A Look At Adhd In Children

By William Sullivan


The abbreviation ADHD is used widely for the term attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. As a mental disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is categorized under neurodevelopment. Patients are often unable to control their behavior and find it hard to pay attention. The disease is also characterized by excessive activity. ADHD is the most prevalent mental disorder in children, because most kids are diagnosed with it worldwide. ADHD in children has become a global problem as opposed to being a menace in developed countries alone as before.

It is a requirement for symptoms to have been existing for a minimum of six months for a diagnosis to be made. Symptoms must also be the cause for inability to function in more than one setting such as work, home, school, or social settings. Some people have trouble to cope in all the settings mentioned above. It is mandatory to have attained the criteria for being diagnosed with the condition by the time one reaches the age of twelve.

Many symptoms are associated with ADHD. Symptoms present simultaneously in many cases, but not always. Major symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetfulness, missing details, and switching activities often. Patients get bored quickly and are unable to stay focused on one task. They have difficulty understanding minor details and following instructions. Children move slowly, daydream, and appear to be confused.

About 65 percent of all cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the condition occurs alongside another mental disorder. Associated disorders include oppositional defiant disorder, Tourette syndrome, anxiety disorder, mood disorder, primary disorder of vigilance, and learning disability. Additional conditions include restless legs syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, and sleep disorder.

This condition has also been associated with language delay, developmental coordination disorder, and persistent bed wetting. Language delays consists of many disorders such as hardship following instructions, slow processing of spoken language, hardship listening in distracting environment, and weakness in short term auditory memory. Difficulty in telling the difference between normal and abnormal level of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity often make diagnosis difficult. Thus, most diagnoses are often made later in life.

Studies link attention deficient hyperactivity disorder to low intelligence quotient. Patients with the condition also score lowly in IQ tests. These findings have always been received with controversy because the low scores may be caused by distractibility and not intellectual incapability. More research is being done to understand why patients often score lowly in IQ tests.

Three types of ADHD exist. The first variety is predominantly inattentive, while the second variety is predominantly hyperactive-impulsive. The third variety combines the first two varieties. The cause often remains unknown in a majority of cases. Trauma and infection of the brain have historically been found to be causes of this mental disorder.

Attention deficient hyperactivity disorder is not treatable, but rather manageable. Physicians use counseling and medications to manage the condition. Outcomes cannot be alleviated completely in the long-term, but can be improved. Examples of medications in use are stimulants, atomoxetine, alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, and antidepressants.




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