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Adhd isn t real


ADHD Does Not Exist, Writes Dr. Richard Saul

This Wednesday, an article in the New York Times reported that from 2008 to 2012 the number of adults taking medications for ADHD increased by 53% and that among young American adults, it nearly doubled. While this is a staggering statistic and points to younger generations becoming frequently reliant on stimulants, frankly, I’m not too surprised. Over my 50-year career in behavioral neurology and treating patients with ADHD, it has been in the past decade that I have seen these diagnoses truly skyrocket. Every day my colleagues and I see more and more people coming in claiming they have trouble paying attention at school or work and diagnosing themselves with ADHD.

And why shouldn’t they?

If someone finds it difficult to pay attention or feels somewhat hyperactive, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has those symptoms right there in its name. It’s an easy catchall phrase that saves time for doctors to boot. But can we really lump all these people together? What if there are other things causing people to feel distracted? I don’t deny that we, as a population, are more distracted today than we ever were before. And I don’t deny that some of these patients who are distracted and impulsive need help. What I do deny is the generally accepted definition of ADHD, which is long overdue for an update. In short, I’ve come to believe based on decades of treating patients that ADHD — as currently defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and as understood in the public imagination — does not exist.

Allow me to explain what I mean.

Ever since 1937, when Dr. Charles Bradley discovered that children who displayed symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity responded well to Benzedrine, a stimulant, we have been thinking about this “disorder” in almost the same way. Soon after Bradley’s discovery, the medical community began labeling children with these symptoms as having minimal brain dysfunction, or MBD, and treating them with the stimulants Ritalin and Cylert. In the intervening years, the DSM changed the label numerous times, from hyperkinetic reaction of childhood (it wasn’t until 1980 that the DSM-III introduced a classification for adults with the condition) to the current label, ADHD. But regardless of the label, we have been giving patients different variants of stimulant medication to cover up the symptoms. You’d think that after decades of advancements in neuroscience, we would shift our thinking.

Today, the fifth edition of the DSM only requires one to exhibit five of 18 possible symptoms to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. If you haven’t seen the list, look it up. It will probably bother you. How many of us can claim that we have difficulty with organization or a tendency to lose things; that we are frequently forgetful or distracted or fail to pay close attention to details? Under these subjective criteria, the entire U.S. population could potentially qualify. We’ve all had these moments, and in moderate amounts they’re a normal part of the human condition.

However, there are some instances in which attention symptoms are severe enough that patients truly need help. Over the course of my career, I have found more than 20 conditions that can lead to symptoms of ADHD, each of which requires its own approach to treatment. Among these are sleep disorders, undiagnosed vision and hearing problems, substance abuse (marijuana and alcohol in particular), iron deficiency, allergies (especially airborne and gluten intolerance), bipolar and major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and even learning disabilities like dyslexia, to name a few. Anyone with these issues will fit the ADHD criteria outlined by the DSM, but stimulants are not the way to treat them.

What’s so bad about stimulants? you might wonder. They seem to help a lot of people, don’t they? The article in the Times mentions that the “drugs can temper hallmark symptoms like severe inattention and hyperactivity but also carry risks like sleep deprivation, appetite suppression and, more rarely, addiction and hallucinations. ” But this is only part of the picture.

First, addiction to stimulant medication is not rare; it is common. The drugs’ addictive qualities are obvious. We only need to observe the many patients who are forced to periodically increase their dosage if they want to concentrate. This is because the body stops producing the appropriate levels of neurotransmitters that ADHD meds replace — a trademark of addictive substances. I worry that a generation of Americans won’t be able to concentrate without this medication; Big Pharma is understandably not as concerned.

Second, there are many side effects to ADHD medication that most people are not aware of: increased anxiety, irritable or depressed mood, severe weight loss due to appetite suppression, and even potential for suicide. But there are also consequences that are even less well known. For example, many patients on stimulants report having erectile dysfunction when they are on the medication.

Third, stimulants work for many people in the short term, but for those with an underlying condition causing them to feel distracted, the drugs serve as Band-Aids at best, masking and sometimes exacerbating the source of the problem.

In my view, there are two types of people who are diagnosed with ADHD: those who exhibit a normal level of distraction and impulsiveness, and those who have another condition or disorder that requires individual treatment.

For my patients who are in the first category, I recommend that they eat right, exercise more often, get eight hours of quality sleep a night, minimize caffeine intake in the afternoon, monitor their cell-phone use while they’re working and, most important, do something they’re passionate about. Like many children who act out because they are not challenged enough in the classroom, adults whose jobs or class work are not personally fulfilling or who don’t engage in a meaningful hobby will understandably become bored, depressed and distracted. In addition, today’s rising standards are pressuring children and adults to perform better and longer at school and at work. I too often see patients who hope to excel on four hours of sleep a night with help from stimulants, but this is a dangerous, unhealthy and unsustainable way of living over the long term.

For my second group of patients with severe attention issues, I require a full evaluation to find the source of the problem. Usually, once the original condition is found and treated, the ADHD symptoms go away.

It’s time to rethink our understanding of this condition, offer more thorough diagnostic work and help people get the right treatment for attention deficit and hyperactivity.

Dr. Richard Saul is a behavioral neurologist practicing in the Chicago area. His book, ADHD Does Not Exist, is published by HarperCollins.

Contact us at [email protected].

"Is ADHD Real?" How to Silence Haters & Naysayers

Is ADHD Real?

Just about every mainstream medical, psychological, and educational organization in the U.S. long ago concluded that ADHD is real, and that children and adults with attention deficit disorder benefit from appropriate ADHD treatment.

Yet, somehow, the world still seems to be filled with self-appointed ADHD “experts” — some well-meaning, some sanctimonious — who insist on burdening us with their ill-informed opinions and asking repeatedly, What is ADHD?

We’ve all heard the ADHD skeptics’ comments: “ADHD is bunk!” “Can’t people take responsibility for their own actions anymore?” “All that so-called ADHD kids really need is discipline!” “Drug companies invented ADHD so they could sell stimulants. ” Blah, blah, blah.

We expect to hear such nonsense about ADHD and LD from misinformed movie stars ranting on talk shows. But what about the know-it-all who happens to be a friend? Your child’s teacher? A co-worker — or your boss? What about a member of your own family?

Let’s be honest: Words hurt. Holier-than-thou barbs, fault-finding, and finger-pointing can make you resentful and just plain furious. “Discussing ADHD can be as touchy as talking about politics or religion,” says Susan Ashley, Ph.D., author of The ADD and ADHD Answer Book. “Feelings get hurt, defenses go up, and relationships suffer when there are disagreements about it.” In extreme situations, families disintegrate, and kids and grownups who need help don’t get it.

[Free Download: 7 Myths About ADHD… Debunked!]

Should you bite your tongue and walk away? Make a sharp retort? Make an effort to educate the ignoramus? A jab to the nose might make you feel better, but it probably isn’t the best solution.

The debate about attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) is over. O-V-E-R. And the truth about ADHD and LD is clear. Here are the five varieties of ADHD naysayers out there, and the right ways to respond to each.

The Skeptic: Can Adults Have ADHD?

The Skeptic denies the very existence of ADHD, calling it a phantom that was cooked up as an excuse for bad parenting. He maintains that ADHD would go away if parents simply reined in their brats and stopped letting them run amok. What about the adults who say they have ADHD? “Why?” says The Skeptic, “They just need to grow up and take responsibility for their shortcomings, rather than blaming an illness.”

No one questions the existence of diabetes or migraine headaches, says Philip Levin, Ph.D., director of The Help Group/UCLA Neuropsychology Program. Yet, he says, people who don’t know better question the existence of ADHD — despite a body of research indicating that it is a neurobiological disorder that affects 11 percent of children and 4 percent of all adults.

[21 Ignorant Comments About ADHD (and the Facts to Refute Them)]

Given a wealth of evidence, the National Institute of Mental Health has concluded that ADHD is a real medical condition. So has the American Psychological Association, which includes ADHD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the bible of mental-health professionals. And the U.S. Department of Education requires educational institutions to provide special accommodations to kids with ADHD — it’s the law.

When Suzanne Herman, of Tyler, Texas, encounters Skeptics, she tells them the reason they don’t “believe in” ADHD is that they’ve probably been lucky enough never to have experienced it, either in themselves or in a loved one. “If my son could exert the control necessary to conform, he would,” Herman says. “No child would choose to be isolated and punished constantly.”

Indeed. “Unless ADHD hits close to home, one may never totally understand it,” says Luanne Southern, the senior director of prevention and children’s mental health at the National Mental Health Association in Alexandria, Virginia.

Shantella Benson, whose 10-year-old daughter has ADHD, takes another approach with The Skeptic: She simply steers the conversation to a more benign topic. “Changing the subject saves me from having to get into a heated conversation in front of my daughter,” the Torrance, California, resident says. “I’ve been trying to help her learn to control her emotions. It wouldn’t help to see me blow my stack.”

Hard facts are often the best ammunition to use against The Skeptic. “Direct the skeptic to CHADD, order him a subscription to ADDitude or give him copies of relevant articles, and take him to a support group meeting,” Southern says. If that doesn’t convince him that ADHD is real, it’s likely that nothing will.

When Elisabeth Carnell of Kalamazoo, Michigan, comes across people who pooh-pooh her nine-year-old daughter’s ADHD, she gives them information about the condition and shares her experiences with it. If these strategies fail, she calls the errant comments what they are: “bull#!^@. ”

If you prefer sarcasm to scatology, try, “Gosh, it must be nice to be smarter than thousands of doctors, scientists, and psychologists.”

The Crusader

The Crusader takes a holier-than-thou approach, second-guessing adults who take ADHD medications and parents who give them to their kids. “I would never take a stimulant medication or give one to my child,” he proclaims. “Ritalin is ‘kiddie cocaine.'”

Actually, study after study has shown ADHD medications to be highly effective at curbing impulsivity and distractibility. Like all drugs, ADHD meds have side effects — but dependency is not a major one. In most cases, the benefits of taking ADHD medication far outweigh the risks. “Ritalin has been used to treat ADHD for over 30 years,” Dr. Levin says. “We have countless scientific studies on the safety of Ritalin. In fact, some of the drugs that children routinely take for asthma and cancer haven’t been studied nearly as much as Ritalin.”

Caryn Stevens, of Midlothian, Texas, wishes people weren’t quick to assume that her decision to medicate her 11-year-old twins was a hasty one. In fact, quite a while passed before she agreed to medicate her boys, even after doctors urged her to do so. The same was true for Jennifer Andrews of Virginia Beach, Virginia. “My husband and I were against drugs for children — until we had a child with ADHD,” Andrews says. “Our daughter literally cannot sit still to eat her breakfast without medication. I learned the hard way that you must get the facts and have some experience before spouting off about something.”

Make it clear to The Crusader that you feel drug therapy for ADHD is not a cause for shame. Medicating your child doesn’t make you a lazy or incompetent parent. It shows that you are an effective parent. “You don’t need to explain to anyone why you are medicating your child,” Dr. Ashley says. “Forget what others think. Instead, ask yourself how you feel about your choice to medicate. If you’re at peace with it, the opinions of others should not matter to you.”

Next time someone says, “I would never… ,” look him in the eye and ask, “If you had diabetes, would you not take insulin? Would you deny insulin to a child who had diabetes? Then why should I withhold appropriate medication from my child?”

“Ultimately,” Caryn Stevens says, “I think it would be a crime not to give my boys every resource available to enable their success. ”

The Joker

The Joker takes potshots at ADHD, using sarcasm and pretending that his barbs are innocuous, says Lillian Glass, Ph.D., the Beverly Hills, California-based author of Attracting Terrific People. A Joker might say, “I wish I had ADHD! At least then I’d have an excuse for my bad behavior.” Or, “Pass the Ritalin — I could use a (wink, wink) ‘boost.'” Other Jokers make “clever” twists on the ADHD acronym, claiming that it really stands for “Adequate Discipline Deficiency.”

The intent of such comments, of course, is to have fun at your expense. But if you show anger or indignation, The Joker protests, “I was just kidding.” Marilyn Cullinane, a 63-year-old with ADHD from Lowell, Massachusetts, once had a boss who joked endlessly about her ADHD. Whenever she made a mistake, he would say — loud enough for all to hear — “ADHD got the best of you again, huh, Marilyn?”

Mick Quinn, the author of Power and Grace: The Four Steps to Authentic Joy, suggests that “selective silence” can be a good way to counter The Joker. “As soon as you realize that someone is being nasty, choose not to respond,” he says. “This was how Gandhi did it — and note the results.”

Cullinane put up with her boss’s teasing until she found a new job. Then she wrote a letter to her former corporate headquarters, detailing her abuse at the hands of her boss — and he was fired.

Of course, Cullinane had another option, as does anyone with ADHD who is harassed on the job: legal action. But before resorting to this, Philadelphia-based employment lawyer Robin Bond suggests being direct: “When you say X, I feel Y,” or “Mocking my medical condition is hurtful, and I’d like you to stop.” If the direct approach fails, Bond says, consider moving up the chain of command or consulting a lawyer.

The Ostrich

The Ostrich can’t accept that any person (including himself or his own child) has ADHD — even in the face of evidence to the contrary. “There’s nothing wrong with me,” he says. “I just take things as they come and try not to tie myself down with plans. ” Or, in response to news that his child has been diagnosed with ADHD, he might inform the doctor, “There’s nothing wrong with my kid that an old-fashioned spanking won’t cure.” No matter how fervently the pediatrician, psychologist, teacher, or family member waves the red flag, The Ostrich cannot (or won’t) accept the ADHD diagnosis.

“Acceptance can be hard, since ADHD is considered a mental disorder,” Southern says. Some people resist testing altogether because they can’t acknowledge even the possibility that such a disorder runs in the family.

If you’re married to an Ostrich, say, “This is not about you or how you feel about ADHD. It’s about our child and what we need to do for her.” It might take awhile, but most Ostriches eventually pull their heads out of the sand. Don’t give up!

The Voice of Doom

The Voice of Doom sees a bleak future for kids with ADHD, warning that “People who have ADHD never amount to anything. They all lead lives of failure and disappointment. ” The Voice of Doom ignores the evidence suggesting that people with ADHD are often energetic, intelligent, and creative.

Maybe your child won’t grow up to be Steven Spielberg or Michael Jordan. Or maybe he will. After all, both Spielberg and Jordan have ADHD. Apparently, so did Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie, Ludwig van Beethoven, Henry Ford, and Vincent van Gogh.

The honor roll goes on and on, reminding us that those with ADHD can live rich, productive lives. “We may be inconsistent, and less productive, in the short run,” says Scott Nipper, a teacher with ADHD from Houston. “But we’re more likely to accomplish big things through our passionate, hyperfocused pursuit of projects. What seem like off-task distractions can sometimes lead to great innovations.”

What’s the best defense against a Voice of Doom? A strong offense. Marcia Conner, of Staunton, Virginia, is a former corporate executive who now runs a small company. She tells each Voice of Doom she encounters, “I have fresh ideas, endless energy, and an Olympic-level multitasking ability. I can’t imagine how people without ADHD excel in business. It’s my competitive advantage!”

Next time you’re face-to-face with Eeyore, turn the tables. Say, “If Richard Branson can found Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways, despite having ADHD, I’m not worried about my son,” or “If my daughter turns out as well as Suzanne Somers or Whoopi Goldberg, who both have ADHD, that’s fine with me!”

No doubt about it, ADHD makes it hard to navigate the “normal world.” But with appropriate support, Luanne Southern says, “Individuals with ADHD can lead happy, healthy lives.”

And maybe, just maybe, extraordinary lives.

[Quiz: ADHD Myth or ADHD Reality? Check the Facts About ADHD.]

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Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD, Lakhta Junior in St.

Petersburg

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ) is a complex of psychological and behavioral disorders, which in recent years has been increasingly discussed by both parents and specialists.
This disorder of higher nervous activity, which usually manifests itself in childhood, has long ceased to be a rarity: according to various estimates, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in developed countries today affects from 2% to 15% children and adolescents (in Russia, the frequency of occurrence is about 10%).

Note that any relatively new diagnosis, new medical concept, or even just a new term very quickly acquires a lot of myths and misinterpretations, which fully affected ADHD. But let's not waste time quoting all the nonsense that you can hear or read on the Internet about this syndrome lately, but let's try to briefly figure out what it is about.
ADHD is a real-life disorder, not a "medical invention". It is included in the International Classification of Diseases and is associated with dysfunction of certain structures of the central nervous system responsible for the regulation of its work. In other words, the basis for the development of this syndrome is objective organic disorders that do not depend on the nature of the child or on the style of parenting. Here, however, there is a temptation for parents to attribute their own pedagogical helplessness to a fashionable diagnosis, relieving themselves of all responsibility and requiring specialists to treat hyperactivity syndrome where it does not exist.

How ADHD manifests itself

Real ADHD, as the full name implies, is manifested by the instability of voluntary concentration of attention: the child cannot concentrate and do one thing for a time sufficient, for example, to learn a new skill or achieve some result . We emphasize: it is that “can’t”, which is fundamentally different from “does not want” (“Borings, give me your smartphone, I don’t need it, I will be a blogger / model”, etc. , etc.) - that is a completely different story, where you have to deal with the problems of motivation and values, with negativism, emancipatory reactions, ordinary laziness, oppositional behavior or something like that.
Most likely, this has nothing to do with true ADHD. In a child with ADHD, under the influence of the slightest interference, stimulus, stimulus (or spontaneously), attention switches from object to object, without dwelling on any of them. Punishing for this is as pointless as panicking.
Another key point in the name is the capacious word “ hyperactivity ”, which is manifested by restlessness, impulsiveness, fussiness, an uncontrollable need to do something, and the real productivity of this activity is very low or equal to zero. Actually, the same thing as with attention happens with kinetics (from the Greek. "movement"), and it is no coincidence that ADHD is classified under the heading of hyperkinesis.
To this should be added the instability of memorization, the tendency to lose or leave the necessary things somewhere, to answer inappropriately, to interrupt, to react too hastily and abruptly.
It is quite natural that such violations of self-regulation can not only irritate the environment, but also have a very negative impact on studies, in communication with peers, on relationships with parents, and ultimately on general adaptability and self-esteem.
It is very important to understand that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not at all equivalent to intellectual disability. In the most powerful, beautiful, fast computer, the operating system can act up, but the processor does not get worse from this. Need fine tuning.

Symptoms of ADHD — what to pay attention to

If there is something in a child’s behavior that worries you in this context, try to look closely:
— how the child moves,
— how many and what movements he makes per unit of time,
— how appropriate and effective these movements,
- are they controlled or involuntary,
- what and how is it pronounced,
- how is the information coming from outside processed and how effectively used,
- whether all this is connected with the mood of the child, his well-being or the external situation (for example, general overexcitement at a noisy birthday party).

Perhaps the only thing that bothers you is that you personally act differently, in a different pace and style, because you have a different temperament, different experience and, as they say in medicine, psychomotor. But if the so-called intuitive diagnosis (and this phenomenon really works among close people) tells you unambiguously that the child’s behavior is abnormal and it does not depend on him, or on you, or on the situation, then it’s time to think about showing child to a specialist (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, psychoneurologist, just a neurologist - for the first visit it is not so important), so that this visit looks as natural as possible and is minimally traumatic.
Of course, at that moment you should already know well who exactly you are addressing and why to this specialist, and not to that one. But it is a must to apply.

Treatment of ADHD in children

Given that the etiopathogenesis of ADHD (i.e., the causes and mechanisms of development of this syndrome) is still not well understood, it would be irresponsible of us to recommend any specific ways to correct this condition. But anyway the approach would be:
First , complex - please do not expect a miracle pill that will immediately solve all problems with heredity, the balance of neurotransmitters, the functioning of the reticular formation of the brain, education, psychological microclimate, nutrition, daily routine, etc .; A lot will have to change, and not just the child.
Secondly , the strategy will be strictly individual, since ADHD, with all its prevalence and recognition, is never repeated exactly.
Thirdly, , do not count on the rapid and complete disappearance of all problems: in many cases, hyperactivity syndrome, softening to the degree of almost complete adaptation and normal quality of life, in such a reduced form still accompanies a person for many more decades.
Fourthly and most importantly, do not waste time on brilliant ideas like “she will outgrow”, “you need to be collected and attentive”, “would he join the army” or “we’ll give her in marriage, she will be like everyone else”; and do not poison with dietary supplements, tinctures, decoctions, advice, requirements, ultimatums and notations. It is clear that all this is with the best of intentions, but it does not work. ADHD is indeed a problem, but a medical problem. Therefore, contact a specialist at the Lakhta Junior Children's Clinic in St. Petersburg.

causes, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults

Symptoms of ADHD in children

Causes of pathology

Diagnosis

Treatment methods for ADHD

Prevention


Today, more and more children are being diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). As a rule, it is diagnosed in children aged 6-8 years, when the child goes to school. It is at this time that it becomes obvious that the child has pronounced problems with behavior and perception of information.

ADHD is a neurological-behavioral developmental disorder. Pathology makes itself felt in childhood, but in the absence of timely therapy, it can persist into adulthood. According to statistics, ADHD is most common in boys, but can also occur in girls. If the pathology is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, this is fraught with poor school performance, the child may develop serious social problems, which increases the risk of substance abuse in the future.

Symptoms of ADHD in children

Consider some of the signs that may signal ADHD in children:

  • The child is constantly distracted, inattentive, when communicating with him there is a feeling that he is not listening to you.
  • It is difficult for him to keep his attention on the teacher's words for a long time, because of which the understanding of information also suffers.
  • Increased activity is observed - the child literally cannot sit in one place. Even during school hours, he can get up and walk around the classroom.
  • The child is impatient, cannot wait for his turn, constantly interrupts, answers questions without waiting for them to end.
  • Children with ADHD are characterized by emotional instability, which can be manifested by frequent mood swings: a child can suddenly become irritable, whiny, and restless for no reason.
  • Disorder is typical - children with this diagnosis often lose their belongings (for example, school supplies, money, keys).
  • Problems with sleep and appetite, with daily routine.

Additionally, some neurological abnormalities may be observed. For example, a child with ADHD may have poor motor coordination, resulting in some clumsiness. Also, in some cases, twitching of the facial muscles and trembling of the limbs are observed.

The first signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are observed at the age of 2-3 years, but at this age it is difficult to determine whether they are a manifestation of pathology or normal age-related features.

However, if by the age of 6-8 years the child has not become more attentive and collected, this is an alarming sign that makes it possible to assume ADHD with a high degree of probability. That is why, if you have the above symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor and start treatment.

Causes of pathology

There is no single reason for the development of ADHD. Many experts agree that the most common cause may be genetic mutations that lead to a disruption in the production of dopamine and the work of dopamine receptors.

Also, the causes of the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be the following factors:

  • Severe pregnancy, complicated delivery, including prolonged or rapid.
  • Use by the expectant mother during pregnancy of potent drugs, alcoholic beverages, toxic substances.
  • Serious pathologies suffered by a child at an early age, including craniocerebral trauma.
  • Psychological trauma in a child.
  • Fetal asphyxia.

It is also worth noting that this pathology has a hereditary predisposition. It was found that the presence of ADHD in parents significantly increases the likelihood of developing this syndrome in a child.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of ADHD is not established only on the basis of existing complaints. To accurately confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct some examinations. First of all, you need to visit a neurologist, psychiatrist and psychologist.

During the consultation, the doctor collects an anamnesis, conducts various tests, conversations, and diagnostic surveys.

In order to identify the cause of the development of ADHD, consultations with other specialists may also be required, as well as instrumental and laboratory examination methods, such as: EEG, MRI of the brain, general and biochemical blood tests.

ADHD treatments

It should be noted that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder most often has a favorable prognosis (provided that therapy is started in a timely manner). It is possible to significantly improve the behavior and learning of the child.

Depending on the severity of the pathological process and the causes of its occurrence, the doctor may prescribe such types of treatment as:

  • Drug treatment: the patient may be prescribed sedatives, antidepressants, neurostimulants.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy.
  • A clear daily routine: a balanced diet, good sleep.
  • Family therapy: if there are conflicts in the family, ADHD often develops against this background.
  • Biofeedback therapy: this method of treatment is aimed at training the child's ability to self-regulate their states with the help of computer game tasks.
  • Physiotherapy techniques, eg massage, exercise, kinesiotherapy.

Additionally, other methods of treatment can be used.

Prophylaxis

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent the development of ADHD. However, there are some factors that significantly reduce the risk of developing pathology. For example, the expectant mother should follow a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, give up bad habits. Before conception, it is desirable to undergo a complete examination, if necessary, to pre-treat existing pathologies.

Also, as a prevention of ADHD, the following recommendations should be observed:

  • The child should be active, walk outdoors more often.
  • The regime of the day and nutrition should be clear.
  • Monitor the child's behavior, immediately stop unacceptable behavior on his part.
  • It is very important to build a trusting relationship between parents and children.
  • Family conflicts should be avoided.

At the first signs of ADHD, it is recommended to contact specialists who will help minimize the risk of developing more serious pathologies in the future.

You can learn more about the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at a face-to-face appointment with a doctor. Be healthy!


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Markelov Gleb Vladimirovich

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