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ADD/ADHD:
Understanding & Correcting the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Behavior.
by Dr. Lora Hurley, Traditional
Naturopath
*
Reprinted by permission - Community Spirit Magazine, Feb./Mar
2003.
Imagine
the following scenario. It's Monday morning, the 1st day of
school for your child. He's thrilled with thoughts of a new
teacher & new friends. Due to the rush, you give this child
a high sugar breakfast of cereal & cow's milk. the excitement
of the day is now coupled with a high insulin response for your
child. By the tiime the child's at school, his brain is racing
from the large amount of sugar circulating there. He sits at
his desk, his mind a whirlwind of activity. the teacher is talking,
a bird flies by the window, someone drops a pencil, another
student sneezes, and other impulses are reaching his brain all
simultaneously. Wow! How can he focus only on the teacher?
His blood
sugar begins to drop dramatically a few hours later. His adrenals
compensate with adrenaline, which can cause nervousness, irritability
or erratic behavior changes for your child. He begins to speak
loudly, becomes disruptive, fidgets, or becomes irritable. He
doesn't feel the same way he did under the influence of high
insulinl. Finally, it's time for lunch. Most schools now allow
children to pick & choose their own lunch. Children learn
at an early age what makes them feel "better." Better
for them is when their blood sugars are elevated. They usually
choose carbohydrates such as breads, sweets, white rice, potatoes,
pasta & cows milk. These foods will usually cause a high
insulin release.
After lunch
the roller-coaster ride contin ues. Before arriving home, your
child's blood sugar levels fall & adrenaline is again released.
His attitude changes to aggression. As he comes in the door
he's in a "bad" mood. You ask cheerfully, "What
did you learn today? did you meet a new friend? Do you like
your teacher?" He angrily answers, "No, I hate school.
I hate my teacher. I never want to go again! Where's my snack?"
Your sweet
little boy that left home this morning is now exhibiting "Mr.
Hyde" behavior. he rushes past your open arms, grabws the
cookies, slashes milk in his cup, spilling some of it. You leave
him to snack so that he can "cool" down. Approximately
20 minutes later, "Mr. Hyde" transformed to "Dr
Jekyll" as he rushes to hug you, smiles brightly &
says, "Hi Mom, guess with I learned today?"
Many people
live with "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" behavior in
thier children. This type of behavior is commonly called ADD/ADHD.
What is ADD/ADHD? Attention Deficit Disorder & Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is usually a subjective "diagnosis"
that a caregiveer, teacher or doctor labels a child with if
they experience any of the following:
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ADHD |
•
Cannot focus, follow directions or concentrate
• Depressed or Anxious
• Social or behavioral withdrawal
• "Strange" behavior
• Pays little attention to detals
• Makes careless mistakes
• Doesn't listen when spoken to directly
• Inability to organize or finish tasks
• Loses things
• Forgetful or common activities
• Inadequate attention span
• Easily distracted or confused
• Doesn't recognizes danger
• Uncoordinated or clumsy
• Hard to make transitions or changes
• Fatigue or muscle weakness
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Doesn't listen to the whole story
• Compulsively repeats action
• Does not respond to discipline
• Difficulty writing or drawing
• Dyslexia
• Fixation on one object |
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•
HYPERACTIVITY - Constant Movement
• Argumentative, demanding and aggressive
• Conduct problems
• Headache & Stomach Aches w/out cause
• Talks excessively
• Impulsive
• Blurts out answers
• Refuses to stay in seat
• Easily excitable
• Extreme Mood swings
• Few friends due to behavior problems
• Restless
• Has frequent nightmares
• Unpredictable
• Bedwetting
• Self-abuse
• Ear complaints such as ringing or infections
• Throws or breaks things
• Chews on clothing or other objects
• Bites & picks nails or skin
• Overreacts to touch, pain, sound or lights
• Compulsive touching
• Talks loudly at times. |
There
are many symptoms of ADD/ADHD that vary from child to child.
Many kids who have these symptoms are never analyzed properly
or dismissed as having "emotional" problems because
they are perfectly "normal" at times. These behavior
problems are not limited to children. Many medical doctors
will tell you "They will outgrow ADD/ADHD." you
do not outgrow deficiencies. Adults experience similar symptoms
due to similar causal factors.
Some
of the causal factors of ADD/ADHD behavior are: insulin
sensitivity or resistance, mineral or vitamin deficiencies,
essential fatty acid deficienceiws, sensitivities to electrical
frequencies, food or environmental allergies, dehydration,
abnormal psychological patterns, dietary imbalances, heavy
metal contamination, & dental work. Parasitic infection,
digestive disorders or an unbalance of body, mind and spirit
connections.
Restrickting
"fake" foods from the diet such as: cakes, cookies,
pretzels, sugared cereal, sodas, food additive, and preservates,
etc. while increasing "real" food like organic
raw fruits & vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and
"good" water, will begin the journey back to balance
for kids. Foods like these provide necessary fiber, essential
fats, proteins and fluids that are required for optimum
health.
If
your child "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, behaviors or experience
5 or more of the above sysmptoms regularly, do not despair
- I can help you! ADD/ADHD is simple to explain. It's the
analysis that is complex. One merely needs assistance in
accurately identifying and resolving the underlying issues
of this hugely misdiagnosed and mistreated condition!
Back to top
Dr.
Lora Hurley is a traditional Naturopath and founder of Harmony
Holistic Health of Locust, NC. She has spoken through many
media outlets and lectures regularly. Her clientele spans
internationally. Her husband Doyle and their 2 children
own and operate the Herb Basket. Doyle established the Celtic
Frost Herb Farm in 1996 - Ethically all herbs are organically
grown. Harmony Holistic Health, the Herb Basket and Celtic
Frost Herbs are located at 217 B West Main Street, Locust,
NC 28097 or call 704-888-4118 |
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