ADHD : Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

What Is ADHD?

Do you know what’s common among Justin Timberlake, Michael Phelps, and Simone Biles, except for the fact that they are super successful and famous? Well, they have struggled with ADHD.

ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which is a common neurological disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood and can continue into adulthood. People with ADHD have difficulty staying focused, exhibit impulsive behaviour and are overly active. It is usually noticed when a child starts going to school and begins to have problems paying attention. They are likely to act unpredictably as well. ADHD cannot be cured or prevented but early detection and the right treatment can help a child or adult manage their symptoms.

Causes of ADHD

The exact cause of ADHD is still not known, but from the available evidence, it is believed that genetics plays a major role. If a parent suffers from ADHD, there’s a more than 50% chance of a child inheriting it. And if an older sibling has it, the possibility of another child having it is more than 30%. Apart from genetics, doctors have identified some other risk factors, such as:

• Consumption of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy
• Brain/head injury
• Exposure to environmental toxins such as lead and pesticides during pregnancy or at a young age
• Premature delivery
• Low birth weight

There is no evidence to prove that ADHD is caused by consuming too much sugar, poor parenting, playing video games, watching too much TV, poverty, etc. These are only myths.

Signs & Symptoms of ADHD

ADHD symptoms in children fall under 3 categories:

1. Inattentiveness

The main signs of inattentiveness are

• Short attention span
• Problem staying focused on tasks or games
• A hard time paying attention and careless mistakes at school
• Difficulty in organising tasks or activities
• Forgetful or losing things
• Difficulty in listening to others or carrying out instructions
• Getting easily distracted
• Forgetting to do daily activities
• Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly
• Avoiding tasks that require focused mental effort and sitting still
• Tendency to daydream

2. Impulsivity

The signs and symptoms are:

• Interrupting others in conversations, games or activities
• Unable to wait for their turn
• Doing things without thinking
• Talking excessively

3. Hyperactivity

The symptoms include:

• Difficulty in staying seated for long
• Extremely fidgety
• Restlessness, that is, constantly moving, such as running or climbing on things
• Poor concentration on tasks, shifting from one task to another before completing one
• Excessive talking
• Losing or forgetting things frequently
• Blurts out answers

As a person gets older, ADHD symptoms may change into:

• Anxiety
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty in controlling anger
• Difficulty in staying organised
• Easily bored and frustrated
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Relationship problems

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

As symptoms of ADHD overlap with those of other conditions like anxiety, depression, sleep problems and learning disabilities, there’s no single test for ADHD diagnosis. The process has multiple steps.

• The first step that a doctor takes is by talking to the affected person, the family members and teachers (in the case of children) to understand behavioural patterns at home, school, or the workplace.
• The doctor also asks if the person has been showing these symptoms continuously for at least 6 months.

There are some parameters based on which the doctor confirms whether it is a case of ADHD.

• In the case of a child, they must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentiveness or 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
• An adult will be diagnosed with ADHD if they have 5 or more symptoms of inattentiveness or 5 or more of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
• The doctor may also conduct a medical examination, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with similar symptoms as ADHD.

Treatment of ADHD

There is no cure for ADHD disorder, but the right ADHD treatment can help manage the symptoms. Treatment involves ADHD medication, behavioural therapy, or a combination of both.

1. Medication

• Stimulants are commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They work on the brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine, and help control impulsive behaviour and improve attention and focus.
• Stimulants are effective in about 70-80% of ADHD patients.
• If stimulants don’t work, the doctor might prescribe non-stimulants which are not as fast-acting as stimulants. In some cases, doctors may prescribe antidepressants.

2. Therapy

Some therapies which can be used are

• Behaviour Therapy
• Parent training and education programmes
• Social Skills Training and
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

For children aged 4 to 6 years, behavioural therapy is recommended as the first line of treatment.

Apart from medication and therapy, some natural remedies are suggested too, like:

• Nutritious diet
• Enough sleep
• Some form of physical activity every day
• Limiting screen time
• Meditation
• Yoga

Prevention of ADHD

Though there are no specific preventive measures for ADHD, there are ways in which you can reduce the possibility of your child getting it.

• Pregnant women should avoid activities or substances that could harm the development of the foetus, such as alcohol consumption, smoking and drugs.
• Avoid exposure of children to pollutants and toxins such as lead paint or cigarette smoke.
• Although there’s no evidence about the connection between screen time and ADHD, experts recommend limiting the amount of TV and video games in the first five years of life.

Complications of ADHD

ADHD can lead to severe emotional and physical complications:

• Poor self-esteem
• Increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse
• Difficulty in interacting with peers
• Prone to accidents and injuries of all kinds
• Delinquent behaviour
• Sleep problems

When to See a Doctor?

If an adult or child you know shows some of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms of ADHD, consult a doctor immediately. They may refer you to a specialist such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist, but it’s important to have a medical evaluation to check for other possible causes. Remember that the symptoms of this attention deficit disorder are like certain medical conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, etc.

Conclusion

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a lifelong condition. A person does not ‘grow out of’ ADHD but managing the symptoms with the right treatment can help them live a happy life. However, if left untreated, they may experience anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, eating disorders, and problems with school, work, and relationships.