ADHD Treatment Without Medication Adults-Are: These Drug-Free Methods More Powerful Than You Think?

Quite simply, what we eat affects our mood. Different foods contain various substances that induce chemical reactions in the body, including the brain, which affects our thinking process. For example, it is believed that carbohydrates are carriers of tryptophan, which synthesizes serotonin in the brain, leading to a happier mood.

For individuals with ADHD, the diet must be more specific. Because of their special needs, some people can be more sensitive to processed foods, carbs, sugars, and typical food items deemed unhealthy.

In certain individuals, a gluten-free diet may also be recommended to help decrease hyperactivity symptoms. A good example is a modified version of the Wahls Protocol Diet, which is based on Mediterranean and Paleo diet plans. With the Wahls Protocol, you eat some meat, fish, green leafy vegetables, and fruits while avoiding certain foods such as grains, sugar, and legumes (beans and lentils). This means ditching processed foods, grains, legumes, and sugar.

Dietary Change

What we eat affects our mood. For individuals with ADHD, the diet must be more specific. A gluten- free diet may be recommended to help decrease hyperactivity symptoms.

Decluttering

Cleaning up your surroundings, removing distractions, and organizing things will lessen the tension and encourage the mind to stay on one subject at a time.

What about Coffee?

Caffeine in moderation is fine but can be bad if overdone, and this holds true even for people without ADHD. Consuming high amounts of caffeine may worsen ADHD symptoms over time. The team from Peak Wellness Psychiatry has seen this happen in many adults in different circumstances.

Caffeine in moderation is fine but can be bad if overdone, and this holds true even for people without ADHD. Consuming high amounts of caffeine may worsen adult ADHD symptoms over time. The team has seen this happen in many adult ADHD San Diego patients in different circumstances (including successful high-level executives drinking 8-9 cups per day).

The following are the common non-stimulant medicines:

Caffeine is known to increase alertness, but it also works by blocking a chemical known as adenosine, which is a brain chemical that makes you feel tired. At the same time, adenosine can cause the release of adrenaline, which can trigger a “fight-or-flight response,” leading to increased anxiety.

When working with patients with ADHD, Ryan Thebo, DNP, PMHNP, and FNP, will often develop an individualized plan with patients to help them decrease their caffeine consumption. And when necessary, their plan will include helping to optimize their sleep.

Decluttering, although a minor action, can also have a positive effect. A chaotic environment can contribute to the person’s inability to focus. It also adds to the stress. Cleaning up the surroundings, removing distractions, and organizing things will lessen the tension and encourage the mind to stay on one subject at a time.

When making healthy changes, it may be tempting to focus on as many habits as possible to change, whether it be study habits, work habits, organization, or wellness. Instead of focusing on making profound changes all at once, consider making small changes over time that become habits that can have a large cumulative effect over time, leading to a greater sense of accomplishment.

In a 2013 study, scientists observed that individuals with ADHD have higher dopamine transporter density (DTD). This causes a decrease in dopamine levels in the brain. Although this finding does not conclude that a higher DTD is a determining factor for ADHD, the information serves as a useful screening tool. Aside from that, it also helps formulate an ADHD treatment without medication for adults.

Research suggests that meditation and other mindfulness activities like yoga raise dopamine levels in the brain and thicken the prefrontal cortex. It’s the part of the brain involved in impulse control, planning, and focus. This is why Ryan Thebo, DNP, PMHNP, FNP, and other psychiatric providers may recommend that patients engage in mindfulness activities, as well.

Mindfulness can be approached in many ways. Meditation, yoga, a simple hike, or a short vacation can be done in pursuit of mindfulness. During your daily activities, you can incorporate mindfulness throughout the day to help you improve inattentive symptoms while also improving adaptive responses to everyday stressors that may arise.

The point of mindfulness exercises is to be present in the moment. People, especially those who have ADHD, can be occupied and future-oriented to compensate for “executive dysfunction” (a term to describe getting things prioritized, organized, done, etc). Mindfulness can help bring balance into their lives and correct executive dysfunction.

Various applications can also help with learning to incorporate mindfulness in everyday life, such as Calm and Headspace. Various other types of meditation techniques may also sometimes be recommended to patients by Peak Wellness, such as Transcendental Meditation through referring patients to TM.org.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Meditation, yoga, a simple hike, or a short vacation can be done in pursuit of mindfulness. During your daily activities, you can incorporate mindfulness throughout the day to help you to improve inattentive symptoms while also improving adaptive responses to everyday stressors that may arise.

Because people with ADHD have difficulty focusing and organizing, Peak Wellness’ treatment plans include assigning different priorities. Prioritization encourages patients to determine the things that matter and accomplish each one at a time.