Grills 1

Lindsay Grills

English Composition 2

ENG.1201.525

April 14, 2020

Research Paper

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition and disorder affecting

increasing numbers of children. Increasingly parents are choosing homeopathy along with

conventional therapy such as Ritalin for their children’s care. Every year hundreds to thousands

of children and adults are diagnosed with ADHD. Many of these people are medicated but these

medications can lead to various side effects, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of

appetite. There are many people who have switched over to using homeopathic treatments in

order to stop the side effects that come with taking medications. But the question that remains on

many peoples mind is, how are homeopathic treatments more effective than normal medication

treatments in children and adults with ADHD? A child or adult with ADHD may show signs of

restlessness, easily distracted, difficulty with organization, being physically active, excessive

anxiety, and many more. ADHD has become a development disorder for many because most of

the symptoms can cause behavioral, educational, and social problems for the child. They tend to

make careless mistakes because they’re doing something too fast and don’t have the patience or

time to go back and check work, or they get easily distracted and forget about the tasks they are

doing. They also tend to lose things, quite often in fact and struggle remembering what they did

with the object or where they put it. It often appears that they are not listening, or that they are

off in another world. Other symptoms include fidgeting, squirming, blurting out answers and

interrupting others when they are talking. Most adolescents that have ADHD have been
 Grills 2

diagnosed earlier in life, such as adolescents. A child with ADHD usually takes a certain

behavior to a more extreme level. A child without ADHD might forget to do their homework

once or twice a month. While a child with ADHD will forget to do homework three to four times

a week and have to be constantly reminded to do their homework. There is no actually medical

cause of ADHD but there are many factors that most likely will play a role in if a child will

develop ADHD. There is evidence to prove that a mixture of environmental and genetic factors

that is related to the affected child may cause ADHD. A history of ADHD in either the parents or

other family members can be a strong indicator if the child will have ADHD. It has been proven

that ADHD occurs at least four times more often in boys than in girls.

According to Jacobs, the earliest references to an ADHD disorder date back to the late-

18th century and Sir Alexander Crichton. Some even try to say that many famous people and

historical figures could have had ADHD, such as Mozart, Leonardo da Vinci, or Ben Franklin.

Homeopathy has its critics, but many researchers and scientists studying ADHD believe it to be

effective in relieving the symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and anxiety in children and

adults. The benefits of using homeopathic medicine have been proven to out weigh the risks.

Homeopathic remedies have been gaining in popularity and use in recent years as a means to

address areas of need such as inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Essential oils are an

alternative to prescription medication to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with

attention, deficit and hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, attention deficit disorder, ADD, Autism and

other pervasive developmental disabilities.

According to the CDC, the way in which ADHD is diagnosed has changed over time.

The number of FDA-approved ADHD medications increased noticeably since the 1990s, after

the introduction of long-acting stimulants such as Ritalin and other medications. The percent of
 Grills 3

children estimated to have ADHD has changed over time (Jacobs, 2015). Now a little over 200

years old ADHD has been a documented disorder. In 1798, the Scottish physician Alexander

Crichton, described very accurately the behavior pattern now called Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder. While homeopathic medicine dates back to 460 B.C. and was first

introduced by Hippocrates (Chase, 2016). Homeopathy has been used as a holistic treatment for

thousands of years, treating the person as a whole and not just one part of their body. Developed

from natural sources such as plant, mineral, or animal. Homeopathic treatment stimulates the

body to self-cure itself and improves the general mental capacities of the person. Homeopathy

treats medical conditions with smaller, safer doses of remedies causing no side effects and with

no habit-forming effects. Homeopathic medicine can be over the counter or prescribed by a

physician.

In her article Jennifer Jacobs states that, “zinc is an important cofactor in the synthesis of

neurotransmitters, fatty acids, prostaglandins and melatonin. It also indirectly affects dopamine

metabolism, which, as discussed previously, is considered to be intimately involved in

ADHD”(Jacobs, 2015). This is an important statement because it proves the importance of zinc

in how it affects ADHD. Zinc is clearly an important factor in ADHD and insufficient amounts

of zinc can cause more problems in how someone with this disorder focuses and preforms in

everyday schoolwork and daily activities. There is evidence that there is a drop in hyperactivity

and impulsivity with zinc supplements. According to WebMD, “foods high in zinc include

oysters and other seafood, red meat, poultry, dairy products, beans, nuts, whole grains, and

fortified cereals. There is also some evidence that fish oil can help improve ADHD symptoms. It

contains omega-3 fatty acids. Some findings suggest that fish oil supplements may improve the
 Grills 4

mental skills of children with the disorder who are 8 to 12 years old. For instance, it may help

improve a child's ability to organize activities” (Bhandari, 2019).

A change of nutrition in can be helpful in reducing and limiting the effects of ADHD

such as troubling focusing and hyperactivity. According to Loscalzo, the use of alternate dietary

and nutritional interventions could help to reduce and even stop the signs and symptoms that

come with having ADHD (Loscalzo, 2017). Protein, have been proven to promote alertness in

the brain. Carbohydrates have been proven to do the opposite and have caused problems with

people being able to focus. And artificial colors and flavors are even worse, in many cases the

more artificial flavorings and colors in your food the worse off your ADHD really is. Your brain

will perform better with, more unprocessed foods, proteins, vegetables, and fruits you should eat.

In many ways eating a lot of sugar and processed foods can cause harm to the brain and affect

how clear we think and the mood that is developed throughout the day. For example when I was

a kid growing up I knew a kid who if he ate a potato chip it caused many difficulties in how he

focused and was able to learn. Any type of processed foods would cause a change in his

personality and he was not able to focus at all and became so overly hyper that his mother was

unable to calm him down. It has been proven that a diet rich in organically grown whole foods,

abundant in mineral and phytonutrient rich fresh vegetables and fruits with consistently reliable

sources of essential fats is important to the long term success of limiting the effects of ADHD.

Adequate sleep is a gigantic benefit to both your brain and body. Many children and

adults with ADHD view sleep as a waste of time and feel like their time is better spent doing

something else rather than sleeping. These people do not realize that restful and restorative sleep

is a powerful tool for regulating mood and maintaining attention throughout the day. Adequate

sleep also powers learning if you are not getting enough sleep at night how do you expect your
 Grills 5

brain to learn and understand new information throughout the day. Once established, in children

and adults bad sleep habits are difficult or sometimes almost impossible to correct. Many

children who do not have a regular sleep schedule will become defiant and refuse to get a

required time of sleep for them to be functional. Because of this parents will become frustrated

and angry, because their child is not sleeping through the night, the parents will not be able to get

enough sleep to be able to function properly in the morning, this just causes more frustration and

anger for everyone in the family. This results in many problems not just for the parents but for

the child as well.

Physical activity has been proven to promote brain growth, improve brain efficiency, and

strengthen learning abilities. Brain changes associated with exercise have been proven to be most

dramatic in the areas related to ADHD, such as functioning, attention, and working memory.

Exercise has a greater impact on ADHD symptoms than does diet, a more commonly promoted

treatment strategy. Many families struggle to maintain exercise habits when they feel strapped

for time or motivation. Children with ADHD may shy away from team sports or prefer video

games to playing outside which can make it significantly more difficult for them to get an

adequate amount of exercise. Exercise is important when it comes to brain efficiency, without

exercise a child’s brain and body cannot develop the needed hormones and cells to keep the child

healthy and happy.

There are many common homeopathic remedies used to treat ADHD such as, Synaptol,

Verta Alb, Stramonium, Belladonna, Phosphorus, Kai bromatum, Lachesis, and Hyoscyamus.

Synaptol has been known to improve attention and limit hyperactivity in children with ADHD.

Verta Alb has been found to reduce emotional outbursts in children with ADHD. Stramoniumm

can reduce aggressive behavior in children with ADHD. Belladonna has been proven to help
 Grills 6

with focus and concentration in children with ADHD. Phosphorus helps with anxiety and

forgetfulness in children with ADHD. Kai bromatum is used for restlessness, especially in

children who always have to be stimulated, like children with ADHD. Lachesis has been proven

to help with hyperactivity, and restlessness. Hyoscyamus helps to control the fidgety and restless

behavior in children with ADHD.

The main homeopathic treatment for ADHD is called Coffea Cruda. “Made from

unroasted coffee beans, the homeopathic remedy Coffea Cruda claims to have the exact opposite

effect as a cup of joe: it unwinds the mind instead of revving it up, and is most often used to

combat sleeplessness and racing thoughts in children and adults with ADHD” (ADHD Editorial

Board Medically, 2016). However, one of the main side effects found in many patients are that

they woke up more frequently during the night when taking Coffea Cruda. Coffea Cruda is the

most popular homeopathic treatment used amongst adults and children with ADHD (ADHD

Editorial Board Medically, 2016).

The drug Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, is a medication used to treat ADHD.

This drug has the same classification as morphine, cocaine, and amphetamines so younger

people because of its stimulant effects often abuse it. Ritalin is expensive, works quickly, can be

used for several years, and dosage has to be adjusted by a healthcare provider. If a child is having

problems, Ritalin can benefit this child by allowing them to focus and remain still for longer

periods of time. Ritalin is by far the most common medication used amongst children and adults

with ADHD, but can be dampening when it comes to patients being able to express their feelings

and or emotions. Fibert argues that Ritalin doesn't just change a person feelings but greatly

affects their personality as well, stating that these patients,“ become more docile and obedient,

are able to focus on boring and repetitive tasks” (Fibert, 2016). Ritalin not only affects a person’s
 Grills 7

personality and mood but also can have horrible side effects such as, tics, insomnia, headaches,

and irritability. Homeopathic medicines have been proven to be effective with the use of

pharmaceutical supplements such as Ritalin, when it comes to treating ADHD. Homeopathic

remedies have also been proven to have fewer side effects and are safer in long-term treatment

than Ritalin.

In her article Jacobs, proved that children on homeopathic medicines became more

effective in their daily schoolwork and home life. Subjects in the homeopathic remedy group of

her study improved significantly over the course of the study, by approximately 75%, as

measured by the change in many of the parent and teacher evaluations from baseline to the 18-

week follow-up. While children in the placebo group actually declined by approximately 25%.

Based on these statistics, this proves that using homeopathic remedies works (Jacobs, 2015).

While Brulé opposes that homeopathic medicines actually work, he provides that evidence

suggests that currently recommended interventions such as behavioral and pharmaceutical are

effective when implemented but not associated with long-term improvements (Brulé, 2016). It is

important though to remember that any form of treatment when it comes to ADHD whether

Ritalin or by using homeopathic medicines will result in some side effects.

According to Sharma, homeopathic medicines for ADHD can be effective in treating it in

most patients one study has proven. Homeopathic medicines can help in controlling

hyperactivity and improving concentration. “Factors that affect the treatment of ADHD with

homeopathic medicines include the age at which the treatment is started, the intensity mild,

moderate or severity of the symptoms and individual response of the child towards the medicines

“(Sharma, 2019). Individualism is crucial in homeopathic treatment for children with ADHD. It

is important that every child is treated as a unique individual instead of being classified into a
 Grills 8

specific category. How is an introverted and shy ADHD child supposed feel comfortable and

willing to share their concerns or problems with a healthcare professional when they are always

being categorized as a number or statistic rather than a human being. It is important that all

health care professionals treat these children with respect and kindness, so that they feel human

and so that these children can begin to trust their healthcare professionals.

Attention deficit, although in the name of ADHD is a major symptom for this disorder as

well. This symptom describes the individual’s difficulty with trying to focus on one item at a

time, meaning that their minds will wonder from one thing to another without actually stopping

to pay attention to the details of an item in front of them. Doctors warn that it is important, as a

parent, to notice what the child is having trouble focusing on; if the item is causing the child to

become bored, and then ADHD might not be the initial cause of the child’s attention deficit.

Homeopathic medicines can help with controlling the child’s attention deficit symptom by

stimulating neurotransmitters in the brain, allowing for the child to focus in and pay attention to

tasks they have been assigned.

As a child, I was diagnosed with ADHD and had to go through many tests and doctors

appointments before given the diagnosis of ADHD. I have been bullied and picked on for having

this disorder from third grade through my high school years. Most of my life has been me living

and trying to control this disorder. Although the Ritalin has helped me to be able to focus and

pay attention in class and in my daily life, it has caused many side effects that are hard to live

with. From continuous headaches, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, and anxiety. These side

effects have greatly affected my life. Coping with constant headaches, nausea, and loss of

appetite is difficult. While pain relievers such as Tylenol are usually affective in relieving my

headaches. Getting rid of the nausea and loss of appetite is much more difficult. I am constantly
 Grills 9

forgetting to eat and will go most of the day without an appetite, because of the side effects of

Ritalin, I usually have to force myself to eat even if I don’t feel like it. However, since I added a

homeopathic regimen to my treatment, I have found that the side effects I get with Ritalin are

some how subdued by the homeopathic medicine. I have more of an appetite now, fewer

headaches, and my nausea has decreased. I feel as though I can now take my life back and not

have to live with the constant side effects of Ritalin. I also found that I pay better attention and I

am more hyper-focused when doing homework and other tasks in my daily life. I truly believe

that being on homeopathic medicine has been a blessing, as now I feel as though I am able to live

a normal life without so many side effects from Ritalin. Homeopathic medicine has truly

changed the way I experience ADHD.

Homeopathic medicine has been proven to decrease hyperactivity, help with focusing and

impulse control, and has provided parents with a safer form of treatment than just using

stimulants such as Ritalin on their children. It is important that the child see a physician before

beginning to use any of these medications. A physical should be preformed on the child, and any

health concerns should be identified by the healthcare professional. Some of these homeopathic

remedies should not be used in children with cardiovascular problems, kidney problems, or

children who have diabetes. When the child receives the remedy they should be monitored for

side effects, although not common with homeopathic remedies, by their parents or guardians.

Healthcare professionals treating the child should educate the parent or guardian about the

homeopathic remedies that have been indicated for the child. The parent or guardian also needs

to be aware that not all of these homeopathic remedies will work for the child. There should also

be communication between the child’s parent or guardian and the child’s school nurse, so the

nurse knows to monitor the child throughout the day. The parent or guardian should also be in
 Grills 10

contact with the child’s counselor and teacher so they can make a plan that will best benefit the

child and help with adjusting the child to having ADHD. It is important that the child be aware

that they are not abnormal or weird because they have ADHD. They need to feel loved and

accepted for who they are by their parents and other classmates.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a problem of not being able to focus, being

overactive, not being able to control their behavior, and anxiety brought on by having to be given

special attention from the teacher. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most

common childhood brain disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. ADHD

in young children can lead to difficulty in concentrating and learning in school, as well as

becoming a distraction to the classroom, which is why many of these children are considered to

be the class clowns. Jessica McCabe, in her film argues that homeopathic remedies are not only

affective in children and adults with ADHD but allow these people to live productively and

function better in our society (McCabe, 2017). So what is the answer to the question how are

homeopathic treatments more effective than normal medication treatments in children and adults

with ADHD? While homeopathy has its critics, but many researchers and scientists studying

ADHD believe it helps relieve symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and anxiety. The benefits

of using homeopathic medicine have been proven to out weigh the risks. While medicines such

as Ritalin have been known to cause more harm to children and adults, than any other treatment

of ADHD. But all the evidence points to the use of both homeopathic remedies and medicines

such as Ritalin as being the most effective way of treating ADHD in both children and adults. It

is important to understand that ADHD patients can live the rest of their lives with this disorder,

while others could possibly outgrow ADHD and live able to focus without the need for

medication for the rest of their lives. In either case ADHD is a true disorder that effects the lives
 Grills 11

of thousands of people across the world. With the advancements in technology and medicine, it

is believed that a cure for ADHD will be developed in the near future.

Works Cited

ADHD Editorial Board Medically, et al. “Homeopathic Remedies for ADHD: Research and

Reviews of Natural Treatments.” ADDitude, www.additudemag.com/homeopathy-

for-adhd-popular-remedies-scientific-evidence/. Accessed 22 April 2020.

“ADHD Throughout the Years.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Mar. 2020,

www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/timeline.html. Accessed 22 April 2020.

Bhandari, Smitha. “Vitamins & Supplements for ADHD: Fish Oil, Melatonin, Zinc, and

More.” WebMD, WebMD, 11 June 2019, www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-

adhd/vitamins-supplements-adhd#1.

Brulé, David. "Study design of a Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial of the Homeopathic

Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." Homeopathy, vol.

105, no. 1, 2016, p. 27. OhioLINK Electronic Journal Center,

doi:10.1016/J.HOMP.2015.12.045. Accessed 22 April 2020.

Chase, Sandra M. “American Institute of Homeopathy.” Homeopathy, American Institute of

Homeopathy, 4 May 2016, homeopathyusa.org/homeopathic-medicine.html.

Fibert, Philippa, et al. "A comparative consecutive case series of 20 children with a diagnosis of

ADHD receiving homeopathic treatment, compared with 10 children receiving usual

 Grills 12

care." Homeopathy, vol. 105, no. 2, 2016, pp. 194-201. OhioLINK Electronic Journal

Center, doi:10.1016/J.HOMP.2015.09.008. Accessed 22 April 2020.

Frei, H. “Randomised Controlled Trials of Homeopathy in Hyperactive Children: Treatment

Procedure Leads to an Unconventional Study Design: Experience with Open-Label

Homeopathic Treatment Preceding the Swiss ADHD Placebo Controlled,

Randomised, Double-Blind, Cross-over Trial.” Homeopathy, vol. 96, no. 1, Jan.

2017, pp. 35–41. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1016/j.homp.2006.11.004. Accessed 22 April

2020.

Jacobs, Jennifer. “Homeopathy for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Pilot

Randomized-Controlled Trial.” Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine,

vol. 11, no. 5, Oct. 2015, p. 799. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=edb&AN=18977610&site=eds-live. Accessed 22 April 2020.

John, Robert. “ADHD History.” ADHD Health, 9 July 2019, www.adhd-health.com/adhd/adhd-

history/. Accessed 22 April 2020

Loscalzo, Ritamarie. “An Integrated Approach to the Management of Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: The Role of Dietary and Nutritional

Interventions.” Nutritional Perspectives: Journal of the Council on Nutrition, vol. 27,

no. 4, Oct. 2017, pp. 33–44. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=fsr&AN=15790019&site=eds-live. Accessed 22 April 2020.

McCabe, Jessica. “Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story.” Failing at Normal: An ADHD

Success Story, TEDxBratislava, 9 Oct. 2017, youtu.be/JiwZQNYlGQI. Accessed 29

February 2020.
 Grills 13

“Natural Remedies for ADHD: Options and Risks.” Medical News Today , 6 June 2017,

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315239. Accessed 22 April 2020.

Sharma, Vikas. “Homeopathic Medicines for ADHD: Dr. Vikas Sharma, MD.” Homeopathy at

DrHomeo.com, 12 Feb. 2019, www.drhomeo.com/adhd/homeopathic-remedies-for-

adhd-treatment/. Accessed 22 April 2020.