There is no cookie-cutter treatment for ADHD and no one method can universally be applied to all. After all, ADHD is a multifaceted condition and each individual is uniquely complex. A alternative treatment that works well for one person might do nothing at all for another person.

Often, a alternative treatment for ADHD that addresses body, mind and spirit – the holistic (whole) view – is most effective. A holistic treatment for ADHD looks at the whole person rather than just treating the symptom. We take the “throw everything against the wall and see what sticks” approach. Try many approaches, keep what works and discard the rest.

There are many alternatives to ADD ADHD drug therapy. Some are backed by solid research while others rely on observational studies, theory or anecdotal accounts. The alternatives to ADD ADHD drug therapy listed below are those backed by solid, scientific research.

Nutritional Therapy as a Holistic Treatment for ADHD: The holistic treatment for ADHD that has received the most scientific research to date is nutrition therapy. Study after study conducted in the field of nutrition, Attention Deficit and neurological functional continue to point to the need for increased amino acids and fatty acids for optimal brain functioning. Since the typical American diet is highly deficient in the Omega 3 family of fatty acids and many essential amino acids, nutritional supplementation might be necessary.

Homeopathy, A Alternative Treatment for ADHD: Homeopathy is similar in concept to that of vaccination. Homeopathic treatment involves the use of very small doses of substances given to cure symptoms, when the same substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms. The idea here is to stimulate the body's own healing and defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness.

Homeopathic ingredients are organic compounds derived from natural substances that come from plants, minerals, or animals that are essential in minute amounts to the growth and health of an animal. Although a homeopathic ingredient begins as one substance, they are diluted and succussed so that generally not even a molecule of the original substrate or medicine is present in the final homeopathic product. Since homeopathic preparations are very diluted mixtures of natural substances, they are safe and without side effects. Homeopathic remedies are not known to interfere with conventional drugs.

Biofeedback as Alternatives to ADD ADHD Drug Therapy: Biofeedback has emerged as a alternative treatment for ADHD over the past two decades. Biofeedback trains the brain to control its own brainwave activity through immediate feedback. Biofeedback can help improve sleep patterns, decrease anxiety and depression and manage attention and out of control emotions. It should be noted that people with ADHD generally respond better to biofeedback than do people with learning disabilities or conduct disorders generally.

Patients usually need between 30 and 40 sessions to effectively control their brainwave activity. The downside of this holistic treatment for ADHD is cost. Biofeedback can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on provider charges. Home biofeedback machines can provide a cost-effective alternative to therapist-directed treatment.

NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) as a Holistic Treatment for ADHD: NLP reprograms negative beliefs and attitudes through a variety of techniques drawn from psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and linguistic analysis. NLP has no documented adverse side effects. NLP tends to work quicker than biofeedback, and at significantly less cost. If using a practitioner, find one with specific ADHD experience and training. There are also a wide variety of books, videos, DVDs and CDs available for people interested in self treatment.

Behavior Modification / Counseling as Alternatives to ADD ADHD Drug Therapy: Counseling and behavior modification as a holistic treatment for ADHD is the most accepted and mainstream of alternative treatments. Working with a therapist, and specifically with a therapist to address behavior modification is typically used as an adjunct instead of a replacement to prescription ADHD medications. When looking for a counselor, it is important to find one with specific experience and training in the field of Attention Deficit.

Chiropractic, A Alternative Treatment for ADHD: Studies suggest that chiropractic manipulation can help with ADHD and attention issue. Chiropractic works best for those whose ADHD symptoms are caused by spinal nerve pressure or irritation. Childhood injuries, traumatic births, scoliosis and other injuries can place the nervous system out of alignment. Many chiropractors incorporate chiropractic adjustment alongside diet modifications and nutritional supplementation.

Acupuncture/Acupressure as Alternatives to ADD ADHD Drug Therapy: Acupuncture follows a similar vein of thinking as chiropractic but instead of aligning the spine, acupuncture works to align and balance energy paths within the body. Acupressure is used for children who have a fear of needles. Like the chiropractor, the acupuncturist might also include nutritional, herbal and homeopathic remedy treatment alongside acupuncture or acupressure.

Nature as a Holistic Treatment for ADHD: One study looked at the effects of the great outdoors on ADHD symptoms. A 2004 study showed that ADHD children had a significant reduction in their symptoms when they spent time outdoors enjoying nature. Researchers of this nationwide study recruited 322 ADHD boys and 84 ADHD girls between the ages of 5 and 18. The parents of these children were interviewed and asked to report how their children performed after participating in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities.

Researchers found that ADHD symptoms were greatly reduced when children spent time in green outdoor settings (as opposed to outdoor settings without vegetation). Researchers believe that simply incorporating nature into a child’s day could be widely effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.

Classical Music, A Alternative Treatment for ADHD: Studies show that classical music can be an important factor in boosting learning, memory retention, and communication skills. One study, citing the “Mozart Effect,” showed that listening to Mozart can improve an IQ score by up to 13 points.

Researchers also found that classical music helps listeners become relaxed and attentive, even when the study participants do not like classical music. Listening to classical music also provided health benefits such as lower blood pressure, lower muscle tension, and a slower pulse rate.

A 2004 study showed that classical music used in conjunction with biofeedback produced better effects than using biofeedback alone as a alternative treatment for ADHD. In this controlled study of 19 children and adolescents with ADD, one group listened to Mozart during biofeedback sessions while the control group underwent biofeedback without music. The Mozart group displayed better focus and mood control, diminished impulsivity and improved social skill. Among the subjects that improved, 70 percent maintained that improvement six months after the end of the study without further training.