ADHD Medication

In my opinion, ADHD medication or any medications, should be used only when absolutely necessary to enable a person to function and learn.

ADHD medication, or in fact any pharmaceutical meds, have their limitations.

Over the years working in the mental health field, providing counseling and rehabilitation services, I have been exposed to both the pros and cons of meds.

Viable Alternatives to ADHD Medication

And even in severe cases, we should always be looking for viable alternatives that get results, and most importantly address the cause of the physical, emotional or mental problem, and not only the symptoms.

Brian Weiss, M.D., a psychiatrist and past chairman of the psychiatry department at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami, Florida, was able to bring about remarkable changes in his patients through hypnotherapy.

In the past Dr. Weiss would use tranquilizers and antidepressant medicines to treat severe and chronic phobias, anxieties and fears.

Here is what he had to say about addressing these conditions: “Now I use these medicines much more sparingly and only temporarily, if at all. No medicine can reach the real roots of these symptoms……..Now I know there can be cures, not just the suppression or covering over of symptoms.”

Kim Roche of Phoenix University studied the effect of a technology called InnerTalk or Whole Brain in 1993 with children diagnosed as having ADHD in a double-blind experiement. Her findings indicated a significant positive effect.

ADHD in Children

ADHD or ADD symptoms can be addressed in a variety of ways. One important aspect is proper diagnosis.

A few years back I was speaking with a psychiatrist who taught medical school at a leading university, and he was very dismayed by what he considered lack of thorough examinations and assessments prior to diagnosis.

It’s so easy to label a child with a certain condition such as ADHD/ADD, and then prescribe Ritalin or some other medicine.

I suggest to always get a second and even third opinion, and to do your own research. If absolutely necessary, ADHD medication is one choice. But it should be considered as only a temporary measure as your team of professionals and yourself scout out other alternatives. Here is a website that provides information on neurochemical rehabilitation .

It’s so important when working with people to not get so enthralled with all the wonderful technology available, and forget the human element. Technology is good for research and as a support tool to increase our understanding. Go beyond medication and improve your child's focus and behavior with the Total Focus program.

Dr. Weiss had this to say to his fellow psychiatrists:

“In the rush toward the medicalization of psychiatry, it is important that we do not abandon the traditional, albeit sometimes vague, teachings of our profession. We are the ones who still talk to our patients, patiently and with compassion. We still take the time to do this. We promote the conceptual understanding of illness, healing with understanding and the induced discovery of self knowledge, rather than just with laser beams. We still use hope to heal.”