Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Children with ADHD may also struggle with low self-esteem, poor emotional regulation, low self-control and troubled relationships. At times they may also have other learning or academic problems causing poor performance in school. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. Children, teenagers and adults with ADHD and become better if they learn strategies to be successful.
ADHD Treatment typically involves medications, psychosocial and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcomes of these children and their families.
The child guidance and counselling centre in Udaipur is equipped to treat children and parents facing ADHD related issues.
Symptoms of ADHD
The main features of ADHD include inattention , hyperactive-impulsivity and behavioral problems. ADHD symptoms start before age 10, and in some children, they’re noticeable as early as 2-3 years of age. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and they may continue into adulthood. Some of the notable features of ADHD are:
Inattention
A child who shows a pattern of inattention may often:
- Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Have trouble staying focused in tasks or play
- Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly
- Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork or chores
- Have trouble organizing tasks and activities
- Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework
- Lose items needed for tasks or activities, for example, toys, school assignments, pencils
- Be easily distracted
- Forget to do some daily activities, such as forgetting to do chores
- Losing things frequently, poor time management, difficulty planning.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity
A child who shows a pattern of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may often:
- Fidget with or tap his or her hands or feet, or squirm in the seat
- Have difficulty staying seated in the classroom or in other situations
- Be on the go, in constant motion
- Run around or climb in situations when it’s not appropriate
- Have trouble playing or doing an activity quietly
- Talk too much
- Blurt out answers, interrupting the questioner
- Have difficulty waiting for his or her turn
- Interrupt or intrude on others’ conversations, games or activities
Behavioral problems associated with ADHD
An ADHD child often has difficulty making and keeping friends and conflict with peers due to impulsive behavior. Other behavioral problems in ADHD include:
- Quick temper, frustration easily
- Difficulty managing emotions.
- Poor anger control.
- Difficulty in following rules
- Difficulty in getting along with others
- Paying attention
- Excessive fidgeting
- Impulsivity/ Acting without thinking
- Hyperactivity
- Interrupting conversations
- Talking excessively
- Inability to wait their turn
- Poor self-control
- Emotional outbursts
- Difficulty following instructions which can manifest in challenges at school and in social situations.
Issues / Risks in teenagers with ADHD.
Puberty and emerging independence are a part of any teen’s life. Navigating these issues with ADHD may be more challenging. Research suggests that teens with ADHD may have higher rates of:
- “Risky” sexual behaviors
- Aggression and Violence
- Cyber-crimes
- Bullying/ Victims of bully
- Internet addiction
- Gaming disorder
- Gambling
- Suicidal thoughts
- Incarcerations
- Speed driving and car crashes/accidents
- Academic/career/ job problems
- Legal /Illegal drug abuse -Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, Opioids.
- Obesity
- Eating disorders
Lower self-esteem and social functioning can lead to trouble with:
- Intimate relations
- Relationships with peers
- Getting along with family
- Poor body image and esteem
- Academic performance /Exam stress
- Co-morbidities like anxiety and depressive disorders are common.
Causes of ADHD
Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include genetics, the environment or problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development.
Psychological testing /Evaluation of ADHD
A psychological assessment for ADHD involves a comprehensive evaluation that includes multiple tests and interviews with child and family. The goal is to accurately diagnose ADHD and rule out other conditions that may be causing similar symptoms.
Some common assessments for ADHD include:
- ADHD Diagnostic Intake
- ADHD Behaviour Surveys/ Rating Scales
- Neuropsychological Testing for ADHD
- Screening for ADHD comorbidities
- Psychosocial Evaluation
When to see a doctor for ADHD
If you’re concerned that your child shows signs of ADHD, see your family/child doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatric neurologist, but it’s important to have a medical evaluation first to check for other possible causes of your child’s difficulties.
You can directly approach a mental health doctor (licensed Child Psychologist /Psychiatrist) for ADHD related issues.
Treatments for ADHD
Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can include medication, psychotherapy for child and parents and educational interventions.
- Medication in ADHD: ADHD medicines help balance neurotransmitters in the brain, which can help people focus and control their emotions / behavior.
- Psychotherapy: Behavioral therapy can help people change their behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy / Social skills training can help people learn adaptive thinking, gain emotional control as well as interpersonal skills. Family and marital therapy can help family members and partners learn how to handle disruptive behaviors.
- Parental and Family interventions in ADHD: Parent training also called family therapy, parent behavior psychotherapy, or behavioral parent training takes the view that you are your child’s best teacher. This therapy model works, experts say, because younger children can’t manage their own actions without family support. Family therapy can help support your child with ADHD and help your whole family work better together, with lasting results.
Family therapy in ADHD can help your household and all the people in it understand the issues and learn to run the house more smoothly. Treatment can be parent-directed or include your child in sessions. In general, all approaches can:
- Teach the parents, children and family to work better as a unit.
- Strengthen your child’s sense of control.
- Improve child’s self esteem
- Improve their behavior at school, home, with other people, and in public.
- Show you more effective ways to parent an ADHD child/teenager.
- Control the development of any other psychological or psychiatric issues which are very commonly seen in ADHD children/teenager
- Educational: Education can be part of treatment for ADHD associated academic issues, learning, planning, organization, concentration and memory deficits.
Treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the The child guidance and counselling centre in Udaipur can help relieve the symptoms and make the condition much less of a problem in day-to-day life.
Our posts
Short informative on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by Dr Ansha Patel
Testimonials
What Our Patients are Saying
Further references
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children care at Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350889
- ADHD in Children: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/adhd-children
Book With Us Now
Get an Appointment
Support your child’s development—book your appointment today for expert guidance!
