral problems can help both the parent and the child in the long term.

Treatment with supplements may help improve symptoms of ADHD. These supplements include:

However, results have been mixed. Herbs like ginkgo, ginseng, and passionflower may also help calm hyperactivity.

Supplementing without a doctor’s oversight can be dangerous — particularly in children. Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in trying these alternative therapies.

A doctor can order a blood test to measure the current levels of a nutrient in your child before they start taking supplements.

ADHD drugs can help improve symptoms by enhancing and balancing neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry signals between neurons in your brain and body. There are several different types of medications used to treat ADHD, including:

  • Stimulants: such as amphetamine or Adderall (which help you to focus and ignore distractions).
  • Nonstimulants: such as atomoxetine (Strattera), Qelbree (viloxazine), and bupropion (Wellbutrin), can be used if the side effects from stimulants are too great to handle or if other medical conditions prevent the use of stimulants. Wellbutrin is often prescribed as an off-label treatment option for ADHD.

While these drugs can improve concentration, they can also cause some serious potential side effects.

Side effects include:

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Not everyone chooses to use medication, and that’s OK. What’s most important is finding the treatment plan that works best for you or your child’s needs.

Research suggests that supplementing treatment with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and time in nature may also be helpful for managing symptoms.

It’s recommended that you speak with an ADHD specialist about your options so that you can create a tailored treatment plan that feels right for you.