Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD also called as attention deficit disorder is a condition with two primary components, poor attention and impulsive, hyperactive behaviour. The diagnosis of ADHD is often very scary for the parent and exposes the child to troubled relationships, poor self esteem and poor performance at school. ADHD often continues into adulthood. About 1 in 3 patients will outgrow this condition. And about one third of children suffering from this condition are likely to persist into adulthood.
The medical community and the world in general has only recently woken up to the magnitude of the problem due to ADHD. It is estimated that millions could be suffering from this disease and many would continue to suffer from ADHD even as adults thus causing a serious economic and social burden on the society.
Investigation of the causes of ADHD is an active area of research and has thrown some expected and few unexpected conclusions. Some of the risk factors associated with development of ADHD are smoking, consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs during pregnancy, exposure to environmental toxins and hereditary factors. Other than this prematurity and family history of ADHD or other behavioural disorders are also important risk factors.
Signs and symptoms of inattention may include:
- Often fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities
- Often has trouble sustaining attention during tasks or play
- Seems not to listen even when spoken to directly
- Has difficulty following through on instructions and often fails to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks
- Often has problems organizing tasks or activities
- Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework
- Frequently loses needed items, such as books, pencils, toys or tools
- Can be easily distracted
- Often forgetful
Signs and symptoms of hyperactive and impulsive behavior may include:
- Fidgets or squirms frequently
- Often leaves his or her seat in the classroom or in other situations when remaining seated is expected
- Often runs or climbs excessively when it's not appropriate or, if an adolescent, might constantly feel restless
- Frequently has difficulty playing quietly
- Always seems on the go
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out the answers before questions have been completely asked
- Frequently has difficulty waiting for his or her turn
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations or games
The symptoms of ADHD may be different in boys and girls. Boys are more likely to be hyperactive, while girls are more inattentive. The commonest observation about girls with ADHD is that they daydream. In contrast boys show their inattention by aimlessly fiddling or playing. What probably feed the notion that ADHD affects boys more than girls is due to the fact that boys are more likely to be less compliant with teachers and other adults thus their behaviour is often conspicuous.
The range of symptoms caused by ADHD often overlap with traits in normal children at some times. For example a preschooler has far less attention span than a older child, and even in adolescents and older children attention span is related to the interest level. Like children may listen to music or chat with friends for hours while may take little interest in house work. So when do we call it ADHD.
ADHD should generally be suspected if you notice consistently inattentive or hyperactive, impulsive behavior that:
- Lasts more than six months
- Occurs in more than just one setting (typically at home and at school)
- Regularly disrupts school, play and other daily activities
- Causes problems in relationships with adults and other children
ADHD can make life difficult for children. Children with ADHD:
- Often struggle in the classroom, which can lead to academic failure and judgment by other children and adults
- Tend to have more accidents and injuries of all kinds than do children who don't have the disorder
- Are more likely to have trouble interacting with peers and adults
- Are at increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse and other delinquent behaviour
Diagnosis And Management