ADHD Treatment Options That Address Mind and Body

About 9.4% of U.S. children is diagnosed with ADHD.

That adds up to more than 6 million children dealing with symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness every single day. The numbers in adults are just as troubling, with roughly 5% or 11 million American adults living with ADHD.

In the last few years however, mind-body exercises (MBE) such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness and tai chi have been found to be effective adjunct therapies for ADHD.

But does such activities really do help in managing debilitating ADHD symptoms?

In this blog, we provide insights into why you should consider a holistic approach to your ADHD care involving mental and physical health.

The Neuroscience Behind Mind-Body Practices

Remarkably, these practices drive positive benefits by way of some of the same neurobiological pathways targeted by traditional ADHD medications. For example, yoga and mindfulness can increase activity in brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex that support executive functions including attention control.

In much the same way, aerobic exercise can trigger a production of dopamine and norepinephrine essential for increasing focus and concentration in people with ADHD.

The study also shows how these mind-body practices provide brain changes at both functional and structural levels over time.

Suggested ADHD Care Options

With all the ways that yoga, meditation, and exercise can empower the individual with ADHD, it only makes sense to go holistic in your treatment philosophy.

Programs integrating both conventional and complementary therapies will offer greater benefits than any one treatment modality in isolation. It gives individuals and healthcare providers a broader set of tools through which to achieve effective symptom management.

Here’s how to weave mind-body practices into a comprehensive ADHD care plan:

• Prescribing yoga, mindfulness, or tai chi along with medications and counseling.

• Encouraging regular routines that include physical exercise and movement breaks.
• Teaching breathing and grounding techniques for emotional regulation
• Encouraging improved sleep hygiene via changes in lifestyle​
• Dietary modifications to normalize gluco regulation recommended
• Utilizing biofeedback to enhance cognitive control

The aim is to tackle the various aspects of ADHD in a multimodal approach for the best results. With time and the right support, we can learn new coping strategies, find balance, and begin living.

The Importance of Integrating Mind-Body Practices

Instead of finding out that these mind-body exercises offer unique benefits for managing the symptoms of ADHD given the neurobiological ramifications, it comes as no surprise:

Enhanced Attention Control

Research shows that yoga, mindfulness, meditation or tai chi can enhance selective and sustained attention and resultant concentration and focus. The meta-analysis revealed that MBE interventions demonstrated a sizeable effect to improve attention in individuals with ADHD, with a standardized mean difference estimated to be -0.97.

Decreased Anxiety and Depression

As many as 33% of children with ADHD also have anxiety, and approximately 14% have depression. Many co-occurring conditions are commonplace and, as noted, mind-body techniques can mitigate this by promoting relaxation/mental equilibrium.

Better Emotional Regulation

Practices like yoga increase mindfulness and awareness of the body, helping people tune into and regulate their emotional responses. This helps in better regulating frustrations, reactions and outbursts.

Lessening of Behavior Inhibition

Mind-body exercises also contribute to strengthening behavioral inhibition and control of impulses by the increase in self-awareness, movement-regulated breathing and coordination of movement with cognition.

Higher Quality of Life

Lessening of symptoms combined with better management of emotions/behavior is a formula for a better quality of life for everyone with ADHD.

However, to maximize the benefits, mind-body practices should be included with standard treatments such as behavioral therapies and medication.

We Can Help You Further!

Find out how Potomac Shores Mental Health and Wellness (http://www.potomacshoresmentalhealth.com) can support your mental and physical health goals by visiting our Woodbridge or Falls Church location.

Call us today or book an appointment online to learn more.