Why ADD/ADHD Isn't A Bad Thing

It's A Sign Of High Intelligence And Creativity

Back in the day, having high energy was a good thing.

Imagine you are living back in the 1700s. Being energetic, and having high-energy kids is a good thing because you need help on the farm and help molding iron to fix your wagon wheel ... after you feed the chickens. Having a high-energy kid to help was a big plus. But, doing more than two things at once doesn't work in today's Western world, and high-energy kids are seen as a problem.

But they're not a problem - they're a blessing. It might take more work on parents and teachers to mainstream their talents, but shutting them down isn't the solution.

... especially when intelligent and energetic kids are made to sit still and quiet for 8 hours a day in a classroom. When you get home from work tired and wanting to rest, participating in chores or sports with a child who isn't tired can also be frustrating.

It's not the child that's the problem in most cases - it's our modern social system.

Putting a smart, high-energy child on medication is NOT the answer. There are natural and nutritional ways to calm down a high-energy child, and make sure your ADD/ADHD child has open spaces, multi-tasks and plenty of chores to do, and lots of room to move around.

Consider homeschooling your high energy child, and be prepared to move through the curriculum quickly - ADD/ADHD children are highly intelligent and they get it fast.

Let me make a disclosure that some children with ADD/ADHD cannot be easily managed - this can be due to medical reasons, the parents having difficulty getting pregnant, or to emotional traumas, but generally speaking, high-energy kids are not mainstream, and need to be handled with different nutritional and social regimens.

ADD/ADHD also occurs in adults because adults are merely the children who grew up and didn't change. This article focuses on children because the children depend on adults to guide them, but if you are a high-energy adult, this all applies to you, too.

Vitamin/Mineral Depletion & Toxic Metals

High energy children (and adults) burn their nutrients out much quicker than a more sedentary child. To balance their energy, they must take rests and have some quiet time. 

They also need to keep their vitamins and minerals in balance to avoid nutrient depletions, which makes them hard to handle when they get hungry.

Never let a high-energy kid get too hungry - feed them whenever you see them slipping out of control - low blood sugar makes them anxious and angry. Feed them protein and a healthy snack, and they'll quickly calm down. 

ADD/ADHD And Addictions

ADD/ADHD kids can have more addictions.

High energy kids have additive tendencies because they are always searching for ways to recharge their batteries and avoid a drop in blood sugar. This makes them susceptible to drug and alcohol additions. 

Heads up with technology addictions, too. Limit their time on iPads and iPhone social networks, and encourage them to develop their talents and become addicted to projects like woodworking, construction, painting, dancing, or sports. Heck, they might do them all at one time!

ADD/ADHD kids also have stronger reactions to medications and toxins, and will express behavior symptoms if they are toxic in the following metals:

Aluminum

Behavioral problems, confusion, energy loss, headaches, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, leg twitching, memory loss.

Copper
Allergies, anxiety, autism, depression, fatigue, fears, hyperactivity, hypertension, insomnia, mental illness, migraines, mood swings, nervousness, panic attacks, paranoia, phobias, schizophrenia, spacey feeling, stuttering.

Cadmium
Alcoholism, growth impairment, headaches, hyperkinetic behavior, hypertension, learning disorders

Arsenic
Nausea, confusion, drowsiness, headaches, nervousness.

Iron
Anger, dizziness, emotional problems, fatigue, headache, hostility, hyperactivity, insomnia, irritability, mental problems, schizophrenia, stubbornness.

Lead

Allergies, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, autism, behavioral disorders, concentration loss, deafness, depression, dyslexia, emotional instability, epilepsy, fatigue, hallucinations, headaches, hostility, hyperactivity, hypertension, decreased IQ, insomnia, irritability, learning disability, loss of will, memory loss (long term), mood swings, nightmares, restlessness, lower IQ, schizophrenia.

Mercury
Allergy, anxiety, brain damage, deafness, depression, discouragement, dizziness, drowsiness, emotional disturbances, fatigue, hearing loss, headaches, more hyperactivity, forgetfulness, insomnia, irritability, loss of self-control, memory loss, mental retardation, nervousness, speech disorders, suicidal tendencies.

Behavior becomes worse when ADD kids get hungry.

Nutrients And ADD

High energy kids burn these common nutrients quickly, and it's always good to do a hair analysis on anyone with ADD/ADHD to determine their nutrient levels. If they are low in these essential elements, try supplementing them at least 4 to 5 times a week, and make sure to feed them foods rich in these nutrients:

Folic Acid

Irritability, sleep disturbances.

Iron

Dizziness, fatigue, slowed mental response, nervousness.

Magnesium

Sleep disturbances, irritability, confusion.

A lack of manganese can cause confusion.

Manganese

Confusion, impaired vision & hearing, irritability, mental impairment, grinding of teeth.

Phosphorus

Fatigue, irritability.

Potassium

Impaired cognitive function, insomnia.

Selenium

Fatigue.

Sodium

Fatigue, confusion, depression, dizziness.

Vitamin B2

Dizziness, inability to sleep.

Vitamin B3

Dizziness, fatigue, headaches, inability to sleep.

Vitamin B5

Fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances.

Vitamin B6

Headaches.

Vitamin B12

Chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, headaches, irritability, mood swings.

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If you or your kids have ADD/ADHD, don't turn to medications before you try changing your learning environment, and get a hair analysis to adjust your nutrient imbalances.

Garden, build bird feeders and owl houses, or work on your car like they did in the 1700s.

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If you want to learn more about healthy living, contact me at janethull.com. Remember that you are never alone when you are looking for good health!

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is educational in nature. The FDA may not have evaluated some of the statements.  This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please discuss with your own, qualified health care provider before adding supplements or making any changes to your dietary program.

Before taking vitamins, consult your doctor; pre-existing medical conditions or medications you are taking can affect how your body responds to multivitamins.

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