Herbal meds etc for autism / anxiety / adhd

[Annaannaannab]

My son is autistic , 19. Suffering with anger - he hates it but sometimes can’t control it . Not hurt anyone but can hurt himself ( not severely - bites himself , hits his head ) he’s like a bomb … I feel I’m tip towing around him . Getting worse as he gets older and I think anxiety isn’t helping - he’s always worrying . Worries about having a meltdown which leads to him trying to hold it in then flipping over something small that affects him then for days .

I don’t want to go down the medication route - going to doctors etc . I also think he shows lots of signs of ADHD .

Are there any - legal , obviously - herbal medications , supplements etc that might help him ?

NHS website says “Having 400mg or less a day of magnesium from supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.”
It’s a widely used supplement considered very safe (obviously don’t overdo it). If you’re concerned, you can can use Epsom salt baths, magnesium sprays etc rather than oral supplements

You need proper meds. The difference that Sertraline has made to my daughter’s life is enormous. Stopped the anxiety, which stopped the panic attacks, which gave her time to think, and make good decisions.

I'd look at your own hesitation around mental health 'labels' - if you're not keen on naming the difficulty and addressing it directly, he's not likely to want to either. Same for looking for 'alternative' therapies - you cannot really blame him thinking of energy drinks if you're looking at untested herbs or magnesium...

This.

PP is being far from negligent - she wants to help her Son in the best possible way!

Would he consider a blood test to see if he's deficient in anything?

I'd recommend magnesium and tryptophan at night if he's struggling to sleep. I'm a lifelong insomniac and they absolutely do work. If not supplements, a bedtime snack with both as an alternative, like eggs.

I also recommend these vitamins for the daytime, as well as a fish oil - https://www.boots.com/boots-sharp-mind---30-tablets-10270062

Helping your son in the best possible way involves seeking medical input. Is this were any other issue (physical rather than mental) then you would go straight to a doctor rather than looking at herbs and supplements, for which there is limited evidence of any benefit.

There is no shame in having a mental health diagnosis. If your son has these conditions diagnosed then he can access help and support as well as any medication. My son is also AuDHD, along with GAD and Sertraline has without a doubt saved his life.

Try connecting with Zen Honeycutt and signing up for her web chats: https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/zensstoryandspeech.
https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/
She is an American mum who has been through a similar situation to you and out the other end. There is plenty that you can do that does not involve medication, to good effect. Note regarding the interview with Zen, that unlike the US we don't have much GM food in the UK or the EU (Zen recommends eliminating it from the diet) as it has to be clearly labelled, but there are many other dietary measures, plus herbs, supplements, homeopathy etc that can be utilised to good effect. And there are of course professionals who can prescribe carefully so that you are not guessing how to use the treatments. Please note that many MNers hate homeopathy so there will no doubt be a pile-on here but it works well for me, my ultra-rational scientist DH and many others I know, including babies and animals. But with all these things, don't self-treat: seek out professionally qualified people to help you.

You may not want to go down the medical route, but you NEED to go down the medical route. anything else isnt safe or sensible for you, your son or the general public.

If a child patient presented to you at work and their parent had denied them medical treatment because they don't trust doctors, how would you be expected to proceed?

This. Quicker than typing it myself.

Strangely, tea and coffee can be helpful in ADHD. It seems illogical because the caffeine is a stimulant and you'd think that the last thing somebody with ADHD needs is more simulation, but remember that many of the medicines used for ADHD (Ritalin etc) are stimulants of various kinds.

I believe there is some evidence for omega3 supplements being helpful in autism and ADHD.

Lastly, what's his sleep like? If he doesn't sleep well, would you consider melatonin supplements? If he is under a psychiatrist, they may prescribe them for him. If not, you can get them from pharmacies and supermarkets in Europe. In many parts of the world, it's considered a supplement rather than a medicine. The body produces it naturally, but autistic people may be deficient in it, so you're just replacing something that he should be producing naturally (albeit with a synthetic form). If he sleeps better, this may help with his mood. Just be aware that melatonin supplements may contain inconsistent doses (supplements aren't regulated in the way that medicines are) and can also include undeclared ingredients, so be sure to choose a reputable source.

Hi OP. I'm on the autism pathway and have just been prescribed an SSRI to help with my anxiety and panic attacks. It's called Paroxetine.