What are the main symptoms and treatments of ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention and/or hyperactive impulsivity that interferes with the functioning or normal development of the brain, to the extent that it affects the individual's normal learning and daily life, and may have a negative impact on the individual's life. ADHD includes three subtypes, namely: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and the mixed (a combination of the former two).
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Inattention refers to an individual's ease of distraction, lack of perseverance, difficulty sustaining concentration, and lack of organization in learning and work, and these problems are not due to defiant intention or lack of understanding.
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Hyperactivity is when the individual appears to be moving all the time, including still moving around in inappropriate situations, or being excessively restless, flapping, or nagging. The manifestations of ADHD in adults are similar to the symptoms of childhood, but the symptoms of hyperactivity decrease with age, and are more manifested as subjective experiences of inner restlessness.
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Impulsivity refers to the reckless behavior of an individual without consideration, which is likely to cause some harm, or expect immediate rewards without the enjoyment of delayed gratification. Impulsive people may socially offend others, be overly intrusive, or make important decisions without considering the long-term consequences.
signs and symptoms of ADHD
Inattention and hyperactivity are the main symptoms of ADHD. Some ADHD patients have only one of the above behavioral problems, and some patients have both inattention and hyperactivity problems. These patients are mixed ADHD. In preschool children, the most common ADHD symptom is hyperactivity. Clinical data found that the ratio of male to female in ADHD children is (4-9). Girls often have attention disorder as the main manifestation, that is, the simple performance is inattention and hyperactivity is not obvious. Because girls are generally very quiet and they will not interfere with other people around, this situation is easily ignored by parents and teachers, which should arouse the attention of clinicians.
It is normal for young children, especially boys, to be distracted and hyperactive, but for people with ADHD, their behaviors should satisfy the following criteria:
· The level of severity is more severe
· Occurs more frequently and exists on 2 or more occasions
· Interfering with or reducing the quality of social, academic or vocational functioning
· Existed before age 12
Inattention
People with inattention symptoms often experience the following situations:
· Neglecting or ignoring details, making careless mistakes in schoolwork, work or other activities
· Problems with work tasks or play that require attention, including conversations, leisure activities, or prolonged reading
· Doesn't appear to be listening when other people are talking directly to him
· Does not follow instructions and is unable to complete homework, chores, or workplace tasks; or, although able to begin work tasks, loses focus quickly and is easily distracted
· Problems with scheduling tasks and activities, such as sequence activities, keeping materials and personal belongings organized, work clutter, and poor time management, inability to meet deadlines
· Avoiding or disliking work tasks that require constant mental effort, such as homework or assignments, or preparing reports (for teens and older adults), filling out forms, or reviewing long documents
· Loss of items necessary to complete work tasks or participate in activities, such as school supplies, pens, books, tools, wallets, keys, documents, glasses, and cell phones
· Easily distracted by irrelevant thoughts or stimuli
· Forgetting daily activities such as chores, errands, returning calls and making appointments hyperactive impulse People with hyperactivity-impulsive symptoms often experience the following:
· Restless and writhing in the seat
· Leaving when seated, such as in a classroom or office
· Running around, dashing, or climbing inappropriately, or often feeling restless(for teens and adults)
· Inability to play quietly or engage in personal hobby activities
· Restless or "busy", or like "with a motor in the body"
· eloquent
· Answer the question before listening to the question, and help the other person to complete it before the other person finishes speaking or grab the words in the conversation
· Difficulty waiting until it is your turn to speak
· Interfering with or aggression against others, such as in conversations, games or activities
Treatments of ADHD
Although there is currently no cure for ADHD, currently available treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve individual functioning. Common treatments include medication, psycho-behavioral therapy, education or training, and comprehensive therapy. At present, the effect of comprehensive treatment which combines drugs with psycho-behavioral therapy is the best. It is necessary to reasonably select and comprehensively use treatment methods such as drug therapy, psycho-behavioral therapy and individualized education programs according to the patient's condition and specific needs, to maximize the patient’s symptoms and social functioning through overall intervention.
medication
For many patients, ADHD medications can reduce symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve the patient's ability to concentrate, work, and study. Medications can also improve physical coordination and self-control. Sometimes, for a particular individual, several different drugs (or doses) must be tried before the one that works best is found. Any patient who is taking medication must be closely observed and monitored by the prescribing physician, so that medication and dosage adjustments can be made at any time.
behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy is an important non-drug treatment method, and evidence-based medicine studies have shown that it is among the first-line treatment with stimulant drugs. Behavioral therapy focuses on observable external behaviors, applying the "principle of learning", improves patients' non-functional or non-adaptive behaviors according to specific treatment steps, and helps to establish good behaviors. It may involve some practical help, such as helping with work assignments or homework, or emotionally coping with difficult or unexpected events. The target behaviors should not be too broad or too general, but should be very specific, so that children with ADHD can clearly know the bad behaviors that need to be changed and the good behaviors that need to be established during the treatment process.
Based on the "principles of learning", therapists and parents can provide timely positive or negative feedback on certain behaviors of the child, encourage the child to establish target behaviors and reduce problem behaviors, and help set clear rules, to-do lists, and other structured routines to help child better control behavior and manage time. The therapist can also teach the child in need some social skills, such as how to wait until it is their turn to talk, share toys, ask for help, or respond to ridicule. And learning how to read other people's facial expressions and tone of voice and how to respond appropriately is also one part of child’s social skills training.
cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy can also guide ADHD patients some mindfulness techniques (or meditation). When the patients learn how to understand and accept their own thoughts and feelings, they begin to improve focus and concentration. The therapist also encourages people with ADHD to adapt to life changes brought about by treatment, such as going back and forth, or restraining impulses and not taking unnecessary risks.
Family and marital therapy can help families and spouses find better ways to deal with disruptive behaviors, encourage behavioral change, and improve interactions with patients.
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