What Most Doctors Miss About Your Child’s ADHD

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Let me guess... your child doesn't just have one speed.

One minute they’re bouncing off the walls: shouting, spinning, climbing the furniture, then melting down when something doesn't go their way.

The next? They’re completely zoned out. Blank stare. Unfocused. Can't follow instructions. It's like they're in the room... but not really there.

You’ve probably tried the sticker charts, read the books, maybe even gone down the medication route. And yet, you’re still left wondering:

Why is my child like this — and how can I actually help them?

Digging Deeper Than Labels to Find Real Answers

Here’s the reality that often gets missed in traditional healthcare: what we call ADHD (or ADD) is usually just the surface-level expression of something deeper happening in the body: nervous system dysregulation.

Beneath the diagnosis are two neurological patterns we see in our office all the time — we call them the “Raging Bull” and the “Drunken Bull.”

Once you learn to recognize which one your child fits into, the fog lifts. Their behaviors start making sense. And best of all? A real path toward healing opens up.

"Raging Bull" vs. "Drunken Bull": Two Sides of the Same Coin

The “Raging Bull”

This child is always on — emotionally intense, impulsive, full of energy that seems impossible to tame. They move nonstop, talk nonstop, and melt down easily when overwhelmed. Most often, these children are given the label ADHD.

They aren’t choosing to be “wild.” Their brain and body are locked in overdrive. And unfortunately, many traditional solutions simply try to suppress these behaviors — without asking why they exist in the first place.

The “Drunken Bull”

This child is the opposite. Quiet. Foggy. Overwhelmed. Easily distracted or withdrawn. They may appear "lazy" or unmotivated — but the truth is, their nervous system is stuck in a shutdown mode that keeps them from showing up fully. This used to be known as “ADD,” but now it falls under the inattentive type of ADHD.

And here’s what’s really fascinating: kids often move between these two patterns over time when their nervous system is stuck in stress mode. The hyperactive child can develop attention issues as they become frustrated with academic challenges, while the inattentive child can become hyperactive from the built-up stress and anxiety of constantly struggling.

The Big Problem With Most ADHD Approaches

According to the CDC, around 7 million kids in the U.S. have been diagnosed with ADHD. Of those, nearly 70% are currently prescribed medication for the condition.

While medication may cover up symptoms of ADHD for some kids, it often comes with concerning side effects:

• Difficulty sleeping

• Appetite loss

• Mood swings and irritability

• Anxiety and nervousness

• Tics and twitches

• Headaches

• Stomachaches and nausea

• Elevated heart rate or blood pressure

• Emotional numbness or social withdrawal (sometimes "zombie-like" behavior)

  
  

Most importantly, these medications don’t get to the root cause — which is often a nervous system that’s overwhelmed and out of balance. As a result, families can find themselves stuck in a cycle of managing symptoms, tweaking doses, or adding new prescriptions to handle the side effects.

So What’s Really Going On?

At the root of both types of ADHD is a complex interplay of neurological factors that can make it really hard for kids to focus, stay calm, and handle big emotions. In our office, we most often see these three underlying issues:

1. Subluxation & Sympathetic Dominance

We see these as misalignments, tension, and restricted mobility within the neurospinal system, which interferes with how the brain and body communicate. These physical disruptions, often stemming from birth trauma or early injuries, create "noise" in the nervous system.

2. Nervous System Dysregulation & Dysautonomia

This constant "noise" leaves the body stuck in stress mode — constantly operating in “fight or flight,” which makes it nearly impossible to feel calm or focus.

3. Vagus Nerve Dysfunction

The vagus nerve is essential for the body to regulate digestion, emotion, and rest — it’s the body’s brake pedal. When it’s not working well, children struggle to regulate emotions, attention, and behavior.

What If There’s a Better Way?

Here’s the truth we know: Your child isn’t broken. They don’t need more labels or stronger prescriptions. They need answers. And they need a care plan that finally gets it right.

This is the exciting part — we can actually see what’s going on in your child’s nervous system with gentle, non-invasive scans. These Neurological INSiGHT Scans don’t just give a label; they show us what’s really behind the struggles. That way, we can create a personalized, drug-free plan to help calm their brain, improve focus, and help them thrive.

From Chaos to Clarity

So many families are struggling with ADHD right now — with or without a diagnosis, their kids are stuck in the cycle of symptoms, side effects, and little or no progress.

And that’s because most doctors are only looking at the what — the label, the diagnosis — instead of the why.

ADHD challenges start deep in the brain and nervous system — and if we don’t look beneath the surface, we’re missing the most important piece of the puzzle.

When a child’s nervous system is stuck in stress mode, things like behavior charts, medications, or consequences often fall short. But when we begin to calm and balance that overwhelmed system? That’s when real change happens. Focus improves. Meltdowns lessen. Sleep becomes more consistent. Restoring that peace in your child's body can bring more peace in your home.

What’s Next?

If you're tired of guessing... tired of medications that don't work... or tired of watching your child struggle without answers — it's time to look deeper. If your heart is saying, “There has to be a better way,” we want you to know — you’re right.

At Tiffin Family Chiropractic, we take the time to find the root cause that can help your child, naturally. Even if you're not local to us, you can check out the PX Docs directory to find an office near you.

Remember: The first step to helping your child is figuring out which type of “bull” is charging through their brain. With the right care, your child’s greatest struggle may just become their greatest strength.