What is ADHD – How to diagnose and overcome it?

ADHD is the abbreviation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is a group of symptoms that are characterized by inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. Although it is very common amongst children of age group 6-12, however children with ADHD tend to grow up as adults with the same disorder. The disorder can be combined with anxiety and sleep disorders that may aggravate the problem. Restlessness amongst children is normal and may not be a symptom of ADHD. However, if the behaviour differs a lot from other children then do consider getting medical help from openforest.

Causes of ADHD 

The exact cause is not yet determined, but some experts believe it to be a genetic disorder. It can also be caused due to some difference in the brain structure or premature birth before the 37th week or a low birth weight or addiction of the mother to smoking, alcohols or drugs during pregnancy. As per current statistics, around 2-5% of the school children suffer from this disorder.

Treatment 

There are some medications and drug that can reduce the signs of ADHD, but there is no complete cure as such. Proper support from parents, teachers, and friends along with medicine can be beneficial. Apart from that several psychological therapies are available for such children.

Most common therapies available for ADHD patients that will also be beneficial for anxiety and depression —

• Psycho-education – This means counselling your child to give him knowledge about the disorder and how it affects your life too. It can even help diagnose the problem and improve the living condition.
• Behaviour therapy – This is important for the career management of the children with ADHD and involves support from parents and teachers. This includes behaviour management and rewards which encourages the child to control the traits of ADHD. It can also improve the eating patterns of the child
• Parental training – parents with children having ADHD disorder should undergo training and education programmes and can help you learn specific ways to play and work with them to improve their attention and behaviour.
• Social skills training – It encourages children to take part in role-play situations and teach them social behaviour.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy – This is a talking therapy to manage and improve children suffering from ADHD.

Other treatments – Apart from counselling and self-help courses, we can treat or relieve the symptoms of ADHD.

Diet – A healthy and balanced diet can reduce medical dependency for the treatment of this disorder. Sugar, additives, food color and caffeine can intensify your problems and can aggravate hyperactivity. Wheat and dairy products can also cause issues. Take consultation with a dietician before preparing your diet chart.

Supplements – There are various supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can be beneficial for the children with this disorder.

Tips for parents 

• Take complete information about the disorder from your doctor.
• Inform the school and teachers about your child beforehand
• make sure that the medicines you give to your child are safe
• Interact with groups of parents and children suffering from a similar disorder.