Overview
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder- known as ADD or ADHD- is among the most widespread childhood mental disorder. It is a biological condition linked with brain and is symbolized by reduced concentration and/or hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. Approximately 3 – 5% of kindergarten and school age children have ADHD. Research shows that 40 – 60% children with ADHD can carry symptoms into adolescence and adulthood.
Neurological research shows that persons with ADHD have a tendency of decreased electrical activity in certain regions of the brain and are less reactive to stimulus in these regions. If ADHD is not properly treated, it can cause poor results at school/work and deprived social interactions.
Symptoms
Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the main symptoms of ADHD. For diagnosis of this disease, the intensity of the symptom must be higher than other children of the same age group.
Inattention: Children showing symptoms of inattention have problems in concentration and performing routine tasks. They are simply distracted by unrelated things and sounds. They tend to get bored easily and change from one task to another. They are often confused and tend to forget things. They cannot differentiate between significant and insignificant information. They are not able to organize and finish any assignment. These children are daydreamers and never listen what is spoken to them. It is quite difficult for them to be organized and listen to instructions. They appear inactive, slow-moving and live a disorganized life.
Hyperactivity: The hyperactive children exhibit elevated degree of physical and/or verbal activity. These children are always on the move or talk in nonstop manner. They cannot sit still and are always squirming or fidgeting. They tend to dominate conversations and always interrupt others if they are speaking. They have difficulty in sitting still during dinner or story time. Due to shrill behavior and problems in managing their own level of activity, these children have problems in school and social life.
Impulsivity: The children who are impulsive are impatient and have problem in restraining their attitude and reactions. They utter improper comments and act without thinking. They frequently interrupt others and have problems in waiting for their turns. Their impulsive nature forces them to rush through things and can place them in dicey or dangerous situations.
ADHD is of three types:
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type – The signs and symptoms are mainly linked to hyperactivity and impulsivity. The child does not exhibit major attention problems.
- Predominantly Inattentive Type – The symptoms are mainly associated with inattention. The child does not show any major hyperactive/impulsive behaviors.
- Combined Type – The child exhibits both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Most children have this type of ADHD.
Causes
Genes play a major role in causing ADHD but the exact cause of ADHD is not known. The disorder is a consequence of a combination of many factors. Many studies point towards environmental factors, nutrition, brain injuries, and social atmosphere as the probable causes behind ADHD.
Genes: Studies show that presence of certain genes makes you more prone to ADHD. ADD/ADHD is generally known to move in families. Individuals suffering from this disorder have particular genes which cause wiry brain tissue in the regions of the brain linked with attention. Knowledge about certain genes can result in better treatment procedures.
Environmental Issues: Researches indicate a strong relation between alcohol use and cigarette smoking during pregnancy and development of ADHD in children.
Brain injuries: It is seen that children who have undergone a brain injury exhibit traits of ADHD. But there is no direct link between both.
Nutrition: It is found that intake of particular food additives such as preservatives and synthetic colors can aggravate the activity levels. However, research is underway to know the exact links. Studies have also shown that sugar substitutes have some role in increasing some symptoms of ADHD.
Diagnosis & tests
Children grow up in varied manners with their own unique personalities and energy levels. The three main symptoms of ADHD/ADD – inattentiveness, impulsiveness and hyperactivity- are found in most children. At times, even normal levels can be mistaken for ADHD. The signs appear between the ages of 3 and 6, and the disorder is difficult to diagnose. Parents may detect that their child loses concentration or is more hyperactive as compared to other children. The teachers observe certain other symptoms like a child has problem in following instructions or remains indifferent in classroom.
There is no specific test to diagnose ADHD. Generally, the parents need to refer to mental health specialist with a good experience in dealing with cases of ADHD. The doctor collects data about the child, environment and the behavior pattern. The specialist will initially rule out any events, health condition or situations that might cause symptoms similar to ADHD. The physician will try to find any unnoticed hearing or vision problems that affect the overall performance of the child. They also need to rule out anxiety or depression that can cause problems that influence thinking and behavior. The physician will also check
- Whether the patterns are in extreme and do they influence every part of the child's life?
- Are the symptoms more prominent in the child as compared to peers?
- Is this behavior a constant problem or a short-term state?
- Does the behavior aggravate in some particular place like school or playground?
Conclusively, the specialist collects all the data and checks if the child convenes to ADHD, he or she will be diagnosed with this ailment.
Treatment & care
The present treatments aim at reducing the symptoms of ADHD and enhancing functioning. The treatments comprises of medication, psychotherapy, education and specific training. At times, a combination of treatments is used.
The most widespread medication meant for treating ADHD is known as stimulant. This medication has a soothing effect on children with ADHD. There are many kinds of stimulant medications and at times non-stimulants are also used. In many cases, these medications decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity. They enhance skill to concentrate, work, and study. The medications also improve motor skills and physical synchronization.
Various kinds of psychotherapy are required for ADHD. Behavioral therapy aids the child to change his or her behavior. The child requires practical support like in arranging tasks or carrying out homework. The child needs to be trained to deal with emotionally tough situations. Behavioral therapy involves teaching the child a manner of monitoring his or her own behavior. Therapists make the children learn social skills and manner to respond to others.
Parenting Tips
If your child exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, or impulsiveness, you need to spend a lot of time and patience to make him or her to listen, complete a task, or sit still. Though continuous observation might be annoying and strenuous, you must try your best to make the maximum of his or her abilities. Good parenting approach can do a lot to rectify problem behaviors. These children require arrangement, steadiness, understandable communication and incentives for their behavior.
Diets
By tailoring the diet and adding absent nutrients, the flawed communication in a child's brain can be mended and behavior can be altered. Children with this disorder cannot properly digest protein so therapists advice adding digestive enzymes to their diets. Carbohydrates like whole wheat or corn might cause complex reactions in children with ADD/ADHD so they must be avoided. They must be given good amount of vegetables and legumes for a proper brain function. Trans and hydrogenated fats must be avoided and the child must be intake right kinds of fats.
In addition to a balanced diet, supplements such as B-complex supplements, DHA, vitamin C and proanthocyanidins (found in grape seed extract), zinc and magnesium supplementation are needed for proper development of child with ADD/ADHD.