Adult ADD/ADHD, Tools and Remedies

Learn to cope with some simple and natural remedies

Jun 3, 2007 Sherry LaBonte

Whether you are newly diagnosed, or a seasoned veteran, adult ADD or ADHD can be made a little easier with proper supplements, tools, and a few coping strategies.

Various food additives are problematic to everyone, but this is especially true for AD/HDers. It has been observed that people with AD/HD have more frequent sensitivities to allergens and toxins. There are a number of food additives that can accentuate the frustrating aspects of AD/HD. If avoided or controlled, one can more fully experience some of the benefits of the creative AD/HD mind.

There are extensive lists of the hundreds of food additives used, and their frequently negative effect, but to keep things simple, try to eat whole organic foods, and foods that have a simple, additive-free ingredients list that you understand. Adding raw fruits and vegetables also have excellent benefits. There are however, some common food additives and pollutants worth avoiding that AD/HDers are very sensitive to.

Avoid

Corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup

Nitrates/Nitrites, often in processed meat

Heavy metals, found in metal fillings, tap water, etc

Artificial Flavors

Pesticides and chemicals on produce

Trans Fats, present in hydrogenated oil or fat, such as margarine or shortening.

Additionally there are numerous herbs and supplements worth investigating and incorporating into your diet.

Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids

B-complex vitamins

Vitamin C and cofactors

Magnesium

Chromium

Gingko Biloba

Gotu Kola

Guarana

Your Toolbox: Timer, Watch, and Organizer

Adult AD/HDers are notorious for forgetting about scheduled appointments, and loosing track of time. There are many tools available to help with day to day needs, such as organization, timeliness, and planning mundane daily chores. Prepare to invest in a system of trial and error, until you find some techniques that work.

Find a calendar system that works for you, either an electronic or bound organizer. It is very important to only have one main calendar that you keep with you for appointments and to-do's. Make it a rule for yourself to check your calendar every morning. Don't complicate things by trying to keep two or more calendars up to date. Calendars and schedules can always be printed or laid open for the family to view and update their own calendars from.

Extremely helpful also is a watch with a quick and easy-to-set timer and alarm system. It is helpful to conveniently set your timer to a twenty minute shopping trip so that it doesn't become a two hour shopping trip. Use your easy to set alarm system to alert you to laundry being done, or preplan how long you are willing to surf the internet and when it is time for bed. Set your alarm when you have 15 minutes left before you have to leave for work. Then reset it when you have 5 minutes left for work.

Zimmerman, Marcia. The A.D.D Nutrition Solution. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1999.

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