What is adhd?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects children, adolescents and adults. It can affect a person’s ability to pay attention, concentrate and regulate their emotions. ADHD is a treatable mental health condition, but it can have a lifelong impact if it isn’t treated early on.
Symptoms of ADHD can vary among people, but they generally appear in childhood and persist through adolescence or adulthood. They may be accompanied by other conditions or disorders, including oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, substance abuse and learning disabilities.
Inattentive Type of ADHD
This is the most common type and usually affects children. It is characterized by problems paying attention, not finishing tasks on time and making careless mistakes in school or work. It can also include problems with organization, concentration and planning.
It can be hard for teachers and parents to detect this type of ADHD because children with inattentive symptoms usually do well in school. In some cases, they can even be quite talented.
They may get good grades and be very popular. They may also play sports or be involved in other extracurricular activities.
Their behavior often disrupts classes and interferes with their relationships. They can be aggressive, clingy and difficult to manage.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type of ADHD
This type of ADHD includes problems with both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive behaviors. It is characterized by excessive fidgeting, running and climbing, jumping or squirming when it’s not appropriate, impulsiveness and interrupting others’ conversations and activities.
According to the DSM-5-TR, a child with this presentation must display at least six of these nine ADHD symptoms to meet the criteria. They must also have difficulty sitting still, having a lot of excess energy and being very talkative.
The symptom of inattentiveness usually appears before age 12 and must cause significant difficulties in at least one setting, such as school or home.
A child’s inattentiveness is usually caused by an underdeveloped frontal lobe. This area of the brain is responsible for understanding cause-and-effect, changing habits, learning from mistakes, and reading social cues.
It’s critical for a child to have a healthy diet and physical exercise, both to prevent the disease and to promote healthy development. Avoiding foods and beverages that can trigger an onset of the disease, such as caffeine, sugar or nicotine, can help.
They should also eat plenty of protein and fiber, which helps maintain normal blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of insulin spikes that can lead to diabetes. They should also eat fruit and vegetables, as these provide essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Besides eating right, they should also get enough sleep and spend time outdoors. This can help them reduce their stress level and increase their concentration, which are both important parts of treatment.
They should have regular doctor’s visits and checkups, to make sure there are no underlying conditions that can lead to or worsen their symptoms. They should also receive counseling to learn new ways to cope with their symptoms and their feelings about them. This could include behavioral therapy, family and marital therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy.
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