ADD & ADHD in Children

It is normal for children to occasionally daydream during class, act without thinking, forget their homework, or get fidgety at the dinner table. However, impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention, are also signs of ADD or ADHD.

When a child has ADD / ADHD it can also lead to problems at home and school, and, affect the child's ability to learn and get along with others. It is therefore important to know what the signs and symptoms are and get help if the child is showing any of them

Some ADHA Symptoms:

* They cannot sit still, never seems to listen,
* Do not follow instructions no matter how clearly they are given.
* They blurt out inappropriate comments at inappropriate times.
* They may also criticized for being lazy
* They are labelled as troublemakers or undisciplined.

The symptoms and signs of ADD/ADHD usually appear before the age of seven. It can however, be a little difficult to distinguish between normal kid behaviour and ADHD. If a few signs show up only in some situations then it is probably not ADD/ADHD. Should the child show a number of signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD and are disruptive at home, school and play then it is time to take a closer look.

Before an accurate diagnosis of ADD/ADHD can be made, it is important that the child is taken to a mental health professional to explore and rule out the following possible causes of the ADHD-like symptoms:

* Major life events or traumatic experiences that may have caused stress (e.g. divorce, a recent move, death of a loved one, illness, bullying.)
* Learning disabilities or problems with reading, writing, motor skills, or language.
* Psychological problems including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
* Behavioural disorders such as conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.
* Medical conditions, including thyroid problems, neurological conditions, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.

Diagnosing ADD / ADHD in children:

At this time there is no imaging or laboratory test existing to determine whether a child has ADD/ADHD. The diagnosis is mainly made on the signs and symptoms that are observed and by ruling out other disorders. It is therefore important to have a full medical and psychological evaluation. Doctors usually interview the parent, child and any adult who can provide and insight into the child's behaviour.

When choosing a specialist to diagnose the child, it's a good idea to also get recommendations from other doctors, therapists, and parents. Insurance companies are also a good source for referrals and information about the coverage of the family's insurance plan. Mental health professionals who can diagnose ADD/ADHD include psychologists, paediatricians, and psychiatrists.

More than half of children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will carry its symptoms to adulthood. ADHD is a neurological condition where sufferers are inhibited (to a certain degree) from the efficient conduct of routine tasks due to the mind's lagging ability to concentrate, prioritize, accomplish basic tasks and decide on matters.

What is ADHD?

The troubles with ADHD encompass the decelerated attention and concentration spheres of the brain that directly affects productivity and interaction with other people. Thus, ADHD children will likely have limited attention spans and make frequent mistakes while an adult with ADHD will easily succumb to forgetfulness.

What are its symptoms?

The symptoms may vary from one person to another, but its outcome all boils down to the inefficient conduct of tasks (whether at work or in school), difficulty in the upkeep of relationships and in accomplishing lifelong goals. Surveys indicate how poor academic performance mars ADHD children, aside from being frequently involved in disciplinary cases and the tendency to change schools more often. This is analogous to adult ADD where sufferers have a lower tolerance to change that makes it difficult to adjust to work conditions or relationships for that matter. Counteracting this disorder therefore requires careful analysis in the context of behavioral modification, through proper therapy and medication.

Studies indicate that this childhood developmental disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain with the disorder revealing a somewhat similar pathology to that of depression. Nonetheless, symptoms of ADD or ADHD are treatable which may even lead to the eventual dissolution of the disorder. Management of adverse lifestyle factors, such as alcohol binging and smoking, matters a lot in the course of treatment since addictions can aggravate the symptoms of ADHD. More importantly, ADHD sufferers need to be further educated or counseled with regards to the availability of both medical and alternative treatments.

What are the prescribed medications for ADHD?

ADHD children or adults with ADD can revive efficiency in cognitive functioning through the administration of psychiatric medication. There are mental stimulants such as Methylphenidate and Amphetamines that can restore neurotransmitter balance in the brain. Though the intake of these medications require monitoring and supervision because drug dependence can likely ensue from its continued administration. Meanwhile, loss of appetite and insomnia are among the common side effects to the use of ADHD medications.

What are ADHD Natural Treatments?

Natural treatments, in the form of herbal remedies, have been formulated to correct neurotransmitter imbalance in the brain and treat symptoms of ADHD without triggering the risks of addiction and other side effects.

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