Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or simply ADHD) is the most common disorders that are found in children and it becomes apparent in the preschool and early childhood. Dr. Heinrich Hoffman first described about ADHD in 1845. Children with ADHD are unable to control their activities and pay attention. They have weakened functioning in several settings including home, school and in activities with friends. The disorder is mostly misunderstood in mental illness and left untreated and according to recent statistics two-thirds of kids with ADHD will continue to have considerable problems with ADHD as adults.

Impaired attention is evident by impulsively breaking off from responsibilities and leaving activities uncompleted. The children change regularly from one activity to another, apparently losing interest as they are diverted to another. Clinical studies of ADHD children have not revealed an abnormal degree of sensory or perceptual distractibility.

Overactivity implies extreme impatience; particularly in situations involving relative calmness. The child is always 'on the go' or constantly in motion. They dart around or play with anything that is in sight, or sitting still during a school lesson or prayer can be a hard task for them. They wriggle and are restless in their seats. The imperative rule for judgment should be that the doings is unnecessary in the context of what is expected in the situation and with their age and IQ.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has said that there are three patterns of behavior that indicate ADHD. There are three subtypes of ADHD recognized by psychiatrists. They are:

• The hyperactive-impulsive type: children who doesn't demonstrate significant inattention
• The predominantly inattentive type: those who does not show significant hyperactive-impulsive behavior
• The combined type: that displays both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

Is it possible that mischievous behavior can be mistaken for ADHD?

Not everyone who is excessively energetic, inattentive, or impetuous has ADHD. Because everybody shows some of these behaviors once in a while, the identification requires that such behavior be established to a scale that is inapt for the person's age and IQ. The diagnostic procedures also contain explicit necessities for determining when the symptoms indicate ADHD. The onset of the behaviors should be before age 7 and continue for no less than 6 months. Most of all, the behaviors must be a real handicap in more than one settings such as in the schoolroom, at home, in the society, or in playground. So children who shows symptoms in playground but whose studies or relationships are not impaired by these behaviors would not be diagnosed with ADHD.

Psychiatrists consider several critical questions to assess whether a child has ADHD. Are these behaviors disproportionate, continuing, and insidious? Do they occur more often than in other children of the same age? Are they an incessant problem, not just a response to temporary circumstances?

The Treatment of ADHD

Clinical studies have shown that the most successful treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication, psychotherapy or counseling to gain knowledge of coping skills and adaptive behaviors.

Medication is used to reduce disturbed behavior, aggressiveness, anxiety and hyperactivity. The choice of drug is largely empirical, guided by presenting symptoms, associated features and mood state. Generally the drugs respond to individual symptoms and not to the disorder as a whole.

Cognitive therapy and Behavior therapy are often supportive to change certain behaviors and to cope with the emotional effects of ADHD. Behavior modification is helpful along with correct discipline and encouragement. It is essential to provide the child with positive experiences to raise his self-esteem. Conscious efforts must be made to look for positive behavior and to praise the same.

For any feedback or suggestion please contact at: customersupport@firstclass-writeups.org, your valuable suggestion would be highly appreciated.

Above tutorial is the property of firstclass-writeups.org