Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

What is ADHD & ADD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-better known as ADHD, and sometimes referred to as ADD in the past, is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood. Children with ADHD may find it hard to concentrate and may become hyperactive, to the point where the condition can interfere with their schooling, friendships, or family life.

There are 3 types of ADHD:

• Inattentive means a person is easily distracted or inattentive but is not hyperactive or impulsive.

• Hyperactive-impulsive means a person has symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity.

• Combined means a person has a mixture of symptoms including hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. Inattentive Symptoms may include but not limited to:

• Not paying attention to details, or making careless mistakes in schoolwork

• Having difficulty remaining focused in class, conversations, or reading

• Avoiding tasks that take continuous mental effort (for example, homework)

• Not following through on instructions, a tendency to s start but not finish tasks

• Having difficulty organizing tasks, activities, belongings, or time

• Being easily distracted or daydreaming

• Losing things

• Not seeming to listen when spoken to

• Being forgetful with everyday tasks, such as chores and appointments

Hyperactive-impulsive Symptoms:

• Fidgeting and squirming

• Interrupting conversations, games, or activities or using people’s things without permission

• Talking non-stop

• Interrupting conversations, games or activities or using people’s things without permission

• Blurting out an answer before a question has been finished

• Having difficulty playing quietly

• Having difficulty waiting their turn

• Leaving the seat in class or in other situations where sitting is expected

• Being constantly in motion, as if ‘driven by a motor’

• Struggling to play or do tasks quietly

What causes ADHD?

The exact causes of ADHD are not known, and there is no single cause. Studies have shown that ADHD symptoms are related to the biology of the brain. It is thought that genetic and environmental factors can interact to cause changes in brain development and function.

• Running or climbing in situations where it is inappropriate, leaving their seat in a class

• Neurophysiology: People with ADHD have differences in brain anatomy, electrical activity, and metabolism.

• Neurophysiology: People with ADHD have differences in brain anatomy, electrical activity, and metabolism. which genes are involved.

• Drug use during pregnancy: Research has linked ADHD to smoking, alcohol, and cocaine use during pregnancy.

• Lead: Some studies have shown that preschoolers who were exposed to lead (in certain types of paint or plumbing) had a higher risk of developing ADHD.

• Brain injury: Some children with brain injuries show behavior that resembles ADHD; however, most children with ADHD have no history of brain injury.

• Lack of early attachment: If a child did not bond with a parent or caregiver as a baby, they can develop inattention and hyperactivity.

• Early childhood trauma: Children who experience trauma in early childhood are more likely to show features consistent with ADHD, but most children with ADHD have not experienced early childhood trauma.

• Early childhood trauma: Children who experience trauma in early childhood are more likely to show features consistent with ADHD, but most children with ADHD have not experienced early childhood trauma.Poor sleep apnea is a cause of ADHD. If your child often snores, this might be a symptom of sleep apnea and may be contributing to the problem.

There have been millions of US children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.

• The estimated number of children ever diagnosed with ADHD, according to a national 2016 parent survey, is 6.1 million (9.4%). This number includes:

o 388,000 children aged 2–5 years

o 2.4 million children aged 6–11 years

o 3.3 million children aged 12–17 years

The number of US children ever diagnosed with ADHD continues to change over time.5.6%). This number of US children ever diagnosed with ADHD continues to change over time.

Many children with ADHD may also have other disorders. According to a national 2016 parent survey, 6 in 10 children with ADHD had at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder:

• About 5 in 10 children with ADHD have had a behavior or conduct problem.

• About 3 in 10 children with ADHD had anxiety.

Other conditions affecting children with ADHD:

• Depression
• autism spectrum disorder
• Tourette syndrome.

Behavior or Conduct Problems in Children with ADHD

Children sometimes argue, are aggressive, or act angry or defiant around adults. A behavior disorder may be diagnosed when these disruptive behaviors are uncommon for the child’s age at the time, persist over time, or are severe. Because disruptive behavior disorders involve acting out and showing unwanted behavior towards others, they are often called externalizing disorders.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder:

When children act out persistently so that it causes serious problems at home, in school, or with peers, they may be diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). ODD usually starts before 8 years of age, but no later than by about 12 years of age. Children with ODD are more likely to act oppositional or defiant around people they know well, such as family members, a regular care provider, or a teacher. Children with ODD show these behaviors more often than other children their age.

Examples of ODD behaviors include:

• Often being angry or losing one’s temper

• Often arguing with adults or refusing to comply with adults’ rules or requests

• Often resentful or spiteful

• Deliberately annoying others or becoming annoyed with others

• Often blaming other people for one’s own mistakes or misbehavior

Conduct Disorder:

Conduct Disorder (CD) is diagnosed when children show an ongoing pattern of aggression toward others, and serious violations of rules and social norms at home, in school, and with peers. These rule violations may involve breaking the law and result in arrest. Children with CD are more likely to get injured and may have difficulties having a good relationship with peers.

Examples of CD behaviors include:

• Breaking serious rules, such as running away, staying out at night when told not to, or skipping school

• Being aggressive in a way that causes harm, such as bullying, fighting or being cruel to animals

• Lying, stealing, or damaging other people’s property on purpose

The diagnosis is usually made by a specialist pediatrician or child psychiatrist after a referral from a doctor. To diagnose ADHD in adulthood, it needs to be established that the symptoms began in childhood thoughts, words, actions, and emotions.

How is ADHD or ADD diagnosed?

There are clear criteria used to diagnose ADHD or ADD. If your child has 6 or more symptoms for at least 6 months to a degree that it interferes with their everyday life, they may be diagnosed with ADHD or ADD.

The diagnosis is usually made by a specialist pediatrician or child psychiatrist after referral from a doctor. To diagnose ADHD in adulthood, it needs to be established that the symptoms began in childhood.

To make a diagnosis of ADHD, a specialist will need to follow strict criteria. These include that the ADHD symptoms:

• began before the age of 7 and have persisted for 6 months or more

• are present in more than one setting (for example, both school and home)

• have caused significant impairment, at school, home or socially

• are unusual for the child’s age and developmental level

For most people, taking fish oils is considered safe, however, they should not be taken if you have a fish oil allergy or a bleeding disorder. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements to make sure they are right for you and do not cause withdrawal symptoms. However, they can cause side effects like loss of appetite and difficulty falling asleep. For children who may experience side effects from these medicines, non-stimulant medicines are also available.

How Is ADHD or ADD treated?

There are several different options for the treatment of ADHD, depending on the specific needs of each child and family.

Treatment may involve different health professionals, including a doctor, psychiatrist, pediatrician, psychologist, or family therapist. Parents — and schoolteachers too — need to be actively involved in the treatment plan.

The first step is often to use positive parenting strategies. It can help stick to a routine, help the child build their social skills, and talk to the school to plan an environment where they can learn. If ADHD is still having a significant impact on the child’s life, it might be time to consider medication. Stimulant medicines can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. They help a child to focus and learn.

Stimulant medicines have been thoroughly researched for many years and have been shown to be safe and to improve concentration, impulse control, and hyperactivity in about 4 in 5 children with ADHD. The doses used to treat ADHD are not addictive and do not cause withdrawal symptoms. However, they can cause side effects like loss of appetite and difficulty falling asleep. For children who may experience side effects from these medicines, non-stimulant medicines are also available.

Psychological treatments, such as behavioral therapy, may help a child develop strategies and skills for learning and controlling their behavior. Taking fish oil supplements to increase levels of omega-3 may improve some symptoms of ADHD in some children. However, there is not enough decent-quality evidence to show a definite benefit.

For most people, taking fish oils is considered safe, however they should not be taken if you have a fish oil allergy or a bleeding disorder. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements to make sure they are right for you.

Caring for a. child with ADHD or ADD:

If you are caring for a child with ADHD, below are some tips that can help.

• Provide structure — try to ensure that rules and instructions are clear, brief, and, where possible, presented in charts and lists.

• Maintain a good relationship — this will assist with their self-esteem and help them to be more cooperative.

• Become a keen observer — notice those things that will help in managing behaviors and put in place strategies to manage the situation.

Complications of ADHD or ADD:

Children with ADHD often have other problems such as mild delays in language, motor skills or social development. Also, undiagnosed, or untreated ADHD can lead to problems, and this must be balanced against the decision to use treatments.

In adolescence, ADHD can cause academic failure, driving problems, problems with friends, risky sexual behavior, and substance abuse. People may develop other conditions including oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and learning disabilities.

Adults with ADHD may experience depression or anxiety, and problems with family and work. For all these reasons, it is important to get a proper assessment and to use strategies and treatments to best support a child or adult with ADHD.

In closing: This blog hits home personally for me as I have a daughter that suffers from ADHD. The struggles that she has endured are very real and extremely hard on her, especially in school. One of the worst cases in a female that the doctor said was when she was tested several years ago. It is especially important to know that even though ADHD in boys is more of the worst cases and is far more diagnosed than in females that we are all aware this is not a limited diagnosis to one gender vs the other and that the severity rages in many levels.

Just know that no one is alone, and there is help that can help give you and your child relief to better cope in the world with a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD.