Have you ever received a food allergy test? Many disorders are results of food allergies. Check out The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book. It has some interesting facts regarding food allergies and some great recipes. Also try massage, it helps to stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system which helps you relax more. There are also many studies you can look up on massage and ADD. I would suggest going to a Naturopath for some specific natural remedies.

Diet & management skills can help greatly. You could read more on holistic options for management in this book or on general drug free options here

I have cared for many boys with ADD in my past as a babysitter/caretaker. Holistic would be my number one approach if I noticed my child or myself had this. While the drugs can help. They can also cause obesity, along with mental & physical slowness.

I would be wary of self-diagnosing yourself with ADD. Racing thoughts could be a consequence of a number of things, and late-onset ADD is unusual (some people aren’t diagnosed until later in life, but they’ve had symptoms their whole lives; you on the other hand seem to have new symptoms.) For example, being in a manic state can lead to racing thoughts, and poor concentration can also be a manifestation of depression. Yet another (non-psych) possibility is hyperthyroidism, which can lead to an overall hypermetabolic state as well as having difficulty concentrating. Your best bet is to speak with a professional before jumping the gun on the ADD diagnosis.

I have ADD and I’ve been diagnosed. The thing is that when I drink anything with caffeine, I slow down. I start to feel more tired and I just don’t like the feeling hahaha. I mean it doesn’t make me sick I just don’t like to slow down. Caffeine has the opposite effect on people with ADD; you should try (:

First of all, if you have had difficulties concentrating lately, but have been able to do it before, it is unlikely you have ADD. It is more likely something has changed in your life that bothers your concentration, and you need to find out what it is and either change it back, or wait until it blows over (depending on what it is).

So first check that you have all the very basics well that you need for to be able to achieve any goals: that you get enough sleep, eat somewhat healthy, get some exercise, do not drink too much caffeine or alcohol, are not unhappy about something that takes your mind off reading, have enough things in your life that interest and relax you.

If all those check, I recommend you talk to a professional before trying any remedies.

I second @AlyxCaitlin. I am diagnosed, have all the symptoms of ADD. I drink a lot of coffee at work because it helps me focus. I can drink 8 – 10 cups of coffee at work, and sleep all night. I don’t drink it at all on the weekends.

If you are studying in your room, make sure everything is picked up and clutter is at a minimum. Cluttered environment contributes to inability to focus. Also, turn off your cell phone so you aren’t interrupted. Each time your phone rings, it takes about 5 minutes to get back to where you were before it rang.

I’m really confused as to how anyone can offer @aviona suggestions for ADD treatment when she doesn’t have a diagnosis of ADD? An inability to concentrate ≠ ADD.

@shilolo we are only offering suggestions. maybe she doesn’t, maybe she does. so what?

@AlyxCaitlin So what? Well, I would venture to say that home diagnosis of any illness is fraught with risk. This is true for “psychiatric” and medical diseases and explains why I suggested professional help. She could have any number of serious problems that would need to be treated in a wholly different way than say, caffeine. Even if one of these remedies “works”, she would still need to obtain a formal diagnosis from a doctor. The typical internet routine “Oh, you have symptom X? I have that, and also have been diagnosed with Y, therefore you must have Y…” just doesn’t work.

@shilolo We’re only saying “try some coffee” or “keep a more organized desk”. Not “go to your nearest friend who has Adderal and pop a few.” It’s really no big deal.

@shilolo Isn’t @aviona under the same risk if she just searches the Net herself by heading to WebMd or MayoClinic.com?

I don’t presume to know anyone’s age or background on here. If she’s trying to help herself in a natural way, the suggestions I offered won’t put her at any risk.

She didn’t say “I’m having random suicidal thoughts”.

To me, it kinda sound’s like you may be doing too much multi-tasking @aviona, and maybe lack a bit of sleep due to the stress of school.

@SpatzieLover Perhaps. But, you need only scroll through this thread to see how well-intentioned but misguided information can be dangerous.

@shilolo Thanks for sharing

@SpatzieLover Indeed, though I notice you’ve seen that one before ;-) .