What is ADHD?
ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common neuro developmental complications that results in affecting how people behave. In most cases it is diagnosed at a younger age when children are having trouble at school or social settings. Studies show behavioural problems that come along with ADHD get better with age if children are helped in a correct manner.
What are the signs of ADHD?
Staying still for longer periods or paying attention is something that most kids have trouble with. But for children with ADHD it is different because they don’t really know how to grow out of these habits. They need to be helped by a professional. Other than not being able to sit still or paying attention these are the signs of ADHD:
- Talking excessively
- Not being able to stand or sit still (always squirming or fidgeting)
- Forgetting or losing things
- Unable to take turns
- Unable to stay organised
- Unable to carry out instructions
- Not getting along with others
- Unable to manage time
- Being short tempered
- Unstable mood
What causes ADHD?
Genetics are the most dominant cause of ADHD. It means that if your child has ADHD there is a huge possibility that someone in your family must have had it before them. Other than genetics, premature birth, low birthweight, alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy,
brain injuries, exposure to lead at a young age, can also cause ADHD. If you wish to rule out the cause behind your child’s ADHD diagnosis consult a pediatrician in Islamabad.
How can ADHD be diagnosed?
Most people with ADHD are diagnosed when they are 3 to 7 years old. When kids with ADHD start going to school or other social settings problems start showing up. Initially when teachers or other people start communicating these behavioural problems with the parents of an ADHD kid it may be startling for them. What needs to be done during this phase is that parents must start journaling or taking notes of everything they notice. And after a thorough analysis if they think their child’s behaviour is different from other kids of their age they must consult a pediatrician in Lahore.
Currently there is no blood or imaging test that can help diagnose ADHD. The diagnosis is only made on the basis of a thorough analysis of a child’s behaviour. The data for this analysis is collected from parents, the child’s school and their caretakers. For your child to be diagnosed with ADHD they must have 6 or more symptoms relating to inattentiveness that have lasted for more than 6 months and these symptoms must have showed up before the age of 12. Certain hearing and vision tests are also a part of diagnosing ADHD.
Can ADHD be treated?
Currently there is no cure for ADHD but the condition is definitely manageable if adequate care is sought. Seeking adequate care or help for an ADHD kid includes special training for parents to help them tackle situations and resolving commonly occurring problems without any difficulty. Behavioral therapies and medications are also recommended to ADHD kids according to their needs. Indulging in healthy activities like eating well, exercising regularly, staying away from all kinds of screens and catching adequate amounts of sleep also helps in managing the symptoms of ADHD.
