With many treatments for ADHD available, including combinations of treatments, it can be difficult, as a parent, to decide on which one to use. Perhaps, you are battling with which treatment to use for yourself. In any situation, the treatment should be what is right for you or your child’s individual symptoms or preferences.

Various symptoms might respond differently to a prescription medication, alternative medicine, or therapy. For instance, a therapy that might work for one individual’s hyperactivity might not work for someone else’s. Therefore, the most effective pharmaceutical or behavioral approach relies on the symptoms being addressed, their severity, and the individual’s therapeutic history.

It is also important to consider the side effects caused by pharmaceutical medications or natural supplements as well as the co-morbid mental health or medical problems that are currently being treated.

The treatment of choice should also take into account whether a therapist is available in your geographic area and if they are qualified to help treat you or your child. It is also crucial to know what the therapist’s approach is during the therapeutic process, such as a biofeedback approach. At the same time, if you are considering herbal medicine or other natural supplements, it is advised to notify your health care provider who is treating you or your child for ADHD so that you understand the potential benefits or safety issues associated with them.

As for prescription stimulants and other. ADHD medications, conventional pharmaceuticals tend to be effective. However, when the medication is not effective or causes adverse effects, the dose should be reduced, or you should stop taking the medication all together. It is appropriate to make changes in medication with the advice of a physician, because, everyone responds to medication differently, and finding one that is right for you is essential. Natural products in association with medication can also help with adverse effects, but you should consult a physician before taking them together.

Sometimes, dietary habits and food allergies may underlie symptoms of hyperactivity, so it might be especially beneficial to change your child’s diet if this is the case. Consult a doctor or pediatrician before eliminating anything from your child’s diet.

In some cases, zinc supplements may also help with hyperactivity and impulsivity when stimulants are ineffective. Zinc can also be safely combined with medications used to treat ADHD. Additionally, high doses of omega-3 fatty acids may improve ADHD symptoms. Research supports vitamin supplements and nutrients like this maybe a safe and effective treatment.

Evidence suggests that yoga or massage might reduce the ADHD symptom severity. You should also consider EEG biofeedback training (including sensorimotor rhythm training) when pharmaceuticals are ineffective. Research also shows that the use of EEG biofeedback over several weeks can reduce the severity of symptoms enough to permit a reduction of a medication dose, resulting in better response.

Whether you choose pharmaceutical treatments, behavioral interventions, or natural supplements, you should take into account the individual’s unique symptoms and responsiveness to treatments. Additionally, you want to be aware of the risks and possible side effects caused by medications or supplements as well as other mental health or medical problems. In all cases, be open with your doctor or therapist about what is working and what is not, and do not be afraid to suggest new methods that could possibly help you.