Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder a common problem?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that is more common than is thought. It is known that the disorder is seen in 5-6% of school-age children. Considering a class of 25-30 people, at least 1-2 children can be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Can Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder be diagnosed even if there is no hyperactivity?
“Hyperactivity” means excessive activity; However, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be seen without hyperactivity symptoms, especially in girls. The most prominent findings in this group may be attention problems and even low activity (hypoactivity).
How is attention deficit (difficulty) understood?
Children with ADHD experience symptoms such as reluctance to do activities such as homework or tasks that they find boring, inability to pay attention, boredom quickly, making frequent mistakes and forgetfulness, but they can be very attentive in activities they enjoy such as computer, television or games. To put it more accurately, children’s (young people) attention is good in the areas they like, but their attention skills are bad in the areas that they don’t like, which include homework, duty and responsibility. There is a problem of managing attention.
What other symptoms would occur?
Another symptom as important as hyperactivity and attention problems is impulsivity. Impulsivity can be defined as not suppressing the wishes coming from within the person and acting without thinking about the consequences. Symptoms such as impatience, difficulty in waiting for one’s turn, inability to follow directions, and interference can be counted in this group. As a result, they show behaviors that can be harmful to themselves and their environment. Among the people, this type of behavior can be wrongly described as being gifted, spoiled, rude, lazy and moody.
What are the causes?
One of the biggest problems that preoccupies families is whether their own behavior causes the disease. In many scientific studies, it has been determined that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not related to home environment or upbringing, but to genetic predisposition and negative environmental factors (especially problems experienced while in the womb). This does not mean that family attitudes are not important. In particular, negative family attitudes may cause an increase in existing complaints or the addition of other psychiatric diseases.
What should be done for diagnosis?
The diagnosis is a disorder made after the interview with the child and his family. Although there are tests that help the diagnosis, no test is definitively diagnostic. Apart from the interview, the forms requested from the family and the teacher help the diagnosis.
Does it get better with age?
As the child gets older, symptoms associated with hyperactivity decrease, but problems with attention tend to persist. The severity of the symptoms may decrease or people can learn to cope with these experiences better, but most of the problems are carried to advanced ages.
How is the treatment done?
Although drug treatments form the basis of treatment, it is very important for family, school and physician to cooperate. In some cases, attention tests may be used. It is very important to inform parents and teachers. Many families stay away from treatment because they do not have enough information about the disease and because of the unscientific hearings they hear from the environment.
Are drugs addictive?
Although drugs have been in use for many years, there is no data on their addiction. In addition, it has been reported that children who have used drugs for a long time have less psychiatric problems and use of addictive substances less than those who have not used drugs. In other words, treatment reduces the risk of addiction in the future.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder What happens if treatment is not done?
If the disease is left untreated, it increases the probability of having problems with family, friends, school and work life in the long term. Families need to get rid of their prejudices and fears about psychiatry, strive for scientific knowledge, and be sensitive to this problem, which may negatively affect the future of themselves and their children.
Best regards
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