Does your Child Have ADD/ADHD?
Diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Time
If you're concerned that your child might have ADD/ADHD, you're not alone. According to The American Psychiatric Association, Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders are among the most common developmental and neurobehavioral conditions affecting today’s youth, with an estimated five percent of the world’s kids having been treated for the condition in recent years. With symptoms ranging from poor impulse control, to distractibility, hyperactivity, simple chronic forgetfulness or oppositional defiance, children suffering from the condition often have difficulty in academic and social situations, as well as at home. The negative feedback they frequently receive from teachers and classmates can undermine their confidence and leave them with a poor self-image, so early intervention is recommended to those who suspect their child may have the disorder. Roughly 60 percent of those diagnosed may retain the condition well into adulthood, so knowing how to identify and seek treatment for your child early on is important.
ADD/ADHD is believed by scientists to be caused by a delay of the frontal cortex development. The disorder is often characterized by inattention and an inability to focus on simple tasks or to organize one’s personal space or belongings. Some children and adolescents present with symptoms of extreme irritability or a lack of inhibition and self-censorship. Their impulsivity may make them act out in ways that seem irrational. An innocent bump from behind might be perceived as a hostile gesture, and the child with proper impulse control may respond violently to the “attack” from the rear before he thinks about the consequences of his behavior.
Because spectrums of the disorder may present differently—with some kids demonstrating a pronounced lack of attention and focus, while another group may be able to focus but unable to control impulsivity—the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders divides ADHD symptoms into two categories: symptoms of primarily inattention and those of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
There are many theories as to the causes of ADHD, including genetics, toxicity in the environment or diet, the disruption of normal frontal lobe development or even the use of mobile phones, and it is possible that any or all of these factors may be in some way responsible for the increasing numbers of diagnoses in recent years.
Physicians agree that the most effective treatment for ADHD appears to be medication, in the form of stimulants. Combined with behavior modification therapy and counseling, as well as proper diet and vitamin and mineral supplements, medicating the child with ADD/ADHD can produce dramatic improvements in social, behavioral and academic performance in a very short amount of time. Though some parents may be hesitant to give their children drugs for what they perceive to be a behavioral issue, doctors are quick to point out that most medications for ADHD are water-soluble and do not build up inside the body or alter the brain in any permanent way. The medications, including Ritalin, Adderall and Desoxyn, may be taken in the morning, before school or in a controlled-release capsule that works continuously throughout the day. More recently, a transdermal method called Daytrana has freed reluctant pill-swallowers by allowing the application of a medicated patch.
A diagnosis of ADD/ADHD does not have to imply a lifetime of chaos and disruption. With early intervention, a little understanding and a lot of support, readily available drug therapies or behavioral modification and counseling, children with ADHD can thrive socially and academically and can grow into confident, productive adults.
