Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic brain disorder that affects how you pay attention, sit still, and control your behavior. It happens in children and teens and can continue into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
ADHD symptoms start before age 12, and in some children, they’re noticeable as early as 3 years of age.ADHD occurs more often in males than in females.
Types & Symptoms –
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has three types:
• inattentive type
• hyperactive/impulsive type
• combined type.
A diagnosis is based on the symptoms that have occurred over the past six months.
▪︎ Inattentive type –
six (or five for people over 17 years) of the following symptoms occur frequently:
• Has problems staying focused on tasks or activities, such as during lectures, conversations or long reading.
• Doesn’t pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school or job tasks.
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to (i.e., seems to be elsewhere).
• Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as preparing reports and completing forms.
• Does not follow through on instructions and doesn’t complete schoolwork, chores or job duties (may start tasks but quickly loses focus).
• Often loses things needed for tasks or daily life, such as school papers, books, keys, wallet, cell phone and eyeglasses.
• Got easily distracted.
• Has problems organizing tasks and work (for instance, does not manage time well; has messy, disorganized work; misses deadlines).
• Forgets daily tasks, such as doing chores and running errands. Older teens and adults may forget to return phone calls, pay bills and keep appointments.
▪︎ Hyperactive/impulsive type –
six (or five for people over 17 years) of the following symptoms occur frequently:
• Blurts out an answer before a question has been finished (for instance may finish people’s sentences, can’t wait to speak in conversations).
• Interrupts or intrudes on others (for instance, cuts into conversations, games or activities, or starts using other people’s things without permission). Older teens and adults may take over what others are doing.
• Unable to play or do leisure activities quietly.
• Not able to stay seated (in classroom, workplace).
• Has difficulty waiting his or her turn, such as while waiting in line.
• Always “on the go,” as if driven by a motor.
• Talks too much.
• Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
▪︎Combined –
This involves signs of both other types.
Causes –
Experts aren’t sure what causes ADHD. Several things may lead to it, including:
• Brain changes. Areas of the brain that control attention are less active in children with ADHD.
• Genes. ADHD tends to run in families.
• Toxins, such as lead. They may affect a child’s brain development.
• Chemicals. Brain chemicals in people with ADHD may be out of balance.
• A brain injury or a brain disorder. Damage to the front of the brain, called the frontal lobe, can cause problems controlling impulses and emotions.
• Poornutrition, infections, smoking, drinking, and substance abuse duringpregnancy. These things can affect a baby’s brain development.
Sugar doesn’t cause ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder isn’t caused by too much TV, a stressful home life, poor schools, or food allergies.
Diagnosis –
There is no lab test to diagnose ADHD.
Diagnosis involves –
• gathering information from parents
• teachers and others
• filling out checklists
• having a medical evaluation (including vision and hearing screening) to rule out other medical problems.
Treatment –
▪︎Psychostimulant medications.
These medications are used for their ability to balance chemicals in the brain that prohibit the child from maintaining attention and controlling impulses. They help the brain to focus and may be used to reduce the major characteristics of ADHD.
Medications that are commonly used to treat ADHD include the following:
• A mixture of amphetamine salts (Adderall)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Methylin)
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat)
• Atomoxetine (Strattera).
▪︎Therapy.
These treatments focus on changing behavior.
• Social skills training can teach behaviors, such as taking turns and sharing.
• Psychotherapy (counseling) can help someone with ADHD learn better ways to handle their emotions and frustration. It could help improve their self-esteem. Counseling may also help family members better understand a child or adult with ADHD.
• Special education helps a child learn at school. Having structure and a routine can help children with ADHD a lot.
• Behavior modification teaches ways to replace bad behaviors with good ones. Let your child know what behaviors you expect of them. Make simple, clear rules. When they lose control, have them face consequences that you’ve set up, like time-outs or losing privileges. Keep an eye out for good behavior. When they keep their impulses in check, reward them.
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