Around 62 percent of kids diagnosed with ADHD are currently taking medication to ease their symptoms, but many of the popular drugs available are associated with undesirable side effects like insomnia and decreased appetite.1 This is why many parents are turning to over-the-counter (OTC) medication, but even this route can be confusing as there are so many options to choose from. We’ll help you break down the differences among natural vs OTC vs holistic ADHD medication for kids. We’ll also share some tips on how to treat ADHD in children at home.
How to Calm ADHD Symptoms in Kids
Treating ADHD symptoms in kids may involve a bit of trial and error. What works for one child can be unsuccessful for another, but one thing we emphasize at Brillia is that adhering to a healthy lifestyle is a crucial step for all. Our 5-Pillar Approach combines
neuroscience and behavioral science to maximize results of our non-stimulant homeopathic over-the-counter medication. We have found that ADHD symptoms are best managed when making the following lifestyle adjustments as part of a holistic plan:
- Following a nutritious diet and minimizing the intake of sugar and processed foods
- Getting adequate sleep
- Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, nature therapy, and more
- Controlling screen time, which has been shown to exacerbate ADHD symptoms
Adjusting your parenting style can also work wonders for your child and set them up for success. Using positive reinforcement, modeling appropriate behavior, and being consistent with rules are some examples. See some other parenting tips here.
Some parents also find that therapy can dramatically improve ADHD symptoms and calm their children. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one such goal-oriented option that aims to change a patient’s negative patterns of thinking and alter the way they feel about themselves and their abilities. Explore other forms of ADHD treatment here.
And while many children do take stimulant and non-stimulant medications for ADHD, there is evidence that shows many of these drugs merely mask symptoms instead of addressing the root causes of their symptoms. Harmful side effects are one of the primary reasons that many parents turn to natural solutions and homeopathic remedies.2
Improve focus and clarity.Can ADHD Symptoms Be Reduced With Homeopathic Medicine?
In addition to healthy lifestyle changes, homeopathic medication like Brillia can help your child manage their ADHD symptoms. Brillia is a non-prescription, non-stimulant medication that uses antibodies to the brain-specific S100 protein (S100B), an important regulator of various different intracellular and extracellular brain processes. Brillia works by stopping the S100B protein from acting in the body by changing its shape, consequently regulating levels of anxiety and hyperactivity. Children who take Brillia and follow the 5-Pillar approach experience enhanced clarity, improved focus, reduced restlessness and less irritability. Even more, because Brillia does not contain harsh chemicals, there are no harmful side effects and no contraindications. If your child is already taking another prescribed medication, Brillia can be added to their regimen without worry.
Some parents have also found success in treating their children’s ADHD symptoms with herbal remedies and dietary changes. The most common herbal remedies include ginkgo biloba, gotu kola, and ginseng.3
What Types of ADHD Treatments Are Most Effective?
While medications like Ritalin and Adderall are often prescribed by doctors to treat symptoms of ADHD, parents should be wary of the many side effects associated with stimulant medication. These include sleep problems, decreased appetite, moodiness, headaches, dizziness, stomach aches, dry mouth, and nervousness. Even some non-stimulant prescription medication like Strattera and Tenex have been shown to cause nausea, weight loss, fatigue, and mood swings in some users.4
There are also a variety of OTC medications described as “Adderall knock-offs” that contain synthetic amphetamines, which may cause jitteriness, heart palpitations, and uneasiness in users.5
Some herbal remedies like ginkgo biloba have also been linked to undesirable side effects such as headache, dizziness, and heart palpitations.6 Ginseng has been associated with headaches, insomnia, and rapid heartbeat.7 Accentrate, another popular nutritional supplement, claims to help brain function, but they do not address the symptoms of anxiety, hyperactivity, or mood disorders effectively. The nutrients in such supplements are actually better absorbed if they are consumed in their natural state and not processed into a supplement.
Brillia is unique in addressing the root causes of ADHD symptoms and working in tandem with healthy lifestyle changes to provide lasting effectiveness. The medication is available without an official diagnosis or prescription and has zero harmful side effects or contraindications with other medication. In many cases, parents have switched to Brillia from prescription drugs, though it is always advised to consult your doctor first before stopping any medication.
See what other parents say about their experience with Brillia and check out our verified science for a more in-depth look into why our approach works.
References: 1https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html, 2https://www.understood.org/articles/en/adhd-medication-side-effects, 3https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/herbal-remedies, 4https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/adderall-knockoffs-unapproved-potentially-dangerous/story, 5https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4757677/, 6https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-ginkgo/art-20362032, 7https://www.healthline.com/health/careful-about-ginseng
