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Types and Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

05 May 2011 by admin

Does your child fail to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school works or other activities? Does your child have difficulty sustaining attention in any task or even in playing games? Most importantly have you noticed some form of gross inattentiveness or hyperactivity in your child which you feel is abnormal? If your answer is “Yes”, your child may be suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). ADD is a group of symptoms that affects a child’s concentration and ability to focus. It can also lead to severe mood swings and other social problems.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Can Hamper The Progress of a Kid

There are three main types of attention deficit disorder – Predominantly Inattentive Type, Predominantly Hyperactive Type and a combination of both these.  It is essential for you to be aware of which type of attention deficit disorder your child is suffering from and what the symptoms are. This will decide the course of attention deficit disorder treatment for your child.

Symptoms of Predominantly Inattentive Type

A child suffering from Predominantly Inattentive Type attention deficit disorder will show six or more of the following symptoms:

  • Fails to give close attention to details.
  • Makes careless mistakes in school works, home works and daily chores.
  • Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
  • Is inattentive when spoken directly.
  • Does not follow through instructions and fails to finish school works, home works and daily chores.
  • Has difficulty in organizing tasks and activities.
  • Avoids, dislikes doing school works and home works.
  • Loses things like toys, pencils, books, tools etc. quite frequently.
  • Is easily distracted by external stimuli.
  • Is forgetful in daily activities.

Symptoms of Predominantly Hyperactive Type

A child suffering from Predominantly Hyperactive Type attention deficit disorder will show six or more of the following symptoms:

  • Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seats.
  • Leaves seats in classroom without permission of the teacher.
  • Runs about or climbs excessively in situations inappropriately.
  • Does not quietly engage in playing and leisure activities.
  • Is often “on the go” as if “driven by some machine”.
  • Talks excessively.
  • Before completion of the questions asked to him, blurts out answers.
  • Does not have the patience to wait for turns.
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Keep Your Child From Harm's Way

The Third type of attention deficit disorder is a combination of both these and would ideally show six or more symptoms of each.

However, the exact type of attention deficit disorder can be only established after consultation with a doctor. Also, the severity of the disorder in the child will determine the plan of treatment. A child with mild to moderate attention deficit disorder may require only psychological treatment. But attention deficit disorder treatment for a child suffering from severe form may need to undergo medication and/or psychological treatment.

World over, scientific researches are still being conducted to find out the actual reasons that cause attention deficit disorder. However, the symptoms are caused by neurological dysfunction or in simple words, chemical imbalances within the brain. Recent studies have showed genetic reasons for most attention deficit disorder cases, but there are more studies that are being conducted to establish the concreteness of this fact.

Once the children have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, the treatment is a combination of both medical and non medical interventions. But most importantly attention deficit disorder treatment in children is a collective effort of the parents, doctors, caregivers and teachers.

So now that you have some awareness about the type and symptoms of attention deficit disorder, do not delay and consult a doctor today. The earlier you start with attention deficit disorder treatment, more are the chances of your child getting better. Remember you are headed for a long drawn battle but you will have to be extremely patient, affectionate, loving and caring to your child. That is your most important weapon to combat the disorder.

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The Role of Medical Interventions in Attention Deficit Disorders

11 Apr 2010 by admin

So your child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)? You are even aware of the severity of the attention deficit disorder that your child is suffering from. Now is the time to be prepared for a long drawn battle as attention deficit disorder treatment may take years to complete. And with the help of your doctor you will have to decide on the appropriate medical and non-medical interventions that are required for treatment of attention deficit disorder of your child.

Today we will discuss the role of medical interventions in attention deficit disorder. Let’s first accept the truth that there is no “magic pill” that can help in attention deficit disorder treatment. Treatment of attention deficit disorder requires prolonged and continuous medications that only help in controlling the symptoms of the disorders. But many children have benefited from the medications that have helped them in controlling impulsiveness, increasing attention time span and curbing hyperactivity and aggressiveness.

For attention deficit disorder treatment, stimulants are the medicines that are commonly used. These medicines actually improve the chemical imbalances in the brain. Several neuro-imaging studies have shown that the children suffering from attention deficit disorder have improved functioning of brain and reduction in symptoms after they have taken their prescribed medicines.

The stimulants that are commonly used in attention deficit disorder treatment act quickly, but have short action on the children in terms of time span. In other words, they begin working within 30-60 minutes of intake but their effects last only for 2-4 hours. Most of the children need to usually take three doses – one in the morning, another at noon to control the symptoms of attention deficit disorder and the third after the school hours. However, now there is a new drug available in the market that needs to be taken just once a day.

The medicines used in attention deficit disorder treatment are generally safe and have very few side effects like poor appetite, mild headaches and stomachaches etc. However, these are usually in the first year of medication and recedes subsequently. Also, an alteration in the diet pattern and constant monitoring by you can actually help the doctors to decide on the right doses that are suitable for your child. That is a major reason because of which sometimes it may take a few days or even weeks to find the right doses for your child.
It has been observed sometimes that one particular form of stimulant may not work for a child. Then the doctors try alternative form of stimulants and see whether the child is responding to that or not. Also, in certain severe cases of attention deficit disorder, anti-depressants or anti-hypertensive medications are administered to the child under strict medical supervision.

However, not all children need to take medicines for attention deficit disorder throughout their life. A lot depends on the effectiveness of the medicines in each child and also the severity of the attention deficit disorder i.e. whether it is mild, moderate or severe.

Now that you are aware of the role of medical interventions in attention deficit disorder, it will be easier for you to consult with your doctor and decide on the correct medication for your child. Remember, you should not stop your child from taking medicines at your own discretion as that can be fatal. So, go ahead and combat the disorder confidently. But don’t forget to show love, care and attention to your child while doing so. After all, no medicines can be as soothing as a parent’s love. Isn’t it?

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