Role of homoeopathy in Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

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Introduction

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological based developmental disability resulting from chemical imbalance or deficiency in certain neurotransmitters which help brain to regulate behaviour. It is a condition in which a person’s inability to focus and concentrate on a task purpose interfere with his or her ability to be productive.

ADHD is characterized by:

Ø Inattention, increased distractability and difficult sustaining attention. Ø Poor impulse control, decreased self-inhibitory capacity. Ø Motor over activity & motor restlessness.

Incidence ▪ Affects approximately 8-10% of school age children ▪ Males are 3-6 times more likely to have ADHD ▪ Studies of twins suggest a significant genetic contribution causing ADHD Associated factors

1. Genetic Cause

§ Disorder often runs in family § Studies of twins shows strong genetic influence

2. Environmental agents

§ Use of cigarettes & alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk § High level of lead in body

3. Brain abnormality

§ Brain structure: smaller basal ganglia and reduced frontal lobe activity is seen sometimes. § Neurotransmitters: Level of serotonin, dopamine & adrenalin are usually seen normal.

4. Brain trauma

§ Brain trauma during pregnancy, delivery or immediately after birth increase the risk of ADHD Symptoms of ADHD For diagnosing ADHD in a patient he/she must have the following behavioral disturbances:-

I. Hyperactive – impulsive

▪ Fidgeting or squirming with hands or feet ▪ Excessive running or climbing in inappropriate situations ▪ Difficulty in playing quietly ▪ Always seeming to be on the go, it seems as if driven by a motor ▪ Excessive talking often ▪ Blurting out answers before hearing the full questions ▪ Difficulty for waiting for turn or in line ▪ Problems with interrupting or intruding. ▪ Often interrupts or intrudes others

II. Inattentive

▪ Inability to pay attention to details or tendency to make careless errors in homework or other activities ▪ Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities ▪ Apparent listening problems, does not seem to listen when spoken to directly ▪ Difficulty following instructions ▪ Problems, difficulty organizing tasks and activities ▪ Avoidance or dislike of tasks that require mental effort. ▪ Tendency to loose things like toys, notebooks or homework. ▪ Distractibility, often distracted by external stimuli ▪ Forgetfulness in daily activities.

Confirm the diagnosis of ADHD ▪ Minimum six signs of hyperactivity or inattention should be present. ▪ Symptoms are excessively inappropriate to the child’s age. ▪ Creating a real handicap in atleast two areas of child’s age. ▪ Symptoms must persist in two or more settings. ▪ Symptoms must not be secondary to other disorders.

Treatment ▪ Medical treatment ▪ Psychotherapy ▪ Speech therapy ▪ Remedial education plan ▪ Under treatment a long follow up is required as the symptoms will be cured slowly.

Homoeopathy offers a number of great remedies for the treatment of ADHD. There are many medicines which can be prescribed on the basis of symptom similarity in cases of ADHD like Sulphur, Tarentula, Tuberculinum, Phosphorus, Veratrum, Argentum Nitricum, Carcinosin, Bufo Rana, Anacardium Orientale, Cina etc. Start observing as soon as the child comes to you. A good case taking with choosing a right similimum remedy and a long continued follow up of the patient can cure almost every case of ADHD. Tuberculinum- Disobedient, Courageous; carefree nature, but basically anticipatory fears. Likes solitude, does not want to be disturbed. Obstinate and angry especially towards their parents. Restlesness, desire to wander. Likes fast motion, cars, moving objects. Desire to break things which are parents’ most prized possessions. Pulls his hairs, self-torture.

Tarentula – Hyperactive and destructive, does not have any kind of inhibitions, is not at all afraid of anything. Tremendous energy, threatens even try to become physical. Movements are abrupt and uncontrolled like a spider, usually curly hairs. Throws objects.

Anacardium Orientale – Hyperactive, Destructive. Overstrict Parents having much expectations so the child reacts by disobedient unsocial behavior. Timid, shrieking, Under control of two wills, Violent anger, irresistible desire to curse and swear. Hardhearted, Cruel towards animals or people, malicious destructive, ill-natured children Fear of examination. Contradictory impulses, laughs at serious things and serious at laughable things.

Bufo Rana –Child is Destructive Stupid Besotted appearance, thick lips open mouth may be Hyperactive, deceitful, tears things. Fears animals and strangers, Shameless, wants to be naked. Idiocy, disposition to handle genitals, constant licking of lips or playing with tongue. Desires solitude, but afraid o being alone, masturbation in children Many cases of ADHD have approached us and Homoeopathy has given wonderful results in children diagnosed to be suffering from ADHD. Two wonderful cases are discussed below treated with Sulphur and Tarentula.

Two cases of ADHD Case I Parents with their 2yr old baby boy, Rohan, came to my clinic on 23-08-2022 with hyperactive complaints of the baby. He was a lean thin baby with great restlessness, weighted only 10 kgs at the age of two. His parents said he has violent behavior, having the tendency to break everything including his play materials with the expression of extreme anger in his face. He never sits quiet at a place. He used to bite and hit his father, grandmother and anyone in house. He always wants to go out and play. Very stubborn, if his needs were not fulfilled then he throws things in anger until that object breaks. His mother told that when he scolds him on his mischief, he never pays attention and makes funny expressions on his face to deviate her mother’s attention. On further inspection his parents told he is hot patient, doesn’t like to wear sweaters or caps even in winter, takes away his coverings at night. His appetite was low but he is very thirsty, always asks for water. He had also the complaints of constipation; goes for stool once in two or three days. On enquiring about his mother’s obstetrical history she said, his head was delivered by Ventouse extraction method. Except these symptoms I got nothing important. On the basis of the case history and symptoms medicine selected was Tarentula Table 1: Treatment & Prognosis Treatment & prognosis 23-08-2022 Patient’s restlessness reduced 1 dose 5-09-2022 He is much attentive than before Constipation completely cured PL 21-09-2022 He is much attentive than before Constipation completely cured Tarentula 30 1 dose 10-10-2022 He listens to his parents, plays With his toys His weight increased to 13 kgs PL 29-10-2022 His parents said his habit of continuous Speaking reduced, now he remains at a place for long time than before Tarentula 30 1 dose His treatment continued till 13-03 -2023, when almost all his complaints reduced, his violent attack on things has reduced much, most importantly his aggressiveness in facial expression has disappeared. He has turned much attentive. His weight also increased to 16kgs. He is much better now. He was given some psychotherapy classes. Now under placebo therapy. Case II A 6 yr old child Akshat was bought to my clinic, very hyperactive and restless, not able to concentrate on studies or on any other work. Very poor in studies. Aggressive, fights and beats other children and tear their books. Disobedient. Destructive, all his books are torn and toys broken. Likes to play with phones, computers. Desires sweets. Thirsty all time. Not listening to parents if they scold him he would in turn back answer them. On the basis of symptoms and case history medicine selected was Sulphur.

Treatment and Follow up Table 2: Treatment and Follow up Treatment and Follow up 20th March, 2023 Sulphur 200 1 Dose 5th April, 2023 Destructiveness and restlesness reduced than before PL 20th April, 2023 Calm, restlessness reduced, much better,listens and obeys PL 5th may, 2023 No complaints from school, Parents were surprised but happy PL 20th May, 2023 Sittting calmly in clinic, Obeying the orders given PL 20th June,2023 Improved in studies Sulphur 200 1 Dose 15th July, 20023 Placebo contd 6th Sep, 2023 No further complaints PL for 1month 10th Oct, 2023 Child has normal activities, improved in studies. Calm, Quiet become obedient