Appetite loss and poor weight gain are among the most common ADHD medication side effects, especially during the effective hours of the drug. However, not all children with ADHD take stimulants to manage their symptoms. Kids with co-morbid disorders like learning disabilities, anxiety, or depression sometimes take drugs like tricyclic antidepressants, which boost the levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Although this class of drugs do not have the same addictive potential as stimulants, tricyclic antidepressants side effects often include weight gain, which can be a source of complex self-esteem issues. What can you do if your child's ADHD medications are causing weight gain?
Consider ADHD natural treatments
Thanks to advances in brain imaging technologists, researchers have discovered a startling fact - depression, learning disorders, and ADHD symptoms are all just signs of the same underlying problem. This underlying problem is called a "functional disconnection syndrome", a condition where the left and right hemisphere of the brain has difficulty working together. In order for the brain to accomplish basic tasks, the left and right hemisphere has to communicate with each other and stay on the same wavelength. If one hemisphere is out of sync or underdeveloped, a functional disconnection occurs, and the individual has difficulty doing basic mental tasks like paying attention. Since the brain also controls other bodily functions, children with functional disconnection syndrome also experience problems with motor skills or sensory integration. A comprehensive ADHD treatment using natural methods can address this underlying problem, effectively eliminating the signs of ADHD and its co-morbid disorders. Best of all, natural ADHD treatments do not cause major side effects like weight gain.
Stock up on nutritious foods
Sometimes, the weight gain is due to increased appetite, another common side effect of certain medications. Instead of satisfying food cravings with junk food and other empty calories, have a lot of nutritious snacks on hand. Peanuts, dried fruit, or toasted peas are just some of the things that can satisfy the munchies.
Encourage good eating habits
The key to eating healthy is balance, moderation, and variety - offer a wide variety of foods that do not have too many calories or too much of a single nutrient. You can do this by:
1) Providing moderate portions. Portion out your child's food and keep the sizes reasonable. This will make it easier for your child to eat the food he or she likes and keep a healthy weight.
2) Eating regular meals. Out-of-control hunger and overeating is sometimes caused by skipping meals. Make sure your child eats three well-portioned meals a day.
3) Eating at the dining table. When your child eats in front of the television or computer, he or she is unaware of how much food is being consumed. Encourage mindful eating by restricting meals and snacks to the dining table.
Encourage exercise
Physical activity not only burns calories and accelerates healthy weight loss; it also releases pent-up energy and balances mood. If your child is not fond of sports, choose physical activities that might interest him or her, such as riding bikes through the park or jumping on a trampoline.
Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is ADHD.
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