Research is emerging that really begs questions behind the underlying controversy underpinning Attention Deficit Disorder ' ADHD. A recent article published in psychiatric times online has revealed that in a study in both children and adults with ADHD diagnoses up to 80 % use natural alternatives to conventional medication for ADHD. Statistics reported go onto to cite that over 50% of parents with children diagnosed as ADHD, also prefer natural approaches but overall less than 10% of them actually notify their medical practitioner that they use natural approaches as the primary approach to their ADHD symptoms. What can be behind the reluctance to inform someone who is a paid professional to help us in this situation about what we are doing to help ourselves?

A lot of good ideas about ADHD are shouted down by hysterical outpourings. For example, the recent outpouring of righteous indignation at the point of view expressed by leading professionals like Australia's psychologist, Prof Spillane, who is on record as stating ADHD is a myth. What Professor Spillane was saying , sadly got lost in a volcanic eruption from parents , struggling to cope with their child?s behavioural challenges. Challenges that impact greatly on family life and the inability to function effectively in a job whilst constantly facing the issues around school exclusions. With families in behavioural crisis at one end of the scale at the other end we have the multi billion pound pharmaceutical industry in servicing the 20 million diagnoses of this condition worldwide.

When we actually open Pandora's box to LISTEN to what is being said here some of the contentious issues become more obvious . The definition of the word MYTH takes on paramount importance. Why? Because it relates to the whole concept of ADHD diagnosis. There is no medical test which diagnoses ADHD. It is in this respect that the definition of an Illness is very important. No scientific medically objective test can be administered, to prove ADHD.

So really ADHD is not an illness as such. Illnesses and conditions are defined as such by medical tests and the results of these tests are found in all the patients who are exhibiting these symptoms. Like low insulin levels in diabetic patients, for example. This is not the case with ADHD as it is different for everyone that has it and it is defined by subjective observations of certain behaviours over a period of time, irrespective of what factors may be contributing to these behaviours.

Many proponents of the medical option (usually adults with ADHD) will cite the fact that they have had medical tests which prove they have ADHD. Some of whom may be so desperate as to clutch hold of a label vindicating their own socially unacceptable behaviours often masquerading as ADHD. In fact these symptoms usually relate to other mental health disorders.

With so many symptoms for ADHD, competent doctors will test for other conditions first before comung up with the diagnosis of ADHD. Where the 1 in 3 children who have a misdiagnosis of ADHD manage to slip through the net, is because these tests only focus on the physical and not other holistic issues that may be playing out in the child's life. Issues which relate to their emotional and mental state, life experiences and interpersonal relationships. So often these are picked up in the holistic practice which underpins alternative and natural approaches to ADHD or Attention deficit Hyperactive disorder.

It may be the case that parents are discouraged from mentioning their primary alternative / complementary treatment to the professionals working with their child due to the level of pressure and criticism that can be exerted on them. For instance I have known cases where children have been refused into certain schools unless they are medicated. ADHD certainly causes controversy. What is it doing to our children?