ADHD

By Sanam Marjan

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. It is diagnosed in childhood and often continues to adulthood. Diagnosed children may find trouble focusing and often make impulsive decisions.

Symptoms of ADHD:

It is normal for children to have trouble focusing on school and tasks but children diagnosed with ADHD do not grow out of it.

1. Constant Daydreaming

2. Forgetful and loses things a lot.

3. Fidgeting and squirming

4. Careless mistakes and taking unnecessary risks

5. Overly talkative

6. Difficulty resisting temptations

7. Have trouble taking turns

8. Have difficulty getting along with others

9. Low frustration tolerance

10. Trouble multitasking

Types of ADHD:

• Predominantly inattentive presentation

It is difficult for the individual to organize and complete a task, keeping up with a conversation, and following instructions. The person is easily distracted and forgets details about their daily routine.

• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation

The person fidgets and can't sit still for too long. They tend to talk a lot even when they shouldn't. They have difficulty waiting for their turns and listening to directions. As they feel restless and have trouble with impulsivity.

• Combined presentation

A person with both the above symptoms equally present.

Causes of ADHD:

ADHD brains tend to have low levels of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine which is linked arm in arm with dopamine. Dopamine controls the brain's pleasure center.

ADHD is a genetic disorder that is passed from parents to offspring during birth.

Factors such as premature birth, smoking tobacco during pregnancy, brain injury, and environmental factors can play a role as well.

The ADHD brain has 4 impaired sides:

1. Frontal cortex: responsible for attention, executive function, and organization

2. Limbic system: the region located inside the brain which is responsible for regulating our emotions and attention

3. Basal ganglia: a deficiency in here can cause interbrain communication and information to “short circuit” which results in inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity

4. Reticulum activity system: this is the junction of many pathways along with a major relay system which if a deficiency is seen will result in inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity

ADHD is incurable but children tend to develop coping mechanisms to help them with daily tasks and focus.