Article Writing

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AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR ADHD

The Early Search for Alternative Treatment for ADHD

University of Maryland Global Campus

WRTG 391: Advance Research Writing

February 7, 2023

Introduction

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Although it is known as adult ADHD, early childhood is when symptoms first appear and frequently persist into adulthood. There is much research literature examining the cause(s) of and risk factors for ADHD to improve management and lower the likelihood that someone will develop it, but there are still no known causes of ADHD or risk factors. Depending on which symptoms are present in a person the most, there are three ways that ADHD can manifest: Predominantly Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined. Adult ADHD symptoms might not be as apparent as those in children; however, adult ADHD treatment is like childhood ADHD treatment. Since ADHD symptoms usually last into adulthood, and there is no exact cure for the disorder, people tend to seek early diagnosis so that they can get the help they need to bear the symptoms. At the same time, professionals overly diagnose patients to prevent incorrect diagnoses and hasty treatment. As a result, the impact of ADHD on the lives of individuals with the disorder can be difficult for themselves, their families, and the surroundings in which they end up. So, getting treatment for the disorder is highly recommended and advised, but aside from making things worse, ADHD medications can have very adverse side effects. And for this very reason, various research into seeking effective alternate treatment for the disorder will be highly beneficial in relieving ADHD symptoms and cause little to no severe side effects.

What is Some Potential Cause(s) or Risk Factor(s) of ADHD?

The topic of ADHD has generated a lot of discussion and controversy. There is a growing group of people, including both professionals and the general audience with a diagnosis of ADHD, who argue that the major symptoms agreed upon and used by professionals for ADHD do not need labels. And these groups of people prefer ADHD to be looked at as a different state of mind rather than a mental disorder; they contend that individuals with limited attention spans and excessive energy are not what needs to change, but rather society’s expectations. However, with how detrimental the symptoms of ADHD can be to an individual’s health when left untreated, the three major symptoms such as predominantly Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined, have been made a medical disorder upon certain conditions being met. Furthermore, since the disorder starts in early childhood, there is an amass of research literature completed to find the underlying causes and risk factors of ADHD during early childhood.

Many different fields can cause ADHD, like other psychiatric disorders, biological and psychosocial causes, social factors, and even genetic predisposition. Although there is research that suggests there is no conclusive link between maternal diseases and ADHD, pre- and post-term delivery was linked to an increased risk of ADHD. Also, conditions that affect newborns, including hypoglycemia, severe hyperbilirubinemia, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and immune disorders, present the onset of ADHD as another risk factor (Soheilipour et al., 2014). Considering how pre- and post-term delivery carries the risk of ADHD, likewise, additional factors, such as prenatal and postnatal environments, can affect brain development and result in the ADHD phenotype in children and can contribute to the development of ADHD (Rajendran et al., 2013). This suggests that such potential risk factors and causes for ADHD starting early makes it harder to create than prevent even earlier than the diagnosis age.

What is the Impact of ADHD in an Academic Environment?

With ADHD mainly persisting from childhood to adulthood, it can put much stress on the individual and their surroundings. Due to the severity of the symptoms at an early age sometimes and the hope to limit it during adulthood for more effortless daily functioning, some parents find themselves being proactive in adapting and intervening when necessary to achieve family goals, showing that they are aware of their children's needs (Firmin & Phillips, 2009). Considering the lack of an actual cause for ADHD except for the general model of the three main symptoms diagnosis is based on, many how doctors overly diagnose patients with ADHD to avoid misdiagnosis and premature treatment. Consequently, due to the strain, ADHD puts on families and caretakers, parents prefer early diagnosis to receive early medication to keep symptoms manageable and perks earlier for ADHD since the disorder can be hard to deal with (Ainsworth, 2015).

According to the factors regarding the nature of ADHD and symptoms associated with it, Vitulano et al. (2014) claim that from fourth to ninth grade, substance use, such as marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco, can be influenced by the development of ADHD symptoms, which can be affected by peer rejection, school companionship attitudes, and internalizing issues. Ainsworth (2015) mentions that regarding ADHD individuals in educational contexts, heavy reliance on medication strains students, forcing them to apply for similar living arrangements for the condition even after they start university. Which indeed produces unfair learning environments due to the excessive use and reliance on accommodations (Ainsworth, 2015). Biased ADHD diagnoses, and medications for misbehavior or inattention in students, are harmful to both diagnosed and not diagnosed. At such early learning of managing ADHD symptoms, heavy reliance on medication now poses a threat of developing substance abuse disorder when they become adults. This calls for strict monitoring and alternate options to just using medicine to manage the disorder.

Alternative Treatment Options

All children should prioritize their health, but those with ADHD may need to focus even more. Shrestha et al. (2020) claim that according to the 2016–2017 National Survey of Children's Health, there were 5.3 million children in the US with an ADHD diagnosis or 8.8% of the population between the ages of 3 and 17 years. 3.9 million of them are currently taking medication. This is consistent with Ainsworth’s claim that more children receiving ADHD diagnoses and receiving ADHD medication from their parents and teachers rather than being disciplined through physical activity and behavioral therapies are risk factors for dangerous drug dependence. (2015). Shrestha et al. (2020) mention that unlike the original treatment procedure laid out by the American Psychology Association of psychotherapy, first followed by medication, research was done to prove vice versa. However, a multi-randomization study conducted later concluded that starting with behavioral therapy before medication proved more effective (Shrestha et al., 2020). Alternative treatment methods such as training treatments like cognitive training, organization, behavioral management interventions, and physical activity are effective. Besides medications, integrative medicine or cognitive training are also effective alternative treatments for ADHD (Shrestha et al., 2020). Subsequently, Like Shrestha et al. (2020), Ainsworth pushes for alternative treatment options.

Conclusions

ADHD, one of the most widely recognized childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, which some part of society refuses to acknowledge as a medical condition, is a disorder that needs more than just recognition of its symptoms for diagnosis. It also requires Multimodal interventions. Ainsworth Rachel (2015) points out the necessity of preventing misdiagnosis and reducing the rise of ADHD, stating that “parents must also embrace alternatives to the immediate prescription of ADHD stimulant medication.” The erratic ADHD diagnostic methods allow for excessive diagnoses and stimulant treatments, resulting in unfair classroom settings due to excessive disability establishments. Although many parents use some version of complementary and alternative in ADHD, studies show mixed results. It is critical not to dismiss but to consider the implications of extensive ADHD prognosis and the school system. That way, adults and children can avoid the adverse effects of medication reliance. It is pretty evident the abundance of alternative treatment options that prove to be effective besides medication. However, more research on the psyche, physiological, and other inclusive interventions for ADHD is required.

References

Ainsworth, R. (2015). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Excuse or Epidemic? Journal of Law & Education, 44(3), 453-462.

Expert discusses alternative treatment options for ADHD in children. (2005). Brown University Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update, 7(9), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1037/e543002012-001

Firmin, M. W., & Phillips, A. (2009). A qualitative study of families and children possessing diagnoses of ADHD. Journal of Family Issues, 30(9), 1155-1174. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513x09333709

Shrestha, M., Lautenschleger, J., & Soares, N. (2020). Non-pharmacologic management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A review. Translational Pediatrics, 9(S1), S114-S124. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2019.10.01

Soheilipour, F., Shiri, S., AhmadKhaniha, H. R., Abdollahi, E., & Hosseini-Baharanchi, F. S. (2014). Risk factors for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a case-control study in 5 to 12 years old children. Medicine and pharmacy reports, 93(2), 175-180. https://doi.org/10.15386/mpr-1407

Vitulano, M. L., Fite, P. J., Hopko, D. R., Lochman, J., Wells, K., & Asif, I. (2014). Evaluation of underlying mechanisms in the link between childhood ADHD symptoms and risk for early initiation of substance use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 28(3), 816-827. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037504