What is ADHD??

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) is similar to hyperkinetic disorder in which there are significant problems of attention and/or hyperactivity and acting impulsively which are not appropriate for a person's age. These symptoms begin from age six to twelve and need more than six months of diagnosis done. In school-age individual have lack of focus which result in poor performance. ADHD is approximately three times more frequent in boys than in girls .About 30 to 50 percent of people diagnosed in childhood continue to have symptoms in the adulthood and between 2 and 5 percent of adults are in same condition. The conditions are difficult to tell except from other disorders as well their high normal activity.

Children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in specific ways. These children:

·         Are in constant motion.

·          Squirm and fidget.

·          Do not seem to listen.

·          Have trouble playing quietly.

·          Often talk excessively.

·          Interrupt or intrude on others.

·          Are easily distracted.

·          Do not finish tasks.  

    Other disorder related to ADHD:

        OPPOSITIONAL-DEFIANT DISORDER

         CONDUCT DISORDER

         PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER

        CENTRAL AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDEr AND HEARING PROBLEMS

        BIPOLAR DISORDER (MANIC DEPRESSION),

        ANXIETY DISORDERS

        SLEEP DISORDERS

         OTHER CONDITIONS

 

 

                                                                                                                                  

·          3 Types of ADHD in Children: Doctors have classify symptoms as the following types of  ADHD:

·         Combined Type (Inattentive/Hyperactive/Impulsive). Children with this type of ADHD show all three symptoms. This is the most common form of ADHD.

·         Hyperactive/Impulsive Type. Children show both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but for the most part, they are able to pay attention.

·         Inattentive Type. Formerly called attention deficit disorder (ADD). These children are not overly active. They do not disrupt the classroom or other activities, so their symptoms might not be noticed.                                         

Causes of ADHD in children’s are:     Genetics: It indicate that the disorder is often inherited from one's parents with genetics. Genetic factors are also believed to be involved in determining whether or not ADHD persists into adulthood..       Environment: Environmental factors play a lesser role. Alcohol intake during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder which can include symptoms similar to ADHD. Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy can cause problem with central nervous system development and can increase the risk of ADHD..      Society: The reason of ADHD represent family ‘s poor educational system rather than an individual problem. Some cases may be explained by increasing academic expectations; with a diagnosis being a method for parents in some countries to get extra financial and educational support for their child. The youngest children in a class have been found to be more likely to be diagnosed as having ADHD possibly due to their being developmentally behind their older classmates. Typical behavior of ADHD are more commonly in  those children who have experienced violence and emotional abuse.

EFFECT of ADHD ON CHILDREN, PARENTS AND SIBLINGS:

·         Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic, debilitating disorder which may impact upon many aspects of an individual’s life, including academic difficulties, social skills problems and strained parent-child relationships.                                                  

·         It was previously thought that children eventually outgrow ADHD, recent studies suggest that 30–60% of affected individuals continue to show significant symptoms of the disorder in their adult age.

·         Children with the disorder are at greater risk for long- term negative outcomes, such as lower educational and employment attainment.

ADHD management usually involves some combination of counseling, lifestyle changes, and medications. Medications are only recommended as a first-line treatment in children who have severe symptoms and may be considered for those with moderate symptoms who either refuse or fail to improve with counseling. Long term effects of medications are not clear and they are not recommended in preschool-aged children. Adolescents and adults tend to develop coping skills which make up for some or all of their impairments.

                                                                                                                                                           

Nikita Nahata