Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Classification
- Hyperactive-impulsive
- Inattentive
- Combined
Signs And Symptoms
Children
General Symptoms
- A short attention span
- Being easily distracted
- constant fidgeting
- Learning difficulties
- Restlessness
- Sleep disorders
Specific Symptoms-
Inattentiveness
- A very short attention span
- Appearing forgetful or losing things
- Being unable to concentrate
- Being unable to listen to or carry out instructions
- Being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
- Being very easily distracted
- Constantly changing activity or task
- Having difficulty organizing tasks
- Making careless mistakes, for example in school work
Hyperactivity
- Being unable to settle into tasks
- Being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- Constantly fidgeting
- Excessive physical movement
- Excessive talking
Impulsiveness
- Acting without thinking
- Being unable to wait for a turn
- Breaking any set rules
- Interrupting conversations
- Little or no sense of danger
Adults
- Blurting responses, and poor social timing when talking to others
- Carelessness and lack of attention to detail
- Continually losing or misplacing things
- Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
- Difficulty keeping quiet and speaking out of turn
- Extreme impatience
- Forgetfulness
- Inability to deal with stress
- Inability to focus or prioritize
- Irritability and a quick temper
- Mood swings
- Often interrupting others
- Poor organizational skills
- Restlessness and edginess
- Taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others
Any problem in childhood is likely to persist into adulthood, which can make life extremely difficult.
Causes of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Genes
Children with ADHD who carry a particular version of a certain gene have thinner brain tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention and as children with this gene grew up, the brain developed to a normal level of thickness. Their ADHD symptoms also improved.
- Environmental factors
- Cigarette smoking
- Alcohol during pregnancy
- High exposure to lead
- Brain injuries
- Food additives — artificial colours, preservatives
Investigations
There’s no specific test for ADHD. Gathering as much information as possible about the child is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis and rule out other possible causes of the child’s symptoms.
Treatment
- Behaviour therapy — Teachers and parents can learn behaviour-changing strategies for dealing with difficult situations.
- Psychotherapy
- Ayurveda Medicines
- Meditation — Though it is not easy to make a hyperactive child meditate. But if with proper counselling and patience you are able to convince the child to meditate, then this is the Gold Standard Treatment for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Within a month, the results are visible. Yoga and Dhyan offer a promising role in treating ADHD.
- Parenting skills training — This helps parents to develop ways to understand and guide their child’s behaviour
- Family therapy
- Social skills training
- Support groups — Support groups can offer children with ADHD and their parents a network of social support, information and education.
Complications
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder itself doesn’t present complications. These are mostly medicine related.