Hope Heals? Why Unproven Treatments Seem to 'Work' for Kids

"Oftentimes, within online support groups for parents, questions arise about "treatments" that fall well outside the established evidence base for childhood mental health disorders. These suggestions frequently include supplements and "natural" fixes-zinc, saffron oil, magnesium-or restrictive diets such as gluten-free, casein-free, or "detox" protocols. Posts also commonly promote pseudoscientific interventions like sensory integration therapy, red light therapy, or homeopathy. Parents recommend them to other parents despite little to no scientific support for their effectiveness."

"A typical post might read, "Has anyone tried saffron oil for their child's ADHD?" Fortunately, most responses from parents are as we would expect: "Didn't help," or "Made my son worse." Given the lack of empirical evidence showing saffron oil has any meaningful effect on attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) symptoms, these outcomes are unsurprising. Almost inevitably, however, a few parents respond with statements like, "I tried everything else, and this was the only thing that worked," or "It was a total game-changer for my child!""

"These comments appear just often enough to keep various myths alive. Vulnerable parents-understandably-want relief from the daily chaos that can accompany raising a child with a serious mental health condition and turn to pseudoscientific fixes rather than pursuing established, evidence-based treatments. This phenomenon, of course, is not unique to psychology or nutrition. Bloodletting was a favored medical treatment in ancient Egypt and Greece, which persisted until the 19th century."

Online parent support groups frequently recommend treatments outside the evidence base for childhood mental health, including supplements (zinc, saffron oil, magnesium), restrictive diets, and pseudoscientific therapies like sensory integration, red light therapy, and homeopathy. Most parent reports describe no benefit or harms, yet occasional glowing anecdotes claim major improvements. Those rare positive testimonials help sustain myths and encourage vulnerable parents to try unproven options rather than evidence-based care. Historical parallels such as centuries-long use of bloodletting illustrate how ineffective practices can persist. The persistence of anecdote-driven treatments raises questions about placebo effects, regression to the mean, and other non-specific causes of perceived improvement.

Read at Psychology Today