Hyperactivity refers to activity above the normal level for a person’s age group, and can be a symptom of conditions such as ADHD, poor sleep habits, or other medical disorders. Treatment options include medication, dietary changes, or simply waiting for the child to outgrow it. Diagnosis should be made by a doctor.
Hyperactivity is a difficult term to pin down, as it means many things to many people. Hyper means “above” and the activity needs no explanation. In its strictest definition, hyperactivity refers to activity, most often physical, above the normal level for a person within a particular age group. There are times when we can all feel a little hyperactive or act like that. We may be excited about an upcoming event and cannot sit still or when we go to sleep, our minds are racing and we have a hard time staying asleep.
For children, hyperactivity usually refers to a number of behaviors: twitching, squirming, not being able to sit up or having body parts constantly in motion, such as a shaky foot or bouncing leg, or in alternatively, not being able to remain silent when a teacher is speaking. Think of Robin Williams during one of her plays or even in an interview (without profanity) to get a sense of the hyperactive child. This is often coupled with an extremely short attention span, especially in school settings. When the two are noted together, they can suggest a condition called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is very difficult to diagnose, especially when children show hyperactivity before school age and in the early school years. Children, and especially boys, tend to need a higher level of activity than the school setting allows. Not being able to sit or pay attention for half an hour or more isn’t necessarily ADHD or hyperactivity, especially in young children. It simply means that the child has not yet mastered that ease. Realistically, most kids can’t be diagnosed with ADHD until they’re in second or third grade. In all cases, a doctor, such as a developmental pediatrician or child psychiatrist, should make a diagnosis since ADHD is considered a medical disorder.
ADHD isn’t the only cause of hyperbehavior, which is why the condition requires medical attention if it persists and doesn’t improve. Children with poor sleep habits may regress and exhibit hyperactive behavior. A recent study suggested that children who snore may be particularly prone to hyperactive behaviors, and when their tonsils and adenoids are removed, they may stop being hyperactive.
Other conditions such as high thyroid levels, bipolar disorder, or lead poisoning can cause a usually calm child to become hyperactive. High levels of anxiety, significant problems in the home between parents, or child abuse could lead to hyperactivity. However it is very important to remember that the diagnosis of this condition does not occur in a few days but could be a matter of a few years.
There is significant debate in the scientific community and among parents about how to treat hyperactivity. Some believe the best way is to treat the condition with medications that help calm the child, or even the adult. For children, these are usually stimulants, which actually have the reverse effect. Some suggest dietary changes, such as switching to high-protein diets for children and adults who may have ADHD. Others believe the condition is only a disorder to the extent that it interferes with the lives of parents or teachers and that children will outgrow it. There is evidence that a small group of people do not outgrow the condition, but it is difficult to agree on the actual rates.
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