Over the course of "ADHD history" there have been many different conceptualization of what ADHD is exactly and many different ways of treating it. It might be worth your while to look back in history to see what techniques have been used in the past, just make sure they have some baring in modern science.
The First Mentions of ADHD
One of the very first, known, mentions and conceptualizations of ADHD could date back all the way to ANCIENT Greece, from 460 to 375 BC!
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, came to describe a condition that sounds quite similar to ADHD, he conceptualized it as a "overbalance of fire over water". Observing patients having “... quickened responses to sensory experience, but also less tenaciousness because the soul moves on quickly to the next impression”.
Now if that does not sound a little like our familiar friend ADHD, I do not know what does. Of course, this is still open to speculation.
Hippocrates suggested to his patient's, who experienced this so called "overbalance", some changes to their diet as well as physical activity. The dietary changes included, fish instead of meat, barley not wheat bread, drinking more water in general and going for blander foods. Whether those worked for his patients or not, we will never really know.
In the modern day, many scientific studies have been conducted on the affects your diet has related to ADHD and I think you'll be interested to hear a little more about that.
3 Dietary Additives That COULD Effect Your ADHD
Although much more research needs to be done on all of the possibilities below and the field of study relating diet to behavior is still quite young, it is interesting to see what options are out there for you to consider!
For instance, the use of amino acid supplements, especially those that are linked to the creation of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine have been observed to be mildly effective at addressing behavioral symptoms in studies conducted with children who have ADHD. Deficiencies in these specific neurotransmitters are said to be closely tied with the cause of ADHD, so this might be worth looking into further.
Multi-vitamins and mineral supplements have also shown some promise, although more research needs to be conducted. Particular studies on the effects of Zinc and Iron supplements have yielded the most positive results. Various vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common in children with ADHD.
Lastly and possibly the most MIND BOGGLING of all, Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, a big dietary source of which is FISH, have also been linked to possible benefits for the ADHD mind as well!
The very thing that Hippocrates has been preaching since BC, come on now, a COINCIDENCE? More than likely, but still, pretty cool.
If You Would Like to Learn More
More research is needed to know the effects of any of the supplements listed above for sure and not all researchers are in agreement, so do your own research! All in all, as you can further understand ADHD as a chemical imbalance in your brain, it opens up a few pathways to consider in attempting to address your symptoms.
Consider consulting a doctor to receive more insights on your own vitamin and mineral deficiencies. No studies done or linked above have been tied to completely alleviating the symptoms of ADHD, but if you, like many out there feel out of options when it comes to techniques to manage you ADHD symptoms, this would not be a bad place to start!