Unlocking ADHD writer Jean Ang gives a different perspective on ADHD treatment through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a recognised and established complement to Western medicine in Singapore. TCM physicians are regulated by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board, a statutory board under the Ministry of Health. There are many TCM clinics in Singapore, and several public and private hospitals also provide TCM therapy. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) offers TCM as part of its Biomedical Science double degree.
According to TCM, the clinical symptoms for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, 注意力缺陷多动) include the inability to focus, with impaired self-control, restlessness, high emotional sensitivity, impulsiveness.
Yin and Yang Theory in TCM
The Yin and Yang Theory in TCM represents balance. An imbalance often indicates a disorder. Yin is epitomised by night, water, female, silence and calmness. Yang is represented by day, fire, male, agitation, and energy. Yin is dominated by stillness while Yang by motion.
According to TCM, ADHD is primarily a Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency and physically originates from the Liver and Kidneys. Because TCM believes that the Kidney is the foundation of your constitution, it is possible that ADHD has a genetic component. A child’s Yin is typically insufficient – the Yin is unable to counterbalance the Yang, offsetting the equilibrium. Therefore, there is a greater likelihood of a Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency.
A Kidney Yin-deficient ADHD child may display a feverish sensation in the chest, palms and soles, and poor memory. A Liver Yang-excessive ADHD child exhibits impatience, irritability, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. An ADHD child with Kidney essence insufficiency suffers impaired intelligence and learning difficulties. From a clinical TCM perspective, it is common to see a combination of these deficiencies.
TCM treatment for ADHD normally seeks to balance the Yin and Yang of the five Organs with Chinese herbs and medication, and/or Acupuncture. It is typically a complex and long treatment process.
TCM Studies relating to ADHD
In a randomised-controlled study done in 2010, the treatment of ADHD in preschool children with electro-Acupuncture combining behaviour therapy had a positive effect in reducing symptoms of ADHD. Adverse events (AE) were shown to be mild to patients.
In another clinical trial published in 2020, researchers noted that a specific TCM herbal formula could prove to be an effective complementary treatment for children with ADHD. Further randomised-controlled trials are required to evaluate its efficacy.
TCM can be a complement to conventional treatment of ADHD. Some clinical observations have seen patients with ADHD showing improvement in symptoms with TCM treatment. It is important to consult a registered-TCM Physician and avoid self-medication.
