A really simple study is showing that good psychology can help reduce symptoms associated with ADHD, which challenges the idea that ADHD is essentially a biologically programmed disorder that can only be helped with medication. The study demonstrated that support and reinforcement of good behaviors can reduce the characteristics associated with ADHD, such as academic, and social problems.
Some of these interventions are the most basic behavioral intervention techniques and things that most other people would identify as “good parenting.” In the current era, ADHD is the marquee over-diagnosed disorder to make excuses and cover for deeper emotional and family systems issues. It is the perfect example of a legitimate disorder that has become misunderstood in terms of symptoms, causes, and treatment. Hopefully more studies like this can also provide some concrete guidelines in basic non-medical treatment for ADHD.
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Links to This Article
University Update - University of Texas - Non-Medical ADHD Intervention (8/25/2007)
5 Comments to
“Non-Medical ADHD Intervention”
Excuse me,but there is nothing in the link to thestudy about preventing ADD. It stated that with intensive individualized programs there was a 17-28% decrease in sx.This was a treament study.
Nothing was adressed about causation.There was no statement of cure.
You seem to dramatically overread this study to support your own personal beliefs.It would be wonderful if this intensive level of support was available ,but I will bet it stopped when the study funding ended.
William,
I definitely made a mistake in my terminology on the first version of this post. However, although this study is definitely minor, it is a shred of empirical data that ADHD can be helped without medication, something that is heard about MUCH less frequently in the media than drug interventions. That is the spirit of the post, and it represents an important counter-opinion that is unfortunately not stated often enough.
Understanding that ADHD is based in the biology of the brain doesn’t mean all approaches must be pharmaceutical. Thoughts and experiences act on the biology of the brain too.
It isn’t an either/or issue.
This study looks at children from ages 3-5 years of age. If the scientists were truly interested in proving efficacy of their interventions, they would have waited and followed their subjects through a few years of elementary schools, and use blind rating scales to eliminate bias. Their conclusions are based on a flawed research model and only serve to fuel the myths that ADHD is purely a behavioral problem.
I treat children, ages 5-12, for ADD/ADHD using neurofeedback. This is a process of rebalancing/harmonizing the brain wave patterns. My experience over the past 8 years is that the process combined with good eating habits and occasionally other therapies - mental, social, physical - offer the best choice for those people/parents who do not want to go the drug route. Does it work for eveyone - NO. Can I tell relatively quickly if it will help - Yes. The quoted study should be seen as one step along a path to finding answers, not the answer. Thanks for reading.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 25 Aug 2007
