Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) results in inattention and hyperactivity. It is a neurological brain disorder that generally begins in childhood but persists in some individuals even when they reach adulthood.
While some children outgrow ADD as they get reach teenage, there are almost sixty percent of those who continue to show symptoms of ADD even in later years of their lives. While ADD is not exactly a learning disorder, it can cause severe learning difficulties in those affected by it.
Adults with attention deficit disorder tend to exhibit behavioral, emotional and social problems. They are likely to show signs of depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, low self-esteem, mood swings, substance abuse and poor organizational skills. This can create problems while they are at their work place. Treatments for ADD involve medicines which contain chemicals which might sometimes interfere with other normal body functions. Hence, it is wiser to use home remedies to deal with the symptoms of ADD in order to reduce their severity.
9 Home Remedies For ADD In Adults
Fish Oil
Eating more omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in oily fish, help in better management of symptoms of ADD. Tuna, salmon and trouts are some of the fish which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. You can also consume fish oil supplements which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is very beneficial in dealing with symptoms of ADD in adults. A few drops of this essential oil can be added to the bath of the patient. Soaking in this scented water for half an hour helps release stress and calms down the affected adult. The aroma is also very refreshing and calming. A massage with lavender oil is also very calming.
Eat Protein-Rich Food
Protein rich food increases the production of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. This helps a person focus better. Since, an attention deficit disorder patient has difficulty in concentrating and focusing, consuming more protein-rich food helps decrease the severity of the symptoms of ADD. Eat more protein-rich food like soybeans, milk, eggs, chicken and fish.
Drink Coffee
Drinking coffee could help calm the patients of ADD and help them focus. Most drugs used to treat ADD have chemicals which produce dopamine in the brain which helps overactive minds to focus. Having coffee also increases dopamine levels without any side effects which medications produce. Coffee also has antioxidants and helps increase short term memory. This is useful for adults who have symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Just avoid sweetening your coffee as sugar may aggravate the symptoms of ADD.
Cut Down On Sugar
Sugar has an adverse effect on patients of attention deficit disorder. It causes sudden rise in insulin levels and triggers symptoms of ADD. The patient becomes more restless and it causes mood swings. Cut down on the sugar intake. Avoid artificially sweetened foods and drinks. Replace sugar with honey and avoid desserts.
Increase Water Intake
Water is very important for proper functioning of the body. Adults with ADD should drink plenty of water throughout the day as it helps the body and brain to function well. Just drink plain water. Do not substitute it with caffeinated drinks and beverages, sodas, etc. Keep your body well hydrated by drinking water.
Avoid Food Allergies
Adults with ADD should avoid having certain food items that cause allergies. Blue, yellow and red colored items should be specifically avoided. These trigger the symptoms of ADD. Also, dairy products like milk and cheese may cause allergies in ADD patients, which trigger symptoms like hyperactivity, restlessness and moodiness.
Stress Management
The symptoms of ADD in adults worsen when they are under stress all the time. It is important that they remain in stress-free environment. At least some time of the day should be kept aside for meditation and stress-relieving exercises. A relaxing hobby, like learning a musical instrument, could be very relaxing. Good stress management helps adults with mild ADD symptom deal better with their problems. They become less hyperactive and more focused.
Soaking In The Sun
Studies have proved that people living in high sun intensity areas are less likely to develop ADD. Further research has shown that sun acts to regulate the circadian rhythms of our bodies. A proper circadian rhythms allows our body to maintain our sleep patterns. A disturbance in the circadian rhythm causes difficulty in falling asleep at night. Exposure to lot of sunlight allows us to maintain our circadian rhythm. Hence it is essential that patients of ADD get a lot of sunlight daily. Sleeping well will reduce the symptoms of inattentiveness and hyperactivity in adults with ADD.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.