Understanding ADHD - Essential Requirement For Parents To Keep Their Child Healthy

Understanding ADHD - Essential Requirement For Parents To Keep Their Child Healthy
By Jennifer Decosta

 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder mostly observed in toddlers. It can be noticed during childhood in many children with the symptoms of inattention, impulsive behavior, poor concentration, running, inability to control anger, careless mistakes and several others. These symptoms are mostly observed in the preschool phase and can last till adolescence. This disorder can be commonly seen in children and hence most of the doctors are aware of it and provide effective medication in this regard. Some of the doctors prefer to use behavioral therapies in order to cure the child. Going for the behavioral therapies is the best option as it treats the child in a healthy environment without the worries of any kind of side effects that might occur due to medication. Understanding ADHD is the best way to get the best treatment for your child.

Causes of ADHD
This most commonly occurring disorder is of great concern as it might affect the life of a child to a great extent. The major causes of this disorder are listed below.

Prenatal factors
The activities of the mother during the time of pregnancy can also lead to this disorder in the child. Some of the main causes include exposure to smoking, alcohol and drugs, prenatal usage of prescription drugs, and the birth of premature babies.

Genetic factors
This disorder is hereditary and can be transferred to the coming generation. Thus, in the same family a child might have ADHD while others might be normal. It is totally dependent on the transfer of predisposed gene to the child.

Environmental factors
Environmental contaminants like lead, PCB, mercury exposure etc. can contribute towards this disorder. Excessive exposure to these poisonous metals can lead to ADHD.

Diagnosis
In order to provide effective treatment to the child suffering from this problem, it is essential to diagnose the seriousness of the issue. The correct diagnosis involves a medical evaluation of symptoms under appropriate guidelines. The experienced doctors often prefer to talk to both parents and teachers in order to make a proper diagnosis. Consulting the parents and teachers is essential as it allows the doctor to identify the level of the disorder and start an effective treatment for the same.

Treatment
Most of the doctors prescribe medication for treating the patient. This medication is prescribed for several years of school and the child might get addicted to these drugs. Therefore, it is essential that you consider behavioral therapies in order to overcome the issues faced by the child. There are various centers that offer these effective therapies for treating ADHD.

Understanding ADHD, its symptoms and effective treatment are essential in order to groom the overall personality of your child.

The Association for Youth, Children and Natural Psychology is a NJ non-profit. The ADHD book, Overcoming ADHD Without Medication is available online and in bookstores. ADHD books are available in English and Spanish.