ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurological condition characterized by difficulties in maintaining attention, controlling impulses, and managing hyperactivity. This disorder affects both children and adults and can significantly impact daily functioning. According to Joel Nigg, a psychiatry professor, ADHD involves disruptions in brain connectivity and communication networks related to emotions, arousal, behavior, and attention. While it's common for individuals to experience distractions and difficulty completing tasks, ADHD is diagnosed when these behaviors manifest before the age of 7-8 and persist for at least 6 to 8 months. While more prevalent in boys, ADHD is also recognized in girls and women.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Children
A. Inattentive Type –
The Inattentive Type of ADHD is characterized by children who struggle with maintaining focus and attention. They often become easily distracted and find it challenging to concentrate on tasks or follow instructions. These children may appear absent-minded and forgetful, frequently making careless mistakes in their schoolwork and homework. They have difficulty staying focused during activities that require prolonged attention, such as reading. When directly addressed by teachers or adults, they may seem disengaged or their minds may wander elsewhere. Completing tasks on time is a struggle for them, as they lose focus shortly after starting and have difficulty managing their time effectively. Additionally, they may exhibit disorganization, frequently misplacing essential items like pencils or books needed for schoolwork. External stimuli easily distract them, leading to forgetfulness about daily activities and a tendency to become bored quickly. Due to their difficulty following instructions, they often procrastinate starting tasks and struggle with working through tasks in a logical, step-by-step manner.
B. Hyperactive Type –
Hyperactive children display restless behavior, often fidgeting, jumping, or climbing, which can disrupt those around them. They struggle to stay quiet or sit still when necessary, frequently squirming and leaving their seats, particularly in a classroom setting. Engaging in leisure activities that require sitting quietly is uncomfortable for them. Additionally, they tend to be talkative, often speaking out of turn and making inappropriate remarks. They may also exhibit impulsive behavior, such as interrupting conversations, intruding on others' activities, and taking things without permission. Their responses may lack careful consideration, and they tend to constantly move around, playing with and touching various objects in their environment.
C. Impulsive Type –
Children with intense impulsivity tend to act quickly without considering the consequences. Their actions are often driven by emotional impulses, leading them to snatch things from others and behave inappropriately without seeking permission. Teenagers with strong impulses prioritize instant gratification over delayed rewards. Impatience is a prominent symptom of this type of ADHD, causing difficulties in waiting for their turn in games and maintaining friendships. Additionally, impulsive children may display negative attitudes and disruptive behavior towards authority figures such as parents and teachers.
Other coexist Medical Conditions with ADHD
Many children and teenagers with ADHD often show signs of other psychiatric conditions:
Learning Disabilities: These affect their ability to understand language and perform mathematical tasks. Dyslexia, a common coexisting condition, along with various other learning disabilities, is often seen in individuals with ADHD.
Depression: Symptoms such as agitation, reduced interest in activities, impaired thinking, inattention, indecisiveness, and irritability can overlap with ADHD symptoms.
Conduct Disorder: ADHD individuals may exhibit behaviors like aggression, deceitfulness, and rule violations typical of conduct disorders.
Anxiety Disorders: ADHD patients may experience difficulty focusing, restlessness, heightened alertness, and irritability, common in anxiety disorders.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Symptoms including anger, aggression, argumentativeness, defiance, and deliberate annoyance of others are often present in individuals with ADHD.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Characteristics like repetitive movements, difficulty with routines, and limited interest in social interaction are shared between ASD and ADHD.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
- Adults with ADHD often struggle with relaxation due to their inherent restlessness.
- Their lack of attention and focus can result in reckless driving behaviors, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.
- Time management issues and procrastination are common challenges for them, especially when it comes to prioritizing tasks.
- Their lives often appear chaotic due to a lack of organizational skills.
- Forgetfulness is a prominent symptom of adult ADHD, accompanied by impulsiveness, leading to actions without considering consequences and rushing through tasks.
- Adults with ADHD tend to be overly critical of themselves, contributing to poor self-image and self-esteem.
- Emotional instability is prevalent among them, characterized by sudden bouts of excitement and intolerable mood swings triggered by minor frustrations.
- Lack of motivation is a significant symptom, fueled by fear of failure and negative attitudes.
- Mental fatigue and moderate anxiety are common experiences, often accompanied by substance misuse as a coping mechanism.
- Building and maintaining romantic or professional relationships can be challenging due to their insensitive, irresponsible, and uncaring attitudes, resulting in chronic stress and tension.Top of FBottom of Form
Understanding the Cause of ADHD
While there is no single known cause of ADHD, several factors may contribute to its development. At Pinaakin Homeopathic Clinic, we recognize and appreciate the unique needs and qualities of each child. Our goal is to ensure that children with ADHD can engage in their daily activities and lead healthy, independent lives.
Research indicates that individuals with ADHD often have lower levels of neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine, which are crucial for proper brain function. Conventional psychotherapeutic medications can temporarily increase these neurotransmitter levels, but once the medication wears off, the levels drop back to their original state.
In contrast, homeopathic treatments target the neuronal plane, stimulating nerve cells to naturally produce and maintain adequate levels of these essential chemicals. By addressing the root cause of ADHD, homeopathic remedies aim to reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, leading to a more sustainable and holistic improvement in the individual’s condition.
Conventional treatment for ADHD
Conventional treatment for ADHD begins with identifying symptoms through various psychological assessments, often involving input from parents and teachers. A child's behavior is evaluated using different rating scales to determine the severity of ADHD, guiding the recommendation of occupational and behavioral therapies.
Additionally, medications such as Ritalin, Focalin, Concerta, Risperidone, and Dextrostat are commonly prescribed to manage ADHD symptoms. However, these drugs can have side effects, including insomnia, weight loss, and nervous tics, which can dull a child's mind and hinder their overall development. It has been observed that 60-80% of children who suffer from ADHD continue to have symptoms even in their adolescence, highlighting the long-term nature of the condition and the need for ongoing management and support.
Our Approach
At Pinaakin Homeopathic Clinic, we observe children with ADHD in a friendly and supportive environment. Our standardized program allows our doctors to closely watch the child's activities and identify personality traits that may hinder their growth, such as shyness, aggression, learning disabilities, and hyperactivity. By understanding the child's likes, dislikes, and interactions in the play area, we gain valuable insights into their psychological profile.
We also use creative activities, such as drawing and coloring, to further understand the child's psychological state. Observing the child's reactions to different stimuli, such as a stern look or a simple stare, helps us gauge their temperament. Some children may show disapproval, while others may withdraw or display anger, providing clues about their behavior and emotional responses.
In addition to our observations, we consider the mother's history during pregnancy before prescribing treatment. Parents receive guidance on recognizing and nurturing their child's unique qualities and needs.
Learning to cope with ADHD symptoms in children is manageable. One effective strategy is to reward good behavior and help the child recognize when they need to concentrate. As children start to pay attention, their performance often improves. Active parental involvement is crucial in helping children manage ADHD symptoms. Although children with ADHD may sometimes feel overwhelmed and act out, with proper guidance, they can learn to behave appropriately and eventually become productive members of society.
Pinaakin Homeopathic Clinic: Bringing Joy to Your Child’s Life
Give your child a positive approach to managing ADHD with the help of Pinaakin Homeopathic Clinic. We are dedicated to enhancing your child's well-being and ensuring they thrive in a supportive environment.
