ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterised by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. ADHD is not just a childhood disorder, as it continues through to adulthood. It is usually discovered in school when the child has difficulty paying attention.
In some cases, ADHD is not recognised or diagnosed until the person is an adult. Adults with undiagnosed ADHD may have a history of poor academic performance, problems at work, and difficult or failed relationships.
Signs and Symptoms
The key factors of ADHD are inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Some people only have either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Others have a combination of both.
These symptoms need to be present before age 12 to be diagnosed. Symptoms can appear in ages 3 to 6.
Inattention
Inattention refers to difficulties in sustaining focus. Symptoms of inattention include:
- Overlooking details, making careless mistakes
- Have problems sustaining attention in tasks and conversations
- Not follow through on instructions and fail tasks, or start tasks but quickly lose focus and get easily sidetracked
- Have problems with time management and organising tasks and activities
- Avoid or dislike tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework, or for teens and older adults, preparing reports, completing forms, or reviewing lengthy papers
- Losing things necessary for tasks or activities
- Be easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli
- Forgetful in daily tasks
Hyperactivity-impulsivity
Hyperactivity is the constant need to move, whereas impulsivity refers to making hasty decisions. Some signs of hyperactivity-impulsivity include:
- Fidgeting and squirming while seated
- Getting up and moving around in situations when staying seated is expected, such as in the classroom or in the office
- Running or climbing in inappropriate situations, or in teens and adults often feeling restless
- Being unable to engage in hobbies quietly
- Being constantly in motion
- Talking nonstop
- Having trouble waiting his or her turn
- Interrupting or intruding on others, for example in conversations, games, or activities
ADHD symptoms can change over time as a person ages. In young children with ADHD, hyperactivity-impulsivity is the most predominant symptom. As a child reaches primary school, the symptom of inattention may become more prominent. This leads the child to struggle academically.
In adolescence, hyperactivity lessens. Instead the child and may show more restlessness or fidgeting, but inattention and impulsivity may remain. Adolescents with ADHD also struggle with relationships and antisocial behaviors. Inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity tend to persist into adulthood.
Risk Factors
Biological
- Genes
- Smaller areas of certain parts of the brain
- Males more likely to develop ADHD
Perinatal and prenatal factors
- Low birth weight
- Maternal tobacco and alcohol use
- Nicotine from maternal smoking
Environmental
- Brain injuries
- Exposure to lead at a young age
Treatment
Medication
Medication can be given to improve thinking and attention. The type of medication and dosage varies between person. Consult with your doctor with the medication that is most suitable for you.
Psychosocial Intervention
Parents learn to encourage and reward positive behaviours that the child displays. Additionally, they learn to ignore or redirect behaviors they want to discourage. They may also learn to structure situations in ways that support the desired behaviours.
Behaviour Therapy
Behaviour Therapy aims to help a person change behaviour through rewards and punishments. Furthermore, the therapist can assist in organising tasks and establishing structured routine.
Neurofeedback Therapy
Recent research has shown encouraging result from the use of neurofeedback technology to treat ADHD. Neurofeedback is a set of brain-computer interface protocol. It has been proposed that neurofeedback is based on principles of operant conditioning and procedural skills learning. Due to these learning mechanisms, neuroplasticity is expected to take place during neurofeedback training either via Hebbian plasticity or anti-Hebbian/homeostatic plasticity.
Some tips for ADHD (child or adult):
- Make and keep to routines
- Make lists for different activities
- Break large tasks into smaller and manageable steps
For support:
Reach out to our specialised therapists at The Therapy Platform
Call us at 66770725 or message our friendly Therapy Support Specialist on our website.
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