What we mean by the holistic approach
Key aspects of the holistic approach
How effective is the holistic approach?
Combining holistic methods with other approaches
In this module, you will learn:
What we mean by the holistic approach
Key aspects of the holistic approach
How effective is the holistic approach?
Combining holistic methods with other approaches
Treatment with the Holistic Approach – 6m:00s
8.1 What We Mean by the Holistic Approach.
Even though the medication and therapies recommended by medical experts can, and do,
make a difference, there are many people that also believe in a far more holistic approach
in the treatment of ADHD.
This approach is something that people will try to incorporate into the entire treatment plan in
combination with medication and therapy, to provide the individual with the best possible outcome.
So, what do we mean by the term “holistic approach'?
To some individuals, this term suggests images of strange concoctions and snake oil. However, the
holistic approach is nothing like that – rather, it involves logical steps and common sense methods
that may make a significant difference to the individual who has been diagnosed with ADHD.
In short, “holistic" refers to the belief that medical issues should be managed by treating the whole
body, rather than treating the symptoms in isolation. Specifically in relation to ADHD, this means
that rather than focusing solely on the symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattentiveness,
we should instead seek to nurture the whole body and promote general good health. The theory is
that an improvement in symptoms should follow an improvement in general health and wellbeing.
Part of the holistic approach is to determine if there are things in the person’s environment that may
be negatively affecting their wellbeing. It could be something they eat which triggers symptoms or
something which affects their quality of sleep.
For example:
Some parents may notice that a child’s ADHD symptoms are worse after eating a certain kind of
brightly-coloured breakfast cereal. Eliminating it from the child’s diet leads to a more stable mood
and an improvement in their behaviour.
The most common holistic approach is working along the same lines as that simple example - and we
will look at it in more detail later on in the module. We will also examine the role of exercise, sleep
and several other factors that can be introduced into a daily routine, with benefits for the person’s
general health.
We will also include some “alternative therapies" such as hypnotism in this section because they do
potentially have a role to play in the treatment of ADHD - at least for some people. These kinds of
treatments should only be carried out by a trained professional.
8.2 Key Aspects of the Holistic Approach
We can now turn our attention to looking in detail at some of the methods that are
associated with this approach.
As with the actual medical treatments that are offered through the usual means, there is no
guarantee of it helping, or completely helping, the individual that has been diagnosed with ADHD.
The best advice to offer is for you to be willing to try various things and see if they make a
difference. This is something that will involve a considerable amount of trial and error. Throughout
this process you should ensure that you seek the guidance of a medical professional when making
any changes, to ensure they are safe methods for the individual in question.
Diet
It is well recognised that the diet of a person with ADHD can act as a trigger for symptoms, so it
makes sense to look at what the person is eating and try to return to a diet that is as natural as
possible. The reason for this is that a number of people believe that the sugar, sweeteners, additives
and, in particular, artificial colours which are added to food are to blame. By going “natural", it
removes this as a possibility, and through careful elimination of certain foods, it is straightforward
for people to identify any which have contributed to mood or behaviour.
Furthermore, studies have shown that children with ADHD tend to be rather low in three main
minerals - zinc, magnesium and iron. Out of these three minerals, it is believed that low iron levels
are a major contributory factor, as research has indicated that iron supplements did improve the
symptoms in children with ADHD.
Also, it is important that the person with the condition is able to eat at set times, on a regular basis,
and to include good quality, unprocessed food as much as possible. The theory behind this is that it
prevents the sudden drop in blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar levels are known to increase a
general feeling of irritability in most people, but for those with ADHD, the effects will be greatly
magnified. With a consistent and regular diet, people with ADHD will find that their focus and
concentration increase.
As regards the hyperactivity part of ADHD, it is important to ensure that there are some proteins
and complex carbohydrates in the diet. Both of these things have been shown to be effective at
decreasing hyperactivity levels, even though this is something that is perhaps not fully understood.
Finally, when it comes to diet, you should be trying your best to include foods that are high in
Omega-3. It is thought to have a positive impact on the brain and this is especially important for
people with ADHD. Indeed, Omega-3 has been shown to be effective in helping people with all three
aspects of ADHD, with its reduction of levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity and irritability, amongst a
whole host of other effects.
Sleep Hygiene
One thing that is extremely important for any sufferer of ADHD is sleep. This may not be that easy to
try to enforce, especially in a child who is prone to hyperactivity, but it is something that needs close
attention. It is of absolute importance to establish some kind of healthy sleeping pattern.
Having good quality sleep will significantly reduce the severity of the symptoms experienced with
ADHD.
Children and adults with ADHD should practice good sleep hygiene. This means having a regular
bedtime in a room which is not too hot or too cold. Ideally, the room would be in darkness when it’s
time to sleep, although this could be problematic for some children. Also, mobile phones, computers
and TV should be avoided for at least an hour before bedtime.
Exercise
Even though we would never recommend any kind of physical exercise in that all-important hour
before bed, there is no doubt that exercise can significantly help an individual who suffers from
ADHD. In actual fact, this is something that has been studied in some detail and the results from it
are outstanding.
The importance of exercise relates to its effect on the brain. Exercise is known and accepted as
being a way for the brain to be encouraged to release that all-important dopamine and, if you
remember from the previous module, this is linked to an improvement in concentration and focus.
Furthermore, it also boosts serotonin levels, and this is also linked to an improvement in our ability
to pay attention. You can now begin to see the positive impact of exercise.
But what kind of exercise is appropriate for people with ADHD? This is not about trying to tire them
out so that they are exhausted and are then unable to make a nuisance of themselves. It is rather
about using exercise as a means to make them feel good and guide them towards positive behaviour.
For example:
Studies have shown that sports that require specific body movements are good for children with
ADHD. This means that dance or martial arts are beneficial activities, because, even though they
both require concentration and focus, they are achieved in short bursts and they also have the effect
of using some of the person's energy.
It is also accepted that team sports have a role to play, although there is one major difference in the
way in which they can benefit the individual with ADHD. Team sports are beneficial because of the
social element, as they are part of a group, and this allows the person with ADHD to learn some of
the social skills which they struggle with in other settings.
Relaxation therapies
It is also important to mention relaxation therapies, as they can also play a major role when it comes
to dealing with ADHD. You have to remember that anxiety and depression are huge issues; so
clearly, any therapy that can combat these will help, even to the slightest degree.
The most common types of therapy that have been shown to help individuals with ADHD include
meditation, mindfulness, aromatherapy, reflexology and yoga. All of these are focused on the
channelling of energy and positivity, and work by focusing one's mind and trying to calm emotions,
which we know is difficult.
Relaxation therapies are not easy for the sufferer of ADHD to master, but we only expect small gains
at a time. If an individual is able to quell those negative emotions or thoughts for just slightly longer
than before, that in itself is an improvement.
Mindfulness meditation
A holistic approach helps the child develop internal controls rather than external controls (like
medications, CBT, rewards and punishments etc.).
Mindfulness meditation helps you control your attention and your ability to focus – two empowering
techniques for those diagnosed with ADHD. As an added plus, mindfulness meditation also helps to
control the wandering mind and reduces impulsivity.
Seen in the light of its benefits, mindfulness meditation is a positive coping tool for children and
adults with ADHD. Research also indicates meditation helps strengthen and thicken the prefrontal
cortex of the brain – the area that controls planning, focus and self-control.
Tips for Meditating:
If you have too many thoughts running through your mind, picture a blue sky (which represents your
mind) and white, fluffy clouds (that represent your thoughts). Focus on adding space between
thoughts. Walk slowly and mindfully and focus on the sensation on the soles of your feet as you walk.
This is called moving meditation.
Hypnosis
The use of hypnosis when trying to treat ADHD is something seen as controversial by some and yet,
by others is regarded as being potentially a very successful tool. The key to hypnosis is that it can
delve into the subconscious mind and change the way in which our thoughts evolve. These automatic
thoughts can cause us all kinds of difficulties and the concept of using hypnosis is to interrupt the
flow of negativity and the emotions that plague those with ADHD. Furthermore, it can then be used
to instil more positive thoughts and emotions and this will, in turn, act as a strong foundation for the
future.
There are various other possibly useful therapies for ADHD, but you need to ensure that you are
dealing with an individual who is not only an expert in the field, but also aware of other overarching
issues that they are going to have to contend with. Once again, there is no guarantee that these
therapies will substantially help, but when dealing with this kind of condition, we are looking for
small improvements that can make a major difference to the person's ability to cope with everyday
life.
FACT
Some people attempt to treat ADHD with holistic herbal remedies, such as St John's Wort. There is,
however, no reliable evidence that these remedies work.
Source: Netdoctor.co.uk
8.3 How Effective is the Holistic Approach?
It can be difficult to determine exactly how effective holistic methods are, mainly because
they are normally used to complement an existing treatment plan comprising medication
and therapy.
However, that is not to say that it is purely guesswork, because this holistic approach is certainly
something that has made a difference to a number of individuals and also, to their families.
When it comes to using these different types of therapy, it does come back to that age-old concept -
“you get out of it whatever you put into it". Also, there has to be an understanding that these
treatments may only improve things by a small percentage, but once that has been accepted by the
individual, a plan can be put into place which may produce effective and greater results.
For example:
Changing diet or taking supplements is not going to be a cure for ADHD. Rather, a healthier diet
may be the foundation on which other treatments such as therapy gain more success. Using the tools
are one’s disposal – diet, sleep, exercise, relaxation methods for anxiety, etc. - can make a huge
difference.
Using holistic therapies is something that is very personal and there is certainly no suggestion that
there is one overarching solution that is successful for every single person who has ADHD. There is
so much trial and error when it comes to using this approach, and sadly this often acts as an initial
barrier, as people feel that they don’t have the time or energy to try these new methods in the hope
of an improvement.
We should also mention that the extent to which these therapies might be effective can also depend
on the form of ADHD in question because it makes sense that those who are more hyperactive or
have poor impulse control will react differently to those who just find it difficult to concentrate.
Being aware of the problem areas in the actual diagnosis itself will be the most crucial factor.
To show the potential for the effectiveness of these methods, we can examine and compare
two examples:
Children who have poor impulse control will act without really thinking about the consequences of
their actions or behaviours. They will often suffer from anxiety and have a real sense of frustration
and irritation. This leads to a build-up of energy that will require some release.
When it comes to alternative therapies, you should be considering diet and blood sugar levels, to
reduce irritability. You could be looking at the potential for hypnosis when people are older, to get to
the root cause of their difficulty in correctly thinking things through. You should be checking to
make sure that they are getting enough good-quality sleep, as lack of sleep will increase their
irritability.
If you then compare that to the child who suffers more from the inattentive form of ADHD, you may
initially think that this lack of concentration would create a barrier to any type of therapy; however,
this is not the case. Instead, a sport would be good, as this will boost dopamine levels and make it
easier for the children to focus. At the same time, diet and the levels of Omega-3 can be tackled and
improved, due to the positive impact this would have on the brain.
In addition, it has been shown that some soft background music can often be enough to prevent an
individual who is inattentive from being distracted by the same things - and actually help them to
improve their focus. Look at their environment to see what could be distracting them and try to
block it out. This will make a real difference in how they react.
As you can see from the two examples, we have completely different approaches to the same core
problem which is ADHD. It stands to reason that if a condition affects people differently, the
response to it must also differ for it to succeed.
When selecting alternative therapies, try to make sure that you fully understand the way in which
ADHD affects the individual, before developing a plan that can combat the condition effectively.
8.4 Combining Holistic Methods with Other Approaches
Finally, let us look at one option that is available to you - combining all treatment
approaches, to ultimately improve the quality of life of the individuals in question.
The difficulty here is that it is extremely difficult to know which combination will, ultimately, prove
to be the most successful - and that does mean there can be a lot of trial and error before you are
able to settle on something that does actually work. However, that should not deter you, because the
difference achieved can be quite substantial.
There is more than enough research that demonstrates a need for a balance between medication and
holistic therapies, for the individual to then make the improvements required. This does create a
rather complex picture, but that is why you need to develop a firmer understanding of the condition
as a whole.
It is important for you to remember one key point. Medication will help deal with certain aspects,
but ADHD also involves thoughts and emotions, and you need to take steps to amend ways of
thinking as early as possible. This is where therapies become invaluable.
Also, it is accepted that anything which affects the health of the whole body can act as a trigger for
ADHD symptoms, and that is where these holistic therapies can really play a part, simply because
they can help to remove those triggers and replace them with something more positive.
What we are recommending is that you examine and eliminate elements that could be contributory
factors to certain reactions by the individual with ADHD. This would include factors such as correct
sleeping patterns for irritability, hypnosis for those impulsive thoughts and negative emotions, and
meditation for relaxation and the prevention of anxiety and depression. You can see why it is crucial
for those close to the individual with ADHD to work together as a team, in order to establish the best
treatment possible.
SUMMARY
In this module, we have focused on the holistic approach and things that you can try to achieve for
an effective treatment plan for an individual who has been diagnosed with ADHD.
We examined how diet, sleep, exercise, relaxation therapies and even hypnosis can all play a part in
the long-term success of ADHD treatment.
In the next module, we will turn our attention to the patterns of behaviour exhibited by people with
ADHD, and when they are cause for concern.
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