• May N
• Caffery C

• Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
• Child
• Child Behavior
• Child Behavior Disorders
• Diet Therapy
• Exercise Therapy
• Integrative Medicine
• Male
• Mood Disorders
• Open Access Document

Objective: Mood and behavior disorders in children can be very challenging for not only the well-being of the child, but all family members. When a child is evaluated in a conventional medical setting, children with mood disorders and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) are often encouraged to take medications which may cause adverse side effects in some individuals. This case demonstrates that symptoms of ADHD and other behavioral issues can be affected by simple lifestyle changes. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the outcome of a 4 year old child diagnosed with mood and behavior disorders when treated with lifestyle intervention, including physical activity and nutritional interventions, by a functional medicine practitioner.

Clinical Features: A 4 year old child presented to the clinic with his mother with recent evaluation and several mood and behavior diagnoses, including: Mood Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified; ADHD, combined Type; and Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified. The patient was having severe violent outbursts regularly and was disruptive, inattentive, anxious, and hyperactive. He was also wetting the bed regularly.

Intervention and outcome: The patient was treated with an electronic fast (eliminating use of all electronic devices, including television and computers), 1 hour of physical activity per day, elimination diet, nutritional supplements, and proprioceptive and vestibular exercises. After just 1-2 months, patient was already doing really well behaviorally according to his mother.

Conclusion: This case offers an example of promising, medication free options for optimizing mood and behavior disorders in children.

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. Click on the above link for free full text. Link to PDF version