In order to assess the effectiveness of an alternative treatment, you may want to do some research on your own. Some things to look for are:
- Does the product contain specific directions on how to use?
- Are ingredients clearly listed on the package?
- Does the treatment contain information on possible side effects, warnings, and possible interaction with other medications or foods?
- What does the product claim that it can do for you? Does it claim that it will “cure” ADHD? (There is no cure.) Does it claim that it is effective for everyone? (No treatment is equally effective for everyone.)
- What scientific studies, if any, were completed to back up claims of effectiveness? Is the company able to provide you with information on where the studies have been documented or published? How many studies have been completed? Do the studies include control groups?
- Does the company rely specifically on customer testimonials to back up claims? Is there any scientific data or studies to go along with testimonials? (Customer testimonials only may indicate that there is either no scientific data or the data does not agree with the testimonials.)
- How is the product described? Are the words “miraculous” or “amazing” or “breakthrough” used in describing the treatment? (What is there to back up these claims?)
- Does the company use “attack techniques” to sell their product/ do they put down traditional treatments to try to scare you into using their products? Does the company attack traditional medical treatment? (Are they trying to sell you something based on scare tactics?)
- How is the treatment promoted? Do reputable medical doctors back up the treatment or do they use self-published books, infomercials, mail order or websites? Is the treatment promoted by self-published books, infomercials or mail order/web sites?
- Has your physician heard about the treatment? Do they recommend this treatment for you and feel that it will complement your current treatment plan?
- Will your insurance plan pay for the treatment? (Aetna provides a list of acceptable treatment, as well as those they will not cover based on lack of peer-reviewed medical literature to support treatments on their website.)
- Lastly, can you find information on the treatment on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website? This site will provide information on warning letters that have been sent to companies for promoting products base on undocumented claims.
