Hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit 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 is unable to sit still, it is difficult to concentrate. Therefore, scolding a scattered baby is not worth it. It is likely that he is sick. 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 you need to know about this disease? What features should you pay attention to first of all? What methods are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children? In fact, if you start to look closely at the baby in time, you can get rid of the disease without any problems. Efforts will have to be made, but not too serious.
Description
To begin with, it is worth figuring out what kind of disease is involved. After all, not everyone understands what ADHD is. Although, as practice shows, now many primary schoolchildren have an ailment under study. Approximately 18-20% of all pediatrician visitors suffer from this disease.
In fact, hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder in children is not quite normal, but not the worst thing. It does not carry serious danger in adulthood. After all, ADHD is relegated to the background. But for kids and schoolchildren, this disease brings certain inconvenience.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a manifestation of excessive activity along with distraction. Children find it difficult to concentrate; they have problems with school performance. But at the same time, these kids are full of activity and energy. They constantly run, jump and can sometimes even show aggression. We can say that the studied disease is a certain deviation from the established norms of behavior. Not too dangerous, but it must be treated. After all, this is an increased activity, physical and mental, which leaves its negative imprint on the behavior of the child.
Where does it come from
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disease that brings many problems to children and their parents. Each ailment has its own causes of occurrence. So why can ADHD occur?
In fact, finding the true cause of the disease under study is difficult. Doctors still cannot say exactly why it occurs. But at the same time, several common factors that can cause this ailment can be distinguished:
- Heredity. Scientists have found that hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder in children appears due to heredity. If the parents had this disease, it is likely that the baby will also manifest it.
- Problems during pregnancy. Severe pregnancy or childbirth with complications also contribute to the appearance of ADHD.
- Parents have bad habits. Especially in a pregnant woman. Stress also negatively affects the fetus.
- Parenting. 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 studied ailment. He, as has already been said, is not in serious danger. But it brings a lot of problems. Also, a child may be labeled as being lagging behind in development. 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 the doctor, but parents should be able to independently suspect the disease. How does attention deficit hyperactivity disorder manifest itself? The signs of this ailment are diverse.
But most often the disease manifests itself in the following ways:
- Excessive activity of the child. The kid is too active. And for no reason. He runs just to run, and jumps to jump. Fussy and energetic.
- Attention. The child constantly requires attention. And does it in many ways. It may just cry, or it can 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 comments. Accordingly, a baby with ADHD can be simply unbearable. At the same time, he does not respond to any comments from parents or tutors / teachers. Punishment also does not affect the behavior of the child. He is still active.
- Distraction. A kid with a studied disease behaves not only actively, but also absent-mindedly. He can not sit still, concentrate on one thing is difficult for him. For schoolchildren, this is noticeably quite serious - you can’t sit at the desk, the child shouts the answers right away.
- Performance problems. Also a common sign 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 at school. Additional classes with tutors do not give any significant progress, the result remains the same.
It is on these grounds that parents are able to detect hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder in children. Do not confuse it with poor parenting or low mental abilities of the child. It is recommended to consult a doctor. Only a doctor can make a final diagnosis.
Diagnosis at the doctor
After the parents suspected the child was studying the disease, 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 to contact? To the neurologist. It is to this doctor that children are most often taken recently. This specialist helps to correct the behavior of the child if there is any shift. For example, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. The 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 the result 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 collection. This is a conversation with parents. It tells about the life of the child and his behavior. The list of diseases that the baby has ever had is 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 understand the psychology of the baby. Also, this method allows you to determine the degree of dispersion. It is usually used in children who have reached 5 years. Little kids are not checked this way.
- Equipment. Now practicing research on special equipment. For example, children are encouraged to go through a brain tomography procedure. You can also prescribe an ultrasound. Hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder in children will appear in the pictures. Any neurologist will be able to determine this disease. And distinguish it from omissions in education.
This is usually enough. At the moment, no more significant techniques are observed. Unless the neurologist himself will look at the behavior of the baby. It is difficult to diagnose the studied disease in young children. Up to 3 years of hyperactivity is practically not manifested. Indeed, up to this age, babies already have a certain absent-mindedness and excessive activity. This is not a disease, but quite normal behavior of a growing baby.
Drug treatment
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child 3 years of age or older is a common occurrence that no longer surprises anyone. After this period, it turns out to correctly diagnose. But how to treat the baby? What will have to be done to eliminate ADHD?
In some cases, medication is prescribed. It is not recommended to start it yourself. Only a neurologist can correctly choose medications and other drugs that will help eliminate the ailment.
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 eliminating the problem. A variety of medicines are prescribed mainly for school-age children. For babies, pills are not prescribed too often.
What medications can a neurologist advise? It’s not hard to guess. Among them are:
- Soothing. Any "light" sedatives that can reduce childhood activity and calm the baby. Herbal preparations are generally recommended.
- Vitamins Appointed in addition to sedatives. Children’s vitamins are usually prescribed for schoolchildren, which help 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 apply 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. Unless through vitamins.
Folk methods
It is also worth paying attention to alternative 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 sedation.
Which ones? Among the most common scenarios, the following points are distinguished:
- Tea with camomile. Soothes and helps to slightly reduce activity. Melissa is also suitable.
- Sage baths. Or, for example, a special soothing bath salt. Recommended before bedtime.
- Milk with honey. Warm milk is a good sedative for children. Especially young.
In fact, with serious forms of hyperactivity, it is not possible to eliminate the ailment with alternative methods. Only facilitate its manifestation. Therefore, self-medication should not be. Medicines and alternative drugs are not the only methods of treatment. How else can you deal with ADHD?
Parent Behavior
The fact is that parents must also adjust their behavior. Only then will it be possible to eliminate hyperactivity disorder with attention deficit in children. Komarovsky and other pediatric doctors give parents advice on this issue. How should mom and dad behave?
You can follow some tips. But you'll have to consider that patience is the first thing to do - ADHD is not quickly treated. Parents will need:
- Find contact with a child. This means that mothers and fathers need to establish communication with the baby. Often hyperactivity appears from attention deficit. Therefore, the child needs to devote more time. Understanding the baby is also important.
- Fewer irritants. When communicating with the child, as well as during class, you need to remove all possible irritants, and all that can distract the baby from concentration. For example, gadgets and TV. Most likely, at first you will have to put up with tantrums.
- Constancy. 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 is hyperactive should sometimes "let off steam." Therefore, it is recommended to create a favorable atmosphere for this. For example, give the baby to the sports section.
- Praise. To grab the child when he succeeds in fulfilling one or another requirement. But punishment and abuse will not give any significant result.
- More rest - less nerves. Parents are also living things. And they can get tired of a hyperactive child. Need to rest. Or at least drink a sedative course. All this will help not to break down on the child.
The most important thing is patience. There will be no progress right away. This is a normal occurrence. Treating ADHD is a difficult and lengthy process.
Can it be cured?
Did you notice attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children? Treatment reviews get varied. It is rather difficult to judge the effectiveness of the prescribed procedures. Indeed, over time, as already mentioned, this ailment fades into the background.
However, parents indicate that hyperactivity can be cured. It is enough to consult a neurologist on time at the first suspicion of a disease. Then the prescribed treatment does not take much time.
At the same time, parents indicate that it is necessary to treat ADHD in a child starting with themselves. Adjustment of parental behavior perfectly affects the course of therapy. The main thing is to follow the advice and recommendations of a doctor. Then everything will work out. Many parents indicate that medication gives the best results.
Sentence or norm?
Is hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder in children a norm or a deviation? Many cannot reconcile with this diagnosis. And then they begin, as has already been said, to hang tags on the child.
In fact, ADHD is not the norm, but it is not such a strong deviation as, for example, Down syndrome. A child in this position is quite difficult. By the way, children with hyperactivity quite often do not lag behind in development, but rather succeed. The only obstacle is distraction or inability to concentrate. Often these children are more talented.
Summary
What are the results? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children is common. This is a disease that often does not depend on parenting and is not a serious health problem for a child. Such babies are often more talented than peers. You just need to start treatment on time.
Proper therapy over time will help to correct the baby's behavior. Great progress has been observed with medication. At the first suspicion of ADHD, you need to contact a neurologist. It is this doctor who will help eliminate the ailment.