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Hyperactive (ADHD) child
15. September 2006
ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the most common psychiatric disorder of school-aged children and it has a prevalence of at least 3-5%.
The core symptoms are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The diagnosis is verified if at least six symptoms are present from a symptom list of nine for inattention or six of nine symptoms for hyperactivity-impulsivity or both. These symptoms have to be present before 7 years of age, and they must have lasted at least half a year to a degree that interferes with daily life at home, in school, or at the workplace. Comorbidities and coexisting problems are common with ADHD.
The hyperactive child lives in a constant state of overstimulation or, some would have it, under-inhibition. The hyperactive child is constantly moving - running, walking, climbing and bouncing about. He is quite unable to sit still and attempts to make him do so will result in hysterical outbursts. His activity will continue even when he is overtired and overwrought to the pitch of tears and tantrums. Even when he is exhausted he finds it hard to sleep. When he does drop off he tends to sleep lightly and restlessly, and wake early. He may often wake in the night, crying and screaming for reasons he cannot explain.
Any form of stimulation may encourage feverish excitement which will escalate into hysterical behaviour and often end in screaming and crying. He is very easily stimulated and very hard to calm down. Instructions are ignored, he cannot contcentrate on a task for more than a second, and attemps to pressurize him will lead to outbursts of anger and frustration.
The parents know that their child has a severe problem that is causing him and them endless distress, but the casula observer will probably dismiss him as a "spoilt brat", and place the blame on him or his parents.
The best way to help a child with ADHD is to support him, to talk to him, to help him and - to believe in him.
Useful home-pages
In English:
- National Institute of Mental Health
- PediatricNeurology.Com
- AdhdNews.Com
- AdditudeMag.Com
- Addvance
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association
- Adders.Com
In Russian:
- SDGV Deti
In Finnish:
- ADHD Center
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good, they know enough and know how to deal with these kids
