Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.

Typically, it's first diagnosed in childhood and often persists into adulthood.

Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

Signs and symptoms

In general, children with ADHD may be:

• Inattentive, meaning they have difficulty staying focused and may easily become distracted or forget things.

• Hyperactive, meaning they may fidget, tap their feet, or be unable to sit still, especially in quiet or calm settings.

• Impulsive, meaning they may act without thinking or interrupt others frequently.

Types

There are three main types of this condition, distinguished more by specific sets of symptoms than by overall behavior.

Primarily inattentive presentation:

• Difficulty organizing tasks and activities or completing assignments.

• Dislike or avoidance of tasks that require sustained mental effort.

• Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli or forgetful in daily activities.

Primarily hyperactive-impulsive presentation:

• Talks excessively and often blurts out answers before questions have been completed.

• Difficulty waiting their turn and frequently interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations or games.

• Often "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor."

Combined presentation:

• Displays both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

Children with ADHD may experience challenges in school, at home, or in relationships with peers.

They may struggle with following instructions, focusing on tasks, or completing homework.

They may have difficulty sitting still, staying quiet, or waiting their turn.

They may also be more prone to accidents and injuries due to impulsive behavior.

Combined interventions:
In humans, symptoms of both types are often present.

Symptoms may change over time, and the type of manifestation may also change.

Risk factors for ADHD

Risk factors and unknown causes of ADHD, but recent scientific studies show that genetics plays an important role.

In addition to genetics, researchers study other possible causes and risk factors. Among them are:

Premature birth;

Exposure to environmental factors during fetal or early developmental period;

Alcohol and tobacco use during fetal period;

Genetic factors also contribute to the development of other possible causes and risk factors. These include:

Lack of physical activity;

Poor nutrition;

Scientific research does not confirm widely spread beliefs that ADHD can be caused by excessive sugar consumption, excessive television viewing, overstimulation, social or environmental factors, such as family conflicts or chaotic household.

However, many of these and other factors may exacerbate symptoms.

At the same time, scientific studies are not sufficiently strong to confirm that these factors are the main causes of ADHD symptoms.

Diagnosis

Determining whether a child has attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder includes several stages.

There is no single specific test for this, and many other conditions, such as anxiety, depression, hearing problems, vision problems, and certain types of learning difficulties, can present similar symptoms.

The first stage of diagnosis, usually, is a comprehensive medical examination, including a hearing and vision test, with the goal of ruling out other problems that may present symptoms similar to ADHD.

Diagnosis also includes collecting a detailed medical history, including family history, information from teachers, and sometimes from the child himself.

Treatment

In most cases, the best treatment for various situations is a combination of behavioral therapy and medication.

For school-age children (4-5 years old), behavioral therapy, especially parental training, is recommended before starting medication.

What works best is individualized to the child and family.

Monitoring the treatment program is important, followed by periodic review and adjustment when necessary.

Maintaining symptom management: Health.

General health is important for all children and especially important for children with ADHD.

With behavioral therapy and medication, a healthy lifestyle can significantly alleviate symptoms.

Such a lifestyle may include:

Food - balanced and nutritious, rich in protein-rich (meat) products;

Daily physical activity appropriate for age;

Limiting screen time from television, computer, phone, and other screen-based technologies;

Recommended duration of night sleep according to age.

Who to contact

If you or your child suspect ADHD, contact a child psychologist, psychiatrist, or pediatrician specializing in development.

ADHD in adults

This condition can persist into adulthood.

Some people have ADHD, but diagnosis is not always made.

Symptoms may manifest in the workplace, at home, or in relationships.

They may present differently with age, for example, hyperactivity may appear as restlessness in adulthood.

Symptoms may intensify when the demands of age increase, such as in hyperactivity, which may manifest as increased impulsive behavior.

Symptoms may also appear differently with age, for example, hyperactivity may manifest as restlessness in adulthood.

Symptoms may intensify as individuals age and face more demands.