Know More About ADHD

My three year old is very active. He’s everywhere and he plays as if he never runs out of energy.  Saw a show on TV last week and their topic is about “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”.  After watching that show, I suddenly became very concerned with my kid. What if he has it? I rushed to my partner right away telling him of what I saw and asking him to accompany me and my boy to his pedia the following day. This is because I am too paranoid. I want to make sure that my son doesn’t have it and that’s the only time that I can be at peace.

The following day, my son’s doctor confirmed that he doesn’t have ADHD and that he’s just doing the normal thing a three year old does. Well honestly, ADHD is a very concerning disorder. But I found out that this is not just a childhood disorder but it can continue through adolescence. You might not be as active when you were a child but as you grow older your problem with inattention, disorganization and poor impulse continues.

To know more about ADHD, please check below:

What Causes ADHD?

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and across the country are studying the causes of ADHD. Current research suggests ADHD may be caused by interactions between genes and environmental or non-genetic factors. Like many other illnesses, a number of factors may contribute to ADHD such as:

·        Genes

·        Cigarette smoking, alcohol use, or drug use during pregnancy

·        Exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead, at a young age

·        Low birth weight

·        Brain injuries

Warning Signs

People with ADHD show an ongoing pattern of three different types of symptoms:

• ·        Difficulty paying attention (inattention)
• ·        Being overactive (hyperactivity)
• ·        Acting without thinking (impulsivity)

These symptoms get in the way of functioning or development. People who have ADHD have combinations of these symptoms:

·        Overlook or miss details, make careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities

·        Have problems sustaining attention in tasks or play, including conversations, lectures, or lengthy reading

·        Seem to not listen when spoken to directly

·        Fail to not follow through on instructions, fail to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace, or start tasks but quickly lose focus and get easily sidetracked

·        Have problems organizing tasks and activities, such as doing tasks in sequence, keeping materials and belongings in order, keeping work organized, managing time, and meeting deadlines

·        Avoid or dislike tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework, or for teens and older adults, preparing reports, completing forms, or reviewing lengthy papers

·        Lose things necessary for tasks or activities, such as school supplies, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, and cell phones

·        Become easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli

·        Forgetful in daily activities, such as chores, errands, returning calls, and keeping appointments

Signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity may include:

• ·        Fidgeting and squirming while seated
• ·        Getting up and moving around in situations when staying seated is expected, such as in the classroom or in the office
• ·        Running or dashing around or climbing in situations where it is inappropriate, or, in teens and adults, often feeling restless
• ·        Being unable to play or engage in hobbies quietly
• ·        Being constantly in motion or “on the go,” or acting as if “driven by a motor”
• ·        Talking nonstop
• ·        Blurting out an answer before a question has been completed, finishing other people’s sentences, or speaking without waiting for a turn in conversation
• ·        Having trouble waiting his or her turn
• ·        Interrupting or intruding on others, for example in conversations, games, or activities

Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has ADHD. Many other problems, like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms. If you are concerned about whether you or your child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a health care professional to find out if the symptoms fit the diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, primary care provider, or pediatrician.

Credits to: National Institutesof Health