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Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a disorder whose most typical, key features are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

For some time, the diagnosis of ADHD has been treated differently. There were opinions that there is no such disease, and the manifestations of ADHD - the result of improper upbringing and banal spoiling of the child. On the other hand, children with ADHD manifestations were considered inferior, artificially shielding them from socializing with peers and attending children's educational institutions. How do modern specialists treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?

It is accepted that ADHD is a disorder in need of remedial therapy.

 

Boys are most often affected. The maximum manifestation is between 6 and 12 years of age.

A group of scientists found and proved genetic factors predisposing to the development of ADHD.

ADHD is a disorder that affects not only children, but also adults. According to statistics, in the United States, ADHD is registered in 8% of children (that's 8 children out of 100!) and 2.5% of adults (that's 2 people out of 100!).

ADHD does not mean that a child or adult has a low intellectual level. There are highly developed, talented individuals who suffer from this disorder, but not all of them are able to reach their potential because of ADHD.

ADHD can be corrected with specialized techniques in both childhood and adulthood.

 

ADHD: What is the cause?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder refers to minimal brain dysfunction, in the development of which various biomedical and social factors play a role. ADHD can be inherited from parents. Risk factors are: prematurity and immaturity of the child at the time of birth, low birth weight, maternal smoking during pregnancy and drug use.

ADHD: main manifestations

Typical manifestations of ADHD are considered attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. It is not necessarily that all three components of the syndrome are equally expressed in one person. It often happens that in a child or adult prevails one type of disorder.

This is how ADHD inattention manifests itself:

• the child or adult has difficulty concentrating on a particular task: often leaves things unfinished, gets distracted, needs reminders to do the work
• unconscious avoidance of or negative attitude toward tasks that require long periods of concentration
• regularly forgets to complete certain tasks
• often loses items needed for daily work (school supplies).

 

This is how hyperactivity manifests itself:

• a person can not stand still, even when the situation requires it: moves from place to place, rearranges objects, tapping, patting, etc.
• interferes in the conversations of others
• children often make a lot of noise when playing independently.
• more often children climb to unsafe heights: fence, table, window sill, etc.
• cannot and do not want to wait for their turn in the game.

 

This is how impulsiveness manifests itself:

• instability of mood, with frequent irritability and irascibility
• do not have time to think about actions
• often aggressive
• at older ages are prone to antisocial behavior, drug use, smoking.

 

ADHD: Addressing the problem

If you suspect that your child or loved one has ADHD, you should seek help from a specialist. Initially with complaints can be addressed to a pediatrician, and then to a neurologist and psychiatrist.

Currently, a number of foreign medical institutions are training specialists exclusively to work with people suffering from ADHD. As a rule, these are doctors with primary specialization in neurology or psychiatry, additionally completing training courses with the basics of neuropsychology, rehabilitation physiology and sociology. Corrective therapy uses both medication and non-medication methods: corrective gymnastics, speech therapy, massage, psychotherapy, etc. The earlier the therapy is started, the sooner it is possible to achieve a good result and enable the child to learn and communicate with peers. However, therapy will be effective at any age, so do not refuse medical advice and treatment!

 

If you have any questions about organizing examination and treatment of ADHD patients in foreign clinics, please contact MedicalExpert managers.