SEARCH:
Sign in | Join | Help
search Mercola.com
 
FREE Subscription 
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter
ADHD Ups Risk of Adult Problems

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood appears to increase the risk of antisocial personality disorder and substance abuse in adulthood. The researchers note that these results confirm findings from earlier studies and strongly suggest that children with ADHD are at significantly higher risk for a specific negative course marked by antisocial and substance-related disorders. COMMENT: ADHD is a challenge to treat, but nearly everyone who has it can improve with dietary modifications. Stimulants, like Ritalin or amphetamines, are rarely required. Traditional doctors will jump up and down and claim that sugar has nothing to do with this illness, but I am convinced that it does. Part of the confusion relates to the fact that one requires a comprehensive approach to the dietary changes. Sugar needs to be eliminated, but so does milk, soda, juice, fruit and most grains like bread, pasta, rice, cereal and potatoes. When one applies the more rigid sugar restriction, improvement is quite consistent and dramatic. The Heller's wrote a new book called Carbohydrate Addicted Kids which is an excellent initial introduction for the treatment of ADHD, No More Ritalin by Marianne Block and Is This Your Child by Dorris Rapp are also useful texts. The goal is to solve the problem in childhood so the child does not have his entire life ruined with antisocial behavior and substance abuse.

American Journal of Psychiatry (1998;155:493-498)





Comment on This Article Community Comments (4)
 
 
Posted On Jun 12, 2008

I'm an adult with ADD. Finally diagnosed at age 40. All my adult life I have watched my diet....low carb, high cal/mag, fish oil, nothing has worked. I am now 2 months on Ritalin after trying Adderall, too stimulating, and of course it's working for now, but i know it will poop out soon and not sure what to do next. Also, I feel guilty taking this drug, as if I'm cheating in life. Had a staff infection in sinus's at age 6 and it changed me forever.


 
lrhendo
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 5/2008
lrhendo  
 
 
 
Posted On Oct 10, 2008

Why is it cheating? You are the one who has been cheated- you have been provided with a brain that has significant localised blood flow and function problems. I know , I have one too- I intend to have words with my maker if ever we cross paths.

The effects of amphetamines on restoring the functional deficits that can be radiologically demonstrated in ADHD brains do not fade with time.

Sometimes though people with ADHD may need other drugs such as anticonvulsants- or certain antidepressants. We really are entering a new phase in medical treatment of psychiatric conditions where we can target drugs to quite specific brian functions. SO- look for an up to date doctor.


 
Dr.AndrewK
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 10/2008
Dr.AndrewK  
 
 
 
Posted On Oct 10, 2008

"Traditional doctors will jump up and down and claim that sugar has nothing to do with this illness, but I am convinced that it does. "

Well that is easy to prove- find some patients who can fund a couple of SPECT scans and do some before and after studies. I'll take evidence over conviction any day.


 
Dr.AndrewK
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 10/2008
Dr.AndrewK  
 
 
 
Posted On Nov 13, 2008

I just wrote to Dr.AndrewK under the "Ritalin on the Ropes" page my comment.  Here again the importance of controlling Vitamin B 6 and Zink levels in your metabolism.  If they are to low, because you metabolze them in the wrong way, a simple supplement could help.  Look it up under Cryptopyrrole or at the German sites under "Kryptopyrrolurie".    Maybe the Ritalin is not needed anymore, when taking supplements.


 
Youlia
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 11/2008
Youlia  
 
 
 
 
© Copyright 2009 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.