Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a type of brain disorder that affects the person in paying attention or controlling behavior. A person can get ADHD at any age. But the symptoms of ADHD mostly appear in children and teens. If your kid gets ADHD, the condition will continue into adulthood. This is the most common mental disorder in kids. There is no prevention or cure for this illness. But the symptoms can be reduced with proper treatment. Early treatment can help your kid to perform well in studies and manage the symptoms.
Common symptoms of ADHD symptoms
Inattentive ADHD in Children
- Easily get distracted
- Don’t pay attention
- Forget daily activities
- Easily lose things
- Unable to finish the task
- Forget homework
- Make careless mistakes
Children with Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
- Can’t stay seated for a long time
- Very talkative
- Can’t play quietly
- Always ready to go
- Answers very bluntly
- Interrupts teachers or other kids
- Always running in corridors
Some kids also have a combined type of ADHD whereas the kids have symptoms of both types of ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in Adults
- Forget things easily
- Low self-esteem
- Impulsiveness
- Get frustrated easily
- Unable to control anger
- Issues in work
- Get bored easily
- Get addiction to alcohol or substances easily
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Mood swings
- Unable to stay organized
Common Causes of ADHD
Genes
ADHD can run in families. If a person has ADHD then there are possibilities that other members or siblings may have the same disorder. But it may occur due to the behavior kids learn from each other at home.
Brain changes
Areas that are controlling the activity of the brain are less active. Due to this, the kid with ADHD can’t focus properly. It can also occur when some of the brain chemicals may be out of balance.
Substance abuse
Any type of substance abuse like drugs during pregnancy can affect the child’s brain development. Toxins like lead can affect brain development a lot. Drinking or smoking during pregnancy can cause lots of problems in a child’s overall development.
Poor nutrition
If a woman is not taking the required nutrients during pregnancy, her child’s brain development may get affected. After birth, poor nutrition for infants can affect their brain development.
Brain injury
Any type of injury to the frontal lobe can cause issues in the brain. Due to the injury, a person can face problems in managing emotions.
Fact Check: Watching too much TV, or having any problems at home doesn’t cause ADHD. Today many people think watching too much TV or Smartphone is causing hyperactivity in kids. Well, it can cause some effects on the kids’ behavior but does not cause ADHD. If your kids have any ADHD symptoms then you should consult a doctor.
How to diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Diagnosing ADHD in kids is difficult. There is no particular test that can show the exact ADHD condition. Doctors diagnose ADHD in children by monitoring the symptoms and talking to their parents. To confirm ADHD, the doctor will take some tests. These tests include some neurological and psychological examinations. The primary doctor may ask you to visit a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
For proper diagnosis, you will require:
- Medical history of the kid and family (especially parents’ history)
- Physical exams such as hearing, vision, verbal, etc. Some neurological assessments like motor skills help diagnose ADHD.
- Other evaluations like aptitude, intelligence, personality, traits, etc will be done
- Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid System scan to measure the theta and beta brain waves. The theta/beta ratio is usually higher in children with ADHD than in children without this condition.
Treatment options for ADHD
Lots of treatment options are available for ADHD. Most doctors and specialists suggest a multimodal approach to treat ADHD. This method involves different methods depending on the ADHD symptoms. Some of the symptoms of ADHD can be managed using medicines. However, therapies can help your kid to learn and manage behavior.
Medication
Several medications are prescribed to manage hyperactive and impulsive behavior. These medicines stimulate the brain chemical that controls the behavior. Some common medications to treat ADHD are Amphetamine, Dexmethylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine, etc. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants like SSRIs, Bupropion, etc. These medications have some side effects like anxiety, fatigue, trouble sleeping, headache, upset stomach, etc. Some research shows that medications may make the condition worse due to overuse. These medicines can act as brain chemicals and may increase impulsive behavior.
Dynamic medication
Instead of using allopathy, dynamic medications can be very effective in treating ADHD. The treatment plan depends on the person’s condition and symptoms. With ADHD treatment New York, you will get a tailored treatment plan. The medicines help in managing the symptoms of ADHD. Another benefit of dynamic medication is that they are safe. Your kid won’t face any negative side effects of these medications. Dynamic medication can provide better help for a long time.
Therapies
Several therapies are available to treat ADHD. A may have to give some extra knowledge to the kids to manage their routine. Your doctor may ask you to enroll the kid in special education classes where your kid can learn methods to cope with ADHD symptoms.
Behavior modification
You have to teach your kid how to replace negative behavior with good ones. Your kid will learn what behavior you or other people are expecting from him. Make simple rules for the kid to follow. Set the guidelines when he breaks the rule. It will help the kid to learn positive behavior. If your kid shows positive behavior, get him some reward like a new toy or something he wants.
Psychotherapy
If you are unable to handle your child’s ADHD condition, visit a psychotherapist. He will examine your child’s condition and help him to manage ADHD. Your psychotherapist may ask you to join any support group for better help. Sometimes, the therapist also educates parents on new skills for managing the behavior. Sometimes, he may also involve other family members.