Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is a diagnosis based on
six or more very specific symptoms that occur on a regular basis for
more than six months in more than two different settings.
Unfortunately there is not one single test for ADHD in adults or
children but rather an evaluation of behavior and cognitive abilities
in a variety of circumstances.
ADHD disorder in children and adults can present slightly differently
because of the different stages of life. In many cases the
condition is diagnosed in childhood when the behavior associated with
the disorder affect learning, schooling and other social aspects of the
child's life.
Children with ADHD will have signs of inattention, hyperactivity and/or
impulsivity in very specific ways. The children who have
symptoms of ADHD are in constant motion. They
donít appear to be quiet unless they are sleeping!
They don't seem to listen to instructions and can talk
excessively. They interrupt and intrude on others and are
easily distracted. Many times they have significant
difficulty finishing their tasks set before them by parents or teachers.
When the doctor evaluates the child's behavior it in comparison to
behaviors of children at the same stage in life.
There are other disorders that can cause behaviors that appear to be
like ADHD but arenít related. Children who have
experienced a sudden life change such as divorce or death in the
family, have undetected seizure activity, are anxious or depressed or
have a medical disorder that affects the function of the brain can
exhibit symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Many parents look at this list of possible symptoms of ADHD and can see
these in all their children, especially boys. That's because
the behaviors are typical children behavior! However,
children with ADHD donít have control over these behaviors
no matter how hard they try.
The diagnosis of ADHD before the age of five is difficult and probably
shouldnít be attempted so that the diagnosis can be avoided
if the child grows out of these issues by age six, which most children
do. The diagnosis of ADHD is also more difficult after the
child reaches their teen years.
There are several types of ADHD disorder in children.
Combined Type means that these children have all three symptoms and is
the most common form in children. Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
are children who are both hyperactive and impulsive but are also able
to pay attention. Inattentive type, formerly known as
attention deficit disorder (ADD), are children who are not overly
active and donít disrupt the classroom but have trouble
paying attention.
Researchers have found that children who have ADHD donít
make enough chemicals in key areas of the brain that are responsible
for organization of thoughts. This disorganization causes the
symptoms that we see in children with ADHD. More recent
research has also found links between smoking, alcohol abuse and other
substance abuse during pregnancy to ADHD.
Things that donít cause ADHD but may exacerbate the symptoms
and make it more difficult for the child to remain in control are
sugar, food allergies, lack of good nutrition, Aspartame, lack of
sleep, television and video games. Although these can make
the actual symptoms more difficult to control they can also make the
behavior of children without ADHD more difficult to control.
If you think your child may have ADHD you should speak with your
child's doctor. The diagnosis is only made after information is
obtained from several different sources. You physician will
work with you to gather the correct information and will order vision
and hearing testing if they havenít been recently completed.
Videos
Loading...
Adhd Side Effects News
Lindsay Lohan's Dad Reaches Out to Robert Downey Jr. - Us Magazine
Lindsay Lohan's Dad Reaches Out to Robert Downey Jr. Us Magazine There is an OTC medication used for sleep called Melatonin and it is WONDERFUL and does not have the side effects prescribed sleep aids have. ...
Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them - EurekAlert (press release)
Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them EurekAlert (press release) It is important to note, however, that concerns about side effects and the lack of evidence regarding their effectiveness were cited as significant barriers ...