Psycho-Babble Alternative Thread 748118

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Fish oil - can it really help ADD?

Posted by cindy lou on April 8, 2007, at 14:41:38

I know there are MANY threads out there on this topic, but I haven't been able to pinpoint the information I'm looking for. I have a few questions about fish oil:

1. Can it really help ADD -- in addition to the fatigue, overwhelm, stress, etc. that the ADD causes?

2. If so, would the DHA and EPA work the same? I have seen some posts out there that the DHA causes anxiety and agitation, which I am prone to ... would straight EPA fish oil help with ADD symptoms?

I greatly appreciate any help you can give me. I currently take stimulants for ADD (Adderall now), but it basically works like Speed for me, and I crash and burn when it wears off, feeling sick and fluish. However, it does help boost the antidepressant effect of the Prozac I am on, and gives me energy I desparately need to get through the day.

Could fish oil somehow help in those ways?

Thank you in advance for your help -- I would GREATLY APPRECIATE any input!

Cindy

 

Re: Fish oil - can it really help ADD? » cindy lou

Posted by sregan on April 8, 2007, at 21:14:32

In reply to Fish oil - can it really help ADD?, posted by cindy lou on April 8, 2007, at 14:41:38

> 2. If so, would the DHA and EPA work the same? I have seen some posts out there that the DHA causes anxiety and agitation, which I am prone to ... would straight EPA fish oil help with ADD symptoms?

Cindy,

YES, it is supposed to help ADD and ADHD. If you google: "fish oil" adhd, you'll get near a quarter million links.

The EPA is the oil that helps. The DHA doesn't (see: http://www.fattyacidtrip.com/dha-useless-for-treating-adhd/) ironically so because that is what they have been labeling this stuff for kids for the last few years as: "Kids DHA".

For lots of info try here is a great site:

http://www.fattyacidtrip.com/category/adhd/

Taurine is supposed to smooth out the jitters from DHA. You might give that a try.

 

Re: Fish oil - can it really help ADD? » sregan

Posted by cindy lou on April 8, 2007, at 22:44:21

In reply to Re: Fish oil - can it really help ADD? » cindy lou, posted by sregan on April 8, 2007, at 21:14:32

Thank you! That is great information. I saw an ad for an EFA formula by Vita Logic (ever heard of that?)

I will check out the links you sent. Thanks again!

>
> YES, it is supposed to help ADD and ADHD. If you google: "fish oil" adhd, you'll get near a quarter million links.
>
> The EPA is the oil that helps. The DHA doesn't (see: http://www.fattyacidtrip.com/dha-useless-for-treating-adhd/) ironically so because that is what they have been labeling this stuff for kids for the last few years as: "Kids DHA".
>
> For lots of info try here is a great site:
>
> http://www.fattyacidtrip.com/category/adhd/
>
> Taurine is supposed to smooth out the jitters from DHA. You might give that a try.
>
>
>
>

 

Re: Fish oil - can it really help ADD?

Posted by Tom Twilight on April 9, 2007, at 5:10:20

In reply to Re: Fish oil - can it really help ADD? » sregan, posted by cindy lou on April 8, 2007, at 22:44:21

Personally I think Fish oil may be overhyped for ADD

Its got the big advarntage that its safe of course!

Unnfortunatly I don't think it helps with the Motivation-Blah-Apithy you get with ADD, although it may help with attention.

I guess ADD is really very different from ADHD.

Only ADHD is "kinda" recognised in the UK

 

Re: Fish oil - can it really help ADD? » Tom Twilight

Posted by cindy lou on April 9, 2007, at 8:13:42

In reply to Re: Fish oil - can it really help ADD?, posted by Tom Twilight on April 9, 2007, at 5:10:20

Darn -- the "motivation, blah, apathy" are my biggest symptoms!!

Thanks for your input...
cindy


> Unnfortunatly I don't think it helps with the Motivation-Blah-Apithy you get with ADD, although it may help with attention.
>
> I guess ADD is really very different from ADHD.
>
> Only ADHD is "kinda" recognised in the UK

 

Yes, but... » cindy lou

Posted by saturn on April 9, 2007, at 8:35:02

In reply to Fish oil - can it really help ADD?, posted by cindy lou on April 8, 2007, at 14:41:38

In my experience fish oil does help with ADHD, however, it's not even close to a stimulant in terms of effectiveness.

Another thing, it really takes time, literally months and months, to gain very incremental improvement. Again, this is my experience and YMMV.

There's quite a debate over the EPA/DHA ratio. Some say the DHA is counterproductive and causes anxiety, while others claim it's essential over the long term (affecting membrane fluidity). I personally prefer a high EPA preparation (an EPA/DHA ratio of about 7:1). Nordic naturals makes a prep with a ratio of about 4:1 if I remember correctly.

If I could tolerate Adderall personally I'd take it *and* fish oil. Good luck.

 

Maybe a sweeping statement

Posted by Tom Twilight on April 10, 2007, at 15:15:16

In reply to Yes, but... » cindy lou, posted by saturn on April 9, 2007, at 8:35:02

Sorry I guess I should have added a disclaimer or something.

I'm sure that fish oil helps some people with motivation issues, it just doesn't do much for me

Then I don't know what causes my fatigue......

 

Re: Maybe a sweeping statement » Tom Twilight

Posted by cindy lou on April 10, 2007, at 15:55:28

In reply to Maybe a sweeping statement, posted by Tom Twilight on April 10, 2007, at 15:15:16

That's okay -- I understood ... and I certainly understand the whole fatigue issue and not knowing what causes it. Depression? Anxiety? ADD? Stress? Medication side effects? Some underlying medical condition (even though everything so far has checked out okay)? etc. etc. So frustrating!

Hang in there!

cindy

> Sorry I guess I should have added a disclaimer or something.
>
> I'm sure that fish oil helps some people with motivation issues, it just doesn't do much for me
>
> Then I don't know what causes my fatigue......

 

Re: Maybe a sweeping statement

Posted by Declan on April 10, 2007, at 18:35:16

In reply to Re: Maybe a sweeping statement » Tom Twilight, posted by cindy lou on April 10, 2007, at 15:55:28

Maybe fatigue is a sign that the body's systems are not working well, and of them any number could cause the fatigue.

I certainly helped my fatigue by eating well, which was mainly about cutting out 'bad' carbohydrates.

 

Pro-Fish Oil Post.

Posted by Edwin Ransom on April 12, 2007, at 17:03:55

In reply to Re: Maybe a sweeping statement, posted by Declan on April 10, 2007, at 18:35:16

I have been taking fish oil supplements for a month now, along with eating less meat, more fish, and more nuts. I'm getting an improvement in inhibition - better self-control. It seems like I get out of the house faster in the morning and do less stupid time-wasting stuff during my day... then again what am I doing on this forum?

Here is a link to the information that got me interested in fish oil. This link also connects you to an interesting blog that canvasses treatments for ADHD and Dyslexia:

http://www.myomancy.com/2007/03/fish_oil_side_e.html

[data tag]
Diagnosis: ADHD (suspect inattentive subtype) and narcolepsy
Meds: EMSAM (6 mg/day) and modafinil (100 mg/day)
Supp: Running (2-5 miles/day), meditation (30 min 1-2X day), fish oil, B-complex vitamins.

 

Re: Pro-Fish Oil Post. » Edwin Ransom

Posted by cindy lou on April 12, 2007, at 21:30:55

In reply to Pro-Fish Oil Post., posted by Edwin Ransom on April 12, 2007, at 17:03:55

Thanks for your post and the information ... I have a couple of questions:

1. What kind of fish oil do you take? Brand? DHA or EPA or combo?

2. Forgive me if this is ignorant, but what is EMSAM? I don't believe I have heard of that one.

Thank you!
cindy


> I have been taking fish oil supplements for a month now, along with eating less meat, more fish, and more nuts. I'm getting an improvement in inhibition - better self-control. It seems like I get out of the house faster in the morning and do less stupid time-wasting stuff during my day... then again what am I doing on this forum?
>
> Here is a link to the information that got me interested in fish oil. This link also connects you to an interesting blog that canvasses treatments for ADHD and Dyslexia:
>
> http://www.myomancy.com/2007/03/fish_oil_side_e.html
>
> [data tag]
> Diagnosis: ADHD (suspect inattentive subtype) and narcolepsy
> Meds: EMSAM (6 mg/day) and modafinil (100 mg/day)
> Supp: Running (2-5 miles/day), meditation (30 min 1-2X day), fish oil, B-complex vitamins.


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