Healing the Hyperactive Brain : Through the New Science of Functional Medicine

This is better than most books on ADHD (and I've read a large stack), but still includes some pseudo science mixed with knowns. And enough already on the advertisements for the rice protein drink for kids! For our child and family, this was a decent book on the medical side of the issue, and Howard Glasser's "Transforming the Difficult Child" was even more integral in helping our child by changing our parenting (and giving us a needed breather). Combining the information from both sources, we've made huge strides in a very short period of time to help our child without resorting to Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, etc. Yeah!

This is the best book I have ever read about the causes and non-drug treatment of ADHD in children and adults (and I have read many). This book cuts through the typical healthfood store nonsense and medical propaganda so commonly associated with this condition. This book is an inspiration for those who want to do everything they can before they turn to drugs. I think this book is destined to become the "Bible" of natural methods to manage ADD and ADHD. Dr. Lyon is amazing in his ability to turn hard to understand scientific concepts into understandable and practical principles. This book has already become the most invaluable information resource that I possess on this topic!

Michael Lyon's new book could be a great reference for anyparent with an ADHD child, or any adult who feels they may have thiscondition and wants a thorough, well-researched account of what causes a "hyperactive brain," its pros and cons, plus how to live best with such a condition. For anyone knowledgable about alternative health methods that use diet, meditation, herbs and exercise, much of the information will not be new. Yet even for the most well-versed folks on these topics, Lyon offers plenty of useful insights into both the science behind ADHD and a wide range of holistic ideas for how to treat it. This is not a fancy book. It could probably be shorter and say the same things. Still, it's a very useful guide. What I like best is how, even if you lived out in the boondocks where every doctor you knew said that drugs are the only approach to ADD or ADHD symptoms, this book would arm you with viable alternatives, and how to contact people who can help you try them. Lyon also deserves credit for sharing his personal stories--about his own battles with ADHD, and those of his gifted son, plus an intriguing perspective that drugs such as Ritalin can offer a window of opportunity to help kids realize, inside themselves, that they CAN focus better and be more productive. However, over time, drug benefits tend to fade and side effects tend to rise, so Lyon believes its best to look hard at the more holistic alternatives for a long-term solution. His book is chock-full of these. END