(ADHD)

Alternative Names

ADD, Childhood hyperkinesis

What is (ADHD)

3-5% of children all over the world suffer from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).However, teenagers and adults can be affected by this disease. People who suffer from ADHD have problems with hyperactivity, focusing, are not attentive, have difficulties with managing their behavior.

Signs and symptoms

ADHD can be subdivided in 3 types:

• Mainly inattentive. A child, who has this subtype of ADHD, do not seem to be interested in what is happening around him, often forgets or looses his things, has his head in the clouds, do not listen when one speaks to him. You can often find such child daydreaming instead of doing homework. It is very difficult for him to concentrate on work, after some minutes the child can become bored (unless the activity he is busy with is really interesting for him) and switch to something new. Children have troubles with home assignments, organizing or planning their goals; often forget their things that they need while learning (pencils, books, bags etc.) at school. Such child can be struggling and unwilling to follow ones instructions (e.g. doing homework, helping about the house etc).
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive. Such children rarely remain quite or still. At school, while doing homework or eating a child fidgets on his chair, spins, talks to everybody, touches everything on the table and plays with it, can’t carry out the tasks quietly. Children with hyperactive-impulsive type are quite impatient; they don’t like to wait for their turn while playing or new toys they ask for, demand something they want with screaming and crying, chatter uninterruptedly, interrupt everybody around, let out others secrets, not thinking about results, demonstrate their emotions nonstop.
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• Mixed hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive type includes more than six signs and symptoms of each type above. This is the most widespread type of ADHD.

Possible complications

As every disease ADHD may have further complications. Such children often fight, have problems at school, due to the poor progress and become social outcasts. More often comparing to other kids without ADHD get into troubles, accidents, get injured. They do not get on with other children of the same age or adults. Considering problems with studying and lack of friends these children are more predisposed to become an alcoholic or a drug addict. Moreover following disorders can occur: conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome.

What causes

• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
• Conduct disorder.
• Depression and bipolar disorder.
• Anxiety disorders.
• Tourette syndrome. Many children with ADHD also have Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by compulsive muscle or vocal tics.

Prevention

There is a way of possible prevention of this problem. First of all, while being pregnant avoid alcohol drinking, smoking, drug taking. Later, it is better to set special rules for your child: he or she must have a clear idea of what he is allowed to do or say and what is unacceptable. Organize your child’s day properly. Spend more time with your children, playing and talking. If the problem is already there, do not be ashamed, visit your pediatrician, and cooperate with teachers.

Treatment

ADHD treatment includes the following medications: Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall), Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat).