How to Live with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is affecting more American adults and children each year. Learning disabilities are difficult to cope with, but with all of the treatments available it can be easy to live with ADHD.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Learn to Live with ADHD

1. Get diagnosed by a doctor. If you think you have ADHD, it's important to have a doctor evaluate your condition. Some of the best medication for treating ADHD is available only with a prescription.

2. Change your diet. Recent studies have linked some ADHD symptoms to heavily processed foods. Consider cutting artificially flavored, colored and preserved foods out of your diet if you consume lots of them.

3. Check your blood pressure. High blood pressure, which is any reading above 140 over 90, can contribute to ADHD. Talk to a dietitian about ways to change your diet to lower your blood pressure.

4. Look into natural supplements. Some people have found that taking a daily dose of fish oil helps their concentration. Other supplements, like green oat pills and ginkgo leaf products, can sometimes help people live with ADHD.

5. Find an ADHD support group, either online or in your area. The website ADHD News offers an extensive online forum for people living with ADHD (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry about your ADHD. It's such a common condition that treatments and support are easily available.
• Don't get upset if your child has ADHD. New treatments and medications can help your child through school.
• Consider getting private tutoring for your child if he's having trouble in class due to his ADHD.
• Natural supplements can take a few weeks to work. These supplements aren't like prescription medicine, which shows results within a few hours. Don't be surprised if it takes up to 6 weeks for a supplement to have a noticeable effect.
• Some prescription ADHD medicines can create long-term physical dependency if it's overused. Talk to your doctor about changing medications and dosages every few years.
• Be careful about allergies when looking for supplements to treat ADHD. Fish oil, for example, can cause reactions in people who are allergic to shellfish.
• Be sure to supervise your child when she takes her ADHD medicine. You don't want her to take too much and you need to be sure she's taking it as directed by her doctor.
• Never stop taking ADHD medication without the approval of your doctor. A sudden cutoff in treatment could actually make it harder to live with ADHD.

Resources

• ADHD forums at ADHDnews.com

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