ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects one in twenty school-age children in the United States between the ages of four and seventeen. Each year the percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD rises, as well as the medication children take for ADHD. Research has focused on why a large number of children are being diagnosed with ADHD, what ADHD is and the use of medication, and how nutrients can benefit children with ADHD. Research does not show nutrition over medication. Throughout the United States, ADHD is treated with medication and behavior therapy. In other countries ADHD is treated first with a strict diet and behavior therapy. Doctors hand out medication before considering other …show more content…
Over the last few years there has been a rise in the number of medications approved for usage in adolescents and children to treat mental illness. These medications are approved on the source of short-term value studies, however, not much is known about their long-term effects. In the United States, there are forty-eight different medications alone for ADHD “see Appendix A”. Even though a diagnosis of ADHD and suitable medication has been recognized over many years’ concerns about potential long and short-term adverse effects on appetite, growth and sleep. As well as non-pharmacological restricts the use of medication for treatment. Non-stimulant psychopharmacological medication for ADHD have diverse side effects even though lower comparative efficacy. These aspects have motivated the search for alternative and complimentary treatments, (Powell,