ADHD - Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Many people have difficulty staying focused and paying attention sometimes, but these behaviors often go away. For people with ADHD, these behaviors, along with difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors and being overly active, persist for a long time. In ADHD, performing and completing even the simplest of tasks may be difficult.

ADHD - attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder - is the most common neurobehavioral disorder affecting nearly one in 10 children in the United States, according to Susanna Visser in a podcast of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - A Cup of Health with CDC. "This represents an increase of one million children since our previous survey," Visser added.

ADHD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), commonly starts during early childhood, between the ages of 3 and 6 and can continue throughout adult life.

ADHD Symptoms

There are three principal characteristics of ADHD. These are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Almost all children have these behaviors sometimes. However, in children with ADHD, these behaviors occur more often and usually are more severe that it causes problems in school, at home and social settings.

Other signs and symptoms of ADHD are related to those behaviors mentioned such as:

- Easily forgetting things
- Having difficulty focusing on one thing
- Being easily distracted from school activities or play
- Talking too much
- Squirming and fidgeting in their seats when sitting still is expected
- Acting and speaking without thinking about what the result will be
- Having trouble taking turns
- Often interrupting others

Diagnosis of ADHD

Being overly active, inattentive and impulsive sometimes is common even in normal children, but this should not be mistaken as ADHD. The only way to find out if your child has ADHD is to have him or her checked by a qualified health care provider. There is no single test to detect ADHD. Sometimes, a combination of healthcare practitioners will check your child to rule out other conditions or problems.

ADHD Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for ADHD. However, there are many treatment options that can help manage the symptoms of the condition.

Treatments for ADHD may include medications and behavioral therapy. Medications such as methylphenidate or dextroamphetamine can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. Behavioral therapy like creating routines, limiting choices, and using goals and rewards can help your child change his or her behavior. Tutoring can also help your child.

Experts often recommend parent education and training. Parents can help their child cope with his or her ADHD symptoms. In addition, parents can help teach their child about organization and problem-solving skills among others.

Sources:

Pay Attention to ADHD. Podcasts at CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=4151779. Accessed on December 4, 2010.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder.html. Accessed on December 4, 2010.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). National Institute of Mental Health. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml. Accessed on December 4, 2010.