Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disease that develops into adulthood. Children with ADHD have symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. This greatly affects the relationships and learning ability of children.

1. Overview of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disease that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty maintaining concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors.
Children with ADHD may also struggle with low self-esteem, trouble with social relationships, and poor academic performance in school. Symptoms sometimes decrease with age. However, some people never get over it and only get relief from the symptoms.
Although treatment will not cure ADHD in children, it can help reduce symptoms. Treatment usually includes medication and human behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in improving a person's health.

2. Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The main symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include inattentive behavior and hyperactivity. These symptoms usually begin before age 12, and in some children as early as age 3, they can be mild, moderate, or severe and may continue into adulthood. ADHD occurs more often in men than in women, and behavioral changes can be different in men and women. For example, boys may be more active and girls may tend to be quiet and inattentive.
There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder :
Mostly inattentive : Most of the symptoms fall into inattention . Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive: The majority of symptoms are hyperactive and impulsive. Combination: This is a mix of inattention symptoms and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. 2.1 Inattentive Children with ADHD tend to be inattentive and exhibit the following behaviors:
Not paying attention to details or making careless mistakes in learning Difficulty concentrating on tasks study or play Does not listen to the other person, even when talking face to face Difficulty following directions and not completing school or chores Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities Avoids or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework Loss of items needed for school or other activities, eg toys, school assignments, pencils Easily Distracted hands or feet together, or squirming in a chair Difficulty sitting in class or in other situations Constantly moving, moving constantly Running around or climbing in inappropriate situations Having trouble playing or doing an activity that requires staying quiet Talks too much Interrupting, interrupting the questioner Difficulty waiting for your turn . Interrupting or intruding on other people's conversations, games, or activities Most children appear inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive at times. Even with older children and teenagers, they only pay attention to the information that interests them. Children are never diagnosed with ADHD simply because they behave differently from friends or siblings. Therefore, the diagnosis should be carefully considered.

3. Causes of ADHD

The exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is still unknown, and research efforts continue. Factors that may be implicated in the development of ADHD include genetics, environment, or problems with the central nervous system at key times in development.

4. Risk factors for ADHD

Factors that increase the risk of ADHD include:
Genetics: Parent or sibling with ADHD or another mental health disorder Exposure to toxic environments: Lead exposure, found mainly in paint and pipes in older buildings Mothers with a history of drug use, alcohol or smoking during pregnancy Premature birth

5. Complications of ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can make life more difficult for a child. Children with ADHD:
Often struggle in the classroom, which can lead to low academic performance and face judgment from other children and adults Tends to more accidents and injuries than all children without ADHD Tends to have low self-esteem Has difficulty communicating and being accepted by peers and adults At risk of alcohol and drug abuse and other delinquent behaviors ADHD does not cause other psychological or developmental problems. However, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more at risk than other children, such as:
Opposition defiant disorder (ODD): The disorder is generally defined as a pattern of behavior negativity, defiance, and hostility toward authority figures Disruptive behavior: Get noticed through antisocial behavior such as stealing, fighting, destroying property, and harming people or animals Learning disabilities: Includes problems with reading, writing, comprehension, and communication Substance use disorders: Including drugs, alcohol, and smoking Anxiety disorders: May cause anxiety and withdrawal excessive boxing, and including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Mood disorders: Including depression and bipolar disorder Autism spectrum disorder: A developmental brain disorder that affects the brain how a person perceives and communicates with others Tic disorder or Tourette syndrome: Disorders involving repetitive movements or sounds that cannot be easily controlled (tics)

6. Prevention of ADHD

To help reduce your child's risk of ADHD:
During pregnancy, avoid all factors that could harm the baby's development. For example, don't drink alcohol, use drugs, or smoke. Protect your child from exposure to pollutants and toxins, including cigarette smoke and lead paint. Limit screen time: Although still unproven, it may be prudent for children to avoid overexposure to TV and video games during the first 5 years of life.

7. Diagnosis of ADHD

Children should not be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder unless the characteristic symptoms of ADHD that begin before age 12 cause serious problems at home and at school on an ongoing basis.
There is no specific test used to diagnose ADHD, the child is usually diagnosed through the following physical exams:
General health check: Helps rule out other possible causes of symptoms of ADHD. sick. Questions: Children will be asked any questions about their current health, medical history, family history, and school records. Ask directly or use questionnaires to help provide accurate insight from family members, teachers, carers, caregivers, and others who know your child well. Diagnostic criteria for ADHD from the DSM-5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association The ADHD Rating Scale helps collect and evaluate information about children Signs of hyperactivity Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can appear as early as preschool age, but diagnosis is difficult because it is easily confused with language delay in young children. The diagnosis needs to be carefully evaluated by specialists such as psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and pathologists.
Several other health problems can cause signs and symptoms similar to ADHD, including:
Learning or language problems Psychological disorders such as depression or anxiety Seizure disorders Problems vision or hearing problems Autism syndrome Health problems or medications that affect thinking or behavior Sleep disorders Traumatic brain injury

8. Treatment of ADHD

Standard treatments for ADHD in children include medication, behavior-focused therapies, health counseling, and education. These treatments can relieve many symptoms of ADHD, but do not cure the disease. You need to be patient to choose the most appropriate treatment for your child.
If your child is being treated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, he or she should see a doctor regularly until symptoms are largely improved, and then usually every 3 - 6 months until symptoms are resolved. stable symptoms. Call your doctor if your child has a loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, or irritability, or if your child's ADHD symptoms don't improve much with initial treatment.

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References: Mayoclinic.org and Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov