| Sometimes it is easy to overlook the possibility that | | | | know about ADHD and the challenges presented by |
| you may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | | | | this common mental health disorder. When all family |
| yourself if you are the parent of an ADHD child. After | | | | members are one the same page it creates a better |
| all, ADHD is a relatively new condition that was still in | | | | overall environment for successful ADHD |
| its infancy when most parent were just getting started | | | | management. |
| on the road of life. Furthermore, young girls were | | | | *Accept the fact your family is different: While not |
| almost never diagnosed with the condition as recently | | | | from another plant, to a non ADHD family it might |
| as 10 years ago, so if you are the mom of an ADHD | | | | seem like you are. The best advice here is to be |
| child the chances of getting help for ADHD symptoms, | | | | realistic instead of trying to fit into perceived societal |
| such as inattention/distractibility, impulsivity, and/or | | | | norms. Embrace the many challenges that come with |
| hyperactivity/restlessness, were virtually zero when | | | | ADHD and find creative, inventive ways to help family |
| you were a child. | | | | members shine. |
| Recent studies have revealed a shocking revelation | | | | *Seek out professional help if needed: Sometimes the |
| for most ADHD parents, and that is if you or your | | | | hole is just too deep with too many family members |
| spouse has adult ADHD, one or more of your children | | | | trying to climb up the ladder at the same time. In these |
| will have it. If that is not enough shock therapy to wake | | | | instances counseling, therapy, coaching, or couples |
| up the dead let me provide you with a few more | | | | counseling can provide an extra ladder, or two, for |
| interesting facts. According to the National Institute of | | | | climbing to safety. It is important to point out that when |
| Health, mental health concerns in parents can | | | | professional help is needed studies show that the |
| dramatically impede an ADHD child's treatment and | | | | success rates are higher when more than one |
| recovery because much of the treatment of attention | | | | approach is used. |
| deficit hyperactivity disorder revolves around parental | | | | What else? For those struggling with ADHD finding an |
| support. Additionally, parents of an ADHD child/children | | | | effective treatment option is an important step. The |
| are three times more likely to separate or divorce | | | | most common form of treatment currently are |
| making successful treatment even more difficult to | | | | prescription stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and |
| achieve. | | | | Vyvanse. While effective, all stimulant medications |
| While there may be extra challenges for ADHD | | | | come with a number of serious label warnings. The |
| families this by no means they can't achieve mastery | | | | risk of side effects, or perhaps lack of success with |
| over attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. | | | | stimulants, has prompted many to investigate other |
| Let's explore a four ideas which might prove helpful: | | | | options. A couple examples of this are behavior |
| *Learn to laugh at the situation: In a ADHD household | | | | modification therapy and/or a natural ADHD remedy. |
| there might be a lot more humor than one might first | | | | Natural remedies for ADHD are a side effect free |
| perceive, especially if you know what to look for. | | | | way to address such problematic symptoms as |
| When things go wrong, as they often do, try to find | | | | inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, erratic behavior and |
| the lighter side of things. This will help to relieve building | | | | hyperactivity and can be used both as a standalone |
| anxiety in both parents and children, promote patience, | | | | treatment or as a compliment to other nonprescription |
| and encourage flexibility when a difficult situation arises. | | | | alternatives. |
| *Make it a family affair: Everyone in the family should | | | | |