Bastyr University Student Researches Natural Approaches to ADD/ADHD

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Bastyr University Student Researches Natural Approaches to ADD/ADHD

 

DeNae D'Auria is one of three recent Bastyr University health psychology

graduates who submitted their senior research projects to the Washington State

Psychological Association (WSPA) Poster Session. At the poster session, members

of the WSPA and the American Psychological Association (APA) will review the top

research conducted by undergraduate and graduate students in Washington.

 

" I've received a great response from my research so far, " says DeNae, including

being asked to present her findings at a seminar for special education teachers

in Tucson, Arizona. " If my research is chosen for the WSPA poster session, I

plan to bring copies of it and have a dialogue with conventional psychologists

about alternative approaches to ADD/ADHD. " Another benefit to having her

research chosen, she says, would be the chance to include that on her graduate

school application.

DeNae's project examines alternative (non-Ritalin) approaches to attention

deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) in

children. Her research shows that alternative treatments significantly reduce

symptoms of ADD/ADHD. " The study confirmed my conviction that much more research

needs to be done in these areas, " says the 23-year-old. " Right now, little data

is available on many of the alternative treatments and their effects on

ADD/ADHD. "

The treatments DeNae studied were divided into four sub-categories. The

categories are: alternative treatments provided by an alternative health care

provider (acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbs, chiropractic adjustments,

homeopathy, and nutrition); behavioral modifications (exercise, biofeedback);

time spent outdoors; and alternative education.

" I found that all of these methods reduced the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in children

enough that they no longer fit the ADD or ADHD diagnoses under the DSM IV

manual, " She explains. " And six of the methods were either more effective or

equally as effective as Ritalin. These methods included acupuncture, Chinese

herbs, biofeedback, exercise and nutrition. "

DeNae's enthusiasm for her research subject is palpable, and indeed, she has

followed this interest for awhile. In 1998, DeNae taught exercise and nutrition

to K-5 children at a school in Tucson. " I had a few children with ADD/ADHD, so I

experimented with providing more tactile learning for them, giving them time

outdoors, setting boundaries and giving them positive reinforcement. In time,

the children stopped exhibiting ADD/ADHD behaviors. "

Then when DeNae began her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University, she

majored in exercise science and nutrition, and planned to do her research

project for ASU's honors program at ASU on exercise, nutrition and ADD/ADHD.

When transferring to Bastyr, she broadened her research focus to include other

areas of treatment. " I am passionate about ADHD, ADD and children in general, "

she says. " I want people to know that alternative modalities work. My long-term

goal is to do non-prescription drug psychiatry. "

DeNae's own health problems led her to become interested in complementary and

alternative medicine. " I had very mainstream beliefs until I became ill. Then I

was dragged to an acupuncturist because nothing else worked. I became healthy

again, but my philosophy on health and on life were forever changed. "

DeNae than moved from Arizona to Seattle because she had always wanted to live

in Seattle. She enrolled in University of Washington's psychology program, but

did not feel satisfied with the program.

A friend suggested Bastyr's health psychology program to her. When DeNae then

looked at Bastyr's Web site, she knew she had found the right school. When she

visited the beautiful, tree-lined campus, her decision was confirmed.

While at Bastyr, DeNae has appreciated the chance to do research in holistic

mental health, but also to take interesting electives. " Along with the research

I had the opportunity to do, the electives I've taken have made my time here

very worthwhile, " she says. DeNae took Illness as Initiation, Shamanic Ways,

Buddhist and Taoist Psychology, Ecopsychology, Whole Foods Production, the Myths

and Rituals series and Healing Practices series (including art therapy). While

at Bastyr, DeNae has become so interested in natural health that she is

currently preparing to enroll in Bastyr's naturopathic medicine program. She

considers it another major step on her journey toward becoming a holistic mental

health professional.

Bastyr University offers degrees in health psychology and other natural medicine

programs. For more information, visit Bastyr's academic programs page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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