Traditional Medicine and ADD

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

I'm wondering what the current thinking on ADD is in TCM circles,

specifically regarding point diagnosis and herbal remedies. Does anyone

have any experiences using TCM for ADD? How has it fared? I love TCM

and there are surprisingly few alternative resources for people with

ADD, so I'm very interested.

 

Thanks,

Antoine

[Guest guest]

Antoine

There is a point in the ear that is used in kids for ADD or ADHD. The point is "Shenman" and can be found in most texts that reference ear points. This point can be stimulated by electrical current, or needled. The most effective however appears to be the press beads. No puncture to the site just constant pressure. You can stimulate the site by pressing if you need a little extra effect.

 

I have used this point on my six year old when he cannot focus and it worked. The day care actually called and asked me about how it works they were so impressed. LOL LOL

Heart 7 is also a Shen point located on the wrist. Just massage to the area will sometimes calm a person. I use this with first time clients experienceing acupuncture.

 

As for herbal I would suggest seeing someone experienced in such things. What works for one does not work for all. Points and herbs would vary depending on what is causing your ADD.

 

I worked in addictions for 16 years before I decided to alter my life and learn acupuncture. You cannot imagine the number of people who are ADD and attempt to manage it with chemicals. There are times when a person becomes addicted to the western drugs typically used to treat ADD. In most cases where drugs such as Ritlan ( usually used with children but some adults)are used the person becomes more and more disspondent and they experience difficulty with memory. Lets face it a lot of these chemicals are nothing more than speed.

 

Have you tried meditation I know it would be a challenge but maybe you could master it in small sessions. I use to work with this doctor who clearly is ADHD, he had a Reiki Treatment to humor the group to prove that it does not work. He actually feel asleep during the treatment and said when he awoke he felt very relaxed. He was certainly much calmer the remainer of the day.

tteeeheeee So maybe some Reiki would help.

Good Luck

Shane

[Guest guest]

Antoine Here is some additonal info I found on ADD. This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation:

 

therapeutic foods:

• whole-foods diet, high in protein and complex carbohydrates; reduce sugar and simple carbohydrates. (Zametkin, Nordahl, et al, 1990; Langseth and Dowd, 1978)

• increase foods that calm the Shen (Spirit), tonify the Heart, harmonize the Stomach and Spleen

• increase foods rich in Vitamin B-complex

• longan, oyster, rice, rosemary, wheat, wheat germ, mushroom

 

Chinese:

» Heart Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency), Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency), and also in Yin Xu (Deficiency), Yang hyperactivity:

• nourishing, cooked, warm, clear bland diet, with slightly increased animal protein to help manufacture sufficient blood, for example, soups with black beans, chicken or beef broth, and plentiful root and leafy green vegetables (Flaws, 1997, p. 262)

 

specific remedies:

• 2 oz. fresh walnuts, 2 oz black sesame seeds, crush together and eat t.i.d. (Butt and Bloomfield, p. 149)

• for nervous tension: 3 oz. fresh oysters, 3 oz. peanuts, 2 oz. celery. Boil in 2 pt water until reduced to half. Divide into 2 halves and eat and drink b.i.d. for 7-14 days (Butt and Bloomfield, p. 149)

• if indications of lead toxicity, via hair analysis, use foods that will chelate: pectin (apples), alginate (seaweed) methionine, cysteine and cystine-foods such as beans, eggs, onions, and garlic (Marz, p. 314-315)

 

avoid:

• avoid food additive sensitivities - eliminate processed foods that contain artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives, commonly listed as benzoates, nitrates, and sulfites; common food additives also include calcium silicate, BHT, BHA, benzoyl peroxide, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, vegetable gums, and food starch. (McGovern, 1983; Egger, Stolla, and McEwen, 1992)

• "Feingold hypothesis"- Benjamin Feingold, M.D. estimated that 40-50% of hyperactive children are sensitive to artificial food colors, flavors, and preservatives as well as naturally occurring salicylates and phenolic compounds. His claims were based on over 1,200 cases in which food additives were linked to learning and behavior disorders. (Feingold)

• avoid salicylate-containing foods:

- Fruits-almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, currants, nectarines, peaches, plums and prunes

- Berries-blackberries, boysenberries, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries

- Grapes and raisins or any product made with grapes - wine, wine vinegar, jellies, foods containing fruit juice sweeteners

- Oranges (note: grapefruit, lemon and lime are permitted)

- also, many spices: cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, curry, oregano, paprika, pepper, rosemary, sage, turmeric (Swain, Soutter, et al., 1985)

In a study of hyperkinetic children and behavioral changes associated with diet, acetyl salicylate was the phenolic compound provoking the greatest frequency of responses (80%), while from foods, sugar, corn, beef and egg were the next most common offenders at 30%. (McGovern, 1983)

• avoid additives and phenolics:

The Hyperactive Children's Support Group of Great Britain recommends avoiding the following:

Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Benzoic acid, amaranth, Red 2G, Brilliant Blue FCF, Carmine, Quinoline Yellow, FCF, Carmoiic acid, Sulfur dioxide, Potassium nitrate, BHT, Caramel, Cochineal, Sodium benzoate, Sodium nitrate, BHA, Indigo, (Swanson and Kinsbourne, 1980; Brown, p. 276)

• minimize food sensitivities: eliminate or reduce the intake of cow's milk, soy, eggs, wheat, citrus, and other potential allergenic foods (McGovern, 1983; Egger, Stolla, and McEwen, 1992)

• minimize sugars and simple carbohydrates to reduce risk of hypoglycemic reactions:

75% of criminals were hyperactive children and more than 50% have abnormal GTT's. Hypoglycemia can stimulate increased catecholamine secretion. (Langseth and Dowd, 1978)

• avoid meat, alcohol, hot sauces, spicy foods, fried foods, fatty foods, rich foods, salty foods, coffee, caffeine, sweet foods and sugar

 

» Chinese:

• Phlegm Obstructing the Heart Orifices:

avoid Sweet, Cold and Damp foods which either weaken the Spleen, such as chilled, cold, raw foods or sugar and sweets, or foods which cause Dampness and Phlegm, such as sugar and sweets, dairy foods, and fatty, greasy, fried foods (Flaws, 1997, p. 262)

• Heat Shi (Excess): eliminate all food additives, colorings and flavorings; avoid oranges, sugar and red meat, as well as Hot foods such as hot spices, shellfish and curries (Scott)

• Heat and Phlegm Shi (Excess): eliminate Phlegm-producing foods such as dairy and peanut butter; high freequency of gluten intolerance which causes green phlegm and nasal congestion; avoid Sweet and Damp foods (Scott)

• Middle Jiao Xu (Deficiency), including Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency): limit sweets and fruit juices, especially restrict cold food and drinks; no ice (Scott)

• Kidney Qi Xu (Deficiency): limit sweets and cold food; no ice (Scott)

 

• Avena sativa (Wild oat): calms the nervous system; one dose daily for one month (Zand, et al, p. 268); 100 g to a full bath (Schilcher, p. 100)

• Anemone pulsatilla (toxic ): morbid mental excitement (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1592)

• Atropa belladonna (toxic): in 3x attenuation: nervous excitement with wild and furious delirium, hysteria (Felter and Lloyd, p. 339)

• Ferula asafoetida: hysteria, emotional attacks associated with flatulent distention of the abdomen (Felter, p. 221)

• Gelsemium sempervirens (toxic): flushed face, bright eyes, increased heat of head, great restlessness and excitation (Felter, p. 387)

• Chamomile: effective and time-proven relaxant; one cup of tea at bedtime, as needed.

• Cimicifuga racemosa: puerperal, suicidal despondency (Harper-Shove, p. 30)

• Conium maculatum (toxic): mild maniacal excitement (Felter, p. 320)

• Datura stramonium (toxic): with alternate fits of weeping and laughter (Harper-Shove, p. 30)

• Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng): modulates blood sugar metabolism and aids adrenal function; 300-400 mg daily of concentrated, standardized extract of roots and rhizomes or 2-3 g of dry, powdered roots and rhizomes, in 2-3 divided doses; for children use one-half the adult dose (Brown, p. 275, 278)

• Eschscholtzia californica (California poppy): sedative and anxiety-reducing effects

• Evening primrose oil: corrects the essential fatty acid deficiency noted in some ADHD children; 2 to 3 grams daily; recommended by the Hyperactive Children's Support Group of Great Britain. (Colquhoun and Bunday, 1981)

• Ferula asafoetida: hysteria, emotional attacks associated with flatulent distention of the abdomen (Felter, p. 221)

• Gelsemium sempervirens (toxic): flushed face, bright eyes, increased heat of head, great restlessness and excitation (Felter, p. 387)

• Humulus lupulus (hops): nervous excitability in fevers, sedates, produces sleep (Felter, p. 408); especially indicated with restlessness and anxiety states, sleep disorders; infuse 1 tablespoonful of hop strobiles with 1/4 liter of boiling water; leave for 10 minutes, for 1 cup of hop tea; 1 cup per day for children up to 3 years old is usually sufficient; with older children, the dose may be increased to 1 cup, t.i.d.; a pillow containing hops strobiles can also be effective (Schilcher, p. 60 - 61)

• Hyoscyamus niger (toxic): acute or recurrent mania, epileptic mania, puerperal mania, delusional insanity (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1036)

• Hypericum perforatum (St. Johns wort): for sedative action, especially with nervous restlessness and sleep disorders; infusion of 1 teaspoonful of the cut-up herb (with minimal stems) with 200 ml of boiling water on to; leave for 10 minutes; daily dosage of 1 one cup for young children, 2 - 3 cups for children above 3 years old; fluidextract: 5 gtts b.i.d. for young children, 10 gtts up to t.i.d. for schoolchildren (Schilcher, p. 61, 118)

• Lavandula angustifolia (lavender flowers): especially indicated with restlessness, problems going to sleep, functional epigastric symptoms, nervous stomach and intestinal symptoms due to nerves". Dosage: Pour 150 ml of boiling water on to teaspoonful of lavender flowers, cover, and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. (Schilcher, p. 60)

• Melissa officinalis (Balm leaves): especially indicated with "problems going to sleep of nervous origin, functional gastrointestinal disorders;" infuse 1 tablespoonful of cut-up balm leaves with about 150 ml of boiling water for 1 cup of balm tea, cover the container and leave for about 10 minutes; infants are given 1 cup in divided doses over the day, young children up to 3 cups daily (Schilcher, p. 60)

• Passiflora incarnata (passion flower herb): specific for "nervous restlessness".

Dosage: infuse 1 tablespoonful of the cut-up herb with 150 - 200 ml of boiling water, leave on a low flame for 5 minutes; young children are given 1 cup per day, children of 3 years and over, up to 3 cups daily. (Schilcher, p. 60; Ellingwood, p. 107))

• Scutellaria (Skullcap): a relaxant and calms the mind; one dose, three times a week, for three months. Note: This herb should not be given to a child less than six years old. (Zand, et al, p. 268)

• Valeriana spp.: hysteria (Felter, p. 685)

 

• Acorus Tablets (patent): calm Shen, resolve Phlegm, clear Heat for hyperactivity, poor memory and concentration (Dharmananda, p. 96)

• Minor Bupleurum C.: relaxes the nervous system and can help relieve stress.; for children, one dose daily for one month, followed by wild oat for one month; Note: Minor bupleurum should not be given to a child who has a fever or any other sign of an acute infection. (Zand, et al, p. 268)

• Bupleurum F. (Yi Gan San): with Spleen Xu (Deficiency) and Liver hyperactivity, to fortify the spleen and harmonize the liver; emotional tension, irritability, easy anger, uncontrollable fidgeting, poor sleep, fatigue, reduced appetite, loose stools or diarrhea in response to emotional stress, thin, white tongue fur, a wiry pulse (Flaws, 1997, p. 256-257)

• Cinnamon C. (Gui Zhi Tang): with Spleen Xu (Deficiency) and Liver hyperactivity, to fortify the spleen and harmonize the liver; emotional tension, irritability, easy anger, uncontrollable fidgeting, poor sleep, fatigue, diminished appetite, easily developing diarrhea in response to emotional stress, thin, white tongue fur, a wiry pulse (Flaws, 1997, p. 256-257)

• Nourish the Heart and Boost the Spleen Decoction (Yang Xin Yi Pi Tang): with Heart and Spleen Xu (Deficiency), to fortify the Spleen and supplement the Heart, supplement Qi and nourish Xue (Blood); A sallow yellow or somber white facial complexion, pale nails and pale lips, fatigue, insomnia, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, a poor appetite, a tendency to loose stools, poor memory, a fat, pale tongue with thin, white fur, a fine, weak pulse (Flaws, 1997, p. 256-257)

• Ginseng and Longan C. (Gui Pi Tang) plus Licorice, Triticus and Red Date Decoction (Gan Mai Da Zao Tang) with additions and subtractions: Heart Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) and Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency); A sallow yellow or somber white facial complexion, pale nails and pale lips, fatigue, insomnia, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, a poor appetite, a tendency to loose stools, poor memory, a fat, pale tongue with thin, white fur, a fine, weak pulse (Flaws, 1997, p. 256-257)

Pseudostellariae (tai zi shen)

poria center (fu shen)

white atractylodes (bai zhu)

Chinese angelica (dang gui)

astragalus (huang qi)

polygala (yuan zhi)

zizyphus (suan zao ren)

acorus (shi chang pu)

schizandra (wu wei zi)

jujube (da zao)

triticum (fu xiao mai)

licorice (gan cao)

ª with sleepwalking, profuse dreaming, or nightmares, add uncaria (gou teng), dragon teeth (long chi), and mother-of-pearl (zhen zhu mu);

ª if there is impaired memory, add polygala (yuan zhi), dragon bone (long gu), and acorus (shi chang pu) (Flaws, 1997, p. 256-257)

 

The following are all for Yin Xu (Deficiency), Yang hyperactivity, to supplement the Kidney and enrich Yin, subdue Yang and quiet the Shen (Mind);

Main symptoms: Besides tending to be thin, children with this pattern also have a red tongue with diminished furor a pale tongue with a red tip. Their pulses are fiiie and rapid and they tend to sutfer from insomnia, heart palpitations, agitation, dizziness, ringing in the ears, possible low back pain, possible bed-wetting at night, flushed cheeks, and possible night sweats. (Flaws, 1997, p. 258-260)

• You Yin Qian Yang Wan (Foster Yin and Subdue Yang Pills)

• Qing Nao Yi Zhi Tong (Clear the Brain and Boost the Intelligence Decoction)

• Sheng Mai Yin (Generate the Pulse Drink)

• Bu Shen Yi Zhi Tang (Supplement the Kidneys & Boost the Intelligence Decoction)

• Bu Shen Huo Xue Tang (Supplement the Kidneys & Quicken the Blood Decoction)

• Bu Shen Er Xian Tang (Supplement the Kidneys Two Immortals Decoction)

• Chang Pu Wu Wei San (Acorus & Schisandra Powder)

• Restore the Left [Kidney] Pills (Zuo Gui Wan Jia Jian) with additions & subtractions

prepared rehmannia (shu di huang)

dioscorea (shan yao)

moutan (mu dan pi)

tortoise plastron (gui ban)

white peony (bai shao yao)

dragon bone (long gu)

oyster shell (mu li)

polygala (yuan zhi)

acorus (shi chang pu)

schizandra (wu wei zi)

alpinia (yi zhi ren)

lycium fruit (gou qi zi)

licorice (gan cao)

ª If there is bed-wetting add cuscuta (tu si zi), mantis egg-case (sang piao xiao), and rosa fruit (jing ying zi)

 

• Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang Jia Jian (Coptis Warm the Gall Bladder Decoction with Additions & Subtractions): Heart Agitated by Phlegm Fire (Phlegm confounding the portals of the Heart & Heat harassing the Heart Shen)

Main symptoms: Easy angered, very irritable, easily vexed, restless, possible nausea, possible profuse phlegm, chest fullness and oppression, a bitter taste in the mouth when waking up in the morning, a tongue with red edges and slimy, yellow fur, a wiry, slippery, rapid pulse

 

• Chang Zhi Long Mu Tang (Acorus, Polygala, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction): when Phlegm confounding the Heart Orifices but with no or minor heat

ª If there is heat, add coptis (huang lian), gentiana (long dan cao), and lophatherum (dan zhu ye).

ª If there is Yin Xu (Deficiency), add prepared rehmannia (shu di huang), lily bulb (bai he), and dendrobium (shi hi).

ª If there is Yang Xu (Deficiency), add aconite (fu zi), antelope horn (lu jiao), and astragalus (huang qi).

ª Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) Obstructing the Channels and (causing) malnourishment of the portals, to Quicken the Xue (Blood) and dispel Yu (Stasis): for hyperactivity plus a history of birth trauma with intracranial hemorrhage, a dull, dark facial complexion, easily angered over nothing, a dark red tongue, a choppy pulse

 

Guiding formula: Since this pattern merely complicates one of the three above patterns, one should choose from among the above formulas and then add red peony (chi shao yao), salvia (dan shen), and carthamus (hong hua).

 

 after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns:

Shen Disturbance; Heart Fire Blazing, causing Shen Disturbance; Heart Agitated by Phlegm Fire; Heart Misted by Cold Phlegm; Liver Fire Blazing Upward; Liver Wind Arising From Liver Yang Rising; Heat Shi (Excess); Heat and Phlegm Shi (Excess); Heart and Spleen Xu (Deficiency); Middle Jiao Xu (Deficiency), including Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency); Spleen Xu (Deficiency) with Liver Shi (Excess); Kidney Qi Xu (Deficiency); Yin Xu (Deficiency) with Yang Shi (Excess); Shi (Excess) of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel); Shi (Excess) symptom of the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel); Xu (Deficiency) of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel)

 

» pattern discrimination:

more on differential in Diagnoses sections

 

» illustrative combinations:

• Ht-7, Lv-2 and St-44, with strong reducing technique, to clear Heat and calm the Shen, in cases of Heat Shi (Excess); needles not usually retained; can also add LI-4 and Lv-3; substitute Ht-8 for Ht-7 when more Heat is present; note: children will scream with treatment, mainly from anger, not from fear or pain; treatment course usually 10-15 sessions with one, or preferably two, treatments each week (Scott)

• Ht-7, Ht-8, Lv-2, St-40, GB-34 and PC-5, with strong reducing technique, to clear Heat, resolve Phlegm, and calm the Shen, in cases of Heat and Phlegm Shi (Excess); may also moxa CV-12 if Cold has developed in the abdomen; note: child will usually discharge of Phlegm and often can go berserk temporarily in reaction to effective treatment; such discharges are a beneficial sign and the child will usually become more childlike and well-behaved afterward; course of treatment anywhere from 10-30 sessions with observable change after 8-10 treatments (Scott)

• Sp-6, St-36 and Ht-7, and, on most occasions, Lv-3 also, with tonifying technique, to strengthen the Middle Warmer and tonify the Spleen, in cases of Middle Warmer Xu (Deficiency) and Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency): these children will scream and try to manipulate the parents to abort the treatment, keeping parents out of the room during the treatment may preclude this situation; course of treatment anywhere from 10-30 and the prognosis is variable; key factor as are dietary and parents setting up boundaries (Scott)

• Bl-23 (ind. D) and Kd-1 (ind. D), with indirect moxa, and NO needles, to tonify the Kidney and calm the Shen, in cases of Kidney Qi Xu (Deficiency); the moxa treatment will bring down false Fire and restore balance between the Upper and Lower Warmers; always use indirect moxa in children below the age of 6 or 7 or with any child who wont stay still; needles will frighten these children overexcite them, and further weaken the Kidney Qi; these children usually have constitutional Kidney Xu (Deficiency) and/or a history of long-term illness or a very severe illness; they respond slowly to treatment and need to be treated for several months (Scott)

• GV-20, si shen cong, PC-6, Ht-7, Lv-8, Lv-3 and Sp-6 for childhood hyperactivity due to Internal Liver Wind and Heart Yin Xu (Deficiency) (Jirui and Wang, p. 282)

• Kd-4 (listed as "Kd-5") and Lu-9 for screaming fits of children (Mann, p. 154)

consider treatment for "Internal Dragons" or "External Dragons" External Dragons: GV-20, • UB-11, UB-23, UB-61; Internal Dragons: Master point 1/4" below CV-15, St-25, St-32, St-41; In both treatments, sedate first. If the person and the pulses change, fine. If no change with sedation, then tonify. (Worsley)

• UB-15 and CV-14 for neurasthenia; remove Obstruction of Heart Qi circulation in Chest Bi (Fullness) to reduce Fire and ease the mind (Shanghai, p. 202; Finkelstein, p. 40; Flaws, 1989, p. 78)

• UB-15 and Ht-7: calm the Heart Spirit, remove Obstruction from the Orifices of the Heart, calm the emotions, and treat insomnia due to Xu (Deficiency) of the Heart and Spleen (Flaws, 1989, p. 78; Finkelstein, p. 40)

• UB-15 and PC-8: suppress Heart Fire to calm the Spirit and ease the Mind (Flaws, 1989, p. 78; Finkelstein, p. 40)

• Ht-3, PC-5, Ht-7, LI-4, SI-3, Kd-7 and TW-3 for mania (Lee and Cheung, p. 325)

• GV-26, Lu-11, Sp-1, PC-7, UB-62, GV-16, St-6, CV-24, PC-8, GV-23, CV-1 and LI-11 for mania and melancholia (Lee and Cheung, p. 325)

• UB-58, St-23 and St-24 for melancholia and mania with protrusion of the tongue (Lee and Cheung, p. 325)

• CV-13 and Ht-7: treat "manic running amok" (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 357)

• PC-6, Ht-7, GV-26 and SI-3 (also consider LI-4, Lv-3, Lu-11, PC-7, Kd-1, Kd-4, Sp-6, LI-11, GB-34, GB-30, yi long, TW-21, TW-17, CV-22, UB-1, TW-23, GV-20 and Kd-6) for hysteria (Lee and Cheung, p. 322)

• UB-15, UB-11, UB-13, UB-17, UB-18, UB-20 and UB-23: disperse Yang Shi (Excess) in the organs (Finkelstein, p. 40)

• GV-23, GV-16 and UB-62: tranquilize the mind and calm the emotions (Finkelstein, p. 82)

• CV-11 and PC-6: reduce Heart Fire to ease the Mind (Finkelstein, p. 88); "sweep away bitterness in the chest" (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 356)

• CV-14, TW-10 and UB-15: treat mental instability (Shanghai, p. 178)

• Lv-5 and CV-3: reduce Fire of the Liver (Finkelstein, p. 74)

• GV-20 and Kd-3: subdue Yang (Finkelstein, p. 81)

• Lu-11, GV-26 and Sp-1: clear the Brain, regain mental clarity; release Heat and stabilize nerves (Finkelstein, p. 5)

• Kd-3, UB-23 and UB-15: adjust disharmony of Heart and Kidney (Finkelstein, p. 53)

• Kd-3, Sp-6, LI-4, GB-20 and Lv-2: reinforce Kidney and nourishes Yin (Finkelstein, p. 53)

• Kd-3 and UB-23: nourish Kidney Yin and facilitates Jing (Essence) (Finkelstein, p. 53)

• SI-3 and UB-62: open the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) for which Shen disorders are a symptom of Shi (Excess)

• UB-62 and SI-3: open the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel) which transports Yang and for which restlessness is a Shi (Excess) symptom

• Kd-6 and Lu-7: open the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel) which transports Yin and for which restlessness is a Xu (Deficiency) symptom

[Guest guest]

>There is a point in the ear that is used in kids for ADD or ADHD. The

>point

>is " Shenman " and can be found in most texts that reference ear points.

>This

>point can be stimulated by electrical current, or needled. The most

>effective however appears to be the press beads

 

Thanks for a lot of very good info.

 

I want to say something about ADD and ADHD in particular. When I was a kid

I did not know one person with ADHD. Looking back, there was one boy who

had a temper and poor impulse control once in a while, but no one who

actually fit the criteria of being hyperactive. By the time I was an older

teenager, I knew one boy who was hyperactive. Today, there are a lot of

kids with this problem.

 

Part of the problem is that both ADD and ADHD are over-diagnosed and

inappropriatedly diagnosed. There are a lot of kids being placed on some

very powerful drugs who are not hyperactive but simply rambunctious because

some adults don't want to deal with what falls in the range of normal

behavior and drug the kids into zombies. And, a large of people are making a

lot of money off these drugs. There is now a move in several states to make

it illegal for anyone other than a doctor to recommend that a child be

placed on these drugs and to make it illegal for the state or anyone else to

force parents to place their children on these drugs. (In some states

parents can lose custody of their children if they don't put them on these

drugs.)

 

Then there are the real cases of hyperactivity. There is no mistaking

these. This is not being rambunctious or having a lot of energy that needs

to be worked off or anything within the realm of normal. These kids

literally cannot sit still and cannot follow directions.

 

What we need to be asking is WHY the number of these kids have multiplied

exponentially over the past 30 years? What is there in the environment or in

greater amounts in the environment that wasn't there 40 years ago? Or what

was present 40 years ago that is not present today?

 

For one thing, diet used to be a lot healthier back then than it is today.

Back then a lot of people still cooked at least some meals from scratch. A

lot of people still had gardens, and even those who didn't would buy fresh

green beans and other produce at the market instead of cooking out of cans.

There is an amazing array of food colorings and other additives in food that

weren't there 40 years ago.

 

Then there's the problem of over-processing foods so the manufacturers can

charge more for them. This was a problem with bread and rice even back

then, but nothing like today when kids eat various highly sugared fruit

concoctions (I won't mention any brand names here) instead of having an

apple or some real berries. And there's problem of adding sugar or corn

syrup to just about everything, even soups. Soft drinks were a once in a

while treat back then whereas today some people drink several soft drinks a

day. And there's the problem of feeding various hormones and antibiotics to

beef, chicken, etc. BTW, antibiotics are not added to animal feed to

control disease; they're added because they will make the animals grow

bigger and faster. (A lot of pharmaceutical companies own poultry companies

in a vertical company arrangement. The pharmaceutical companies are making

a lot of money selling these drugs to their own poultry companies. This

info comes not from some leftwing tabloid but from a poultry science course

I took.)

 

Then there are pollution problems. Some places are better off today than

back then, but other places are far worse. More places are worse off today

than they were 40 years ago in the U.S. For example, I was raised in a

predominately rural county that had no air pollution problems back then but

frequently has air quality alerts today.

 

Then there is the increased number of vaccinations. Back then, you only got

a few, and you didn't get most until right before you started school. Today

kids (and adults) are subjected to an amazing array of vaccinations. In

some cases, the risk from the vaccination is more than the risk of getting

the illness! In addition, there are problems with mercury used as a

preservative in some of them. There is evidence which strongly suggests a

link between the rise in autism and a rise in the number of vaccinations

given. A lot of military personnel are so concerned about the very possible

link between the anthrax vaccination they're forced to take and Gulf War

Syndrome that they're quitting the military and resigning their commissions

rather than risk their health. Vaccines too are big money makers for some

people.

 

One thing I worry about is that younger people think that the rates for ADD

and ADHD have always been what they are today. They weren't. I went all

the way through public school without knowing one person who was

hyperactive. How many kids or adults today can say that today?

 

Victoria

 

 

_______________

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[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine, " Judy Fitzgerald " <victoria_dragon@h...>

wrote:

 

> One thing I worry about is that younger people think that the rates

for ADD

> and ADHD have always been what they are today. They weren't. I

went all

> the way through public school without knowing one person who was

> hyperactive. How many kids or adults today can say that today?

 

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you posted here. I too can

think of only one or two kids while I was growing up who *might* have

been true ADD. And under today's perceptions, I might even have got

that diagnosis; I was a big figit-er who couldn't sit still, though I

had no problem getting the work done and staying `on task'. People

should be *alarmed* at the increased incidences of ADD/ADHD diagnoses,

not running to the doctor for meds. And you're correct change in diet,

food processing and increased vaccines have contributed greatly to

this increase, as well as an increase in many other problems that were

very rare even 30 years ago (such as autoimmune diseases).

 

Thanks, Judy.

 

sue

 

 

>

> Victoria

>

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[Guest guest]

Victoria

You raise a number of very good issues in your response to ADD. Lifestyles and

diet I believe have a lot to do with the increased numbers in ADD and ADHD.

Additives to our food and all the chemicals. Yuck......

Don't even get me started on vaccinations. If only I had known my 6 year old

would not have been given his vaccinations.

 

I have seen complete detoxification of body systems aid in conditions such as

ADD and ADHD so what does that tell you.

 

Good job Victoria (as always)

 

Shane

[Guest guest]

Shane, I know that my family's life expectancy went down and health problems

multiplied when they started moving out of the mountains and adopting the

ways of the culture at large. In each generation the health problems have

gotten worse.

 

I suspect there are several factors at work. Clean air and not much

pollution, foods that had not been overly processed, few additives to foods

and safer preservatives, more variety in diet, the use of herbal medicines

and more extensive use of herbs in cooking as the herbs not only act as

medicines but can build up the body and give increased resistence, less

stress, more in tune with nature, stronger family units, more physical

activity, etc. Most of our ancestors ate more varied diets than Americans

do today. Many plants that are considered weeds today (like Lamb's Quarter,

wild collards, dandelions, etc.) were used as food plus had certain healing

qualities. (I'll be posting more on dandelion.)

 

Plus, at least in my family, the males and females were more balanced. My

grandfather and his older brothers thought nothing about crying when they

were sad. One always knew where one stood with them. If they were angry

about something, they expressed it and then were over it. If they were

happy, you knew that too. The same for the females. And both females and

males for the most part got to do what they wanted to and were good at. For

example, one of my older female relatives used to do the hunting for her

family because she was the best at it and enjoyed it. Needless to say, the

emotional openess and the being allowed (and even encouraged) to be true to

oneself and what one is best at kept down the Liver Qi Stagnation problems

from emotional causes and from frustration.

 

Each generation removed from that healthier and saner way of life has seen

even more health problems and a higher death rate. It started even in my

grandfather's generation, the generation that started moving out of the

mountains and adopting more of the ways of the culture at large. He and the

other older siblings lived longer and had better health and endurance than

the younger siblings who also moved away. The one younger sibling who stayed

had less problems than the younger ones who moved away and health better

than many of the older ones who left. Out of the ones who moved away, their

children had more health problems than the parents. The grandchildren had

even more, and so on. The longer one was in that environment, the better the

lifelong health, even when one moved away and the longer the life tended to

be. The more removed from the environment and lifestyle, the more health

problems and the shorter the life expectancy.

 

Victoria

 

 

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