Definition
It is a biological condition that is characterized by poor attention and distractibility and/or hyperactive and impulsive behaviours. It is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children. . If left untreated, ADHD/ADD can lead to poor school/work performance, poor social relationships and a general feeling of low self esteem. In addition, Symptoms of ADHD/ADD may continue into adolescence and adulthood
As many as one third of children with ADHD/ADD have one or more coexisting behavioural conditions. The most common of these are:
Inattention.
Individuals who are inattentive have difficulty staying focused and attending to mundane tasks. They are easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds, shift from one activity to another, and seem to get bored easily. They may appear forgetful and even spacey or confused as if “in a fog.” Organising and completing tasks is often extremely difficult, as is sorting out what information is relevant versus irrelevant. An individual with inattentive symptoms may have great difficulty keeping up with items, frequently losing things and living life in a disorganized way. Time management is also often an issue. An individual with the predominately inattentive type of ADHD may even appear sluggish, lethargic and slow to respond and process information.
Hyperactivity
Individuals who are hyperactive have excessively high levels of activity, which may present as physical and/or verbal over activity. They may appear to be in constant motion, perpetually “on the go” as if driven by a motor. They have difficulty keeping their body still moving about excessively, squirming or fidgeting. Individuals who are hyperactive often feel restless, may talk excessively, interrupt others, and monopolize conversations not letting others get in a word. It is not unusual for an individual with hyperactive symptoms to engage in a running commentary on the activities going on around them. Their behaviours tend to be loud and disruptive. This difficulty regulating their own activity level often creates great problems in social, school and work situations.
Impulsivity
Individuals who are impulsive have trouble inhibiting their behaviours and responses. They often act and speak before thinking, reacting in a rapid way without considering consequences. They may interrupt others, blurt out responses, and rush through assignments without carefully reading or listening to instructions. Waiting turns and being patient is extremely difficult for someone who is impulsive. They prefer speed over accuracy and so often complete tasks quickly, but in a careless manner. Their lack of impulse control can not only be dangerous, but can also create stress in school/work and in relationships with others.
Adults with ADHD/ADD show an even higher incidence of additional or accompanying disorders, they may also suffer from
- Depression,
- Mood disorders,
- Substance addictions,
- Anxiety,
- Phobias,
- Behavioural problems.
Treatment
Treatment of ADHD/ADD has two important components, psychotherapy/Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and medication such as Ritalin. There is a significant amount of research demonstrating that medication alone will not help address so many of the core issues a child (or adult) with ADHD/ADD has. So while medication may help with immediate relief, the person with ADHD/ADD still often needs to learn the skills needed (CBT)to be successful while living with this condition.