by Kirby Lindsay, posted 17 January 2014
On Saturday, January 25th, at 10:30a, at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Katherine Raymer, MD, ND, will give a free talk on ‘Understanding ADHD and Treatment Options,’ as part of the Bastyr ‘Living Naturally’ lecture series.
Dr. Raymer serves as a core clinical faculty at the Bastyr Center, has a background in psychiatry, and supervises upper-level student clinicians from Bastyr University’s naturopathic medicine program in the ADHD Wellness Care program. Families can access this program on Thursday evenings at the Bastyr Center to learn more about finding relief from ADHD (Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder.)
Diagnosis, & Treatment
It can be difficult to know when a child – or an adult – has ADD or ADHD. The line remains tough to discern – between having ADHD or simply being inattentive, disorganized, hyperactive, careless or lacking focus. Symptoms can appear different to parents, doctors, and the patient.
Additionally, once given, a diagnosis brings other dilemmas. Both ADD and ADHD are recognized, accepted diagnoses (and is listed in the final word on diagnostics – the DSM-V,) and both are classified as mental disorders. The psychiatric disorders still carry a stigma for some patients, and/or their parents, and can discourage patients from seeking treatment. ADHD and ADD are also considered long-term, possibly life-long, disorders.
Treatments, particularly pharmaceuticals, bring concerns as well. Parents may want to avoid giving drugs to their developing children, particularly drugs classified with morphine and oxycodone. Dr. Raymer recommended a New York Times article, written by Alan Schwarz and titled, ‘The Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder.’ In the article, Roger Griggs, a pharmaceutical executive, described the medication as, “a product that’s having a major impact on brain chemistry.” Patients have questioned the efficacy of the medications, particularly long-term. Finally, the drugs carry side-effects including addiction, insomnia, irritability, psychotic episodes, etc.
“There has been an explosion in the number of prescriptions,” Dr. Raymer acknowledged. The diagnoses of these two disorders have reached 15% among high-school students – although most health care standards put the actual number closer to 5%. Personally, Dr. Raymer does not oppose the use of medications, particularly when they help, but she has also seen natural medicine options and resources help patients, in place of or in addition to, medications.
Sidestep Arguments To Find Relief
Naturopathic treatment can allow practitioners to sidestep arguments about definitions and diagnosis, and focus on improving the lives of patients. After all, the tenets of natural medicine focus not on illness, or treatment, but on improving the life of the individual – and addressing the symptoms.
“We’re not treating a diagnosis,” Dr. Raymer is quoted as saying, “we’re treating a person. That’s where naturopathic medicine is different.”
In her talk, on ‘Understanding ADHD and Treatment Options,’ Dr. Raymer will outline alternative paths for treatment. Dr. Raymer explained that symptoms of ADHD can also be unrecognized and/or untreated depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, etc. Also, the symptoms of ADHD, particularly in children, can also be caused by parenting choices, school situations, social stimuli, etc.
When looking at treatment, Dr. Raymer explained, “the place where I start is lifestyle issues.” With her patient, she looks at nutrition, sleep, and exercise. Exercise has been proven to relieve anxiety and depression, in adults and children. Nutrition can extend to food allergies and deficiencies, to protein intake and leaky gut syndrome, which can all affect development in children. She also includes a look at the spiritual dimension – at where the individual finds meaning and joy in their life.
‘To Feel Better’
“The vast majority of the time people want help. They want to feel better,” Dr. Raymer remarked. A diagnosis is not always the task of a naturopathic practitioner, although at Bastyr they can delve into that, but they can also shift emphasis from placing a diagnostic label to actual improvement in the lives of the patient and those around them.
As to the discussion on January 25th, “I really like to gear talks to the needs of the audience,” Dr. Raymer observed about her Living Naturally lecture. She will share on ‘Understanding ADHD’ and the specifics spelled out in the DSM, including how ADD and ADHD present in children and adults. However, she plans to let her discussion help attendees to find solutions and answers about this oft-misunderstood diagnosis.
While most Living Naturally lectures can be seen on the Bastyr YouTube channel, Dr. Raymer’s talk on ‘Understanding ADHD and Treatment Options’ will not be recorded or televised. Please attend to get answers to your questions.
For those unable to attend, contact the Bastyr Center for Natural Health directly.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know when a child has ADD/ADHD, and when they are just being a kid. Find insight at 10:30a on January 25th at the Bastyr Center!
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©2014 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.