WHAT IS ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER?
We often hear children described as hyperactive, but what exactly does this mean? Most happy, normal children have a lot of energy, so how do you distinguish between an excited child and someone suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder)? The answer is that it can be difficult. This disorder can vary in intensity and most children will express some of the symptoms some of the time.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).
ADHD HAS FOLLOWING TYPES
1.Hyperactive-
2.Impulsive
3.Inattentive
4.Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN CHILDREN?
Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive are the key behaviors of ADHD. It is normal for all children to be inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive sometimes, but for children with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe and occur more often. To be diagnosed with the disorder, a child must have symptoms for 6 or more months and to a degree that is greater than other children of the same age.
CHILDREN OF INATTENTION SYMPTOM GROUP MAY:
1.Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
2.Have difficulty focusing on one thing,Struggle to follow instructions.
3.Become bored with a task after only a few minutes,
4.Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
5.Not seem to listen when spoken to
6.Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
CHILDREN WHO HAVE SYMPTOMS OF HYPERACTIVITY MAY:
1.Fidget and squirm in their seats,Talk nonstop,Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
2.Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time,Be constantly in motion
3.Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.
4.Attention-seeking: All of the above symptoms are examples of attention-seeking. Hyperactive children are extremely demanding and their behaviour forces the parent or teacher to spend more time with them than anyone else
5.Unusually aggressive: One of the best ways to tell if a child is hyperactive is to watch how he or she behaves with contemporaries. For example, if they come up against one of the normal frustrations in playing a game, they can become unduly irritable or aggressive with their playmates. So fighting often, for little apparent reason, would be a possible indication of ADHD
6.Unaware of physical danger: Although most children appear frighteningly unaware of potential hazards, this trait can be more extreme in children with ADHD. They may wander off, to be found later at the top of a high tree or setting fire to the house
CHILDREN WHO HAVE SYMPTOMS OF IMPULSIVE MAY:
1.Be very impatient
2.Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
3.Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
Often interrupt conversations or others' activities.
CAUSES OF ADHD
Scientists are not sure what causes ADHD, although many studies suggest that genes play a large role. Like many other illnesses, ADHD probably results from a combination of factors. In addition to genetics, researchers are looking at possible environmental factors, and are studying how brain injuries, nutrition, and the social environment might contribute to ADHD. if you have a kid who is hyperactive and snores, think about the possibility that the two may be connected
GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Behavioral therapy aims to help a child change his or her behavior.
1. It might involve practical assistance, such as help organizing tasks or completing schoolwork, or working through emotionally difficult events.
2. Behavioral therapy also teaches a child how to monitor his or her own behavior. Learning to give oneself praise or rewards for acting in a desired way, such as controlling anger or thinking before acting, is another goal of behavioral therapy. 3.Parents and teachers also can give positive or negative feedback for certain behaviors.
4.Therapists may teach children social skills, such as how to wait their turn, share toys, ask for help, or respond to teasing. Learning to read facial expressions and the tone of voice in others, and how to respond appropriately .
5.Children with ADHD need guidance and understanding from their parents and teachers to reach their full potential and to succeed in school.
6. Parenting skills training helps parents learn how to use a system of rewards and consequences to change a child's behavior. Parents are taught to give immediate and positive feedback for behaviors they want to encourage, and ignore or redirect behaviors they want to discourage.
7. Remember if the child is getting violent or unable to adjust in a particular condition,or with particular person always teach him to come out of that scene.
8.Parents are also encouraged to share a pleasant or relaxing activity with the child, to notice and point out what the child does well, and to praise the child's strengths and abilities.
9.Parents or the teachers should never discuss the negative point of the child ,give them such a atmosphere so that they can develop the confidence They may also learn to structure situations in more positive ways.
10. They may restrict the number of playmates to one or two, so that their child does not become overstimulated. Or, if the child has trouble completing tasks, parents can help their child divide large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
11. Parents may benefit from learning stress-management techniques to increase their own ability to deal with frustration, so that they can respond calmly to their child's behavior.
12. Keep the same routine every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. Include time for homework, outdoor play, and indoor activities.
13.Organize everyday items. Have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place. This includes clothing, backpacks, and toys.
14.Be clear and consistent. Children with ADHD need consistent rules they can understand and follow.
15.Give praise or rewards when rules are followed. Children with ADHD often receive and expect criticism. Look for good behavior, and praise it.
16.Avoid giving excessive sugar ,artificial colors to the child.
17.Fig ,Flax seeds,walnut are often found to be useful in these cases.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT: Although while treating patients like this we have to keep many things in mind,
1.Take complete history of the patient.
2.Complete family history is necessary to find the medicine.
3. Treatment history of either of the parent and the patient.
4.Individualise the case in whole extent.
5.Try to find the correct constitutional medicine on miasmatic background.
Although the above said factors are to be kept in mind to find a correct homoeopathic medicine,still these medicines if taken under medical supervision can help the patient .Arnica montana,Belladonna,Agaricus,Lachesis,Sulphur,Stramonium ,Iodum Etc.