Hyperactive child
In recent years there has been an explosion in the number of cases of hyperactive children and those with attention deficit. Over two million children in America are currently on medication for ADHD, that is one in every 30 children. Ciba Geigy, who manufacture Ritalin, the “drug of choice”, would have us believe that this is due to “heightened awareness”. Some paediatricians totally deny that the condition exists at all and, instead, blame the symptoms on other reasons, such as food sensitivity or environmental factors. The truth is probably a combination of both these extreme views. We are all more aware of behavioural issues with certain children, and the boundaries between children “playing up” and “pathological” behaviour is very blurred.
Diagnosis
Part of the problem is that the guidelines for making the diagnosis of attention deficit with or without hyperactivity are ill defined and subjective. Some children with the condition are dreamy and “away with the fairies”.
Ironically the treatment is Ritalin, an amphetamine- Speed. A stimulant to treat over-activity. Inadvertently, the Law of Similars, a fundamental homeopathic principle has been borrowed .To diagnose ADHD doctors use a checklist of symptoms. The more symptoms that are ticked and the longer they have been present, the more likely a diagnosis of ADHD. The symptoms are already delectably vague, and then one has to consider whether they are “maladaptive and inconsistent with the developmental level”.
The criteria for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are all listed separately and depending on the score in the three groups one is either labeled as having attention deficit with or without hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Most children will avoid, dislike and be reluctant to do their homework, lose things necessary to do the homework and conveniently turn a deaf ear to parents’ entreaties to get on with it, whilst cheerfully working out how to get to the next level in candy crush!
Causes
No one knows what causes attention deficit and/or hyperactivity. There are numerous theories ranging from it being hereditary to it being a result of the highspeed world in which we live. It is well known that ADHD is more common in single parent families. This may be due to the fact that the hyperactive father cannot sustain a relationship or it could be due to the lack of a suitable male role model for the developing child.
As with most diseases the cause is probably due to a variety of factors. Our parents not only provide us with genes, they also show us how to behave in relation to the world. Whether we are aware of it or not we tend to copy our parents. There are many other role models, some real, others fictional that will influence a child’s development.
Modern life is fast and furious. We have lost the stillness and the tranquillity in the pursuit of a better job and achieving success in a materialistic sense. With women having to work, the decline of the extended family and the sense of community, children are often parked in front of the television or computer for hours on end. They no longer play those imaginative games or escape into a book; there are no outlets for their creativity. School is very competitive in preparation for the big world. Little wonder that some children escape into dreamtime instead of completing their maths homework. And others get fired up by all the extraneous stimulation, and end up racing around like the cartoon character, Roadrunner.
Parents often notice that certain foods make their children even more active. Foods and drinks can, and do, act as stimulants. Colourings and preservatives, sugar, fizzy drinks can all increase activity. Many parents dread children’s parties as the junk food is guaranteed to bring out the worst in their children. With homeopathic treatment this sensitivity to food often disappears, but it is often useful to avoid the foods until there is significant improvement.
Homeopathic treatment
Unlike conventional medicine, homeopathy seeks to treat each child as an individual. There is no homeopathic Ritalin. Each child is assessed as the unique person they are. The remedy must reflect everything about the child. A detailed history is fundamental to the correct choice of remedy. The homeopath will ask about the health of the child and the family, the pregnancy and delivery, early development, vaccinations, life events, schooling, favourite foods, drinks to mention just a few points. The more information gathered, the easier it is to find that custom-made remedy.
Often apparently trifling information will lead to the remedy. Sometimes a drawing made by the child holds the key to the cure. In some cases the onset of the behavioral issues dates to a specific life event. Vaccines may lead to sleep disturbances and behavioral difficulties. There has been much reporting of the possible but as yet unproven association between the MMR vaccine and autism. And what is autism? Inour opinion it is the ultimate detachment from “reality”. Dreamtime becomes the only world some of these children know. Many of them are truly gifted in a creative way. There are numerous examples of the “idiot savant”, the autistic person who can play musical instruments with absolute genius.
Using homeopathy, the adverse effects of vaccines can be overcome, whilst retaining the protection from the infectious disease. Ideally, we prefer to prepare the child for vaccination with a remedy and to space out the vaccines. Injecting a two month-old baby with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria, HIB, and now meningitis C germs, although in a bespoke form, is a huge tension on an immature immune system.
Homeopathy considers every factor, from the genetic component to specific possible causes. The aim of treatment is to stimulate healing at the deepest level, and to allow a gentle return to health. Ritalin and related drugs act by suppressing the symptoms. One common complaint is that the children feel and act drugged, and they lose the good side of their hyperactivity. There is a positive side, which we aim to retain with homeopathy. It is as important to nurture the creative spirit, the imagination, the energy, and the curiosity that these children often show as it is to remove the unacceptable behaviour patterns. So many of these children have wonderful gifts. Homeopathic treatment balances these qualities, so that the child can fulfill his or her true potential.
Ritalin does not allow that to happen. Being a chemical drug it is subject to many side effects. Many children experience headaches, stomach aches, high blood pressure, drowsiness and blurred vision. It has to be taken every four hours, and when the drug is wearing off the children often become even more unmanageable. The Food and Drug Administration has shown that in animal studies Ritalin causes liver cancer. For all these reasons, we feel it is well worth taking time to explore other possibilities.
Looking at diet, lifestyle, environment and family dynamics can well be extremely beneficial. Psychological support is essential for both child and parent(s), whether this is in a formal context such as Behavioural Therapy or Neuro-Linguistic Training, or informally with a support group.
Homeopathy offers a safe gentle healing, and may be combined with other therapies and treatments. we have often used it even when the child is on Ritalin. As the child improves, the dose of Ritalin can be lowered and gradually withdrawn, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.