ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD): NOT A DIFFICULT CHILD AS YOU THINK

Around your vicinity, in playground or in school you may have come across a very notorious child who is famous for his mischievous behaviour. He seems to be hyperactive and very restless. You might love him for his activeness but let me tell you this child may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who needs treatment.  

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ADHD is a condition that usually starts from first five years of life of child. The child is inattentive, has poor concentration and is impulsive or hyperactive that interferes with his activities at school, home and social relationships too. But not all hyperactive or inattentive children are ADHD.

A child is called ADHD if his three actions; inattention, poor concentration and hyperactivity or impulsivity is observed at most of the times in any at least 2 different settings; at home, school or social, for at least 6 months which is must be more prominent than others of their age.

But there is nothing much to worry about, ADHD is not a complex condition. It’s a behavioral disorder and so just a cocktail of love and compassion can help this child.  

Unfortunately, if not treated on time it may persist into adolescence and may even continue into adulthood in approximately 80% of children (Faraone SV, The worldwide prevalence of ADHD: is it an American condition? World Psychiatry. Jun 2003).  

WHO ARE AT RISK?

The reason why this influence some children is not found but certain causes may play a role in its development are certain genes and neurotransmitters, substance use and abuse (cigarettes, alcohol etc.) during pregnancy, exposure to high levels of lead, brain injuries in children, during pregnancy, delivery or immediately after birth, premature delivery and low birth weight, consumption of certain food additives like artificial colors or preservatives, and sugar.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS?

ADHD can be identified on the following symptoms.

·        May not follow instructions or listen when spoken to

·        Leaves tasks unfinished

·        Easily distracted

·        Makes careless mistakes

·        Have trouble sitting still and run around at inappropriate times

·        Tend to be clumsy and occasionally destructive

Your child may have any of the sub-forms of ADHD

1.  Primarily hyperactive-impulsive: if symptoms of both criteria inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity present for the past 6 months.

2. Predominantly inattentive: if sufficient symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity-impulsivity, present for the past six months.

3.  Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive: if enough symptoms of both criteria inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity were present for the past 6 months.

HOW TO PREVENT

Though following measures will not cure the disease but may lower chances (Jeffrey M. Halperin& Anne-Claude V. Bédard& Jocelyn T. Curchack-Lichtin. Preventive Interventions for ADHD:A Neurodevelopmental Perspective. Neurotherapeutics, 2012).

Prevention beforehand:

·  Try to avoid or reduce exposure to environmental toxins, such as lead and mercury.

·      Warns mothers against alcohol and cigarette use during pregnancy.

·   Reduce or avoid exposure to head injury during pregnancy and in infants, toddlers and children.

·     Healthy diet, exercise for preventing obesity.

Prevention after diagnosis:

·    Identify hyperactivity and impulsivity in your child which is evident during the preschool years who go on to develop the disorder.

·    Engage your child in challenging and cognitively stimulating games that are growth promoting.

Prevention for consequences:

·    Consult psychologist for behavior therapy and brain stimulating activities and learning by managing or limiting consequences after the disorder has manifested.

CONSEQUENCES ·       Increased risk for school failure and dropout in both high school and college. ·       Social difficulties and family conflict. ·       Depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. ·       Accidental injury, Alcohol and drug abuse.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT

ADHD child is generally approached with educational and psychotherapy measures. Psychologist, psychiatrist, educational specialist, or developmental behavioral pediatrician has a great role in managing ADHD especially in case of severe aggression, history of abuse and child who continue to have problem in functioning despite treatment.

Do’s and Don’ts in case of ADHD child ü Avoid being fault-finding. ü Always keep positive attitude. ü Do not pressurize your child to perform. ü Give simple activities initially followed by gradual difficult tasks. ü During activity or study give breaks. ü Set rules and regulations. ü Praise your child on completing task. ü Promote self-responsibility and accountability in a spirit of freedom to develop confidence in self and you. ü Set a good example with positive behavior. ü Involve your child in physical activity such as judo, swimming etc. to strengthen him physically and mentally.  ü Use of electronic media such as laptops, TV, smartphones, gaming devices and so on should be kept to a minimum.

HOW HOMEOPATHY CAN HELP

Homoeopathy is sought by many parents for ADHD with good outcomes.

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD): 5 HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER The child may have poor control over his impulses, talking, joking, throwing tantrums at the most inappropriate times. There are often tremendous difficulties with other siblings; jealousy, provoking of fights and abuse.

STRAMONIUM The precipitating events is often followed by nightmare and eventually development of rage. The rage is uncontrollable and impulsive, without malicious forethought. Distorts face, pupils dilate when child is reprimanded (scolded) with expression of terror. Child is fearful, dreads darkness, clings to mother due to fear, desires light and company; worse in dark and solitude.

TARENTULA HISPANICA Terror expression face children, who are hurried, restless, could not keep quiet in any position; impulse to walk. Child gets irritated from least excitement which is followed by languid sadness. Child moods suddenly changes, from nervous laughter to scream.

TUBERCULINUM The child is unable to remain long in one place, is loud and very demanding and capricious. Sensitive, every trifles irritates. The child is deliberately destructive, obstinate and disobedient. Fits of temper if contraindicated, desire to use foul language, great anger, tendency to strike others. He seems completely indifferent to punishment or reprimand.

VERATRUM ALBUM The child is curious and almost adult level in conceptual ability. The inner frustration leads to disobedience and behavior problems. There is great restlessness in the child. Acute violent mania alternated with silence and refusal to talk, desire to cut and tear, insanity, shrieks, curses. © KK's Homeopathy & Wellness Center

 Table reproduced and modified from the: http://www.homeoint.org/books/boericmm/a.htm

Disclaimer

The contents herein are for informational purposes only to understand health and treatment conditions in a better way. It should not be taken as the substitute of medical diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

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