Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Do you find yourself or someone close to you who feels constantly restless, distracted and extremely impulsive? With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it becomes difficult to study in a systematic manner. It affects academic progress and meddles with work and everyday activities.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Most children are active. However, a few children are far more active compared to others and are termed as hyperactive. Such children may sleep lesser than others, are unable to focus on simple tasks or activities, and keep moving from one activity to another. Teachers in school often complain that such children are easily distracted, disturb other children, do not seem to listen, are unable to concentrate and change activities frequently. Most likely, these children suffer from a condition called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.

ADHD affects between 3-10% of all school-age children and is much more common in boys compared to girls. The symptoms of ADHD in children become apparent before the age of seven. Although ADHD is not considered a learning disorder, research indicates that 30-50% of children suffering from ADHD also suffer from a learning disorder, making learning a very challenging experience for them.  ADHD affects the life of a child at school, in their classroom, within the family, with friends and also within the child. It can lead to loss of confidence, self-esteem and experiences of frustration.

The main characteristics of ADHD are inattention (poor attention span), hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There are three subtypes of ADHD recognized by mental health professionals. These are:

1. The predominantly hyperactive or impulsive type (that does not show significant inattention)
2. The predominantly inattentive type (that does not show significant hyperactive-impulsive behaviour) sometimes called ADD
3. The combined type (that displays both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms)

What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD?

The general symptoms of ADHD include those given below. You could check your child for them if he or she is showing disruptive behaviours, to determine if your child is suffering from ADHD or leaning towards it.

1. Inability to pay attention or inability to retain learned information
2. Difficulty in focussing attention
3. Constant fidgeting or restlessness
4. Excessive activity or talking
5. Getting distracted easily
6. Inability to sit quietly
7. Engaging in activities without thinking beforehand
8. Constantly interrupting or changing the subject
9. Difficulty in making friends
10. Forgetfulness or absentmindedness
11. Being impatient all the time
12. Getting frustrated easily
13. Shifting activities frequently
14. Careless approach to assignments
15. Failure to complete activities
16. Difficulty waiting for their turn
17. Losing items

What are the causes of ADHD?

A number of research studies have been carried out to find out the causes of ADHD. Even with a large number of research findings, experts remain uncertain about the exact cause of this disorder.

Some of the possible factors causing ADHD in your child include:

1. Genetics – Research indicates that genes play a powerful role in the development of impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattention. Researchers suspect that some malfunctioning genes obstruct the normal secretion of chemicals that guide communication among cells in areas of the brain responsible for self-control.
2. Brain injuries – Injuries at the time of birth or before birth, due to exposure to toxins or physical injuries, may be linked to ADHD.
3. Consumption of tobacco or alcohol by the mother during pregnancy – Smoking by the mother while she is pregnant may be linked to the development of ADHD in children. Nicotine in cigarettes can cause lack of oxygen in the unborn child that may negatively affect the brain cells.
4. Food and Nutrition – Researchers suspect the role of food additives, preservatives, artificial colours and sugar in the development of ADHD in children. Some research studies also indicate that a lack of omega-3 fatty acids is linked to ADHD symptoms.

Can bad parenting cause ADHD?

It is important to note that bad parenting or lax parenting does not cause ADD/ADHD. However, such parenting styles can increase the severity of ADD or ADHD in your child.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

Children are usually diagnosed with ADHD between the ages 5 to 11. Symptoms become clearer when your child has started school because the discipline and routine in the school environment make ADHD symptoms stand out more.

It can be difficult to diagnose your child before he begins to go to school. This is because it’s common for children aged between three and five to be very active, and often this behaviour isn’t abnormal.  But if your child is between 2-5 years of age and is extremely hyperactive with repetitive actions, this can often imply that he or she has another condition affecting his/her development, such as Autism.

There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. Formal diagnosis of ADHD is made by psychiatrists or specialist psychologists using clinical assessment and classification of symptoms.

How is a child suffering from ADHD treated?

Once your child has been diagnosed as having ADHD, the specialist will develop a treatment plan. The treatment plan may include medication, behavioural therapy, psychotherapy and approach to education.

The specialist will assess the child’s behaviours and work with you as parents and your child before treatment is started.

Other components of treating ADHD include teaching your child study skills, memory skills, time management skills and providing a supportive environment.

Training is also imparted to you as parents so that they can play a proactive role in the treatment by organizing the child’s social life, providing positive reinforcement of behaviour and maintaining a consistent parenting style.

There is no cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Often as the child grows up the symptoms become less severe in nature and proper treatment can help relieve the symptoms and keep life organized.

What can I do as a parent, for my child suffering from ADHD?

If your child is going through a phase of ADHD, he will show very difficult behaviours at home, school or outside. However, you need to discipline your child and enforce firm limits of behaviours for him or her. Having ADHD does not mean that your child can be disobedient or indulge in incorrect mannerisms like swearing or becoming physical or violent.

You can help your child by giving him a balanced diet and ensuring that he/ she indulges in constructive activity at home or in school. Becoming frustrated easily due to a poor attention span and high energy levels is a common sign of a child with ADHD. Given below are some simple techniques which will help you manage difficulties which you and your child might face:

1. Give simple and fewer instructions at a time.
2. Stand close, maintain eye contact and tell him/her in a gentle and calm voice how you want him/her to act. Keep your instructions clear but do not communicate with by shouting across the room, which has a negative influence.
3. Keep praising your child when he/she follows your instructions and act as per them, even if the task performed by him/her is small and not of much importance.
4. Another thing that you could do, to make your child orderly, is writing a list of things to do and put it where they can see it clearly e.g. on the door of their bedroom or bathroom or on their cupboard.
5. Divide any task which he/she performs, like doing homework or housework like cleaning their room or cupboard into smaller time spans like 15-20 minutes.
6. Give the child time and activities to focus their mental and physical energies on like for example, playing football or cricket or going swimming.
7. To help your child get over ADHD, you as a parent can bring about changes in the diet. There are certain types of food additives and colourings to which your child can be sensitive and which can increase your child’s hyperactivity. It is important to recognize these substances and remove them from your child’s diet plan. You can consult your family doctor or dietician regarding this.
8. Lastly, there are parenting programs and online forums offered by support groups, available specifically for parents whose children are suffering from ADHD. Attend these programs to learn specific skills and techniques to tackle your child’s problem efficiently.

How is an adult suffering from ADHD treated?

If you as an adult are suffering from ADHD, it is good to talk with your psychiatrist, who is the best person to tell you about the benefits and harm of taking medications to treat ADHD.  Psychotherapy is also a valuable treatment option available.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you if you are suffering from ADHD by:

1. Finding and recognizing ways that will help you learn to complete important tasks
2. Finding ways to help you organize your life better
3. Aligning your thoughts about yourself and your problem issues in the right direction and putting them into a proper perspective
4. Making you feel better about yourself
5. Reducing your feelings of anxiety

Medications

The most common medications used to treat ADHD are stimulant medications that are associated with amphetamines. There are also other non-stimulant medications which take a number of weeks to do their work. However, these medications can bring about side effects and need to be taken after proper evaluation and guidance from the treating psychiatrist.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are experiencing symptoms of ADHD like hyperactivity and inattention as well as impulsiveness then you need to get yourself diagnosed at the earliest.

It is extremely important to get ADHD treated at the earliest as if the condition is left untreated it can cause more mental and physical problems for you. If you as an ADHD patient are not able to focus and keep control over yourself you can suffer at work and bring about problems for yourself. ADHD also might make it difficult for you to interact with and be on good terms with others and making friends may become difficult. Such frustrations can make you lose your self-esteem and it can also cause a lot of stress to you.

The good news is that proper treatment can make a real difference. With proper support, you can get your life back on track.

How can I help myself in my daily routine if I as an adult, am suffering from ADHD?

If you are suffering from ADHD then you should start by giving a thought to the consequences of ADHD on your life. You need to pay special attention to the way that you feel and think about yourself. You also need to see how your friends and family members affect you and your life. Secondly, you need to make an effort to have complete knowledge about ADHD by reading books, surfing the Internet or from support groups. Also, ensure that you discuss your problems and speak about your problems with your family members and office colleagues. Try to gauge what others feel about your problems and whether they have noticed anything in you that can make things either better or worse than what it is in the present, for you.

You can also do certain things to help yourself including:

1. Try and do things in a more organized manner. Make a to-do list of tasks you need to work on, keep a diary and use reminders to ensure that you do not forget them. Set fixed times for working on those tasks correctly and on time.
2. Try to exercise as this will help you relax physically and mentally.
3. Also try to relax by listening to music or by using techniques of relaxation like meditation.
4. Set yourself life goals which are realistic and can be fulfilled.
5. Try not to do anything that may worsen your mental condition. Do not argue with others and stay away from drugs and alcohol.
6. Do not remain in the company of anyone who encourages you to drink alcohol or take drugs.

Do not be afraid of asking for help. You can request your employer or other work colleagues to help you out. Becoming a part of a self-help group can also help you deal with your ADHD problem. If you are experiencing depression, then ensure that you visit a doctor who can refer you to the right mental health professional.

You can also help yourself by:

1. Sharing your problem with people
2. Asking for help from friends and family
3. Rewarding yourself when you do things right
4. Give a quick response to tasks that you find boring to do
5. Try to find ways to concentrate better
6. Do not be too strict with yourself