Nutrition as an ADHD Treatment Alternative: The Remedy May Be in the Kitchen.

Written by Shane Perrault, PhD
  
If you are an Entrepreneur with ADHD, you are probably constantly looking for ways to help yourself focus, control your impulses, and make your company succeed.

Using drugs to treat ADHD should only be used as a last resort, and rarely are the best long term solution.  Among non-drug options for managing ADHD, here are Five proven diet strategies:

 Test for gluten sensitivity:In the general population, only 1% of people are sensitive to gluten. However, research has found the sensitivity rates to be much higher in people with ADHD. Your family doctor can check for gluten sensitivity with a blood test. If you are gluten-sensitive, consider removing glutens from your diet. In some cases this can produce dramatic and almost immediate results. Glutens are found in wheat, rye, and barley.

 Avoid high-mercury fish:Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, which can zap your ability to think and concentrate. These potential side effects occur with much lower levels of exposure than for adults. If you have ADHD, you should to avoid high mercury fish. That includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tile-fish.

 Add multi-vitamins and Intracellular Vitamin Analysis: While everyone should take a multivitamin, it is especially important people with ADHD. In addition, Intracellular Vitamin Analysis (a test your family doctor can perform), can provide a better idea of exactly which vitamins and minerals you might need to supplement.

 Add DHA supplements: Studies have found that ADHD is much more common in men with low levels of DHA, an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays a key role in brain function. DHA supplements derived from marine algae, have been found to be quite effective for people with ADHD. Research suggests 400 mg per day are optimal.

 Consider other brain-specific nutrients:Here are five supplements (besides DHA) that should serve as the foundation of an effective ADHD diet: N-acetyl-cysteine, Phosphatidylserine, Alpha lipoic acid, Coenzyme Q-10, and Ginkgo Biloba. All five have been clinically proven to protect the brain and enhance brain function, and I have seen patients enjoy great success using them in my own private practice.

 The Bottom Line
Only your family doctor and you can determine the best way to deal with your ADHD. But these top five nutritional tips may be able to give you the help they need to concentrate and focus more easily and succeed in your business. 

ADHD Assessment: Are you (or an employee) “dis-organized,” or do you have ADHD?

Helping yourself (or an adult employee with ADHD) struggle with “disorganization”, or ADHD can be a challenge. However, determining which one of these is causing the inefficiency can go a long way in your getting the most of their ability.

Determining if a client is “un-organized” is fairly simple. Be around them! On the other hand, determining if a client has (ADHD), and knowing what to do if they have ADHD is not simple at all.

What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently defined as a neurological (brain) disorder.  What is important to know is that ADHD affects both children and adults. ADHD symptoms are characterized by

• disorganization
• inattention
• impulsivity
• hyperactivity.

ADHD is an unusual disorder in that many of its key symptoms are experienced occasionally by the entire population. For instance, who hasn’t forgotten a date, lost something, made an inappropriate comment, daydreamed, made a late payment, or lost track of time.

Here is a test help you distinguish if you (or an employee) are “un-organized,” or actually have ADHD:

Are/Do They…

1. Disorganized?
2. Chronically procrastinate or have trouble getting started?
3. Easily bored?
4. Have many projects going simultaneously, and have trouble with follow-through?
5. Sometimes over focuses on details, at other times appears distracted by everything?
6. Creative, intuitive, and highly intelligent?
7. Impatient; exhibit a low tolerance for frustration?
8. Say what comes to mind, without necessarily considering the timing or appropriateness of the remark?
9. Underachievers, regardless of how much ability they possess?
10. Have trouble going through established channels, following proper procedure?
11. Always on the go as if driven by a motor?
12. Seek out fast paced, exciting activities?
13. Demonstrate an inability to get things done unless there is an absolute deadline?
____________________________________________________________________
GUIDELINE FOR ADHD TEST INTERPRETATION: Since most everyone exhibits these characteristics periodically, when evaluating these behaviors have your client consider the frequency of which these characteristics are exhibited: “once in a while,” “often” or “frequently”. If a their behaviors are “frequently” consistent with 8 or more of these traits, then you are advised to have them seek a professional opinion. (Only a trained professional can truly determine if a person has ADHD, and provide treatment.)

Seven Habits of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs with ADHD.

By Shane Perrault, PhD

So You just found out you (or an employee) have ADHD, or are ADHDish (that is, you have a few symptoms of ADHD). What’s do you do now?

First, don’t panic!

Actually, if you are an entrepreneur you may want to celebrate. Many extraordinary contributions have been made to society by people with ADHD. (See SchwabLearning.org, for a list of “Successful People with ADHD.” This site was set up by Charles Schwab, who has ADHD himself.)

Also, realize creativity and innovation are hallmarks of people with ADHD. For example, if Edison didn’t have ADHD, we might be reading by brighter candle light. So there definitely is a Silver lining here… 

To help you or your employee manage ADHD, and maximize your ability, we recommend the following:

1. Get an ADHD Coach? Because true ADHD is usually neurological, and many ADHDer’s will have difficulties in these areas despite a strong desire and attempts to overcome it.

Traditional methods of coaching often will not work with someone who has ADHD! ADHD coaches offer techniques geared toward working with the unique brain wiring of individuals with ADHD.

I recommend a coach who uses a strength based approach that also employs data driven assessment tools that incorporate objective data about their own ADHD traits and strengths, individual learning style, performance and interactions with others.

2. Stop denigrating yourself, and start celebrating yourself. First, you don’t have a choice of your genetics. ADHD is an inherited, and “will power” alone has little chance against genetics. Next, be happy you don’t have a choice of your genetics. Creativity and “out-of-the-box” thinking, intuition, and resilience are also a genetic traits frequently linked to ADHD.

Believe it or Not,people with ADHD are 300% more likely to start their own business (see The Davinci Method, by Garret Loporto), and many business leaders have ADHD. To name a few accomplished business people with ADHD:

• Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Airlines.
• John T. Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems.
• Ingvar Kamprad, Swedish founder and chairman of IKEA stores, states he adapted the inner workings of his business to compensate for his ADHD and dyslexia.
• David Neeleman founder and CEO of Jet Blue Airways.
• Paul Orfalea the founder and chairperson of Kinko’s.
• Charles Schwabthe founder, chairperson, and CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation, the largest brokerage firm in the U.S.

3. Learn more about your unique positive traits, and develop the specialized skill of harnessing and leveraging your unique creativity and positive strengths.

4. Educate yourself and your employee about ADHD. There are many good ADHD books, websites and support groups out there. For example, “Driven to Distraction,” “The Davinci Nation Method” and “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy” are a few of my favorite books. Also, CHADD.org has a list of support groups and self-help tips and resources.

5. Help yourself or your employee with ADHD accept that they have a need for stimulation. This need fuels their creativity and allows them to be highly effective in high-risk/stress situations. Select activities where these ADHD trait can have a positive impact on your company’s bottom line.

6. Consult a nutritionist who specializes in ADHD. Numerous studies indicate that artificial flavors, colors, and other additives can increase aggression and hyperactive behavior. Avoid sweets and yeast products, and eat nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.

A nutritionist specializing in ADHD can also help you eliminate other foods you may be sensitive to from your diets, and recommend specific nutrient supplements.

7.  Have Fun! Work out, Travel, Friends and Family, Entertainment, and more.

Consider Yoga or Transcendental Meditation, TM. Both increase blood flow to the brain, and that’s important because studies show is people with ADHD frequently have reduced blood flow to the brain.”

 Get your  Balanced Life on…Creativity, Productivity and the Universe insist on it. People with ADHD need Balance to stay outside-of-the box!

These 7 steps will help your or your employees maximize your creativity and other strengths, and realize your personal potential in a fashion that positively impacts their company’s bottom line.

Written by, Shane K. Perrault, PhD who is the Coach and Psychologist at Entrepreneurs with ADHD.

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 301.588.4600.