Quote From: kfeaginI'm another that's going to join the chorus of "Try the Feingold Program!"
I had a 6 year old who had extreme meltdowns/reactions that I just couldn't control. He's my middle child and my other two were just like every other child in the world. I took him to a psychologist who diagnosed anxiety disorders and gave me a list of meds that I was going to need to put him on. I took him to a psychiatrist who said it was all my fault, it was my parenting style. In desperation I tried the Feingold Program (www.feingold.org) and changed his diet. On day 6 I noticed how much calmer he was. At the 2 week mark I got an email from his first grade teacher asking what we were doing differently at home, he had changed THAT MUCH. It's been 10 months now and you would never know that last year he had such problems.
The Feingold Association researches foods to see which contain artificial preservatives, colors, dyes, etc. Dr. Feingold (an allergist MD) theorized that a lot of behavior could be related to the brains reaction to these (petroleum based) artificials. Foods high in salicylates (a naturally occuring chemical that some people are sensitive to) are also removed for the first 6 weeks and then added back in gradually. The artificials and preservatives are never added back in.
Unfortunately, the Feingold Program has gotten a bad rap, with studies that were funded by the food industry saying it didn't work and that there is no harm in eating these chemicals. Which is why I waited an extra year to try it. The Feingold website has substantial studies showing that it
does work. We are living proof.
i did try the feingold diet for a month and really had no luck with it, just didn't make a difference. but that was when we just had the ADHD dx. but great if it works for you and others. just doesn't work for everyone. i have him on allot of meds and he is just not getting better.
even my family DR and pdoc said it would not work. but that is great that it worked for you.
