Poor concentration, hyperactivity and learning difficulties are some signs that a child or adult might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood-onset behavioural disorder.
Those affected have a greatly reduced ability to maintain attention without being distracted, to control what they’re doing or saying (because of impulsivity) and to control the amount of physical activity appropriate to the situation (that is, they’re restless and fidgety).
ADHD is also called attention deficit disorder (ADD) or hyperactivity. The disorder shouldn’t be confused with normal, boisterous childhood behaviour.
ADHD Causes
The cause of ADHD has not yet been fully explained. One theory is that it may be due, in part, to an imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit nerves signals in the brain).
Another explanation is based around one of the main problems in ADHD – that the brain seems to be unable to filter the huge amount of stimulation we receive every minute of every day from the world around us. So the person is bombarded with all sorts of information and cannot pick out what is relevant and what should be ignored. Rather than giving things too little attention they may pay too much attention to too many things, and so lack focus.
The main six brain functions affected are :
- Flexibility – changing from one topic or idea to another
- Organisation of thoughts and ideas
- Planning – thinking ahead, setting goals
- Using memory effectively – taking in, storing and retrieving information
- Keeping emotions separate to logical reasoning
- Appropriate inhibition – acting after thought and consideration
An affected child is easily distracted and can’t process information at a normal rate.
Brain scans suggest that in ADHD the frontal lobes of the brain, which normally carry out functions such as inhibition, are less active than normal and processes such as decision making may not be carried out so well. There may be also be imbalances in the brain chemicals noradrenaline and dopamine.
However, this is a generalisation – brain research shows a variety of different problems in ADHD, with individuals showing their own pattern of behaviour.
Genetic or hereditary factors are important – usually a parent or close relative also has the condition. Twin and genetic studies show several genes are likely to be involved. Evidence of brain dysfunction has been found in brain-imaging studies.
However, research has so far been unable to show consistent neurobiological differences between affected children and normal controls, so the syndrome remains controversial.
Diet may be a factor – parents have long claimed that food additives can aggravate hyperactive behaviour and research by the Food Standards Agency and Southampton University has shown that certain mixtures of artificial food colours, alongside sodium benzoate – a preservative used in ice cream and confectionary – are linked to increases in hyperactivity.
ADHD Symptoms
Symptoms include excessively, consistently and involuntarily having difficulty:
- Remaining seated when required
- Waiting turn in group situations
- Following instructions
- Playing quietly
Other common symptoms include:
- Shifting from one incomplete activity to another
- Interrupting others
- Engaging in physically dangerous activities without considering the consequences
Not everyone with ADHD has the same symptoms or is affected by each to the same degree. There are three types of people with ADHD:
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
- Predominantly inattentive
- Combined (the majority of ADHD cases)
There’s also a fourth type, which doesn’t fit into any of the three categories, classified as ‘ADHD not otherwise specified’.
These problems are pervasive and debilitating, sometimes to the degree that daily functioning becomes extremely difficult. They can affect education and disrupt family life.
While their intellect may be normal or advanced, more than half of children with ADHD have specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. Coping with the symptoms can mean underachievement and poor self-esteem.
Children with ADHD are also more likely to be depressed, anxious and obsessive, and may have some problems with speech, language and coordination.
Other major behavioural disorders may accompany ADHD, including oppositional defiant disorder (arguing and intentional defying) and conduct disorder (major antisocial activity).
Hyperactivity may improve at puberty but the problems usually persist in some form throughout adult life – up to 60 per cent of children show ADHD behaviour in adulthood.
ADHD Treatments
Since it isn’t clear why children develop ADHD, it’s difficult to prevent. There’s also no simple screening test to identify those people carrying genes that might increase susceptibility and antenatal screening isn’t available.
Although there’s no cure, early diagnosis and appropriate help at home can make a big difference. Diagnosis should be made by formal testing by someone with experience of the condition, such as an educational psychologist.
The most recent guidelines from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) recommend that the first steps in treatment include help with behaviour and stress management, and educational support. Parents of children with mild to moderate ADHD should be offered training sessions to teach them how to cope with and manage their child’s behaviour. The children themselves should be offered psychotherapy or social skills training.
The next step is medication to help children concentrate and be less disruptive, but NICE recommend that, in school-age children with moderate ADHD, drugs should only be prescribed if behaviour management strategies alone don’t work. However in those children with more severe ADHD, which disrupts all aspects of their life, medication can be used as a first line treatment. NICE also says that medication should not be used at all in children under the age of five.
The most effective are stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate (trade name Ritalin), which improve a child’s ability to focus. However, the response to these drugs is variable – some children are helped more than others.
In addition, research suggests that after a couple of years on stimulants, the drugs may no longer have a significant effect. So after this period of time, children are usually offered a trial period off their drugs to see if they still need them.
Like any medication, there may be side-effects. For example, recent research has focused on possible effects on growth in some children.
Modification of diet may help some children . Support for the family is also important.
With help, many people with ADHD manage to channel their energies with dramatic success.
ADHD Advice and Support
Website: www.addiss.co.uk
Website: www.hacsg.org.uk
Article taken in part from http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/
Written by Dr Trisha Macnair and Dr Rob Hicks.
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
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