Addressing and treating the underlying pathologies of ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorders, and autism symptoms can lead to marked improvements – without the side effects of medication.
Sadly, more and more of our children are often hyper, moody, anti-social, anxious, sleepless, and unfocused. Traditionally, these symptoms get diagnosed by psychotherapists such as me, psychologists, and psychiatrists, who recommend traditional therapy and medications to address neurological and psychiatric symptoms. It is explained to parents that their child's diagnosis is complex and multifactorial, resulting from genetic, psychological, and other factors widely unknown. Most doctors then treat these disorders' emotional and mental components with medication because pharmaceutical companies write their textbooks.
Therefore, many conventional doctors have little to no experience in nutrition and do not take a systems biology approach to treat their patients. As a result, they do not know that the state of our immune and intestinal systems largely governs our emotions or that our gut bacteria alter how we think, act, socialize and behave.
Interesting Fact: There are more neurons lining the digestive tract than in the peripheral nervous system or spinal column. This "second brain" is known as the enteric nervous system. Dr. Michael Gershon, chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at New York–Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, an expert in the nascent field of neurogastroenterology, explains that ninety percent of the fibers of the Vagus nerve in the neck carry information from the gut to the brain, and not the other way around. Interestingly, ninety-five percent of the body's serotonin is found in the bowels.
The American Holistic Medical Association recognizes that ADHD, Asperger's, and Autism are not 'Psychiatric Disorders' that warrant large doses of medication but rather Metabolic, Immunologic Neurologic Digestive disorders that require a biomedical protocol. However, in the allopathic medical community the physical or medical issues these children often share are rarely noted or discussed. These include eczema, asthma, chronic illness, gastrointestinal distress, food sensitivities, yeast overgrowth, leaky gut syndrome, malnutrition, hypoglycemia, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalances, and sleep disturbances. In addition, proper testing often reveals high levels of heavy metal and environmental toxins relative to neurotypical children.
"The primary seat of insanity generally is in the region of the stomach & intestines." - Phillipe Pinel, a French Psychiatrist (early 1800's)
It becomes imperative to seek an Integrative M.D., naturopathic doctor, holistic practitioner, or chiropractor that learned this ancient wisdom. When we test and treat underlying conditions, we see mass improvements in behavior, mood, and attention.
9 Important Points to Keep in Mind While Starting Your Healing Journey
Every person is unique, so treatment plans should be tailored specifically to address underlying immunologic, digestive, and metabolic conditions.
There is no "magic bullet," no single treatment alone that can significantly reverse the effects of ADHD, apraxia, or autism. All cases are individualized, and each person needs a well-thought-out and integrated approach to move them along the road to improvement and recovery.
Find physicians and practitioners who will thoroughly investigate underlying issues, listen to you, and address your concerns rather than dismiss them. The best way to find a doctor to begin your journey is to Google Naturopath (ND), Defeat Autism Now doctor (DAN), Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs Physician (MAPS), Functional Medicine or Integrative Medical Doctor (MD) in your area.
Do your homework and ask your doctors a lot of questions.
Be consistent with your treatment strategies and goals. Treating intestinal permeability and other issues may take time, hard work, and perseverance. E.g., If you need to eliminate certain offending foods as part of the protocol – cheating will delay the healing process!
Dietary changes and protocols can initially seem overwhelming – so move slowly but steadily. Uncover one piece of the puzzle at a time - so you know what is working. A good start is eliminating artificial food coloring and preservatives from the diet. They contribute to a person’s attention, mood, focus, and sleep issues.
Know that you may need more than one practitioner to address your needs.
Request a complete metabolic workup, including blood, urine, and fecal testing. A complete list can be found in my book, Healing Without Hurting. Unfortunately, only addressing one piece of the puzzle will yield a less favorable outcome for some.
TRUST YOUR GUT! You know you and your child best. Our intuition is our best guide!