Adhd Guide

ADHD is the abbreviation for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a genetic disorder that inflicts about 5 percent of the world population. The ADHD Symptoms appear earlier on in the life of a child, around the ages of 6 or 7.

The typical symptoms are hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention. These 3 symptoms appear in a child with different degrees of severities. Therefore, depending upon the severities of symptoms, a child can be considered to be suffering from any of the 3 types of ADHD's.

The first is the ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type. In this, the child often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or any other activity, has trouble maintaining attentiveness in play activities, does not listen when spoken to directly.

The child also fails to finish his/her work or chores on time, has trouble organizing activities, avoids work requiring mental effort for longer periods of time, often looses things and toys needed for regular tasks or activities, gets easily distracted and remains forgetful in daily activities.

The second type is the ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. A child suffering from this often fidgets with the digits of the hands or feet or squirms about in the seat and cannot remain seated for long, runs about of climbs when it is inappropriate (the adolescents and adults feel very restless), has trouble playing a game, cannot enjoy a leisure activity quietly, always seem like as if "driven by a motor" and talks excessively.

The impulsivity in these children will show when they would often blurt out answers before the questions get finished, they will not be able to wait their turn and they will show a general tendency to butt into others conversations or activities.

The third is the ADHD Combined Type. Here the child suffering will show symptoms for both the above two types together.

Now, the fact is that we have all experienced these symptoms some time or the other in our lives as well. So, how do we know whether our child is suffering from any of the above mentioned types of ADHD's, or not?

For a person to be diagnosed for ADHD, these symptoms must be present for at least 6 months at one go. Moreover, these should manifest to such a point that they would disrupt and hamper the child's normal development. Also, at least any two areas of life out of the home, the schoolroom, the playground, the community or the social setting of the child should get seriously affected.

A child diagnosed with ADHD Symptoms must be treated immediately so that the disease is not carried on to adulthood. About 60 percent of those suffering from this disorder remain affected for the rest of their lives due to lack of medication during the formative stages of the disease.