HI: has anyone ever heard of using Ginkgo Bilba for treating a child with ADD? Do you know if it works?
Thanks.

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ohboy

your on the right path..Stay away from pharmecutical psych-drugs.

Hi - Not sure about Ginko Beloba but I am having some success with Fish Oils.

My 2 cents on Meds for what its worth. I believe them to be helpful for many who have exhausted all other options and need to manage and function in the world. Being horribly disorganized or inattentive/spacey/or Hyperactive is like a living hell. I ignore the anti-med advocates and while I do feel diet/ theraputic methodologies can do wonders, its up to the individual and the desire they have to seek out alternative solutions. Some have so little attention that all they can do is take Meds.

Here is my take on Meds to children and I hope others read this and pay extra close attention to their children who currently take Ritalin etc, please read below:

When I was diagnosed 12 years ago with ADD, My doctor put me on Ritalin. Initially it was a wonder drug for me, and I became hugely successful due to increased ability to focus and get things done. I noticed however, over a period of 6 months, my moods would become very dark, strange sexual ideas would pop into my head, risky behaviors and I knew something was wrong and knew it was Ritalin. I called my Dr and went on Dex. After a month of the wonderful benefits, again I experienced the same mental side effects and was frustrated because the benefits were great, but I was afraid I would do something harmful to myself. I finally found a Med that does not give me the same side effects and of course it is years later and I have looked at my diet/therapy and am more educated about my body/mind etc.
How would a 7 year old child be able to communicate this if he/she had the same reaction? I as an adult could be aware and take action. A child on the other hand, might keep it a secret due to his/her need to keep up with the others and this could have horrible consequences. I have never posted like this before, but imagine if this was your child? They do not have the maturity to make this distinction and could one day decide to commit harm or even suicide. Additionally, the more secrets a child or adult keeps, the less present they are in their lives, the little attention they do have, is used for keeping secrets. It can become a vicious downward spiral, yet parents may never know this is happening.

I have two children, neither are medicated but if they were, I would take additional measures and check in with them daily and work with a therapist to make sure you know how to uncover what is beneath the surface. Kids learn quickly how to pretend everything is fine, and if you have ADD, you become a very clever and resourceful type of person in order to fit in with everyone else. Hiding/Secrets appear to be common, at least in my opinion.

If others disagree, that is fine with me but if one parent reads this and takes a closer look at their child and looks for subtle signs even though progress appears to be happening, they need to look further to make sure all is well with that child.

A suggestion would be to have your child keep a med journal and put down his feelings. You might find a subtle clue and save a life or prevent some type of injury or problematic event.
Sorry to be so long winded but I feel pretty passionate due to my own experiences in addition to what I have researched.

Wil

My daughter was diagnosed with ADD when she was 5. She could never take stimulants because they always made her irritable and grumby among other symptons. She was on anti-depressants for awhile until a few years ago when she suffered a petit mal seizure. She is now 13 years old and has been on "focus factor" for a couple of years. She no longers get all the symptons that come along with taking drugs. Though she does well with "focus factor, she is still having problems in school with some of her academics. Until recently I decided to try another nutritional supplement called "attend". She has been on this supplement for about two weeks and what I have noticed is that she takes more time in her hand writing than she use to. This is a big plus for her because her papers are neat and not sloppy. I keep monitoring her on a daily basis and adjust the dosage accordingly.

I have no regrets with taking her off all the medications. My daughter is alot happier and
healthier.

I wish you success in finding the right nutritional supplement.

Regards,

Happy Mother

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[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 01-22-2003).]