Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. Diagnosed in childhood, this can last into adulthood. Children who have this disorder usually have trouble paying attention, controlling their impulsive behavior, or can be overly active.

Symptoms of ADHD

Unlike adults, children are spontaneous in their behavior and it is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms in such children can be severe enough to cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

The following symptoms can be seen in a child with ADHD:

➡️ The child daydreams a lot
➡️ Forgets things or loses them
➡️ Make unnecessary movements
➡️ They talk too much
➡️ Make careless mistakes
➡️ Have a hard time resisting temptation
➡️ Have difficulty getting along with others

Types of ADHD

ADHD can present differently. The following are the types:

➡️ Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: In such a type it is hard for the child to organize or finish a task. The child is unable to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. Some children also get distracted easily or forget their routine activities.

➡️ Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: A child with this type moves and talks a lot, they find it difficult to sit in one place for example for homework or any attentive task. Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly and they may have a constant restlessness and impulsive nature. They may also interrupt others a lot and speak at inappropriate time.  Such impulsiveness may make them more prone to accidents and injuries.

➡️ Combined Presentation: In this type, symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the child.

Children with any type of disorder may show a change in symptoms from time to time.

What can cause ADHD?

Genetics plays a very important role in the development of ADHD. Besides genetics some important causes for this disorder can be:

➡️ Brain injury
➡️ Exposure to environmental risks during pregnancy or at a young age
➡️ Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
➡️ Premature delivery
➡️ Low birth weight

A combination of behavioral therapy and medication is best used to treat ADHD. In case you suspect ADHD in your child then visit a pediatric neurologist near you to bring out the best in them!