Attention deficit hyperactivity

Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity , or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a chronic condition affecting millions of children and their association even in adulthood. Attributed problems to attention and concentration disorder include: Lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.

Attention deficit hyperactivity

Children with this disorder, in particular, suffer from low self-assessment, problematic social relationships and low achievement in educational settings.

Although the treatment is not able to cure the disorder, it may contribute to the treatment of the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment usually involves counseling or appropriate medication, or it may be a combination of both.

Diagnosis of the disorder can provoke fear, even terror. The symptoms that accompany the disorder may also be a challenge for parents and children alike. However, the treatment of this disorder can be a positive turning point, and therefore most children with the disorder can be reached to be effective, full of life and successful.

Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity

The term ADHD consists of a combination of two terms expressing Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which is accompanied by Hyperactivity. ADHD refers to the two main components of the disorder: attention deficit, as well as hyperactivity associated with impulsivity / impulsiveness.

Although some children with ADHD suffer from one aspect of this equation, most children suffer from the combination of both disorders (ADHD and ADHD). The first signs and symptoms of ADHD are manifested in activities that require concentration and intellectual effort, in particular.

Signs and symptoms of ADHD appear in most children diagnosed with ADHD before they reach the age of seven. In some children, even the first symptoms can occur at a younger age, such as during lactation.

Symptoms of attention and concentration disorder include:

• The child is often unable to pay attention to details or make mistakes due to lack of attention in the preparation of his or her homework or other activities.
• In most cases, the child is unable to remain alert and attentive during certain tasks, homework or during play. The child appears to be unaware of what is being said, even when he is approached directly
• The child has difficulty implementing or following instructions, and often fails to complete homework, homework or other duties
• The child has difficulty organizing during the preparation of homework or other tasks
• A child evades duties that he or she does not like that require intellectual effort, such as homework at school or homework
• A child with this disorder often tends to waste things, such as books, pens, toys and tools
• A child with this disorder can be distracted, very easily
• Often the child tends to forget some things
• The child shows discomfort and discomfort, moving nervously and writhing too much
• The child tends to leave his / her place in the classroom frequently, or has difficulty sitting in place for a long period of time in the expected circumstances.
• The child tends to run or climb, and often do these actions excessively and disproportionate to the situation
• Most often, a child cannot play quietly
• The child is always active and active most of the time
• The child tends to talk excessively
• The child tends to answer before you finish hearing the question (before you hear the whole question)
• Most often, a child cannot wait for his or her role and commitment to the role
• The child tends to interrupt talk or confusion when others talk or play

Symptoms of hyperactivity disorder and impulsive behavior include:

There is a difference in ADHD behaviors between boys and girls:

• Hyperactivity predominates over boys' behavior, while attention deficit is predominant for girls
• The lack of attention in girls is mainly daydreaming, while the overactivity of boys is the tendency to play or engage in nonsensical nonsense.
• Boys tend to be less attentive and follow the instructions of their teachers or other adults, making the problematic in their actions more noticeable and prominent.

If you notice that some of your child's behavior is characterized by frequent hyperactivity or attention deficit, there may be room to suspect that your child's behavior is caused by ADHD, if:

• These actions continue for a period of time exceeding six months
• The appearance of these behaviors in more than one frame (often, at school and at home, both)
• If the child is upset and annoyed at school permanently, both during play and during other daily activities
• If the child's relationships with adults or his or her peers are problematic

Normal behaviors versus behaviors in the ADHD window:

Most recovered children suffer from attention deficit, hyperactivity or impulsive behavior at some point in their lives.

For example, parents may be worried that their 3-year-old will not listen to a story to tell from beginning to end, and they suspect that not listening to the whole story stems from ADHD.

However, most pre-school children tend to concentrate for short periods of time, so they cannot continue to do one activity for a relatively long period of time. In addition, the focus of school-age students, or even adults, is often related to their interest in the topic of activity.

For example, teens may be able to hear music or talk to their friends for hours, while it is difficult to concentrate for a long time when preparing homework and homework.

This also applies to hyperactivity. Children are naturally high in vitality, causing stress and fatigue to their parents before they become tired. In some cases, children may become overactive after they become stressed, hungry, anxious or exposed to a new environment.

In addition, some children, by their nature, are more lively than others. Therefore, no child should be classified as having ADHD simply because, in terms of behavior, it differs from his brother or peers only.

It is not true that children who exhibit some problems in their actions in the school setting, while their actions are normal at home or when playing with their friends, are classified as ADHD. This applies to both types of children, ie children with ADHD, as well as ADHD, as long as their actions do not harm their relationships with friends or the performance of homework.

Causes and risk factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Many parents tend to blame themselves when their child is diagnosed with ADHD, but researchers are increasingly convinced that, over time, the causes of the disorder are due to hereditary traits, rather than to bad or wrong choices made by parents.

At the same time, certain environmental factors may affect or exacerbate a child's behavior.

Although only a few of the cryptococcal disorders have been detected, researchers have been able to identify some of the factors that may have an impact on the disorder:

• Change in brain structure or functioning: While the exact cause of ADHD is still unknown, brain scans have shown significant changes in brain structure and functioning in people with ADHD. For example, low activity has been observed in the brain regions responsible for activity and attention.
• Heredity: ADHD appears to be transmitted genetically from generation to generation. Research has shown that one in 40 children with the disorder has at least one family relative who has the same disorder.
• Maternal smoking during pregnancy, use of addictive substances and exposure to toxic substances: Pregnant women who smoke increase the likelihood of giving birth to a child with attention deficit and concentration disorder. Excessive spirits and addictive substance use during pregnancy can cause neuronal activity (neurons) that produce chemical neurotransmitters (Neurotransmitter). Pregnant women who are exposed to toxic environmental pollutants are also more likely to give birth to children with ADHD symptoms.

Risk factors that increase the risk of ADHD include:

• Exposure of the fetus to toxic substances
• Smoking, drinking alcohol or substance abuse, in pregnancy
• Family history of ADHD or other behavioral or psychological disorders
• Preterm birth

ADHD disorder appears, mostly, accompanied by other phenomena, including:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Dyslexia, or genius
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder - ODD

Complications of attention deficit hyperactivity

Children with ADHD may experience many difficulties in their lives following ADHD, including:

• They often face difficulties during instructional lessons, which can cause failure in educational attainment, as well as constant criticism, both from their peers and from adults.
• Are more likely to get involved in various accidents, with blows or wounds, than other children without this disorder
• They have difficulties cooperating with their peers or adults
• Are more at risk of alcohol consumption and substance abuse, or are more likely to have delinquency

Other related disorders:

Attention and concentration deficit disorder does not directly cause other psychological or developmental problems, but children with ADHD are more likely to develop other disorders resulting from this disorder, including:

Oppositional Defiant Disorder - ODD

- Behavioral disorders

Depression

- Dyslexia

- Tourette syndrome

Diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, making it difficult to diagnose ADHD. Gathering as much information as possible about a child with ADHD is the best way to accurately diagnose ADHD and to prevent the possibility of many other disorders that may affect children in childhood.

The first stage of the diagnosis begins with a comprehensive medical examination of the child, including questions relating to the general health of the child, medical problems, the appearance of signs or symptoms, and other problems and issues that may appear in the vicinity of the school or home.

Children with ADHD exhibit signs of prolonged periods and exhibit great difficulty in particularly stressful situations, or during an activity that requires a high level of attention and concentration, such as reading, solving computational problems or thinking games.

Most doctors believe that it is incorrect to classify a child as having ADHD unless he or she has clear and decisive signs and symptoms in early childhood that have contributed to permanent problems at home or at school.

Criteria for the diagnosis of attention deficit / concentration disorder / hyperactivity disorder:

To confirm a diagnosis that a child has ADHD, they should have at least six or more of the symptoms listed in at least one of the following two categories (or six, or more, of at least one of the symptoms from each Categories):

Attention deficit category

• In most cases, the child is unable to pay attention to details, or is inclined to make mistakes due to lack of attention, in schoolwork or during other activities
• The child's inability, in most cases, to remain vigilant while completing tasks, duties or during play
• The child does not listen to what is said to him, even when he is approached directly
• Demonstrate difficulty in following and executing instructions, in most cases not successful in completing homework, homework or assignments (failure of the child here is not due to objection to the fulfillment of duties or failure to understand instructions)
• The child has difficulty organizing when carrying out other duties or tasks
• Child abstinence from tasks that he does not like, or tasks that require intellectual effort (such as homework or homework)
• The tendency of the child, often, to waste and lose items (such as dolls, homework, pens and books)
• The child can be distracted, with remarkable ease
• Frequent tendency of the child to forget some things and issues

Hyperactivity or Impulsivity

• The child seems uncomfortable, nervously moving his hands and feet and often writhing on his seat
• Often, a child tends to leave his or her seat in the classroom, or cannot sit in his or her seat for a relatively long time, when expected in some circumstances.
• The child tends to run or climb, and sometimes these actions are excessive and disproportionate to the situation. In adults, this is often a lack of comfort
• The child's inability to play quietly and quietly, most often
• The child seems to be in a constant and permanent movement most of the time and behaves as if he is “working with an engine”
• The child tends to talk too much
• When asked, the child tends to answer before they hear the whole question
• The child cannot wait for his or her role most of the time
• The child tends to interrupt the conversation or cause discomfort while talking, or playing, others

In addition to six of these symptoms, which are mentioned in each of the two categories, the child is considered to have ADHD when:

• The child shows signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity leading to abnormal behaviors before reaching the age of seven
• It performs unacceptable behaviors and does not match the behavior of ordinary children who do not have ADHD
• These symptoms appear for more than six months
• The child shows signs of improper behaviors within the school, in everyday life at home and in relationships with those around him, so that these behaviors appear in more than one environment (such as in the school setting and at home, too).

In addition, a child with ADHD receives a more specific local diagnosis. for example:

• ADHD Attention Deficit Focus: When a child develops at least six of the symptoms of ADHD that are mentioned
• ADHD / hyperactivity and impulsivity disorder: When the child develops at least six symptoms that are included in the list of symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsive behavior, which are mentioned
• ADHD / Compound Disorder: When a child has at least six symptoms within each of the above categories

Other disorders may be similar to ADHD:

The attending physician may want to do some tests to test the various possibilities and causes that lead to abnormal behaviors in the child.

There are a number of medical conditions that may result in symptoms that are very similar to those of ADHD, including:

• Dyslexia or dyslexia
• Psychological disorder (such as anxiety or depression)
• Hyperthyroidism;
• Disorders with epilepsy
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Bug in hearing or in sight
• Tourette syndrome
• Sleep disorder
• Asperger syndrome
• Autism

Some of these medical conditions listed here may lead to symptoms that are very similar to those of ADHD. Not only are symptoms similar, but it is estimated that at least one in three children with ADHD has one or more similar medical conditions.

Diagnosis of attention deficit and concentration disorders in young children:

Although the symptoms of ADHD may appear in children in compulsory nursery age, or even in children younger than that, diagnosing ADHD in very young children is a complex and difficult process.

This is because problems that may arise in evolution, such as delayed speech development, may be mistakenly diagnosed as ADHD. Therefore, the diagnosis of this disorder in very young children should be done by an on-site specialist, such as a psychologist (psychiatrist), a psychiatrist (Psychiatrist), a speech therapist (Speech - language therapist) or a child development specialist.

Questionnaires and interview:

Since the symptoms of ADHD are often not visible during the routine medical examination, the attending physician uses a face-to-face interview and questionnaires to learn more about the child's behavior. The pediatrician may ask to speak to the child 's teachers or other people from the child' s knowledge (who have a good knowledge of the child), such as the incubator you care for, the trainers or counselors the child always meets. The doctor may also use a special step scale to collect and evaluate information about the child.

Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Treatments for ADHD in children include drug therapy and counseling, mainly.

However, other treatments that help alleviate symptoms include: organizing and defining a special space for the child in the classroom, as well as family and environmental support.

Pharmacotherapy:

Stimulant and sedative medications are the most widely used drug treatments today to treat ADHD in children. They include:

• Ritalin, Concerta, Methylphenidate / Methylphenidate
• Adderall, Dextroamphetamine / Amphetamine
• Dexedrine Dextroamphetamine.

Although scientists do not yet know exactly how these drugs work, the impression among them is that these drugs stimulate the brain and balance the levels / concentration of chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters (neurotransmitters / vectors). - Neurotransmitters).

These drugs contribute to the improvement of the symptoms and the basic signs associated with ADHD disorder, such as attention deficit, impulsivity and hyperactivity, sometimes very much. However, the effect (effect) of these drugs lasts for a very short time, only, and goes away very quickly.

Effects and side effects of anabolic drug treatments:

The following are the most common side effects in children when taking anabolic drug treatments:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Disturbances and sleep problems
• Nervousness and lack of calm when the drug disappears
• Some children taking this type of medication may develop spastic muscle movements, such as involuntary movements of the facial muscles or tics (tic). However, these movements stop and disappear when the dose is reduced or adjusted

In addition, these stimulant medications may have the effect of slowing children's growth and development, but this delay is often not sustainable. There has been some concern about the use of stimulant medications in children with ADHD and who have not yet reached school age.

Drug treatment for ADHD disorder and heart problems:

Some heart failure deaths have already been reported in some children and adolescents taking these stimulant drugs, but there are rare cases.

Treatment with sedative drugs:

This treatment is mainly used for children with ADHD disorder that does not work with stimulant medication, or for children who have symptoms and side effects from taking stimulant medications.

Other treatments used to treat children with ADHD include:

• Antidepressants
• Catapres (Clonidine) and Guafacine (Tenex). These drugs are used to treat hypertension. It has been proven effective in treating people with ADHD.

ADHD treatment with counseling:

Children with this disorder often benefit greatly from counseling and counseling, or behavioral therapy. All these treatments can be received by a group of specialists, including: psychiatrist, psychotherapist (psychologist), social worker or qualified mental health professionals who are licensed to provide these treatments. Some children with ADHD may have other phenomena, such as anxiety or depression. In such cases, counseling and guidance can help address the disorder itself, as well as the associated phenomena.

Common types of counseling include:

• Psychotherapy
• Behavioral therapy / behavior modification
• Family therapy / family counseling
• Training in the acquisition of skills and social qualifications
• Processing by support groups
• Parental skills training

The best results from these treatments can be achieved provided that all teachers, parents, therapists, counselors or psychiatrists are fully cooperative, so that all of them work together as a group to achieve a common goal. Parents can play a central and decisive role by making efforts to coordinate joint work and collaboration with teachers, and by directing them to qualified and reliable sources to receive the information and support needed to improve their child's situation during school.

Prevention of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

There is no way to prevent ADHD and prevent it completely, but there are some steps that parents can follow to prevent symptoms and problems caused by ADHD disorder and to ensure the physical, psychological and emotional health of the child as much as possible. These steps include:

• In pregnancy: Avoid all practices and behaviors that may harm the healthy development of the fetus, such as abstaining from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or consuming addictive substances
• The child should be protected from exposure to toxic pollutants, including: cigarette smoke, synthetic chemicals or agricultural pesticides and lead paints (which may be present in old homes)
• Parents should be persistent in their actions, in setting clear boundaries and in drawing clear conclusions from their children's behaviors
• Parents should pay attention to the construction of a fixed daily system for their children, separating the child with the utmost clarity what the expectations and demands of the parents, in all:
• Parents should refrain from doing various tasks when talking to the child, as it is necessary to maintain visual contact with the child when dictating the instructions. It is also recommended that parents devote a few minutes, daily, in order to praise and praise the child
• Parents should cooperate fully with their child's teachers and therapists so that problems can arise as early as possible.
• When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, or any other disorder that affects his or her educational attainment or social relationships, parents should be aware that early treatment can greatly help mitigate the impact on managing a child's healthy lifestyle.

Alternative treatments

There is little research to suggest that alternative therapies may help relieve symptoms that may accompany ADHD, although some of these therapies actually contribute.

Alternative treatments include:

• Yoga
• Special diets: Most of the diets adopted to treat this disorder are based on refraining from eating foods that are thought to cause hyperactivity, such as sugars and caffeine, in addition to foods known to provoke allergies such as wheat, milk and eggs. . Some of these diets recommend that you refrain from taking artificial food colorants and food additives. To date, research does not indicate a consistent relationship between diets and the relief of symptoms and signs of ADHD, although there is some research suggesting that certain dietary changes may have positive effects.

Vitamins and Mineral Additives:

• Plant additives: So far, there is no separate statement as to whether St. John's wort / Hypericum, Ginseng, Ginkgo, traditional Chinese medication or any Other medicinal herbs are useful in treating ADHD
• Essential fatty acids: This group of acids, which include omega-3 acids, is very vital in the functioning of the brain
• Glyconutrients: This term refers to a group of eight sugars that theoretically help to reduce and alleviate symptoms by contributing to the production of vital key structures called whey protein. Although it is evident that sugars are necessary for proper functioning of the brain, it is unclear whether these glucocorticoids have some effect on ADHD symptoms.
• Neurofeedback training: Neurofeedback records the electrical activities of brain waves. This treatment consists of a fixed number of sessions, during which the child is asked to concentrate in certain specific activities while the child uses a device that displays its brain wave composition. Theoretically, the child learns to maintain and control his or her own brain wave structures, which are emitted from the front of the brain. In this way, it relieves the symptoms of attention deficit and concentration disorders