Just In
- 32 min ago Deepika Padukone's 6 Refreshing Skincare Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
- 5 hrs ago 7 Questions You Should Ask Your Partner Before Getting Into An Arranged Marriage
- 9 hrs ago Heeramandi: Designers Rimple And Harpreet Craft Inspiring 300 Outfits, Know The Details Here!
- 13 hrs ago These Common Habits Can Be Insidious, Can Hurt Any Partner And Ruin Any Relationship
Don't Miss
- Sports Who Won Yesterday's IPL Match 33? PBKS vs MI, IPL 2024 on April 17: Mumbai Indians Escape Last-Ditched Fight by Punjab Kings To Win
- Movies Do Aur Do Pyaar OTT Release Date & Platform: When & Where To Watch Vidya Balan’s Film After Theatrical Run?
- Finance Wipro Q4 Results Preview: Weak Demand Likely To Drag Revenue Sequentially, EBIT Margins Seen Stable
- News BRS Chief K Chandrasekhar Rao Slams BJP, Says K Kavitha's Arrest Is Vendetta Politics
- Automobiles Aprilia RS 457 Accessories: A Detailed Look At The Prices
- Education Karnataka SSLC Result 2024 Soon, Know How to Check Through Website, SMS and Digilocker
- Technology Nothing Ear, Ear a With ANC, Up to 42.5 Hours of Battery Launched; Check Price and Availability
- Travel Telangana's Waterfall: A Serene Escape Into Nature's Marvels
ADHD In Children: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
Kids are often very active and social. But they definitely work up our last nerves when they do not give attention to what we have to say. In fact, most often, we complain of our kids having a very small attention span.
Research tells us that a kid's attention span lasts anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes only (5-6 year olds) and they cannot hold their interest in a thing for long. Though this is common, inconsistent hyperactivity and inattention can be the early signs of ADHD.
What Is ADHD? How Common Is It Among Children?
Attention
Deficit
and
Hyperactivity
Disorder
is
a
mental
condition
where
it
becomes
difficult
to
pay
attention
to
anything.
This
disorder
is
also
marked
by
the
constant
need
to
move
around
and
difficulty
in
controlling
impulsive
behaviour
as
well.
ADHD
is
often
a
neuro-developmental
disorder
that
is
common
among
kids
but
increasingly
diagnosed
in
adults
as
well.
Almost 10%-20% of children all over the world suffer from ADHD. Interestingly, the chances of kids suffering from the condition increase by almost 4 fold if they come from an English-speaking household.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD?
The most common symptoms of ADHD are attention deficit and hyperactivity. Below are the other signs to properly diagnose ADHD-
1)
Children
with
ADHD
often
forget
to
do
the
tasks
assigned
to
them.
They
also
forget
about
their
friends
or
even
their
toys.
2)
They
may
stay
away
from
things
that
require
too
much
mental
effort,
like
solving
puzzles,
etc.
3)
It
may
be
difficult
for
them
to
complete
a
given
task
due
to
their
very
small
attention
span.
4)
People
often
complain
about
excessive
fidgetiness
in
kids
with
ADHD.
Most
of
the
time,
they
may
not
sit
in
one
place
for
a
long
time.
5)
Children
with
ADHD
have
trouble
controlling
their
impulsive
behaviour
and
often
thrown
tantrums.
6)
They
cannot
wait
in
line
for
their
turn,
which
gets
them
into
trouble
easily.
7)
Some
kids
with
ADHD
can
talk
a
lot.
Most
of
the
times,
their
subject
changes
suddenly
and
you
may
have
difficulty
in
following
their
words.
8)
They
do
not
seem
to
listen
to
you
most
of
the
time
and
should
be
given
instructions
repeatedly
due
to
their
absentmindedness.
9)
ADHD
sufferers
make
silly
mistakes
in
their
day-to-day
activities
and
often
forget
where
they
have
kept
their
things.
10)
They
dislike
group
activities
as
it
would
require
them
to
follow
the
instructions
of
others.
It may be very difficult to diagnose ADHD in kids as most of the symptoms often are quite common among them. However, if you notice any of the symptoms in your child for more than 6 months, it is time to seek medical intervention.
What Causes ADHD?
There are many researches carried out every day in order to study the causes of ADHD. Recent studies have revealed that ADHD is caused by the combination of genetic and non-genetic reasons. Though, genetic factors cannot be controlled, non-genetic factors are the ones which affect the foetal brain during pregnancy. One research suggests that ADHD has neurological roots and happens when the brain is low of dopamine. (Dopamine is a chemical which helps the brain signal move from one nerve to another.) It also suggests that people with ADHD have less grey matter in their brains.
This can happen due to the below reasons:
1)
Over
exposure
to
certain
chemicals
during
pregnancy
can
prevent
the
brain
from
developing
normally.
2)
Drug
abuse
or
excessive
smoking
during
pregnancy.
The
nicotine
and
caffeine
affects
the
brain
development
of
the
foetus
and
may
cause
the
kid
to
develop
ADHD
later
on
in
life.
3)
Low
birth
weight
is
also
a
contributing
factor
to
ADHD.
4)
Brain
injuries
during
gestation
or
in
childhood
is
another
reason
for
ADHD.
Is ADHD curable?
Unfortunately, ADHD is not completely curable but the modern day medications and therapy can help manage the symptoms rather effectively. Most of these aim at improving mental functions.
Based on the severity of the symptoms, children with ADHD undergo medication, therapy or education and training or a combination of these.
Medications such as stimulants can help the brain release dopamine, which can help improve brain function. Nowadays, therapy for ADHD is also getting popular. Although, it alone may not be sufficient, therapy along with medication is known to be much more effective than medication alone.
Education and training for both parents and children will go a long way in managing the condition.
How Do You Handle A Child With ADHD?ADHD in Children: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
Children with ADHD are special and so they may require some special efforts. The first step towards managing your child with ADHD is to understand their symptoms. Some children with ADHD may suffer from extreme attention deficit while others may be particularly hyperactive. It is important to listen to a medical advisor as they will give you tailor made advice to suite your child.
Above all, handling a child with ADHD may need a lot of patience and love from your side.
What
Are
The
Other
Disorders
That
Accompany
ADHD?
There
are
many
disorders
with
symptoms
very
similar
to
ADHD
such
as:
-
Dyslexia
or
learning
disabilities
-
Oppositional
defiant
disorder,
where
children
are
defiant
and
disobedient.
-
Anxiety/depression
-
Bipolar
disorder.
Your doctor may test your child for these as well because a majority of children with ADHD also have at least one of these conditions.
- pregnancy parentingWhat Are The 5 C's Of ADHD Parenting? How Can It Help Improve Parent-Child Bond?
- kidsUnderstanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: How To Support Children With ADHD
- kidsADHD: A Guide To Packing School Backpacks For Children With ADHD
- kidsOppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) In Children: Causes, Symptoms, Complications And Treatments
- disorders cureComputer/Internet Addiction: Is It A Habit Or Addiction? Types, Causes, Diagnosis And Treatments
- disorders cureGuide To Preparing Your Child With ADHD For School
- disorders cure8 Medical Reasons Why You Feel Irritated All The Time!
- newsThe Vicious Cycle of ADHD and Sleep Deprivation: New Research
- wellnessWorkaholics More likely To Suffer From ADHD, OCD and Depression
- wellnessWomen With ADHD More Likely To Have Suicidal Thoughts-Finds Study
- kidsWays To Deal With A Child's ADHD Behaviour
- kidsSymptoms Of Child Behaviour Disorder