What therapeutic approaches are available without medication?
Physical, occupational and other physical therapies Physical activity has a direct influence on cognitive performance, this approach can therefore improve concentration and other aspects Psychotherapy To increase well-being and avoid common associated psychological problems, thus improving quality of life despite symptoms Diet, lifestyle To support physical and mental health, e.g. omega-3 fatty acids to increase concentration Alternative methods Meditation, neurofeedback, relaxation techniques, self-help groups
- Education and behavioural therapy Understanding the symptoms and dealing with them correctly is the foundation for any further therapy
- The understanding of the symptoms and the correct handling of them are the foundation for any further therapy
- Physical, ergonomic and other physical therapies Physical activity has a direct influence on cognitive performance, so this approach can improve concentration and other aspects
- Physical activity has a direct influence on cognitive performance, so this approach can improve concentration and other aspects
- Psychotherapy To increase well-being and to avoid frequently associated psychological problems, thus quality of life despite symptoms
- To increase well-being and to avoid frequently associated psychological problems, thus quality of life despite symptoms
- Nutrition, lifestyle To support physical and mental health, e.g. omega-3 fatty acids to increase concentration
- To support physical and mental health, e.g.
omega-3 fatty acids to increase concentration
- Alternative methods meditation, neurofeedback, relaxation techniques, self-help groups…
- Meditation, neurofeedback, relaxation techniques, support groups…
- The understanding of the symptoms and the correct handling of them are the foundation for any further therapy
- Physical activity has a direct influence on cognitive performance, so this approach can improve concentration and other aspects
- To increase well-being and to avoid frequently associated psychological problems, thus quality of life despite symptoms
- To support physical and mental health, e.g. omega-3 fatty acids to increase concentration
- Meditation, neurofeedback, relaxation techniques, support groups… The positive influence of physical activity in hyperactive ADHD is well known. But also in ADHD many patients benefit from regular sports units, which, once designed, can improve their concentration and also increase self-esteem and social competence, such as team sports.
However, this form of therapy is less suitable for very shy and anxious patients who do not enjoy sports. Occupational therapy does not practice individual movements, as in physiotherapy, but specific actions from everyday life. This should help the patients to plan and complete an action, which is often difficult for them in everyday life.
Occupational therapy does not lead to a proven improvement in ADHD, but it can help patients to cope with their everyday life and ensure that they can live better with their attention deficit disorder. Neurofeedback uses EEG electrodes on the patient’s head to graphically display their brain activity on a screen. To simplify matters, this is usually not done as a typical wavy line, but as a shape or figure that changes with changes in brain activity.
In this way, patients can become aware of their brain processes and, ideally, learn to control them better. This method can be designed as a game, especially for children. Many ADHD patients find it easier to work with animals than with people.
The inclusion of an animal in therapy units ensures a relaxed therapy situation, especially for children, in which they can better master concentration and attention training and increase their psychological well-being. Pets can also strengthen children’s sense of responsibility and contribute to relaxation, but the well-being of the animal should be taken into account and therefore no rash purchases should be made. According to the principle of homeopathy, the patient receives very small amounts of a substance which, in higher doses, could trigger the exact symptoms against which he or she is taking it. This sounds paradoxical, but it is effective in many areas of medicine because it helps the body to restore its own inner balance. In the case of ADHD, agaricus as well as sulphur are the most common substances to consider.
