What is ADHD?

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What is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Paediatrics, the prevalence rate of ADHD in India is around 7.3%. The study reported that boys were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, and children from lower socio-economic backgrounds were at higher risk for ADHD. Keeping these numbers in mind it becomes all the way more important to have a basic idea about the condition and what can one expect if they have any person having the disorder. Hence this article, we will talk about what is meant by ADHD, what are the characteristic symptoms, management of the disorder and the roles and responsibilities of family members.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to pay attention, control impulsive behaviour, and regulate their energy levels. It is a chronic condition that can persist into adulthood and affects people of all ages, genders, and races. This condition affects the functioning of the brain’s prefrontal cortex which is responsible for executive functioning, like attention, planning, organization, working memory, and inhibition of impulses. There are three types of ADHD:

  1. Inattentive type: The person has difficulty paying attention, staying organized, and completing tasks.
  2. Hyperactive-impulsive type: The person is hyperactive, fidgets, and talks excessively, and has difficulty waiting their turn or controlling their impulses.
  3. Combined type: The person has symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

ADHD is typically diagnosed by a healthcare provider after a comprehensive evaluation, which includes assessments of the person’s medical history, behaviour, and symptoms. The criteria for diagnosis can vary depending on age, with different criteria for children and adults.

Symptoms of ADHD:

The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person and can change over time. The three main symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

  1. Inattention: This involves the following-
  • Difficulty paying attention to details or sustaining attention in tasks.
  • Avoidance or dislike of tasks that require sustained mental effort.
  • Forgetfulness and losing things necessary for tasks.
  1. Hyperactivity:
  • Fidgeting, tapping hands or feet, or squirming in a seat.
  • Difficulty sitting still or staying seated when required.
  • Running, climbing, or excessively moving about in inappropriate situations.
  1. Impulsivity:
  • Impatience, difficulty waiting for their turn, or interrupting others.
  • Talking excessively or blurting out answers before the questions have been completed.
  • Engaging in risky behaviours without considering the consequences.

These symptoms must be present for at least six months and occur in more than one setting, such as at school and at home, to be diagnosed with ADHD.

Roles and Responsibilities of Family Members

Having a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can bring unique challenges and responsibilities for families. Here are some key roles and responsibilities that can help families better support their children with ADHD:

1)    Advocate: As a parent, it is essential to be your child’s advocate, and work with their school and healthcare professionals to ensure they receive the best support possible. This may involve requesting accommodations, such as extra time on exams or modified homework assignments, and keeping lines of communication open with teachers and healthcare providers.

2)    Educator: Parents of children with ADHD often need to educate themselves and other family members about the condition. It is important to understand the symptoms, treatments, and strategies for managing the behaviours associated with ADHD.

3)    Caregiver: Children with ADHD often require additional support and guidance, which may require more time and effort on the part of the parent or caregiver. This may include helping with homework, managing medications, and providing structure and routine to help the child stay focused and organized.

4)    Emotional support: Children with ADHD may struggle with low self-esteem and self-confidence due to their struggles in academics or social interactions. It is important to provide emotional support and encouragement to build their self-confidence and self-esteem.

5)    Consistency: Children with ADHD often do better with routines and consistent expectations. Parents can help by creating a structured routine and setting consistent rules and boundaries for behaviour.

6)    Collaborator: In order to provide the best support for a child with ADHD, it is important to work collaboratively with healthcare providers, teachers, and other professionals involved in the child’s care.

Overall, the role of a parent or caregiver of a child with ADHD involves being an advocate, educator, caregiver, emotional support, consistency provider, and collaborator. It can be a challenging and demanding role, but by understanding these responsibilities, families can better support their child’s needs and promote their overall well-being.

Management of ADHD

Although there is no sure shot treatment of the disorder, however it’s management involves a combination of medication, behavioural therapy, and lifestyle changes. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and enhance the overall quality of life.

1)    Medication: Stimulant medication, is the most common treatment for ADHD. These medications work by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps to improve attention and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Non-stimulant medications, may also be used.

2)    Behavioural Therapy: involves working with a therapist to develop strategies for managing symptoms and improving behaviour. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one common approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and developing coping skills. Behavioural Parent Training (BPT) may also be used to help parents learn how to manage their child’s behaviour.

3)    Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes can also be beneficial in managing ADHD symptoms. Some strategies may include regular exercise, healthy eating habits, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress. This in turn may also be helpful to establish routines and structure to help manage daily tasks and activities.

Overall, the most effective approach to managing ADHD involves a combination of medication, behavioural therapy, and lifestyle changes. With proper treatment, individuals with ADHD can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning and quality of life.

To conclude we can say that despite the prevalence of ADHD, there is still a significant amount of stigma surrounding the condition. Some people may view ADHD as a personal failing rather than a medical condition, which can make it challenging for individuals with ADHD to seek and receive the support they need. Therefore it is important to provide support to individuals with ADHD, particularly children who may be struggling in academic or social settings. Hence by increasing awareness about ADHD, we can better support individuals with the condition and reduce the stigma that can prevent people from seeking help. With appropriate treatment and support, individuals with ADHD can lead fulfilling and successful lives.

Blog written by mental health professional, Ms. Titiksha

References

ADHD summary. (n.d.).
https://www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=30899

Ashinoff, B., et al. (2021). Hyperfocus: The forgotten frontier of attention.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7851038/

Boot, N., et al. (2017). Creativity in ADHD: Goal-directed motivation and domain specificity.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1087054717727352

Chan, E., et al. (2021). Are there resilient children with ADHD?
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10870547211025629

Controlling anger before it controls you. (2005).
https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/control

Harvey EA, Metcalfe LA, Herbert SD, Fanton JH. The role of family experiences and ADHD in the early development of oppositional defiant disorder. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011 Dec;79(6):784-95. doi: 10.1037/a0025672. Epub 2011 Sep 26. PMID: 21942501; PMCID: PMC3227539.

Miller, C. (n.d.). Behavioral treatments for kids with ADHD.
https://childmind.org/article/behavioral-treatments-kids-adhd/

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          What do you most likely to do when you experience anger? This 34-item measure assesses your anger responses for children and adolescents – and may tell you which response you tend to favour when experiencing this strong, unpleasant emotion. A list of statements are provided below. State whether each of the statements are not true, sometimes true, or often true. This measure was developed specifically for children and young adolescents.

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          1 / 34

          I say something nasty to the person who made me angry.

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          I use strong gestures (for example, make a fist, wave my arms, or give a hand sign).

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          I’m intolerant and impatient towards those aspects of my personality I don’t like.

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