ADHD

[Rochelle]

I have a 14 yr old booked in for next week who has been on Ritalin for 7
years but Mum thinks he is immune to it. My question is has anyone treated
an ADHD teenager who is on Ritalin and will homeopathy get through? I have
only treated a child who had come off it. I would imagine that I would have
to repeat the remedy more often and no I don't intend to go out and buy
LMs!!! I can always make up a water potency.

Regards,
Rochelle

Regards
Rochelle
www.rochellemarsden.co.uk
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[Maria Bohle]

Hi Rochelle,
Yes, I have treated through Ritalin,
it is a bit harder to find the remedy sometimes as the Ritalin masks the
patients symptomology.

One of my most successful cases was an 11 year old on almost 60
mg of Ritalin a day,
child had been on the 'stuff' since about 2 years old.

This was a Tuberculinum case, I gave it aqueous in 200C dilution, it
worked quickly, Mom cut the child down to 10 mg daily,
and then during summer vacation weaned him off completely. I believe I
put the remedy in an eyedropper bottle and the child took a dose as
needed.

Warmly, Maria
<
Subject: ADHD

[Rochelle]

Hi Maria,

You wrote "a dose as needed". So how often was this and how did he know when
it was needed? Are you saying that the first dose in water helped
immediately and then when the symptoms returned he re dosed? Also how many
drops did you give as "a dose".

At this this child coming in next week will make a change from the plague of
new Rheumatoid arthritis patients I have had in this week!!!!!

Regards,
Rochelle
www.rochellemarsden.co.uk
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[Shannon Nelson]

Hi all,

Can anyone give names of some homeopaths (US or France) who have been
especially successful in treating ADHD children? And/or, any who you know
to have gotten nice results in specific ADHD cases?

Thanks,
Shannon

[Sheri Nakken]

At 06:35 AM 03/20/2004 -0600, you wrote:

Read Ritalin Free Kids
Many cases in there.
ADHD is treated very successfully in many cases with homeopathy
The Ullmans in Washington are most famous due to the book (above)

Ritalin-Free Kids
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN% ... 4-8562235-
4777555
(if the line splits into 2, will need to paste the URL into your brower)

Also Rage-Free Kids (if that is the issue)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN% ... 4-8562235-
4777555

This is written for the layperson and is very readable and will show what
homeopathy can do
http://www.ritalinfreekids.com/l03.html

An Alternative to Ritalin
Homeopathy as a Highly Effective
Treatment for ADD

Read below or download for later -
Can we, however, lump all of these children together under one diagnostic
category? Can a child who lashes out at his family, peers, and teachers in
a violent, destructive manner and has no interest in his schoolwork fit
into the same diagnostic group as a sweet, gregarious child who simply
cannot pay attention in class? Conventional medicine would say that, based
on their scores on standardized ADD tests, both children could indeed have
ADD. Homeopathy would say that these are two distinct children whose
problems and temperaments are as different as night and day. A homeopath
would prescribe very different medicines for the two children, rather than
giving them both stimulants.

And what about the many conditions that mimic ADD, such as dyslexia and
other learning disabilities, vision and auditory problems, epilepsy,
developmen- tal disorders, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia,
food allergies, lead poisoning, caffeinism, anxiety, depression, and
obsessive compulsive disorder, just to name a few? It is essential to
understand and differentiate each individual child, not only from the
viewpoint of psychological testing, but also to comprehend deeply the
physical symptoms, experience, feelings, beliefs, and motivations of each
child.

Unlike many other syndromes there is no physical examination or laboratory
test that definitely confirms the diagnosis of ADD. While some
psychologists and educators use the Conners’ Rating Scales, others,
including physicians, often base the diagnosis on the subjective reports of
parents and teachers. The inconsistency of diagnostic criteria and apparent
overdiagnosing in this country has led many to question the diagnosis of
ADD. Some educational experts acknowledge that “The position that ADHD is
not a proven syndrome has many advocates, physicians as well as educators.
However, whether or not a syndrome exists, it is clear that many children
have difficulty in school because of an inability to attend to tasks. The
ideal would be to describe each child’s strengths and weaknesses and offer
an individualized program.”13 We would like to take this a step further:
Offer an individualized medicine as well as a learning program tailored to
the needs of the individual child.

The Homeopathic Approach to ADD
Homeopaths are able to treat ADD effectively in many cases by bringing the
individual into balance. Homeopaths treat people with ADD, not the ADD
itself. For a homeopath, what needs to be treated is the specific pattern
of symptoms which an individual presents. Only the one homeopathic medicine
that specifically matches the unique symptoms of the individual will allow
the person to live in a functional way.

Each of these individuals included in this book is unique, and it is that
uniqueness that leads to the homeopathic prescription in such a different
way than with conventional medicine. Our clinical experience, presented in
the case studies in this book, as well as the published experience of other
homeopaths, suggests strongly that homeopathy is a useful treatment for
ADD. Homeopaths always take the whole person into account. If the chief
complaint of the person is his inability to sit still, difficulty
concentrating, or other symptoms of ADD, these behaviors would certainly be
taken into account, but in combination with all the person’s other
symptoms. The homeopath would note anything unusual about that person. That
might include a history of scarlet fever during childhood, a strong fear of
birds, recurrent dreams of falling out of bed at night and no one coming to
the rescue, or a craving for persimmons. The homeopath sincerely seeks to
understand the uniqueness of the patient.

Why Choose Homeopathy over Conventional Medicine for ADD?
• The most common reason patients choose homeopathic treatment is the
positive results they have heard from others with similar problems or
because they have been referred by another physician or practitioner who is
familiar with homeopathic treatment of ADD.
• The patient or parents have read about homeopathy, and the philosophy and
approach make more sense to them than conventional medicine.
• Many adults and parents choose homeopathic treatment because it is safe,
nontoxic, and effective.
• Conventional medications for ADD act very briefly. A dose of Ritalin, for
example, lasts only about four hours. One dose of the correct homeopathic
medicine usually lasts at least four to six months.
• Homeopathic medicines often result in growth spurts in children and never
suppress a child’s normal development. Nor do they cause such side effects
as tics, appetite suppression, and insomnia.
• Homeopathic medicines are very inexpensive. The only significant cost of
homeopathic treatment is office visits. Once the person has responded well
to the homeopathic medicine, appointments are infrequent.
• Homeopathy treats the whole person. Not only do learning and behavioral
problems improve, so do most or all of the other physical, mental, and
emotional complaints of the person. Conventional medication for ADD works
only on specific learning and behavioral problems. Sally Smith, a parent of
an ADD child formerly on Ritalin, describes this phenomenon by holding up a
ruler and pointing to the one-inch mark: “Ritalin makes you available to
learn. You and your parents and teachers have to work on all the rest.”
• Homeopathy will not make a child depressed or dull. Parents sometimes
complain that, although stimulant and antidepressant medications have
eliminated some of the more severe problem behaviors, their children’s
spirits seem dampened and they do not seem like their former selves.
• Homeopathic medicines are generally given infrequently and over limited
periods of time. Conventional medications put only a temporary lid on ADD
symptoms. Doctors often recommend that these medications be taken for the
rest of the patient’s life.

What Can I and My Family Expect from Homeopathic Treatment?
Homeopaths have high expectations for their patients. We generally do not
consider a homeopathic medicine effective for a patient unless the person’s
symptoms are at least 50 percent (usually 70 percent or more) improved and
this improvement lasts for a year or more. This requires that the patient
stay with homeopathic treatment for at least a year. The homeopath keeps a
careful record of all of the symptoms and characteristics that were
elicited during each interview. As treatment progresses, these symptoms
should get better and better. An improvement can usually be noticed within
one month, and often within days or weeks.

A patient can expect his energy and overall sense of well-being to improve
as well as an improvement in most or all of his mental, emotional, and
physical complaints. This means, as you will see over and over in the cases
that we present in this book, that not only does attention and behavior
improve, but headaches, growing pains, constipation, nailbiting, and other
symptoms improve after the homeopathic medication has been prescribed.

Can Homeopathic and Conventional Medicines Be Used Together?
This is one of the most common questions we are asked by adults or parents
of children who have been diagnosed with ADD. This is ultimately a decision
between the patient and the prescribing physician. A general guideline is
to assess whether the prescription medication is effective. In cases where
the patient sees no improvement from the medication that has already been
prescribed, the prescribing physician and patient generally agree to stop
the medication and to try homeopathy instead.

In other cases, the medication is working but the side effects are
disturbing. With still other patients, the prescription medication is
having a positive effect, but the patient or parents do not like the idea
of staying on medication and seek a more natural alternative. In these
situations, the patient or parents may inform the prescribing physician
that they wish to discontinue the medication long enough to try an
alternative.

Another category of patients feels that their symptoms of ADD are so severe
that they dare not discontinue their medications until they have found
another therapy that is effective. In such a case, many homeopaths will
prescribe the homeopathic medication in addition to the prescription drugs
the person is already taking. As the homeopathic medicine works and the
patient improves, the patient can work with his physician to taper off the
prescription medication. This process requires knowledge and experience and
is another compelling reason to seek an experienced homeopath.

What If My Doctor Does Not Believe in Homeopathy?
From the time that homeopathic medicine was first brought to this country
in the early 1800s, there have been many skeptics among medical doctors.
Homeopathic philosophy is very different from what is taught in
conventional medical schools. When homeopathy is mentioned in a medical
history class, it is generally dismissed as an aberration of the past.

With the growing interest in homeopathic medicine and with the
disillusionment about the side effects and short-term benefits of much of
modern medical treatment, a growing number of conventional doctors are
opening their minds to homeopathy. Some medical doctors are incorporating
homeopathy into their conventional practices or referring to other
homeopathic practitioners. In our practice, we receive many referrals from
medical doctors and osteopaths. Many conventionally trained physicians and
other licensed healthcare practitioners have studied homeopathy in the
courses that we teach through the International Foundation for Homeopathy.
Many physicians, although they may know nothing about homeopathy, encourage
their patients, especially children, to use any therapies that are of real
benefit to that person rather than, or in combination with, conventional
medicines.

If your physician or your child’s physician is adamantly opposed to you
trying homeopathy and it is your choice to do so, you can try to educate
him or her about homeopathic treatment of ADD or you can find a physician
who is more supportive of your freedom of choice. Homeopathic practitioners
are generally happy to educate conventional physicians about homeopathic
philosophy and treatment. Even a skeptical person may be convinced of the
possible benefits of homeopathy if he or she reads case studies, attends a
homeopathic case conference, or sees the results of successful homeopathic
treatment.

Using Homeopathy Along with Other Therapies
Homeopathic medicine is very compatible with many other treatment
modalities. Family and individual counseling is often much more effective
and proceeds more quickly when one or more family members are under
homeopathic treatment. When the whole person is in balance, his mind is
generally clearer and he is much more able to move forward in his life.

Therapies such as chiropractic, craniosacral, auditory integration,
psychotherapy, and biofeedback are fine to pursue along with homeopathy.
Once the correct homeopathic medicine has been given, many patients find
that they no longer need to follow strict allergy rotation diets, receive
desensitization injections, take megadoses of numerous vitamins and
minerals, and use other therapies aimed at treating individual symptoms. It
is very understandable that individuals with ADD want to try anything that
has the possibility of helping them, but using too many therapies,
conventional or alternative, at the same time can make it very difficult to
discern what effect each specific therapy is having. When a person receives
the correct homeopathic medicine, she knows it. She feels an improvement in
energy, physical ailments, concentration, attitude, and creativity. Once
she feels so much better, she generally no longer needs lots of other
therapies.

Are There Any Things I Can’t Do During Homeopathic Treatment?
There are certain substances and exposures that consistently interfere with
homeopathic treatment. Most practitioners will advise you to avoid the
following substances: coffee, eucalyptus, camphor, menthol, recreational
drugs, and electric blankets. You will be asked to avoid using topical
medications such as topical steroids, antibiotics, antifungals, and to use
oral antibiotics and cortisone products only after consulting your
homeopath, except in cases of emergency. Acupuncture, although a treatment
of tremendous value, is not recommended during homeopathic treatment. Nor
are other treatments, which are prescribed in order to remove specific
symptoms without treating the whole person.

Can Homeopathy Help Me or My Child?
Most people are potential candidates for homeopathic treatment. As with any
treatment, you must make a commitment to follow the recommendations of your
homeopath. You must be willing to follow these guidelines:
1. You should stay with homeopathic treatment for a minimum of six months
to one year before seeking out other therapies.
2. You, as a patient or a parent or family member, need to provide thorough
and honest information to the homeopath. The better the homeopath
understands the patient, the more likely the best medicine can be found and
a lasting cure can result.
3. You need to inform the homeopath of any medications that you or your
child is taking. Once there has been improvement with homeopathic
treatment, prescription medications for ADD are generally unnecessary. A
growing number of conventional physicians are encouraging parents to seek
alternative treatment for ADD in hopes that the children will not need to
be medicated throughout childhood and sometimes throughout much of their
lives.
4. There are a small number of substances and influences, such as coffee
and recreational drugs, which are likely to interfere with homeopathic
treatment and which you will need to avoid. Homeopathic practitioners will
make their own recommendations regarding this matter.
5. You need to come for scheduled appointments and to inform the homeopath
of any significant changes in your health during the course of homeopathic
treatment. Homeopathic follow-up appointments are generally every six weeks
to three months. Once you are doing well, follow-ups are generally
scheduled less frequently.

The Limitations of Homeopathic Treatment
Homeopathic treatment is not for everyone. The following are factors that
prevent a person from being a good candidate for homeopathic treatment:
1. There are some children, particularly teenagers, who are so opposed to
anything their parents recommend that they will sabotage homeopathic
treatment, either by refusing to go to appointments or take the medicines
or by intentionally using substances that interfere with homeopathic
treatment. Similarly, both parents need to be convinced that homeopathy is
a valid treatment or willing to try it for at least six months.
2. Some people have such severe behavioral problems that they need to be in
an institution, such as a jail or drug or alcohol treatment center, rather
than outpatient treatment. We are aware of only one such institutional
program, which offered homeopathy as part of a research study and hope
others will in the near future.
3. Individuals who are unwilling to avoid those substances which interfere
with homeopathic treatment, such as coffee or recreational drugs, are not
good candidates for homeopathy.
4. Homeopathic medicines may not act as quickly initially as prescription
drugs, though the positive effects last much longer. This requires patience
and a willingness to stick with the treatment process.

Why Not Treat Yourself or Your Family?
As you read through the cases in this book, you will probably think of
someone you know who may have a very similar symptom picture. You may even
be tempted to try to find the medicines mentioned in this book and
administer them yourselves. Please heed our advice regarding self-treatment.

There are many classes available on prescribing homeopathic medicines for
acute illnesses such as colds, flus, and minor infections. We encourage you
to take these classes, to read more about acute prescribing, to buy a
homeopathic home kit, and to try homeopathic medicines on yourself and your
family for minor illnesses. If the person treated does not improve in a day
or two, be sure to consult your homeopathic or conventional physician.

The conditions mentioned in this book are not acute conditions. These are
chronic states and need to be handled much more carefully. There are over
2,000 homeopathic medicines. It takes years of homeopathic study and
practice to make the fine distinctions about when to prescribe which
medicine. Although homeopathic medicines do not have long lists of side
effects like many conventional medicines, it is also possible to experience
a reaction to the medicine. IN ANY CHRONIC CONDITION, WHETHER PHYSICAL,
MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL, DO NOT TREAT YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILD. Find an
experienced homeopathic practitioner. We have received a number of calls
from people who have read our articles on ADD, thought they recognized
themselves or their children, and gone out to find the medicine themselves.
Invariably they have called us for treatment because they did not select
the right medicine or did not know how to administer the medicine at the
right frequency or potency. If you were considering brain surgery, you
would not read a book or two, buy a set of scalpels, and start cutting.
Homeopathy is just as complicated an art as neurosurgery. Just because
homeopathic medicines are widely available does not mean they are easy to
use. Please do not experiment on yourself or your family members for ADD.
Find an expert.

How Can I Find a Homeopath?
A growing number of health care practitioners, including medical doctors
(M.D.), naturopathic physicians (N.D.), osteopathic physicians (D.O.),
chiropractors (D.C.), family nurse practitioners (F.N.P.), physicians’
assistants (P.A.), acupunturists (L.A., C.A., or O.M.D.), and veterinarians
(D.V.M.), practice homeopathic medicine. Most homeopaths have a family
practice. We know of no experienced homeopaths in the United States who
focus solely on patients with ADD. Since a home- opath always treats the
whole person, such specializa-tion is not necessary to find good treatment.
What is most important is to find a practitioner who special-izes in
classical homeopathy, who spends at least an hour with each new patient,
prescribes one homeo- pathic medicine at a time based on a detailed inter-
view rather than a machine, and waits at least five weeks before assessing
the progress of the patient. If at all possible, find a homeopath who is
board certified. It is not always possible to find a homeopath in your
immedi- ate area, or even your state. You will be likely to find much
better results, even if you need to travel or do your homeopathic
consultations by telephone, than to go to someone in your area who knows
some home- opathy, but is not experienced and does not specialize in
homeopathy. We treat many patients by phone, though we prefer to do the
initial interview in person if at all possible.
In the appendix you can find the names and addresses of organizations that
publish directories of homeopathic practitioners in the United States. It
is still wise to speak to the practitioner directly to make sure he or she
meets the guidelines we have suggested.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath
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[Rosemary C Hyde PhD]

Ritalin Free Kids is a good book -- in my experience it works better for the homeopath to read it than for most patients. In any case, ADHD can be many different things and present differently with different patients (children or adults), and like any other condition, it responds well to a well-selected remedy. There's no "magic pill."

Rosemary

[Shannon Nelson]

Hi Sheri,

Sorry, I should have clarified...
I am specifically looking for *names of homeopaths* who are getting good
results, hoping to draw some more contact ideas for Annie, who will be
travelling thru US and France on that glorious Churchill Travelling
Fellowship! Seems like such a neat thing, but she hasn't gotten much
response so far. She just needs names of homeopaths who will be willing to
meet with her and describe their methods and results and etc. for her
research.

Thanks,
Shannon
on 3/20/04 10:48 AM, Sheri Nakken at homeopathycures@tesco.net wrote:

[Shannon Nelson]

Hi Rosemary,

So you're saying that any good homeopath will get similarly good results
treating ADHD? That would have been my assumption, but I have no experience
there. I'd be interested to hear from those who treat ADHD kids what
*their* experience is, compared with other conditions? (Yeah, a wide-open
question, LOL!)

Because if that's the case, then we can send Annie names of our favorite
well-experienced homeopaths, any who might be willing to give her some time?
(I don't know how many she's looking for -- Annie, are you reading?)

Cheers,
Shannon
on 3/20/04 11:41 AM, Rosemary C Hyde PhD at rosemarychyde@mindspring.com
wrote:

[Rosemary C Hyde PhD]

Yes, Shannon. I've treated several individuals with ADHD, and it doesn't seem to offer any particular resistance to treatment. Kids respond rather quickly, as kids usually do, and adults take longer but do respond.

Rosemary

[Dale Moss]

Shannon

Annie should contact Paul Herscu & Amy Rothenberg at (860) 763-1225. Paul's
expertise is more in treating autistic kids, but they've had lots of success
with kids in general.

Peace,
Cinnabar