Overview:
A brain disorder known as Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects how you pay attention, sit still, and control your behaviour. It primarily affects children and teenagers, but it can also affect adults.
ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder among children. It is to be more common in boys than in girls. It’s usually in a child’s early school years when he or she begins to have difficulty paying attention.
ADHD is not curable or preventable. However, early detection of ADHD, as well as a good treatment and education plan, can help a child or adults manage their symptoms of ADHD. Paid ADHD Clinical Trials can help us gain further understanding of this condition for both children and adults.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common childhood neurobehavioral disorders. An ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with ADHD experience the following symptoms regularly:
- Inattention: Refers to a person’s inability to stay on task, maintain focus, or stay organised, and it is not caused by defiance or a lack of understanding.
- Hyperactivity: It is defined as a person who appears to move around constantly, even when it is not appropriate, or who fidgets, taps, or talks excessively. Hyperactivity in adults can manifest as extreme restlessness or excessive talking.
- Impulsivity: Refers to a person’s tendency to act without thinking or to struggle with self-control. Impulsivity, Is an inability to delay gratification or a desire for immediate gratification. Someone impulsive may interrupt others or make important decisions without thinking about the long-term consequences.
ADHD symptoms usually appear at a young age and become more noticeable as a child’s circumstances change, such as when they start school. Although the symptoms of ADHD usually improve with age, many adults with the disorder as a child continue to have issues. Additional issues, such as sleep and anxiety disorders, may be present in people with ADHD.
ADHD Causes:
Scientists are researching the cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD to better manage and reduce the likelihood of a person developing the disorder. Although the cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, recent research indicates that genetics plays a significant role.
Besides genetics, scientists are looking into other possible causes and risk factors, such as:
- Genes- ADHD is a condition that is inherited in families.
- Chemicals- People with ADHD may have an imbalance of brain chemicals.
- The brain changes- Attention-controlling areas of the brain are less active in children with ADHD.
- During pregnancy, poor nutrition, infections, smoking, drinking, and substance abuse are all risks. These factors can influence a baby’s brain development.
- Toxic substances, such as lead. They could influence a child’s cognitive development.
- A brain injury or a mental illness. Damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, also known as the prefrontal cortex, can cause problems controlling impulses and emotions.
ADHD Diagnosis and Testing:
ADHD is quite difficult to diagnose, particularly in children. No one test will be able to detect it. After discussing symptoms with the child, parents, and teachers, and observing the child’s behaviours, doctors diagnose ADHD in children and teens. They’ll also rule out any other factors that could be causing the symptoms, such as health issues or everyday problems. A child may take a series of tests to check their neurological and psychological status to confirm a diagnosis of ADHD or learning differences.
The following tests may be performed:
- Medical and social histories of both the child and the family.
- A physical examination and neurological evaluation include vision, hearing, verbal, and motor skill screenings. More tests are required if hyperactivity is linked to another physical problem.
- Intelligence, aptitude, personality traits, or processing skills are all evaluated. If the child is of school age, these are frequently done with input from parents and teachers.
- The Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System is a scan that measures theta and beta waves in the brain. Theta/beta ratios are higher in children and adolescents with ADHD than in children and adolescents without ADHD.
ADHD Symptoms:
There are three types of symptoms:
Inattentive:
ADHD in a child:
- distract by prone
- Doesn’t follow instructions or complete tasks.
- Doesn’t appear to be paying attention.
- Pays no attention and makes careless errors
- Ignores day-to-day activities
- Has trouble keeping track of daily tasks
- Doesn’t enjoy doing things that require her to sit still.
- Frequently misplaces items
- He has a proclivity for daydreaming.
Hyperactive-impulsive:
ADHD in a child:
- Squirms fidget or bounce a lot when seated.
- Doesn’t appear to be capable of sitting still.
- Is constantly “on the move,” as if “powered by a motor”, whether it’s climbing or running. (This is more commonly referred to as restlessness in teenagers and adults.)
- Has a difficult time playing quietly
- talking a lot.
- Has a hard time waiting their turn
- Answers in a jumble
As a person grows older, the symptoms of ADHD may change. They are as follows:
- Being late or forgetting things more frequently
- Anxiety
- Low self-confidence
- Workplace issues Anger management issues
- Impulsiveness
- Misuse or addiction to substances
- Having difficulty staying organized
- Procrastination
- Frustrated easily
- Frequently bored
- Having difficulty concentrating while reading Mood swings
- Depression
- Problems in relationships
ADHD Treatment:
In most cases, a combination of behaviour therapy and medication is the most effective treatment for ADHD. What works best for the child and family may differ. Close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes as needed are all part of good treatment plans.
Parental support and education in behavioural training, appropriate school placement, and medication are all important parts of treatment for children with ADHD. In most children with ADHD, treatment with a psychostimulant is highly effective.
The following treatments for ADHD:
Psychostimulant medications:
The ability of these medications to balance chemicals in the brain that prevent the child from maintaining attention and controlling impulses is why they are prescribed. They use to reduce the major symptoms of ADHD by helping to “stimulate” or help the brain focus.
The following are some of the medications that are commonly used to treat ADHD:
- Methylphenidate is a type of phenolate that is used to treat (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, and Methylin)
- Dextroamphetamine is a stimulant (Dexedrine, Dextrostat)
- Amphetamine salts in a mixture (Adderall)
- Atomoxetine is a drug that is used to treat a variety (Strattera). A nonstimulant SNRI (selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) with anti-depressant properties.
- Lisdexamfetamine is a type of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
The majority of stimulant side effects are minor, improve with continued use, and respond to dose changes. Always consult your child’s doctor about possible side effects. For children and adolescents with ADHD, The cure may be antidepressant medications to help improve attention while reducing aggression, anxiety, and/or depression.
Behavioural therapy:
A type of treatment that focuses on changing a person’s behaviour. A child with special needs can benefit from special education at school. Structure and routine can be extremely beneficial to children with ADHD.
People are taught how to replace negative habits with positive ones through behaviour modification. Make sure your child understands your expectations from them. Make simple and easy rules that they can understand. When they lose control, make them face the consequences you’ve set in place, such as time-outs or the loss of privileges. Keep your eyes peeled for good manners. Reward them when they can manage their impulses.
Psychotherapy (counselling) can assist someone with ADHD in learning to manage their emotions and frustrations more effectively. It has the potential to make them feel better about themselves. Family members may benefit from counselling to better understand a child or adult with ADHD.
ADHD Bottomline:
ADHD can make it difficult to deal with the challenges of everyday life if not treated. Learning and developing social skills can be challenging for children. Addiction and relationship issues are common among adults. Mood swings, depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, risk-taking, and conflicts with others could all be symptoms of the disorder.
Many people with ADHD, on the other hand, live happy and full lives. Treatment is beneficial.
Keep track of your symptoms and see your doctor regularly. Medication and treatments that were once effective may no longer be effective. Multiple Clinical Research Organizations near you are conducting Clinical Trials in ADHD and other Psychiatric conditions to help us understand these complex conditions and find potential treatment options for them. You may need to alter your treatment plan. Some people’s symptoms improve as they get older, and some can stop taking medication.
