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What is ADHD and its effects?
One of the most well-known and common neurodevelopmental disorders among young children and teenagers is Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. The average diagnosis age is 7, with over 3.3 million children aged 12 to 17 diagnosed with it. Hence, we must fully understand the causes, effects, and treatment methods for this disorder.
As a neurodevelopmental disorder related to brain development and growth, it is usually diagnosed in children under the age of 12. While symptoms can improve with age, they may persist into adulthood.
People with ADHD face problems like restlessness, hyperactivity, anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping and behaving impulsively (acting without thinking). Many have trouble in school and work. This impulsive and fidgeting behaviour is challenging for a person with ADHD to control. Other symptoms can include depression, daydreaming, making careless mistakes and having difficulty socialising.
These symptoms can appear differently in everybody depending on age, and because of this varying severity, ADHD is divided into three types:
Predominantly inattentive presentation: Person will need more attention to details, struggle to complete tasks or follow instructions as they easily get distracted.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation: The person is very active, restless, fidgets frequently and has trouble with impulsivity.
Combined presentation (combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms) - People have trouble with impulsivity, which causes more accidents.
Risk factors
The direct causes of ADHD aren't specific but listed below are some possible risk factors:
Genetics (parents or relatives with ADHD or other similar disorders)
Use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco during pregnancy
Exposure to lead or any other environmental risks during pregnancy
Head injuries
Mental health
Family environment and how they were brought up
Treatment and management
The first step is getting diagnosed by a doctor. This is done by carrying out hearing and vision tests, looking at family history, and correctly identifying symptoms to effectively differentiate ADHD from other disorders with similar symptoms.
While there is no cure for ADHD, various methods of treatment can be provided to deal with symptoms. Your doctor usually recommends these depending on the patient’s age and severity. Follow-ups and close monitoring will have to take place throughout to ensure the most effective combination of treatments.
A child with ADHD would have trouble paying attention and building relationships due to their active and disruptive behaviour. To reduce this behaviour, therapy can help “increase self-regulation skills” (CDC). Parents should be trained to fully understand how to deal with their child's condition and provide the best care.
This can involve:
Managing distractions like too much screen time and loud noises
Making sure the child is surrounded by a clean and safe environment
Be organised about day-to-day tasks
Have clear conversations
Do not overwhelm or overstimulate them by providing too many choices or taking them into an environment that might trigger inappropriate behaviour.
Disciplining without yelling (try to comfort and explain the situation to them)
Encouraging more physical activity and less technology
Additionally, support from the school is also essential. Classroom intervention, like early childhood programs, can help your child settle in more easily. Furthermore, medications that include Stimulants and Nonstimulants can be taken to manage ADHD symptoms seen daily and control behaviours.
In conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve an individual’s condition. Continuous follow-ups and monitoring are essential to ensure the effectiveness of these treatments. Behaviour therapy, organizational programs, training programs, school support, and medication are all treatment methods that can be used to provide optimal care and improve the outcomes for individuals with ADHD.
References
Verywell Mind. (n.d.). How Parents Can Help Their Children With ADHD. [online] Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/adhd-in-children-20844.
Konduri, D.R. (2023). ADHD in Adults and Children: Recognizing and Managing Symptoms. [online] continentalhospitals.com. Available at: https://continentalhospitals.com/blog/adhd-in-adults-and-children-recognizing-and-managing-symptoms/.
CDC (2024). Treatment of ADHD. [online] Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/treatment/index.html.
Cleveland Clinic (2023). Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) | Cleveland Clinic. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4784-attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd.
Angel, T. (2021). Everything you need to know About ADHD. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd.
ADDitude Editors (2020). ADHD Symptoms in Teens: Your Guide to Warning Signs & Treatments for Adolescents. [online] ADDitude. Available at: https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-in-teens/#:~:text=How%20Common%20are%20ADHD%20Symptoms [Accessed 5 Aug. 2024].
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