Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a condition which affects people’s behaviour. People with ADHD tend to seem restless or have trouble concentrating; they may act impulsively.

According to the World Health Organization, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Consequently, this condition has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning.

Further, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) describes ADHD as a persistent pattern of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.

The exact cause of ADHD is still not known, although the condition is known to run in families. Research has identified several possible differences between the brains of people with ADHD and the brains of people without it.

Some factors which potentially could have had a role in ADHD include:

• Being born prematurely – before the 37th week of pregnancy
• Having a low birth weight
• Using alcohol or drugs or smoking during pregnancy.

Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Symptoms of ADHD are usually noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when the person’s circumstances change, for example, moving to school.

On the whole, the symptoms can be categorised into two types of behavioural problems:

• Inattentiveness – difficulty concentrating and focusing
• Hyperactivity and impulsiveness

Thus, to summarise, the main signs of inattentiveness:

• Having a short attention span and being easily distracted
• Making careless mistakes, for example, in schoolwork
• Appearing forgetful or losing things
• Being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
• Appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
• Constantly changing activity or task
• Having difficulty organising tasks.

Eventually, the main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness:

• being unable to sit still, principally in calm or quiet surroundings
• constantly fidgeting
• being unable to concentrate on tasks
• excessive physical movement
• excessive talking
• being unable to wait their turn in something
• acting without thinking first
• interrupting conversations
• little or no sense of danger

To conclude, the leading general symptoms of ADHD include:

• carelessness and lack of attention to details
• continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
• poor organisational skills
• inability to focus or prioritise
• constantly losing or misplacing things
• forgetfulness
• restlessness
• edginess
• difficulty keeping quiet or speaking out of turn
• blurting out responses and often interrupting others
• mood swings, irritability and a quick temper
• inability to deal with stress
• extreme impatience
• Taking risks in activities – often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others, for example, dangerous driving.

Treatments for ADHD

Overall, there aren’t exactly any specific treatments for ADHD, although some of the possible ones include:

• psychoeducational
• behaviour therapy
• parent training and education programmes
• social skills training
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Additionally, other possible treatments could be:

• Diet
• Supplements

Medication for treating ADHD

There are five types of medication licensed for the treatment of ADHD:

• Methylphenidate
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Dexamphetamine
• Atomoxetine
• Guanfacine

Although these medications are very effective, some people may experience side effects.