ADHD

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, refers to a disease with a persistent inability to concentrate on tasks that the individual finds undesirable, such as studying or doing homework, it does not necessarily mean an inability to concentrate on tasks that are naturally enjoyable for the individual such as their hobby. Some parents might say their child has excellent concentration, but this typically refers to their ability to focus on activities they enjoy, such as playing games. Attention deficit can simply be described as distractibility, along with a consistent decrease in the ability to maintain focus. In addition to attention deficits, ADHD patients may also exhibit hyperactivity, irritability, and difficulty controlling impulses or anger. Clinically, it is common for attention deficit and hyperactivity control issues to present together in a combined type of ADHD.Recently, there has been an increasing trend in children, adolescents, and adults seeking medical treatment for symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). While ADHD has a higher prevalence in children and adolescents, some individuals continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. It was once believed that ADHD would naturally improve with age; however, studies that followed ADHD children over the long term have shown that about 70% continue to exhibit symptoms into adolescence, and 3-5% transition into adult ADHD.In the past, the causes of ADHD were often attributed to poor parenting or environmental factors; however, with advancements in neuroscience, there is now a prevailing view that it is caused by genetic and neurological factors. Research indicates a genetic predisposition, and certain conditions during pregnancy, such as trauma, prematurity, perinatal asphyxia, difficult delivery, head trauma, or meningitis, are associated with higher rates of ADHD.Neurofunctional studies have shown findings such as decreased production and secretion of neurotransmitters and reduced blood flow to the frontal lobes. Therefore, in treating ADHD, it is important to not only improve symptoms but also enhance the inherent neurological environment.Upon visiting a traditional Korean medicine clinic, various ADHD assessments may be conducted, including constitutional examinations, developmental assessments, comprehensive attention tests, in-depth interviews, and pulse diagnostics. This approach helps to identify psychological and environmental causes, inherited constitutional factors, and issues related to the child's brain growth and development, aiming to treat both the visible symptoms and their underlying causes. In traditional medicine, this is referred to as treating both the root and the branch.Rather than merely targeting temporary symptom relief through medication, a more fundamental treatment focuses on correcting the neurological causes that trigger the child's behavioral problems, supporting brain growth and development, and enabling the child's brain to function effectively in terms of attention, concentration, and behavioral regulation. Specific treatment methods include:Herbal Medicine
Customized herbal prescriptions based on symptoms and constitution to regulate symptoms and support the balance of internal organs and brain development.Acupuncture Therapy
Regulates the balance of the organs through acupuncture and stimulates brain acupuncture points to improve blood circulation in the nervous system.Qigong and Self-Regulation Training
Training to increase signals from the brain when calm, while suppressing signals that arise during excitement, drowsiness, or fogginess.Ear Seed Treatment
Ear seeds help modulate the function of the many nerves located around the ear, and help the patient self-regulate their executive function.Understanding the constitutional, genetic, neurological, and neurochemical causes of ADHD, and considering the potential impact on a child's future life, highlights the necessity for proactive early treatment rather than leaving ADHD children to hope that they will simply outgrow it. Additionally, ADHD patients may experience associated issues such as tic disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and learning disabilities due to various problems in the nervous system. Thus, plans for prevention and treatment of these aspects should also be developed.Treatment Case: 32-year-old maleThe patient is a man in his mid-30s with a sturdy build. He came for treatment because he often feels depressed, and when he argues with his wife, he becomes uncontrollably angry and throws things. He has difficulty sitting in one place for long and frequent anger, leading to throwing objects. Though he manages at work, he often paces back and forth on the rooftop when stressed. Since childhood, he has struggled with focus issues and was often scolded for it in school. He never sought treatment, but his worsening relationship with his wife led her to suggest he come in.The patient describes himself as quiet and detailed, with a small social circle. He is dedicated to his family, mainly moving between work and home. He finds home life increasingly stressful since his wife became more sensitive after their child was born, and he struggles to manage his emotions without a healthy outlet.The Autonomic Nervous System Test suggested slightly elevated sympathetic nervous system activity; blood pressure and pulse were normal. His pulse was rapid and tense, and his tongue was dark red with significant cracks, indicating heat and stress. Due to his tendency toward emotional outbursts and a strong upper body build, his diagnosis included Liver Qi Stagnation (간기울결) and Liver Yang Rising (간양상항). The treatment plan included herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and oriental psychotherapy. The herbal medicine was prescribed to release liver stagnation and reduce heat. Acupuncture focused on acupuncture points to ease liver stagnation and heat, with electro-acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. He came in once a week for treatment. The patient was initially reluctant since he wasn’t strongly motivated to seek treatment himself. However, with encouragement, he agreed to continue to work on improving both his relationship with his wife and his focus issues at work. After 1 week, his wife reported that he seemed noticeably calmer. Over the following two weeks, he had no major emotional outbursts or incidents of breaking things. He felt less heat and thirst, and he found it easier to talk about difficult emotions.After week 4, He had two minor arguments with his wife but avoided extreme outbursts. He was now able to step away briefly to cool down and return for a calmer conversation.After week 8, arguments with his wife had reduced, and they took a trip together to strengthen their relationship, which helped them communicate more openly. His anxiety at work decreased, and he could now sit and focus on tasks for over an hour.Initially, the patient wasn’t very cooperative, making treatment challenging. Over time, however, he noticed a reduction in fatigue and improved his relationship with his wife, which motivated him to continue actively participating in treatment. He also felt more able to concentrate at work, which increased his overall satisfaction. His wife was also pleased with his progress.