Hyperactive disorder and attention deficit (ADHD) is a chronic 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 have problems with low self-esteem, problematic relationships and poor performance in school. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. However, some people never fully outgrow ADHD symptoms. However, they can learn strategies to be successful.
ADHD signs in children
A person may experience difficulty paying attention and staying organized, display excessive fidgeting or fidgeting, have trouble with self-control, or exhibit impulsive behavior. in children or young children with adhdthis can lead to symptoms at home, in kindergarten or at school. Some observed symptoms include:
- Trouble concentrating on activities and being easily distracted
- low attention span while you play or do schoolwork
- Fidgeting, squirming, or having trouble staying still
- Constant need to move or run frequently
- Engaging in activities in a noisy or disruptive manner
- Talking excessively and interrupting other people.
- Throw toys everywhere and in the room.
- Lack of age appropriate games.
ADHD symptoms in adolescents
As children with ADHD get older, the symptoms they experience it could change. In some cases, certain symptoms seen in childhood may become less of a problem in adolescence, while new symptoms may emerge amid the changing responsibilities that accompany aging.
In adolescents and adolescents with ADHDother symptoms than may appear may include:
- Difficulty concentrating on school work or other job
- Frequently making mistakes when doing work.
- Trouble finishing homework, especially schoolwork or chores
- Problems with task organization and time management.
- Frequently forgetting things or losing personal items
- Frequently avoid mentally demanding tasks
- Experiencing increased frustration and emotional sensitivity.
- Problems navigating social and family relationships.
- Increased conflict with parents due to ADHD symptoms affecting life at home
It is important to understand that while these symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can sometimes make teens and adolescents with this condition appear “immature,” they are simply part of ADHD and have nothing to do with level of maturity. of a child.
Help someone with ADHD
ADHD is best diagnosed after the age of five. Most doctors do not recommend an early diagnosis, since it is understood that the child is still growing and that certain behavioral changes may be normal and age-appropriate for her.
As some ADHD symptoms are understood to reduce/change during adulthood, there are also certain ways in which an adult with ADHD can best benefit. Certain people are able to function adequately over time. However, for some people who deal with it without treatment, it can be difficult.
Therapy
behavioral therapy It is one of the most beneficial types of therapy for ADHD, especially for children and adolescents, because it helps identify the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that have the greatest impact. In younger children with ADHD, behavioral therapies that focus on parent training, classroom management, and peer interventions are most effective. In adolescents and adults, a type of behavioral therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be useful.
Changes in lifestyle
Lifestyle changes for ADHD involve strategies that can help you overcome the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that the condition causes. Here are some helpful ways to create structure for yourself if you have ADHD:
- Sharpen your study skills
- Create organizational techniques.
- Implement time management strategies.
- Prepare a schedule that helps you organize yourself better
Medicine
It can be used alone or along with therapy to reduce ADHD symptoms in both children and adults. The combination of medication and therapy together is said to produce faster results. To give or not to give medications is a personal choice, however, a large number of patients have seen good results with them. It is a myth that the medication would become addictive or put the person undergoing treatment to sleep.
Conclusion
ADHD it occurs more often in men than in women, and behaviors may be different in boys and girls. Most healthy children are inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive at one time or another. is typical for preschoolers have short attention spans and cannot stick to one activity for long. Even in older children and adolescents, attention span often depends on interest level. Seeing just one sign or trait doesn’t mean a child has ADHD. It is also critical that parents have the same ruled out by a mental health professional and not self-diagnose the same.
Alisha Lalljee is a psychologist, special educator and psychotherapist practicing in Bandra, Mumbai
for all the latest News for parentsdischarge Indian Express app.
