Understanding ADHD
“ Having a high IQ or being intelligent does not mean ADHD is not a disability.”
– Y.T. Reader’s Digest

The acronym ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. As the name indicates, the afflicted suffer from difficulty in concentrating on a specific item for too long.

What are some symptoms of ADHD?

• Those afflicted with ADHD have high activity levels and suffer as a result of it. This is often exhibited in the form of inability to sit at one place doing one thing for a significant period or in the form of a general restlessness.
• In an adult, it manifests as extreme restlessness.

Generally, who suffers from ADHD?

• It is the preschool and early school children who are victims of this disease, with boys suffering more than girls. A CDC survey shows that 11% of children in the age group of 4 to 17 years are diagnosed as suffering from ADHD, of which 13% are boys and 5% are girls.

What causes ADHD?

• Psychiatrists call ADHD a neurobehavioral development disorder. Scientists have not been able to attribute any definite cause to this affliction. The current research indicates that many factors lead to its development.
• Researchers at Cross-Disorder Group of the Psychiatric Genomic Consortium think that the four mental conditions of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders may have common inherited genetic variations.
• There is no cure for this condition, but an early detection is of great importance in its successful management in one’s life later.
• ADHD does not outgrow in childhood and continues into adulthood. It is estimated that anywhere between 30 and 50% people continue to exhibit the symptoms in adolescence/adulthood and 2-5% of adults suffer from it.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

• A diagnosis requires a licensed clinician like a psychiatrist, pediatrician, or a psychologist with expertise in the field.
• There is no specific diagnostic test. Normally, a medical examination is conducted to eliminate medical conditions that produce similar symptoms.
• A medical history of the individual and their family is taken, with information being gathered from teachers at school, from babysitters, from family members who are familiar with the child, from coaches, and the like.
• DSM, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the FDA-approved NEBA system, and the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid Kit are some of the modern tools to help arrive at a definitive diagnosis of ADHD.
• For an adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention should be chronic, causing the person to lag behind development milestones normal for the age group or something that impairs their functioning. The symptoms of ADHD should have been present before the age of 12 years too.

Does ADHD have a cure? How is it treated?

• The condition does not have any cure. Medications are used to control the symptoms and slow down its progress.
• The medicines are basically stimulants. These drugs help curb the hyperactivity and also increase the attention span.
• Stimulants are not a panacea for ADHD. It does not work in many cases. ADHD meds prescribed for children above 6 years of age are different ones that produce the same results.
• Omega 3 fatty acids have shown some benefits, and dietary supplements are also prescribed as ADHD meds for children.
• Equally important are supportive therapies like counseling and training children to exhibit a changed behavior pattern. Psychotherapy would help patients learn better ways of handling their frustration and emotions.
• Families should also undergo training to equip them with appropriate skills to handle and help the sufferers cope with their condition.