Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder appears as a result of impaired psycho-emotional development of the child. In other words, ADHD is attention deficit syndrome, distracted attention syndrome, lack of attention syndrome. Children with this disorder are characterized by excessive activity, short temperedness, and inability to concentrate. It is important to begin treatment of ADHD in children as early as possible.

Classification of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

There are three presentations of ADHD:

• hyperactive;
• inattentive;
• combined.

The last one (attention deficit syndrome with hyperactivity) is more common than others and is often inherited.

ADHD Causes

Genetic susceptibility and abnormalities lead to ADHD in children.

It is known that certain regions of DNA regulate the level of dopamine in the body, preventing disturbances in the central nervous system and, consequently, the development of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

Pre- and perinatal factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. In particular, disorders during pregnancy and childbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and illnesses during the first year of life lead to the appearance of attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder in children. Most children exhibit symptoms in preschool age and in almost 80% of cases do not disappear with age. And although ADHD accompanies a person throughout life, hyperactivity, as opposed to attention deficit disorder, has a decreasing trend closer to adolescence.

Clinical Signs. Symptoms. ADHD Signs.

In most cases the disorder manifests itself before the age of 4, but the final diagnosis cannot be made until the age of 8-10 years. In some cases (such as attention deficit disorder), it may not be diagnosed until adolescence.

The main symptoms of ADHD are lack of attention, irascibility and hyperactivity. At the same time, each type of ADHD has its own signs.

Symptoms of attention deficit (inattention): the child often makes careless mistakes, ignoring details; does not listen when spoken to; often loses things; forgetful. He/she has difficulty maintaining attention for long periods, completing a task or following instructions.

Symptoms of hyperactivity involve excessive motor activity. The child usually cannot sit in one place for long; often runs and climbs when it is inappropriate; cannot play quietly; talks a lot; yells out answers to incomplete questions; and is constantly distracted.

Impulsivity is explained as hasty actions that can have negative consequences. For example, children crossing the street without looking around, or teenagers/adults who suddenly drop out of school/work without thinking about the consequences.

The nature of such disorders interferes with the ability to reason and express oneself coherently, reduces motivation to go to school and adaptation to social life.

The consequences of ADHD are difficult adaptation to the team, the frequency of accidental injuries, conflict, mood swings.

Concomitant (comorbid) conditions:

• Learning disability (despite normal intelligence, the problem exists in 20-50% of children with ADHD)
• tic disorders
• speech/behavioral disorders
• autism
• anxiety, phobic disorders
• depression.

In some children, symptoms disappear as they grow older. However, in most people will have them in adulthood.

ADHD Diagnostics

Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder are diagnosed based on a combination of the symptoms listed above. Moreover, these symptoms must seriously interfere with at least two major areas of the person's life, such as school, home, or other environments (e.g., extracurricular activities). In addition, they must be persistent for at least 6 months and have a negative impact on the person's social, intellectual or occupational functioning.

There are no specific (laboratory, instrumental) examinations that would be particularly helpful in making a diagnosis. The physician determines whether the behavioral problems are permanent and require treatment. This can be done by a clinical examination of the child, as well as by talking to parents or teachers.

Some people are not diagnosed with ADHD until they are older.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment

Treatment of ADHD in children involves a complex approach. This includes pedagogical correction, psychotherapeutic counseling for the family, and behavioral therapy (which involves work on the child's social skills). Specialists also help parents understand how to raise a child with ADHD. Sometimes medication is used in the treatment process.

In drug therapy, psychostimulants are used. Medications are effective in relieving symptoms of ADHD and allow patients to participate in activities that were previously inaccessible to them due to attention deficits and excessive impulsivity. Such medications can increase behavioral and learning activity, motivation, and self-esteem.

The equipment used at the Center for Brain Stimulation are modern equipment such as “Реамед-Полярис”( “Reamed-Polaris”, for tDCS Sessions), «Синхро-С» (“Synchro-C”, for BAC sessions), Tomatis Besson, Interacoustics (for Tomatis diagnosis), chamber, Braintest and other encephalographs.

Preventive Measures

There is no ADHD prevention because it is impossible to predict the appearance of such a syndrome. But timely measures taken to correct behavior, identification of concomitant somatic diseases will reduce the manifestations of ADHD.

Also methods of prevention can be called a system of upbringing. For example, the introduction of family rules, which in the future will help to control oneself and one's actions.

Recommendations

Psychologists advise parents of a child with ADHD to follow certain rules, in particular:

1. Remember that the main and important thing for the child is planning and a clear daily routine.
2. Control your emotions. The child's behavior often does not depend on himself, so you should not criticize him, insult and allow violence.
3. Be expressive when communicating with your child and don't forget about eye contact. Vivid emotions and facial expressions can help a child concentrate and retain attention.
4. Don't ignore physical interaction. Hugging or caressing your child while interacting with them can relax them and help them concentrate.
5. Supervise your child's performance of tasks. It is important to remember that a child with ADHD almost never completes work on his or her own. However, with parental supervision, the child can develop discipline and thus learn to finish what he or she has started.
6. Give the child a task that he or she is capable of completing. If the task is too difficult for the child, simplify it the next time.
7. Take breaks. The child should rest from the previous activity for at least a few minutes.
8. Do not limit your child's physical activity during the activity.
9. Be happy at any success of the child, as it contributes to his self-esteem and stimulates him to discipline in the future.

If you follow the established rules and recommendations that were given by a specialist, there is a high chance that after the age of 14, the child will "outgrow" the problem.

Who does ADHD treat?

Diagnosis and correction of ADHD is a complex process, so more than one specialist is involved. A psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, speech therapist, neuropsychologist and sometimes a social worker work with children.

Advantages of Treatment at the Center for Brain Stimulation

It is wrong to believe that your child's symptoms will go away on their own.

However, by contacting our Center in time, you can get a proper diagnosis and start treatment, which will help to significantly reduce the symptoms of ADHD in a child before elementary school. To identify the syndrome, we use the ADHD test (MOHO test), which gives a definite conclusion about the presence of this disorder. Then an individualized plan is developed, taking into account all of the characteristics of the individual child. Treatment of ADHD is carried out comprehensively and combines modern hardware methods (bioacoustic correction (BAC), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), the Tomatis method, etc.) and pedagogical correction.

Specialists of the Center for Brain Stimulation use a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and therapy. A multidisciplinary team, including a Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Neuropsychologist, Psychologist, Correctional Teacher, Speech Pathologist, and Sensory Therapist will work with your child.

Sources

• Wikipedia
• Ministry of Health of Ukraine
• World Health Organization