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ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a condition that’s very apparent in children especially in their early years of school. Children with ADHD cannot control their behavior. And generally, they have difficulties in paying attention to what other people are saying to them.
ADHD is common disorder and roughly 10% of preschool children have it, although boys are more prone to developing the condition. ADHD children are very hyperactive and can't possibly focus on one task alone. If not treated, children with ADHD could develop social, academic, and psychological difficulties.Symptoms of ADHD
Children with ADHD can't pay attention to details. This causes them to commit careless errors in their schoolwork, as well as in the other activities they engage in. They cannot hold their attention to any activity for long. They also can't follow instructions properly and organization is a big problem for them.
Most children with ADHD dislike studying because it requires mental effort. New toys, school things, and any moving object distract them. And if you give them something, they would tend to lose it. The forgetfulness of children with ADHD is very striking.
Another good indicator of ADHD is that they are always squirming or fidgeting. And they don't remain seated for more than a few minutes. They like climbing, running, and moving around, even after being admonished for doing so. They can't play quietly and talks way too much. They start to talk even before the other party has finished speaking. They can never stay in their lines or wait for others to finish because they prefer to be always on the go. They also like to interrupt and intrude on what other people are doing. Long-term complications
Long-term ADHD could create problems to the children who have it. They may develop mood disorders and even have depression. Children with ADHD, if not treated accordingly, will grow to have very low self-esteem. Anxiety disorders will also soon become apparent. In fact, a quarter of children with ADHD have anxiety disorders. Eventually, they would develop the Obsessive-Compulsive disorders, as well as the Tourette syndrome. Learning disabilities will be apparent too. And in all their life at school, they would experience difficulty in reading, writing, and learning. Treatment of ADHD
ADHD can now to be treated in a number of ways. Qualified health experts can give both medical and behavioral therapy to patients. The most common types of medication given are stimulants, which are actually being used to treat this disease of more than 50 years now.
Non-stimulants may also be also given. This is the alternative if stimulants prove to be unhelpful. These drugs contain chemicals that increase the neurotransmitter, which in turn, improves a person’s ability to concentrate. Basically, this is also what stimulants do. The only difference between them is the side effects. Non-stimulants don't make tics worse as much as stimulants do. Anti-depressants
Some children are also given antidepressants, but its use is more recommended to older children, usually the ones nearing their teenage years. It is given to patients who are at risk of being depressed, and worse, committing suicide because of their condition and all its symptoms. Behavioral therapy
Aside from oral medications, health experts also conduct behavioral therapies to treat ADHD. Behavioral therapy tries to address the problems associated with the disease and its effects on the child and his environment. It aims to change the child's overall behavior through proper dialogue and a concrete course of action.
There are no specific tests to accurately diagnose ADHD as of the moment. Currently, doctors conduct full evaluation of children and follow the process of elimination. Physical examinations may also be conducted to remove other disorders like Tourette syndrome or depression. If these are suspected, the child is referred to a neurologist, psychiatrist, or psychologist for additional testing.
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