Dear Morgan:

My son has ADHD. I would like to get the additional info that you spoke of in your letter to Yosha. Do you know anything about the use of amino acids to regulate the brains' production of dopamine? Are you familiar with a product called "Restores"? The Drs. of course have recommended Ritalin, but I am not going that route. I have already started to modify his diet, esp. the sugar and it is helping some. Thanks for your help with this.

Talk to you soon,
Pam

Dear Pam,

First off, I must tell you, I became a psychologist, because I never believed that drugs (especially behavior altering drugs) were needed to correct any human conditions that had to do with the brain. My believe's are very strong, that nutrition has EVERYTHING to do with the way the body reacts. It is also my belief that ADHD is caused by food allergies and improper nutrition for the individual body. And it is only a matter of time, if food combinations are experimented with, before you get it right for that individual, in this case your son.

Please refer to the article in this months issue on Depression for information on dopamine. You will find some very interesting facts.

Another theory I have studied and practiced regarding behavior disorders, is the use of Color. The effects of color on our moods, health, and way of thinking have been studied by scientists for years. Even as individual's preference for one color over another may be related to the way that color makes the individual feel.

Color can be described as light -- visible radiant energy-- of certain wavelengths. Photo-receptors in the retina, called cones, translate this energy into colors. The retina contains three kinds of cones: one for blue, one for green, and one for red. We perceive other colors by combining these colors.

According to Dr. Alexander Schauss, director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research, in Tacoma, Washington, when the energy of color enters our bodies, it stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands. This in turn affects the production of certain hormones, which in turn affect a variety of physiological processes. This explains why color has been found to have such a direct influence on our thoughts, moods, and behavior.. an influence that many experts believe is distinctly separate from psychological and cultural factors. Remarkably, color seems to have an effect even on blind people, who are thought to sense color as a result of energy vibrations created within the body.

Clearly, the colors you choose for your clothes and for your home, office, car and other surroundings can have a profound effect on you. Colors have been known to ease stress, to fill you with energy, and even to alleviate pain and other physical problems. This idea, it should be noted, is far from new. In fact, the "color your world" concept is part of the ancient Chinese design technique "Feng Shui."

When selecting a color to effect a change in mood or to relieve discomfort, it is vital to choose a color suited to your particular objective. For instance, blue has a relaxing calming effect. Blue lowers the blood pressure, the heart rate, and respiration. In one study, children prone to aggressive behavior became calmer when placed in a blue classroom. Blue has also been found to make people in hot and humid environments feel cooler. To help relieve the pain of ulcers, back problems, rheumatism, and inflammatory disorders, surround yourself with blue, focus your mind on the part of the body part you want to heal while looking at the color. One good place to do this is in the countryside, where the blue of the sky and the water can impart a feeling of calming "oneness" with the universe.

As another of nature's most abundant colors, green, like blue, has a soothing and relaxing effect on the body as well as the mind. People who are depressed or anxious can benefit from green surroundings. Green also helps nervous disorders, exhaustion, heart problems, and cancer. When you are ill, try sitting on a hillside or by a green pasture, and focus on the body part you want to heal. Green may also be a good environmental color for dieters.

Like blue and green, violet also creates a peaceful environment. Violet also suppresses the appetite, and is good for scalp and kidney problems and for migraine headaches.

The color red stimulates, excites, and warms the body. Red increases the heart rate, brain wave activity, and respiration. The color of passion and energy. Those who have poor coordination should avoid wearing the color red. In addition, people suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) and ADHD (hyperactivity) should avoid the color red, avoid going into red rooms and should not decorate their homes with red, as it will cause their blood pressure to rise. Conversely, red has a good effect on those with hypotension (low blood pressure) and depression.

Pink has a soothing effect on the body, relaxing the muscles. Because it has been found to have a tranquilizing effect on aggressive and violent behavior, pink is often used in prisons, hospitals, and juvenile and drug centers. Those suffering from anxiety, or withdrawal symptoms, can benefit from pink surroundings.

Orange is the color of choice for stimulating the appetite and reducing fatigue. Use this color, in orange place mats and tablecloths, for instance to encourage a finicky eater, or to pique the appetite of a person who is ill. This color should be avoided by those trying to lose weight. If you are feeling tired or run down, try wearing an orange garment to lift your energy level. General weakness, allergies, and constipation may also improve. In your case, for your son's benefit, orange should only be in the kitchen and sparingly at that.

Yellow is the most memorable of all the colors. Whenever you want to remember something, jot it down on yellow paper. This color also raises the blood pressure and increases the pulse rate, but to a lesser degree then red. As the color of sunshine, yellow has an energizing effect, and it can help relieve depression. A chromotherapist may use the color to treat muscle cramps, hypoglycemia, overactive thyroid and gallstones.

Black is a "power" color. Try wearing black clothes for the feeling of strength and self confidence. Black also suppresses the appetite. If you want to lose weight, cover your dining table with a black tablecloth.

Pam, try along with changing your son's diet, changing the color's of his room and the clothing he wears. Each factor is a beneficial part of the entire picture. Before any drug therapy is explored, please go with nature's gifts first. The food we eat and the environment we surround ourselves with, works better then drugs any day.

This is the prescription for therapy (diet and environment) I use in my practice on ADHD children, and I have a pretty good track record.

Here's wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,
Morgan