ADHD Case Study

The treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is a controversial issue between healthcare professional, patients, and parents. As of today, the most common treatment is stimulants. When prescribing stimulants, doctors have to create a specific plan for each patient. They do this because every Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity case and every patient is different. One patient’s symptoms may be completely different than those experienced by another patient. Patients who have experienced inadequate responses to the stimulants either seek to change the stimulant and dosage, or find an alternative treatment solution. Some parents are scared to let their children use stimulants and therefore practice other treatment options. While …show more content…
It has long been thought to be strictly a childhood disorder, occurring in 5.9%-7.1% of the population, but has recently been shown to continue on into adulthood, occurring 5.0% of the population (Childress & Sallee, 2014). ADHD is diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (Pellow, Solomon, & Barnard, 2011). ADHD had a significant impact on a child’s daily functions especially in the classroom. Studies have validated that children with ADHD have a lower IQ than children who do not have ADHD. It affects 5% of children in school worldwide (Prasad et al., 2013). Lower educational achievement and unemployment are closely related to adult ADHD (Childress & Sallee, 2014). Symptoms of ADHD include, hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. When looking for treatment options for these symptoms, scientists discovered …show more content…
Some of these factors are hypersensitivity to foods, Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, and mineral deficiencies: zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and selenium (Pellow, Solomon, & Barnard, 2011). Some parents are more comfortable with changing their child’s diet than giving them stimulant medication. Obtaining proper nutrients are important in the development of a child. If a child is on a fatty diet of “junk food” early in their life, they are more likely to be more hyperactive by the age of 7. This may also lead to a lifelong nutrient imbalance. Research has been done to prove the effectiveness of a restricted elimination diet in children with ADHD. In one study 62% of children with ADHD showed at least a 50% behavioral improvement on the parent rating on both the Conners, and ADHD Rating Scales, and they no longer met the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD (Pellow, Solomon, & Barnard, 2011). Increase in vitamin intake can decrease the symptoms of ADHD. In a 12-week, double-blind study, children showed a reduction in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and impaired socialization after taking 150-mg of zinc sulfate (Pellow, Solomon, & Barnard, 2011). Likewise, calcium and magnesium relax the nervous system and may help to reduce symptoms of ADHD such as, irribility, restlessness, fidgeting, muscle cramps, and