My 10-year-old son is on Ritalin and Paxil for ADHD and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. He has always had trouble going to sleep, long before starting any medications. I am considering using the herb chamomile either as a bath or a tea. Is there any reason this may not be safe considering the meds he is on?

A.

I don't think there is any contraindication to using chamomile as a gentle sedative herb in tea or bath form along with your son's medications. A cup of tea and/or a bath at bedtime may help with relaxation and going to sleep. Also be sure that he has a structured bedtime routine and avoids stimulating activities like TV and computer work in the evening. Avoidance of sugar and caffeine is very important as well. Relaxation therapy is often very successful with kids to help with reducing stress and promoting sleep.

Check with your son's doctor to see if his medications may be interfering with his ability to get to sleep. Insomnia is a common side effect of both Ritalin and Paxil. His doctor might be able to change medications or the dosages if his medications are contributing to his sleep difficulty.

Since you comment that his difficulty going to sleep predates the medications, you may also want to have him evaluated for sleep disorders. A sleep disorder could aggravate either the obsessive-compulsive disorder or the ADHD and should be treated if present.

Ritalin has recently been linked to serious heart problems in some kids, so be sure that your son's doctor does an EKG. This is fairly new information and some doctors may not be aware of it yet.

Also, ADHD can be caused by a number of dietary problems including food allergies, sensitivities to food additives, blood sugar problems, heavy metal toxicity and even chronic ear infections. Take a good look at your son's diet and eliminate all food additives, simple sugars and any foods he is allergic to. Make sure he eats healthy foods and give him a high quality vitamin-mineral supplement. Eating fish or using a fish or flaxseed oil supplement can be helpful. His doctor can check for and treat ear problems and heavy metal toxicity.

Homeopathic medicine is often an excellent alternative therapy for ADHD and can be helpful in obsessive compulsive disorder as well. Look for a medical doctor, psychiatrist or naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine.

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