Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, known by the acronym ADHD, is characterized by the simultaneous or non-simultaneous presence of symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, it is a common disorder in childhood, but it can also persist in adults when not treats like a disorder. boy.
The first signs of this disease are excessive lack of attention, agitation, stubbornness, aggression or impulsive attitudes, which cause the child to behave inappropriately, which impairs academic performance because he is not careful, does not concentrate and is easily distracted., In addition to being able to cause a lot of stress and wear to parents. , relatives and caregivers.
- These symptoms appear mainly before age 7 and are easier to identify in boys than in girls.
- As they tend to show clearer signs.
- Their causes are unknown.
- But certain genetic and environmental factors.
- Such as problems and family conflicts.
- Can lead to the onset and persistence of the disease.
If you don’t know if you have ADHD, take our test by answering the following questions to find out what the risk is:
Because attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder, your signs and symptoms are usually divided into three groups:
Inattention can be identified by
Hyperactivity has the following characteristics:
Symptoms of impulsivity include:
The hyperactive child can demonstrate this behavior anywhere, such as at school, at home, in church, and is very stressful for parents, caregivers, or teachers.Before thinking about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, it’s important to look at the signs the child shows and try to understand it, because nervousness, fear, or tiredness, for example, are situations that can also lead to behavioral changes.
If ADHD is suspected, it is important to consult your pediatrician to observe your child’s behavior and assess if there is a concern, if you identify signs of the disorder, or tell you to see another specialist because a psychiatrist or neuropediatric in preschool is usually diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
To confirm the diagnosis, the specialist may ask to observe the child at school, at home, and elsewhere in his or her daily life to confirm that there are at least 6 signs indicating the presence of the disorder.
Treatment for this disorder includes the use of medications, such as Ritalin, in addition to behavioral therapy with a psychologist or a combination of these.To understand how this disease is treated, see ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can often be confused with autism and even cause some confusion in parents and family members; In fact, both disorders share similar symptoms such as difficulty paying attention, not being able to remain silent, or having trouble waiting their turn, for example.
However, these are completely different disorders, especially in what is causing each problem, that is, while in hyperactivity symptoms are related to how the brain grows and develops, in autism there are several problems with the whole development of the child, which can affect language, behavior, social interaction and the ability to learn; however, a child may have both ADHD and autism.
Thus, and because it can be difficult for parents to identify differences at home, it is always best to consult a pediatrician or psychologist to make the correct diagnosis and initiate the best type of treatment, adapted to the actual needs of the child.