Everybody experiences feelings of depression or sadness on occasion. However, when these feelings are so overwhelming that the individual cannot function, they may be diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Depressive disorders are characterized by the presence of sad, empty or irritable mood that interferes with the individual’s ability to engage in everyday activities.   Incidence…

More than two-thirds of individuals with ADHD have at least one other coexisting condition. The symptoms of ADHD—constant motion and fidgetiness, interrupting and blurting out, difficulty sitting still and need for constant reminders, etc.—may overshadow these other disorders. But just as untreated ADHD can present challenges in everyday life, other disorders can also cause unnecessary…

From Ask The Expert Webinar  What are the most effective non-medication treatments for ADHD? The non-medication treatments for ADHD with the most data and research behind them are cognitive-behavior therapy, accommodations at school and work, exercise, mindfulness meditation, adequate sleep, omega-3-6-9, and a healthy diet. The goal of each of these treatments is to decrease…

Having a healthy, balanced diet is important to having a happy and healthy life. A healthy diet can provide an effective complementary approach to alleviating some symptoms of ADHD. However, taking an honest look at your nutrition habits and figuring out what works best for you or your child can be a confusing process. According…

What consumers need to know about choosing and using Omega-3 or Omega-6 fatty-acid supplements for ADHD Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation, such as fish oil, is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD. The evidence for its effect on ADHD is mixed. Two recent meta-analyses (careful statistical review of many studies) concluded that it has a…

What is Neurofeedback The human brain emits electrical activity in waves that can be measured by a device called an electroencephalograph (EEG). When the results of an EEG measurement are analyzed, scientists are able to identify certain brain wave patterns recorded by the machine. There are several frequencies of brain waves when we are awake;…

ADHD coaching is a relatively new field that has become more prominent in recent years. Coaching is an intervention that complements medication and other non-pharmacologic alternatives. As a specialty within the broader field of coaching, ADHD coaching is a practical intervention that specifically targets the core impairments of ADHD such as planning, time management, goal…

Carrying Your Medication Law enforcement officers pay attention to possible drug abuse, especially among teenagers and young adults. If the police stop you for something such as a traffic violation or disorderly conduct and you are carrying ADHD medication in an unmarked container, you may be at greater risk of being suspected of illegal drug…

Sometimes people look for treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that they hope will work together with―or even instead of―their doctor’s treatments. Doctors and others treat ADHD using methods that have been very carefully studied, tested and proven effective. These methods include medication and behavior treatment. Yet there are many other treatments for ADHD that people hear…

Treating ADHD often requires medical, educational, behavioral and psychological intervention. This comprehensive approach to treatment is sometimes called “multimodal” and, depending on the age of the individual with ADHD, may include: parent training medication skills training counseling behavioral therapy educational supports education regarding ADHD Working closely with health care providers and other professionals, treatment should…

There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to establish a diagnosis, rule out other causes, and determine the presence or absence of co-existing conditions. Such an evaluation requires time and effort and should include a careful history and a clinical assessment of the individual’s academic, social, and emotional…

CHADD members and others affected by ADHD are continually looking for ways to minimize the negative impact of ADHD symptoms on their own lives or the lives of their children. They are often bombarded by advertisements for assessment services, “treatments,” or other “interventions” that make claims that may or may not be supported by evidence-based…