What is the effectiveness of natural or homeopathic products?
No systematic study has been carried out, but in any case, I do not believe that these products are very effective compared to currently available medications. I would like to point out that the effect of psychostimulants on behaviour is probably one of the strongest among psychiatric pharmacotherapies. The effect is almost immediate in contrast to all other medications. People are always looking for natural products, medications or treatments that are effective. Finding them would be fantastic, but to my knowledge, they do not exist yet.
-Ridha Joober, MD, PhD, Mini-Psych School 2010
Can learning a musical instrument help cure ADHD?
Music is a useful exercise, but its effect on ADHD has not been proven.
- Ridha Joober, MD, PhD and Natalie Grizenko, MD, 2008
Other than medication, are there other strategies that we can use to control ADHD?
Medication is very effective in controlling the symptoms, and there are studies that have compared medication and other treatments. In most cases, medication alone will help very significantly. Other interventions, such as social skills training, education, school remediation, problem solving, and parental skills training, are also very helpful. The Douglas offers them specifically in cases of ADHD with a coexisting oppositional disorder or conduct disorder. These kinds of interventions become very important.
-Ridha Joober, MD, PhD, Mini-Psych School 2010
Is there an alternative treatment to Ritalin that could be effective without such side effects?
We are all working to find this kind of treatment. The purpose of our work is to find alternative treatments that are effective without side effects. For now, most of the treatments we use have side effects. I can say that the side effects observed with Ritalin are not to the magnitude of the side effects we see in other treatments.
-Ridha Joober, MD, PhD, Mini-Psych School 2010
What natural products help children diagnosed with ADHD?
To date, there is no conclusive data regarding the use of supplements, such as: Omega-3, Magnesium, LTO3, ADD, Caffeine, Sugar-free diet, Acupuncture.
- Ridha Joober, MD, PhD and Natalie Grizenko, MD, 2008
Where can I find help if I have ADHD?
Different programs exist in Quebec, such as the program at the Douglas Institute, and these can provide help in appropriate cases. We suggest that families first consult a general practitioner, who will refer them to a specialist if he or she thinks that a psychiatric consultation is required. There are other types of support for families and children, such as PANDA associations (for parents living with attention deficit disorder) and LDAQ (Learning Disabilities Association of Quebec).
- Ridha Joober, MD, PhD and Natalie Grizenko, MD, 2008
Are sports beneficial for ADHD?
Sports are very beneficial for everyone, but they can indeed help hyperactive children burn excess energy. However, no study has evaluated specific sports programs. Here at the Douglas, we let children participate in sports activities, such as swimming. Since ADHD is associated with a certain immaturity in motor skills, our program helps them improve in this area. It is a myth that hyperactive children become top athletes, as they generally lack the necessary precision and motor skills. There are exceptions: Michael Phelps, who won 7 or 8 Olympic medals, was diagnosed with ADHD as a child.
-Ridha Joober, MD, PhD, Mini-Psych School 2010
Can we get dopamine from other sources, like food?
I don’t think there are ways of manipulating dopamine by dietary means. In terms of serotonin, you can take tryptophan-rich drinks or tryptophan pills to increase serotonin, but this does not work for dopamine.
-Ridha Joober, MD, PhD, Mini-Psych School 2010
