Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
From Wiki4CAM
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a problem of children with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination. Children with ADHD are usually associated with restlessness and improper sleep. It also impacts on their academic performance. Though inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are sometimes normal for all children, if it is more severe and occur more often, medical attention is to be sought.
Often parents of children with ADHD are exhausted and frustrated. Recent neuroimaging studies indicate that the brains of children with ADHD are different from those of other children. These children handle neurotransmitters (including dopamine, serotonin, and adrenalin) differently. This condition is often genetic. ADHD is often confused with depression, sleep deprivation, learning disabilities, tic disorders, and other behavior problems. It is diagnosed much more often in boys than in girls. Most children with ADHD also have at least one other developmental or behavioral problem.
Contents |
Causes
Recent studies reveal genetics play an important role in ADHD. Children who have ADHD usually have at least one close relative who have ADHD. Majority of identical twins share the trait. Other than genetics, smoking, brain injury, drug and alcohol use during pregnancy, toxins in the environment are seem to be linked with ADHD. Some disbeliefs like too much TV, food allergies, excess sugar, poor home life and poor school do not cause ADHD.
Prevalence
Data from western countries indicate that 8-12% of school going children have ADHD. 25% adults with substance use disorder have ADHD. A survey conducted in USA shows 87% of doctors has been asked for CAM therapy by their patients for ADHD and 66% believed CAM could enhance recovery. Couple of recent studies from India have reported that 8.1 and 15.5% of children referred to the child guidance clinic, respectively, were diagnosed as having ADHD.
Diagnosis
Earlier the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM) named first as hyper kinetic impulse disorder (DSM-II). In the subsequent edition the name has been changed to attention deficit disorder (DSM-III) in 1980 and eventually to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (DSM-IV) in 1994.
Disorders accompany with ADHD
Some disorders usually accompany with ADHD. Approximately 20-30% of ADHD children also have learning disability. In the preschool years these disabilities include difficulty in understanding certain sounds or words. In school age children reading or spelling disabilities, writing disorders and arithmetic disorders. Dyslexia, a type of reading disorder is also associated in most of the cases.
Another disorder called Tourette syndrome, in which various repetitive mannerisms like eye blinks, facial twitches or grimacing. Some other disorders are oppositional defiant disorder (defiant, stubborn, non-compliant, outburst of temper), conduct disorder (lying, stealing, fight with or bully others, violate basic rights of other people), anxiety and depression and bipolar disorder (mood cycling between periods of intense high and lows).
Symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD include failing to pay close attention to details, making careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities, having trouble sustaining attention during tasks or play often, not listening when spoken to directly, Having difficulty following through on instructions, failing to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks, having problems in organizing tasks or activities, avoiding or disliking tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework, frequently losing needed items, such as books, pencils, toys or tools, forgetfulness, fidgeting or squirming frequently, leaving his or her seat often in the classroom, often running or climbing excessively when it's not appropriate or, talking excessively, blurting out the answers before questions have been completely asked, having difficulty waiting for his or her turn and interrupting or intruding on others' conversations or games. The symptoms and behaviors of ADHD are usually different in boys and girls. Boys are more likely to be hyperactive, whereas girls tend to be inattentive. Girls who have trouble paying attention often daydream, but inattentive boys are more likely to play or fiddle aimlessly. Boys tend to be less compliant with teachers and other adults, so their behavior is often more conspicuous.
