Attention Deficits: ADD, ADHD, Hyperactivity
Jay L. Glaser, MD.
Lancaster Ayurveda Health Centers, 153 Sterling Road, Sterling, MA 01564. 978-422-5044.
One of the most practical methodologies for evaluating children whose parents complain of behavioral problems and who ask me if their child could have ADD is to do this assessment in the light of Ayurveda. This approach gives a practical means to individualize the initial therapy, including interventions such as diet, play activities, sleep routines, and adjunctive medications.
Type I is a child with an Ayurvedic vata imbalance. Aggravated vata is characterized by excessive movement, irregularity or shifting in the physiological functions and nervous system, quickness and lightness. This child is the only one that could carry the epithet ADHD, since it is the only type that is truly hyperactive. These children tend to shift attention quickly, are in constant motion. They are distracted from eating and tend to burn calories easily, thus they tend to be underweight. The child does not sit still long enough to be bullied, and may tend to frustrate other children who attempt to initiate interactions. After the evaluation, the contents of my office have been totally displaced. This child is sensitive to stimulant medications, often responding to small amounts.
Type II children are characterized by aggravated pitta dosha, which is excessively sharp, intense, heating and inflamed. This ADD child is not hyperactive as much as frustrated, constantly irritable, angry and violent. They may tend to bully other kids. After the evaluation the contents of my office are more likely to be broken than displaced. This child is often made worse by stimulant medications, and often responds to being held and talked to sweetly, as hard as that may be for the caregiver.
The Type III child has kapha aggravations in the nervous system, usually not in the physiognomy however. Kapha aggravation is characterized by inertia, stickiness, heaviness, torpor, obstruction and lethargy. Kapha type ADD children therefore are characterized as being stuck on a task or preoccupation that is not the one at hand. In this sense they may seem hyperactive because they are distracted and distractible, but usually by the same preoccupations. They are difficult to get out of bed in the morning and are perceived as stubborn and unteachable, thus creating anger in the caregiver or teacher. After the interview the office is intact. They tend to be bullied by other children, usually a Type II. They may respond to stimulant medications, often requiring surprisingly large doses, but the effect is not paradoxical, but actually need stimulation. This child can be managed just as easily by other stimulants than adrenergic ones, including herbs, as well as by behavioral methods.
At Lancaster Ayurveda Medical Center we see these children for initial evaluations and follow-up consultations and are attempting to quantify our results so that other families can benefit from our encouraging experience to date.
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