DISORDER PROTOCOL *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
CLINICAL PROTOCOL TO SUPPORT ATTENTION AND FOCUS* Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that interferes with function or development.1
Signs and symptoms in ADHD can manifest as difficulty with sustaining focus, disorganization, and constant movement and fidgeting, or hasty action. Some individuals with ADHD only exhibit and experience one of the behaviors, whereas others have both inattention and hyperactivity–impulsivity.1
Diagnosis of ADHD requires a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed clinician with expertise in ADHD. Diagnosis requires that symptoms have been chronic or long-lasting and have resulted in an impairment to the patient’s daily functions. Developmental delays are also part of the diagnostic criteria.
Differential diagnosis is required to eliminate the possibility of other cognitive, psychiatric, or neurological pathologies that may cause a similar clinical presentation.
Most children with ADHD receive a diagnosis during the elementary school years. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms need to have been present before age 12.1 The etiology of ADHD is still not well understood, with several factors being potential contributors to its development, including prenatal exposures, genetic polymorphisms that impact dopaminergic and noradrenergic function, low birth weight, and brain injury.1,2
Interventions used to address the symptoms of ADHD and improve function include medication, psychotherapy, education, or some combination of these options. Stimulants and medications that act as dopamine and norepinephrine agonists are often applied, whereas cognitive behavioral therapy and stress management techniques may also be used in treatment.
This clinical protocol is designed to support patients with ADHD through lifestyle techniques, diet, and specific nutrients known to be beneficial for cognitive function.*