ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. As the name suggests, this condition is a cognitive disorder, quite common in children. A few significant signs such as hyperactivity, diffused concentration and uncontrolled behavioral patterns confirm this condition. ADHD disorder is classified in subtypes as listed below:
* Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
* Predominantly inattentive
* Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive (this is most common in children)
So let's get into knowing ADHD symptoms in children, better.
Symptoms of ADHD in Children
As mentioned, key behavioral patterns in ADHD symptoms in children are excess hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention. Most of the times, these symptoms are ignored as they are confused with the playful attitude of the child. However, ADHD rings a bell of alarm if the child has the following symptoms for 6 months or more, and if these symptoms are more prominent than in other children.
Distinct ADHD Symptoms
Inattention (Predominantly inattentive subtype):
* Easily distracted from focus
* Forgetfulness
* Difficulty in learning a new thing or completing a task
* Not paying attention when he is addressed
* Easily confused and disoriented
* Day dreaming
* Struggling to follow instructions or process information
Hyperactive and Impulsiveness (Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive):
* Extremely impatient and talkative
* Blurting out inappropriate comments without a restraint on speech or thought about the consequences
* Interrupting conversations
* Playing and touching anything and everything that comes in their way
* Squirming and fidgeting (read fidgeting in children), when things do not work their way
Causes of ADHD
Causes for ADHD symptoms in children are attributed to various reasons like:
* Emotional trauma (like death in family or divorce)
* Undetected seizures
* Anxiety followed by depression
* Existing medical disorders concerning brain
* Smoking and drug abuse in pregnancy
* Environmental toxins (like lead and polychlorinated biphenyls)
* Heredity (1 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD have at least one relative with the same condition)
Complications
Every disorder has a trailing list of complications. ADHD can be a trying condition for children and their family as children are not much aware that something is not right with their behavior. ADHD symptoms in children makes them more susceptible to other serious medical conditions like:
* Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) (a hostile behavioral pattern towards authoritarian figures and is more prominent in boys)
* Conduct Disorder (a repulsive behavioral form that includes stealing, destroying property, harming animals and fighting for no rhyme or reason)
* Anxiety Disorders (most apparent outcome of aggravated ADHD symptoms, exhibiting fear, worry, shunning oneself from everyone and depression)
* Learning Disabilities (A symptom mostly observed in classrooms where these children fail to focus on a subject and follow the instructions correctly)
* Tourette Syndrome (a neurological disorder caused by compulsive vocal and muscular tics)
Treatment for ADHD in Children
Diagnosis precedes treatment for any medical condition. Unfortunately, there is no certain test that can diagnose ADHD symptoms in children. As mentioned earlier, if a child has persistent issues like low concentrating levels and defiantly impulsive behavior for no reason, for more than 6 months, the child needs medical attention. The doctor prepares a prognosis report on the child after examining the child medically and after having gathered requisite information about the child's health, behavior and issues at school and home. In United States, a manual: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has been prepared by American Psychiatric Association, which dictates the criteria for ADHD diagnosis. It states that the child must have six or more signs of ADHD symptoms from either of the subtypes of ADHD mentioned above.
Medications prescribed for ADHD treatment, are stimulant drugs (Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine) and non stimulant atomoxetine. These ADHD medications enhance the neurotransmitters of the brain and help in calming down impulsive behavior and symptoms of loss of focus and hyperactivity. However, these stimulant drugs have varying effects with a few showing effect for 4 hours and some for 6-12 hours. Methylphenidate is recommended for children (aged 6 years -12 years). However, every child responds differently to the medication and hence these drugs pose side effects too, like loss of appetite, irritability, weight loss, muscle twitches and sleeplessness. In cases, where side effects surpass the desired effect on the child, non stimulant drugs are prescribed. These medications also aid in bringing down the anxiety levels in children. In a few cases, it has been observed that prolonged use of non stimulant drugs can induce suicidal thinking in children, which is a dangerous side effect.
Sometimes, what a medication cannot do, a therapy does! There are many counseling sessions for combating ADHD symptoms in children. Some alternative ADHD treatment options have been listed below:
* Psychotherapy (Helping the older children talk their mind out about the issues they have faced and are facing in life)
* Behavior therapy (A combined effort of parents and teachers working together to understand the behavioral patterns of the children)
* Family therapy (Helping parents and siblings cope up with the trying times that are faced when a child from the family exhibits ADHD symptoms)
* Social Skills training (Teaching children about appropriate social behavior)
Children are like flowers which bloom only when tended with care and attention. Many a times, ADHD symptoms in children are confused with naughtiness and hyperactivity in toddlers. This is one of the main reasons as to why it is difficult to diagnose this condition. Reprimanding a child with ADHD will get you nowhere. It is better to observe your child's activities, if you feel he is inattentive and impulsive for most of the times. And after 6 months, you can fix an appointment with the doctor to confirm your doubts! Do read child support guidelines (on our website), for helping children, who are diagnosed with this condition. ADHD is not a disease, but a disorder which can be treated over a period of time with good care and affection. Natural remedies for ADHD children are available, both diet and herbal based. For more information, you may refer our article: Herbal remedies for ADHD. All said and done, the most important tip should not be missed out: Be patient with your child and give him your precious time. The time you spend with your child, hearing his incessant chatter, is worth it!
* Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
* Predominantly inattentive
* Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive (this is most common in children)
So let's get into knowing ADHD symptoms in children, better.
Symptoms of ADHD in Children
As mentioned, key behavioral patterns in ADHD symptoms in children are excess hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention. Most of the times, these symptoms are ignored as they are confused with the playful attitude of the child. However, ADHD rings a bell of alarm if the child has the following symptoms for 6 months or more, and if these symptoms are more prominent than in other children.
Distinct ADHD Symptoms
Inattention (Predominantly inattentive subtype):
* Easily distracted from focus
* Forgetfulness
* Difficulty in learning a new thing or completing a task
* Not paying attention when he is addressed
* Easily confused and disoriented
* Day dreaming
* Struggling to follow instructions or process information
Hyperactive and Impulsiveness (Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive):
* Extremely impatient and talkative
* Blurting out inappropriate comments without a restraint on speech or thought about the consequences
* Interrupting conversations
* Playing and touching anything and everything that comes in their way
* Squirming and fidgeting (read fidgeting in children), when things do not work their way
Causes of ADHD
Causes for ADHD symptoms in children are attributed to various reasons like:
* Emotional trauma (like death in family or divorce)
* Undetected seizures
* Anxiety followed by depression
* Existing medical disorders concerning brain
* Smoking and drug abuse in pregnancy
* Environmental toxins (like lead and polychlorinated biphenyls)
* Heredity (1 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD have at least one relative with the same condition)
Complications
Every disorder has a trailing list of complications. ADHD can be a trying condition for children and their family as children are not much aware that something is not right with their behavior. ADHD symptoms in children makes them more susceptible to other serious medical conditions like:
* Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) (a hostile behavioral pattern towards authoritarian figures and is more prominent in boys)
* Conduct Disorder (a repulsive behavioral form that includes stealing, destroying property, harming animals and fighting for no rhyme or reason)
* Anxiety Disorders (most apparent outcome of aggravated ADHD symptoms, exhibiting fear, worry, shunning oneself from everyone and depression)
* Learning Disabilities (A symptom mostly observed in classrooms where these children fail to focus on a subject and follow the instructions correctly)
* Tourette Syndrome (a neurological disorder caused by compulsive vocal and muscular tics)
Treatment for ADHD in Children
Diagnosis precedes treatment for any medical condition. Unfortunately, there is no certain test that can diagnose ADHD symptoms in children. As mentioned earlier, if a child has persistent issues like low concentrating levels and defiantly impulsive behavior for no reason, for more than 6 months, the child needs medical attention. The doctor prepares a prognosis report on the child after examining the child medically and after having gathered requisite information about the child's health, behavior and issues at school and home. In United States, a manual: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has been prepared by American Psychiatric Association, which dictates the criteria for ADHD diagnosis. It states that the child must have six or more signs of ADHD symptoms from either of the subtypes of ADHD mentioned above.
Medications prescribed for ADHD treatment, are stimulant drugs (Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine) and non stimulant atomoxetine. These ADHD medications enhance the neurotransmitters of the brain and help in calming down impulsive behavior and symptoms of loss of focus and hyperactivity. However, these stimulant drugs have varying effects with a few showing effect for 4 hours and some for 6-12 hours. Methylphenidate is recommended for children (aged 6 years -12 years). However, every child responds differently to the medication and hence these drugs pose side effects too, like loss of appetite, irritability, weight loss, muscle twitches and sleeplessness. In cases, where side effects surpass the desired effect on the child, non stimulant drugs are prescribed. These medications also aid in bringing down the anxiety levels in children. In a few cases, it has been observed that prolonged use of non stimulant drugs can induce suicidal thinking in children, which is a dangerous side effect.
Sometimes, what a medication cannot do, a therapy does! There are many counseling sessions for combating ADHD symptoms in children. Some alternative ADHD treatment options have been listed below:
* Psychotherapy (Helping the older children talk their mind out about the issues they have faced and are facing in life)
* Behavior therapy (A combined effort of parents and teachers working together to understand the behavioral patterns of the children)
* Family therapy (Helping parents and siblings cope up with the trying times that are faced when a child from the family exhibits ADHD symptoms)
* Social Skills training (Teaching children about appropriate social behavior)
Children are like flowers which bloom only when tended with care and attention. Many a times, ADHD symptoms in children are confused with naughtiness and hyperactivity in toddlers. This is one of the main reasons as to why it is difficult to diagnose this condition. Reprimanding a child with ADHD will get you nowhere. It is better to observe your child's activities, if you feel he is inattentive and impulsive for most of the times. And after 6 months, you can fix an appointment with the doctor to confirm your doubts! Do read child support guidelines (on our website), for helping children, who are diagnosed with this condition. ADHD is not a disease, but a disorder which can be treated over a period of time with good care and affection. Natural remedies for ADHD children are available, both diet and herbal based. For more information, you may refer our article: Herbal remedies for ADHD. All said and done, the most important tip should not be missed out: Be patient with your child and give him your precious time. The time you spend with your child, hearing his incessant chatter, is worth it!
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