Parents, Here's What You Need to Know About ADHD
Sushil always had a hard time controlling his 10-year-old Vansh. Vansh was always hyper and seemed to have a very limited attention span. No amount of physical activity seemed to tire him out. Worried, Sushil took Vansh to a doctor to try to understand why he was always restless. The doctor diagnosed Vansh with ADHD symptoms and prescribed medication. This took Sushil by surprise as this was a condition he had never heard about.
Like Sushil, an increasing number of urban parents are coming to terms with a condition called ADHD. An abbreviation, it stands for ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’. ADHD in children has become common world over. ADHD is relatively more common in boys than in girls, however, it does affect both sexes. Adults too can be diagnosed with this condition. Let’s take a closer look and understand causes, symptoms, facts, and treatment options.
What is ADHD?
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – is a series of behavioural disturbances that comprise mainly of impulsiveness, recklessness, and hyperactivity. Children diagnosed with this condition often find it next to impossible to be still. They get into trouble at school for disobedience and in the outdoors for reckless behaviour. They often find it hard to maintain steady relationships as their elders routinely scold them for being a ‘nuisance’ and other children tend to avoid them.
Understanding the Symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD are characterised by inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity.While these behaviours have been displayed by almost all children at some point in their life, children with ADHD tend to display these behaviours daily with increasing severity. Following are the most commonly observed behaviours of children with ADHD:
- Unable to focus for long in a particular direction
- Frequently moving from one incomplete activity to another
- Lack of regard for social rules
- Constantly interrupting others while they are speaking
- Difficulty in maintaining silence and calm
- Face trouble in participating in group activities
- Easily distracted by noises which others ignore
- Difficulty in paying attention to detail
- Disregard for safety and prone to impulsive behaviour
- Always leaving tasks halfway, such as homework or meals
- Gets bored easily with the task at hand
- Constant fidgeting
Causes of ADHD
Studies have shown that ADHD is a biological condition that hampers brain activity. Here are the main causes of ADHD in children:
- Genetics: Chances are if the parents carry an undiagnosed form of this condition, the child will develop it too.
- Low birth weight: Studies have proved that premature babies or those with low birth weight are at a higher risk of developing ADHD symptoms.
- Environmental factors: Children exposed to lead, excessive second-hand smoke, narcotics or abuse at a young age are more likely to develop ADHD.
- Injury: Children who have been dropped as babies or who have faced any kind of traumatic head injury are at a high risk of developing ADHD.
Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
It is important to know that children never outgrow a condition such as ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD simply change over the years. Untreated ADHD symptoms often give rise to some form of substance abuse as the child grows up. Teenagers with ADHD usually find it hard to socialize and end up taking solace in alcohol, cigarettes, or even narcotics. This is why any persistent ADHD symptoms must be taken seriously.
Parents generally begin to notice symptoms of ADHD only when their child begins formal schooling. If your child’s teacher is concerned about his / her behaviour, it is of utmost importance that you consult a doctor immediately. As your child grows, ADHD symptoms grow too. They will interfere with your child’s social skills, ability to learn, and may even lead to trouble with the law. Children with ADHD view thrill as more important than safety. This can prove a dangerous situation indeed.
ADHD is diagnosed with a series of physical and mental tests. The child is made to speak with a counsellor and fill up a questionnaire which will rate the level and progression of ADHD. Sometimes children display symptoms and behaviours which resemble ADHD, especially if they have been exposed to trauma in their life. Children who have been through an accident, witnessed the death of a loved one, or whose parents are going through a divorce need to be monitored closely and handled with care to avoid an onset of ADHD.
Homeopathy and ADHD Treatment
Homeopathic treatment for ADHD has shown continual success rates in curing and controlling the condition for life. Homeopathic medicines are natural and free from side-effects such as loss of appetite or insomnia. This makes parents comfortable in choosing homeopathy for healing conditions such as ADHD. Homeopathy focuses on the root cause of the ADHD, family history, and other underlying health conditions. The approach is customized as per each patient’s need instead of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ stand. Do not let ADHD rob your loved ones of a fruitful childhood. Speak to a homeopathic doctor today for holistic healing solutions.
