ADHD
Overview
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. However, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms. But they can learn strategies to be successful.
Treatment typically involves medications and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcome.
Symptoms
The primary features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder include inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior. ADHD symptoms are noticeable as early as 3 years of age. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and they may continue into adulthood.
ADHD occurs more often in males than in females, and behaviors can be different in boys and girls. For example, boys may be more hyperactive and girls may tend to be quietly inattentive.
Inattention
A child who shows a pattern of inattention may often:
- Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Have trouble staying focused in tasks or play
- Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly
- Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork or chores
- Have trouble organizing tasks and activities
- Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework
- Lose items needed for tasks or activities, for example, toys, school assignments, pencils
Hyperactivity and impulsivity
A child who shows a pattern of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may often:
- Have difficulty staying seated in the classroom or in other situations
- Run around or climb in situations when it's not appropriate
- Have trouble playing or doing an activity quietly
- Talk too much
- Blurt out answers, interrupting the questioner
- Have difficulty waiting for his or her turn
Causes
Exact cause of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is not clea. Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include:
- Genetics. ADHD can run in families, and studies indicate that genes may play a role.
- Environment. Certain environmental factors, such as lead exposure, may increase risk.
- Development. Problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development may play a role. Maternal drug use, alcohol use or smoking during pregnancy by mother and Premature birth can also result in ADHD
Complications
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can make life difficult for children. Children with ADHD:
- Often struggle in the classroom, which can lead to academic failure and judgment by other children and adults
- Tend to have more accidents and injuries of all kinds than do children who don't have ADHD
- Tend to have poor self-esteem
- Are more likely to have trouble interacting with and being accepted by calssmates and adults
Prevention
To help reduce your child's risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder:
- During pregnancy, avoid anything that could harm fetal development.
- Protect your child from exposure to pollutants and toxins, including cigarette smoke and lead paint (found in some old buildings).
- Limit screen time. Although still unproved, it may be prudent for children to avoid excessive exposure to TV and video games in the first five years of life.
If your child has ADHD, to help reduce problems or complications:
- Be consistent, set limits and have clear consequences for your child's behavior.
- Put together a daily routine for your child with clear expectations that include such things as bedtime, morning time, mealtime, simple chores and TV.
- Avoid multitasking yourself when talking with your child, make eye contact when giving instructions, and set aside a few minutes every day to praise your child.
- Work with teachers and caregivers to identify problems early, to decrease the impact of the condition on your child's life.
Ayurvedic Prospect:
Ayurveda considers ADHD as one among vata vyadhis. Disturbed vata dosha, for various reasons, but mainly include bija dosha (genetical), not following garbhini paricharya (misdeeds and not following proper regimen while pregnant) effects manovaha srotas of child. This renders the child to be hyperactive and make him unable to concentrate on what generally he has to perform. Ayurveda believes that chalatwa (any movement, inclucing physical) is the duty of vata. When vata got aggravated in body it doesn’t allow the muscles to keep quiet, but force it unnecessarily to keep on making movements. This is nothing but hyper active behavior.
Diagnosis
There's no specific test for ADHD, but making a diagnosis will likely include thorough Medical exam, gathering information about family, Interviews or questionnaires etc. ADHD rating scales to help collect and evaluate information about your child. So children preschool age or younger suspected of having ADHD are more likely to need evaluation by a specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, speech therapist.
Treatment
Standard treatments for ADHD in children include medications, education, training and counseling. These treatments can relieve many of the symptoms of ADHD. Modern medical system recommends usage of brain stimulants and antidepressants, but there are many evidences that they can results in heart failures.
Ayurvedic treatment: Ayurvedic doctors use many herbs and formulated medicines to reduce symptoms of ADHD. Pure herbs like Brahmi, Sankhapuspi, Yastimadhu, Mandukaparni help the child to regain his attention, improve eye contact, concentration and social behavior pattern. Hyper activity can be precisely controlled with natural herbs like Tagara, Jatamamsi, Sarpagandha etc. Aswagandha is a wonderful tranquilizer and improves the mood of child. It relieves the depression, increase levels of self esteem and improves the feel of well being.
Dhara is a specialized therapeutic procedure and it gives wondersul results in children suffereing with ADHD. In this procedure medicated buttermilk or medicated oil is poured on head for certain time while doing little and gentle massage on head. Dhara is now a day’s becoming very famous for treating psychological diseases.