Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a neurodevelopment illness that is often diagnosed in childhood and usually lasts till adulthood. It also falls under the group of a mental illness.

Signs and symptoms of ADHD

• Losing things frequently
• Frequent daydreaming
• Fidgeting and squirming
• Too much talk
• Unnecessary risks
• Find it hard to resist temptations
• Difficulty in getting along with others
• Difficulty in taking turns

Categories of ADHD

Some individuals find it challenging to pay attention to details or to finish a task. They quickly get distracted and forget what they were doing. Most people that have ADHD have both inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Those who only suffer inattentiveness are always diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Most times, ADD goes unnoticed since its symptoms aren’t predominantly obvious.

Some people suffer from hyperactivity and impulsiveness but not from inattentiveness. They fidget a lot and can’t sit still for long periods. You may notice them as kids running around always and jumping. They also are restless and impulsive. They can’t wait for their turn to speak, grab things from people, and since they’re impulsive, they get into many injuries from accidents they get in.

Some people suffer from all three symptoms; inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. They tend to carry all the above symptoms, and unlike those who have ADD, it’s easy to identify their illness.

Causes of ADHD

There are lots of factors that might result in this condition. But according to research, genetics have been seen to play a significant role in its contribution. Other possible factors are;

• Usage of tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy
• Brain injury
• Inadequate weight at birth
• Premature delivery
• Exposure to lead at a tender age or during pregnancy

Myths that research doesn’t support when it comes to causes of ADHD

• Watching too much television
• Poverty and chaos in the family
• Too much sugar consumption

Some of these factors may make the condition worse in some cases, but there isn’t much evidence to suggest that it causes ADHD.

Conditions related to ADHD in children

Not all children will have these conditions, but some of them develop these alongside ADHD.

Conduct disorder. Often the person ends up having highly anti-social behavior like; theft, violence, harming both people and animals, and vandalism.

Depression. A mood disorder that affects one’s daily life causing feelings of sadness, loss, and anger.

Anxiety disorder. You’ll see that a child will be worried and nervous most of the time. Physical symptoms such as an increase in heartbeat and sweating are common.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Mostly they’ll act negatively against any authoritative figures at school and at home.

Epilepsy. It’s a neurological disorder that results in abnormal brain activity, causing seizures.

Some also suffer from sleeping difficulty and have irregular sleeping patterns.

Learning difficulties like dyslexia