In past times, we were confronted with what was termed difficult children. These were those children that did not fit in with school, were disruptive in the home, would not follow direction or indeed were seen as general trouble. Nowadays, there is much more understanding of these types of children because it is a condition that persists into later adult life. The condition is known as ADHD or Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is an issue for those with it that afflicts them in their family, school and other social relations (Dupaul & Weyandt, 2006).
In the past,the term ADD was used and there is a significant difference between it and ADHD.
ADD is a term which has fallen out of use. It refers to people who are not hyperactive but cannot pay attention or concentrate. This type of behaviour now falls into a category which is called ‘predominantly inattentive’.
What Are The Symptoms of ADHD?
There are many different levels of ADHD. There are different varieties based on levels of severity both within the individual and the level of disruption it causes in the wider environment. Nowadays, most experts in the field recognize that diet, environment and other factors contribute to ADHD, for better or worse. The National Institute Of Health in the USA, and the National Health Service in the UK for example have plenty of information on the subject and it is worth assessing their review of the conditions that pervade ADHD.
A generic list provided by many physicians in this arena would characterise the symptoms as the following:-
- Inability to sit still and squirms in their seat
- Readily bored and distracted
- General restlessness
- Doesn’t listen, or seems not to process what is being said
- Difficulty in following even basic instructions
- Appearance of poor memory
- Prone to losing items, including school work and personal items
- Talks quickly and incessantly
- Difficulty in completing tasks
- Ineffective organizational skills
- Impatience
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Large and frequent emotional swings
- Emotional outbursts
- Low tolerance of people, situations, and surroundings
- Prone to anger
- Hot temper
- Unstable personal relationships
There is increasing evidence that those with ADHD have an increased risk of addition too. The level of addition rises to taking prescription medicines, various drugs, to alcohol and illegal drugs.
Symptoms of childhood ADHD
The disorder usually appears in early childhood. Most of the signs and symptoms are evident by the age of 7. Children with ADHD show signs of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness in specific ways. In some ways it can be difficult to distinguish ADHD from what is often seen as normal childhood behaviour. These children show the following signs according to the NIH of:-
- Are in constant motion
- Squirm and fidget
- Do not seem to listen
- Have difficulty playing quietly
- Often talk excessively
- Interrupt or intrude on others
- Are easily distracted
- Do not finish tasks
Some behaviours can appear to be ADHD-related, but are not. Some causes of ADHD-like behaviour are:
- A sudden life change (such as divorce, a death in the family, or moving)
- Undetected seizures
- Medical disorders affecting brain function
- Anxiety
- Depression
Treatment For ADHD
There is currently no cure for ADHD. It requires intervention in the form of educational support, support with advice for parents as well as the affected child. In some cases medication is also advised depending on the type of ADHD.
In adults, various forms of pharmacological drugs are administered as a first resort but included in the package are psychological therapy. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been successfully tried.
The Medication For ADHD
Two types of medications are used to treat ADHD. These are stimulants and nonstimulants.
The most commonly prescribed types are those stimulants for treating the central nervous system (CNS). They work by raising the levels of two neurotransmitters dopamine and norapinephrine. The types of drugs being used include Ritalin (methylpehnidate) and amphetamine derived stimulants such as Adderall.
In some cases if these medications do not work then certain antidepressants such as bupropion (Welbutrin) and other drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are prescribed.
References
DuPaul, G. J., & Weyandt, L. L. (2006). School‐based Intervention for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Effects on academic, social, and behavioural functioning. International journal of disability, development and education, 53(2), 161-176 (Article).
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