Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children is a phenomenon that is now quite common. This disease manifests itself at different ages. But the signs are approximately the same - the child begins to be overly active, he cannot sit still, it is difficult to concentrate. Therefore, scolding an absent-minded baby is not worth it. It is likely that he is ill. And the disease can be cured. It is enough to find out some information about him. Often, parents themselves make the baby hyperactive.
So what do you need to know about this disease? What features should you pay attention to first of all? What are the treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children? In fact, if you start looking closely at the baby in time, you can get rid of the disease without any problems. It will take some effort, but not too much.
Description
First of all, it is worth figuring out what kind of disease we are talking about. After all, not everyone understands what ADHD is. Although, as practice shows, many younger schoolchildren now have a disease under study. Approximately 18-20% of all pediatrician visitors suffer from this disease.
In fact, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children is not quite normal, but not the worst thing either. It does not carry a serious danger in adulthood. After all, ADHD is relegated to the background. But for kids and schoolchildren, this disease brings certain inconveniences.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a manifestation of excessive activity along with absent-mindedness. Children find it difficult to concentrate and have trouble doing well in school. But at the same time, such kids have a lot of activity and energy. They constantly run, jump and can sometimes even show aggression. We can say that the disease under study is a kind of deviation from the established norms of behavior. Not too dangerous, but it needs to be treated. After all, this is increased physical and mental activity, which leaves its negative imprint on the child's behavior.
Where does it come from
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a disease that brings a lot of problems to children and their parents. Every disease has its own causes. So why might ADHD occur?
In fact, it is difficult to find the true cause of the disease under study. Doctors still cannot say for sure why it occurs. However, there are several common factors thatcapable of causing this ailment:
- Heredity. Scientists have found that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children appears due to heredity. If the parents had this disease, it is likely that the baby will also have it.
- Problems during pregnancy. A difficult pregnancy or childbirth with complications can also contribute to ADHD.
- Having parents bad habits. Especially in a pregnant woman. Stress also negatively affects the fetus.
- Education. It is hard to believe, but sometimes improper upbringing contributes to the development of the disease under study. Lack of attention or permissiveness is a kind of favorable environment for the appearance of hyperactivity.
In fact, there is no one to blame for the fact that the child manifests the disease under study. He, as already mentioned, does not pose a serious danger. But it brings a lot of problems. Also, a child can be labeled as a developmental retard. Therefore, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder should be treated. Often, parents themselves are able to determine that the child is sick.
Manifestation
How exactly? It is enough to look at the behavior of the baby, and then analyze the life situation as a whole. The final diagnosis is made only by a doctor, but parents should be able to independently suspect the disease. How does Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder manifest itself? The symptoms of this disease are varied.
But most often the disease manifests itself as followsways:
- Excessive activity of the child. The baby is too active. And for no reason at all. He runs just to run and jumps to jump. Fussy and energetic.
- Attention. The child constantly requires attention. And he does it in different ways. It may just cry, or it may actively and aggressively distract parents from important activities.
- Aggressiveness. Sometimes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children 3 years of age and older is accompanied by excessive aggression. Of course, along with activity. A child can offend everyone around.
- No response to remarks. Accordingly, a child with ADHD can be simply unbearable. At the same time, he does not respond to any comments from parents or educators / teachers. Punishment also has no effect on the behavior of the child. He is still active.
- Distraction. A child with the disease under study behaves not only actively, but also distractedly. He cannot sit still, it is difficult for him to concentrate on one thing. For schoolchildren, this is noticeable quite seriously - they can’t sit at a desk, the child shouts out the answers right from the spot.
- Problems with academic performance. This is also a common symptom of hyperactivity. All this is due to the fact that it is difficult for the child to concentrate. And so there are problems with grades in school. Additional lessons with tutors do not give any significant progress, the result remains the same.
It is by these signs that parents are able to identify hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder in children. Notit should be confused with poor upbringing or low mental abilities of the child. It is recommended to consult a doctor. Only a doctor can make a definitive diagnosis.
Diagnosis at the doctor
After the parents suspected the child of the disease being studied, they should definitely consult a doctor. Only he can not only confirm or refute the diagnosis, but also prescribe the correct treatment. Otherwise, parents will have to try not to use up the last nerve cells - with ADHD, babies can be simply unbearable.
Who should I contact? To the neurologist. It is to this doctor that children are most often taken recently. This specialist helps to correct the child's behavior if there is any shift. For example, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Treatment of this disease is a difficult process. But first you need to clearly understand that the observed problem is really a disease, and not a consequence of improper upbringing or low mental abilities.
How exactly can you understand that a child has hyperactivity? Modern doctors use complex diagnostics. It consists of the following items:
- Informative gathering. This is a conversation with parents. It tells about the life of the child and his behavior. A list of diseases that the baby has ever had is being studied. A verbal portrait of the child is also compiled from the words of the parents.
- Psychological test. The child is given special tests, the answers to which help to understandbaby psychology. Also, this method allows you to determine the degree of absent-mindedness. It is usually used in children who have reached the age of 5. Small children are not tested in this way.
- Equipment. Now practiced research on special equipment. For example, children are encouraged to go through a brain tomography procedure. You can also order an ultrasound. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children will show up on pictures. Any neurologist will be able to determine this disease. And to distinguish it from omissions in education.
Usually this is enough. At the moment, no other significant methods are observed. Unless the neurologist himself will look at the behavior of the baby. Diagnosis of the disease under study is difficult in young children. Up to 3 years, hyperactivity is practically not manifested. After all, before this age, babies already have some absent-mindedness and excessive activity. This is not a disease, but quite normal behavior of a growing baby.
Medicated treatment
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a child 3 years and older is a common occurrence that no longer surprises anyone. It is after the specified period that it turns out to correctly diagnose. But how to treat the baby? What will you have to do to eliminate ADHD?
In some cases, medication is prescribed. It is not recommended to start it on your own. Only a neurologist can choose the right medications and other drugs that will help eliminateailment.
If attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is detected in children, medical treatment will take place. But, as a rule, doctors are not too fond of this method of fixing the problem. A variety of medicines are prescribed mainly for school-age children. Pills are not often prescribed for babies.
What drugs can a neurologist recommend? It's not hard to guess. Among them are:
- Sedatives. Any "light" sedatives that can reduce children's activity and calm the child. Herbal preparations are generally recommended.
- Vitamins. They are prescribed in addition to sedatives. Children's vitamins "for schoolchildren" are usually prescribed, which help to concentrate and improve brain function.
There are no more medical treatments for ADHD. Drugs will be selected depending on the cause of the disease. You can use medication after 1 year of a child's life. But, as already mentioned, usually doctors try to correct the disease at a young age without unnecessary drugs. Is that through vitamins.
Folk methods
It is also worth paying attention to folk methods of treatment. Usually they are practiced by the parents themselves. After all, not everyone is ready for medical treatment. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ICD-10 code F90) is, as already mentioned, excessive excitability. Therefore, you can use folk methods of calming.
Which ones exactly? Among the most common scenarios for the development of events, the following points are distinguished:
- Chamomile tea. Soothes and helps to reduce activity a little. Melissa will also work.
- Baths with sage. Or, for example, a special soothing bath s alt. Recommended before bedtime.
- Milk with honey. Warm milk is a good sedative for children. Especially the younger ones.
In fact, with serious forms of hyperactivity, it will not be possible to eliminate the disease with folk methods. Just make it easier to show. Therefore, you should not self-medicate. Medicines and folk remedies are not the only ways of treatment. How else can you manage ADHD?
Parental behavior
The fact is that parents also need to adjust their behavior. Only then will it be possible to eliminate the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Komarovsky and other children's doctors give advice to parents on this issue. How should moms and dads behave?
You can follow some advice. But you have to take into account that, first of all, you need to be patient - ADHD is not treated quickly. Parents will need:
- Find contact with the child. This means that moms and dads need to establish communication with the baby. Often hyperactivity appears from attention deficit. Therefore, the child needs to devote more time. understand the babyimportant too.
- Less irritants. When communicating with a child, as well as during classes, you need to remove all possible irritants, and everything that can distract the baby from concentration. For example, gadgets and TV. Most likely, at first you will have to put up with tantrums.
- Permanence. It should always be. Then the child will begin to clearly understand what exactly they want from him. And attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder will begin to resolve itself over time.
- More activity. A child who suffers from hyperactivity needs to let off steam sometimes. Therefore, it is recommended to create a favorable atmosphere for this. For example, give the baby to the sports section.
- Praise. Enough of the child when he manages to fulfill this or that requirement. But punishment and abuse will not give any significant result.
- More rest - less nerves. Parents are also living beings. And from a hyperactive child, they can get tired. Need to rest. Or, at the very least, take a course of sedatives. All this will help not to break loose on the child.
The most important thing is to show patience. There will be no immediate progress. This is normal. Treating ADHD is a difficult and lengthy process.
Can it be cured?
Discovered Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children? Treatment gets a variety of reviews. It is rather difficult to judge the effectiveness of the prescribed procedures. After all, over time, as already mentioned, this disease fades into the background.
Nevertheless, parents point out that hyperactivity can be cured. It is enough to contact a neurologist in time at the first suspicion of a disease. Then the prescribed treatment will not take much time.
At the same time, parents indicate that it is necessary to treat ADHD in a child starting with themselves. Correction of parental behavior perfectly affects the course of therapy. The main thing is to follow the advice and recommendations of the doctor. Then everything will definitely work out. Many parents point out that drug treatment produces the best results.
Sentence or norm?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children - is this the norm or a deviation? Many can not come to terms with this diagnosis. And then they begin, as already mentioned, to hang labels on the child.
Actually, ADHD is not the norm, but not such a strong deviation as, for example, Down's syndrome. It is quite difficult for a child in this position. By the way, children with hyperactivity quite often do not lag behind in development, but, on the contrary, succeed. The only hindrance is absent-mindedness or inability to concentrate. Often these children are more talented.
Results
What conclusions can be drawn? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is common in children. This is a disease that often does not depend on the upbringing of the parents and is not a serious problem for the he alth of the child. These kids are often more talented than their peers. You just need to start treatment on time.
Proper therapy over time will help to correct the behavior of the baby. Tremendous progress is being made in drug treatment. At the first suspicion of ADHD, you should contact a neurologist. It is this doctor who will help eliminate the disease.
