ADHD is a neurological condition that can be difficult to diagnose due to its similarity to normal child behavior. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and forgetfulness. Treatment options include behavior modification techniques and drug therapy, but medication can be controversial.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a behavioral and neurological condition that can be extremely destructive to both the patient and his family. Typically found in school-age children, ADHD is a potentially serious problem that often requires careful planning and therapy to manage. ADHD behavior is often difficult to categorize, mainly because it is easily confused with normal brisk activity in children. Some symptoms clearly progress beyond just high energy and should be carefully considered if they become frequent or habitual problems.
Typical ADHD behavior is characterized by several sets of problems or symptoms. Inattention and hyperactivity are two main categories that can manifest themselves in different ways. Common symptoms of inattention include the appearance that a person isn’t listening, an inability to follow directions or retain instructions, and chronic forgetfulness. This is also associated with hyper-focused behavior, where a person becomes so focused on one thing that they may not hear, see or notice other things around them.
The hyperactive behavior of ADHD is very common in cases involving children. Excessive restlessness, trouble carrying on coherent conversations, and difficulty sitting still for long periods can all be symptoms associated with ADHD. Hyperactivity is often easily discernible while listening to a person speak; a child or adult with ADHD may speak in long monologues, but jump from one topic to another illogically or at great speed. It is also a common ADHD behavior to be unable to hear another person in a conversation or to allow others to complete sentences before speaking.
To anyone who has ever spent time with children, many of the symptoms may seem synonymous with normal childish behavior. ADHD can be quite frustrating for patients, however, as many wish they had the ability to focus or pay attention and can’t. ADHD behavior can also be alienating to peers and teachers, causing a child with the condition to feel isolated, stupid, or unpopular.
Assessment for ADHD is usually done by a trained mental health professional using a variety of techniques to discern the nature of the problem. A therapist may conduct a series of tests or challenges to observe the patient’s responses and identify telltale signs of behavioral conditions. Once the practitioner has gained insight into the problems, several courses of treatment may be recommended to help the patient and their family deal with any symptoms.
In many cases, behavior modification techniques can greatly benefit people exhibiting ADHD behavior. Giving a patient stress-relieving activities that can relieve anxiety, overactive impulses, and excess energy can greatly help them stay calm and focused. Ongoing therapy is often prescribed to help the patient deal with ongoing problems and keep an eye out for any new problems developing.
In severe cases, drug therapy may be recommended to help address the ADHD behavior. This can be very controversial, particularly in cases revolving around young children. Some experts believe that ADHD is a blanket diagnosis for many subtle problems and can lead to over-medication and serious mental and physiological problems later in life. Others believe that close monitoring and low doses of medication may be an effective treatment for severe cases of ADHD and may be the only way to properly balance brain chemistry.
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