How can you tell that certain attention deficit disorder symptoms are not just those of a normal energetic child who wants to let off steam and will run around and cause general mayhem? Experts tell us that the answer is that when this disruptive behaviour becomes a barrier to normal development, then it is time to think that ADHD might be the cause. Symptoms of attention deficit disorder tend to show a pattern whereby behaviour is so bad that it severely affects social relationships (eg. friends and schoolmates), school work suffers and family life is hell!
There are three categories of ADHD. Symptoms generally fall into these although they are not watertight. First there is the Mainly Inattentive Type. The child is often spaced out and forgets things she or he needs for play, school, homework and chores. You might notice that listening is non-existent even when you are speaking to them. Attention span seems to be so short that tasks and even playtime are often unfinished or left abandoned. The child is not hyperactive at all.
The second one is what is known as the Hyperactive/Impulsive Type. As its name suggests impulsivity is present in lots of situations- so no control at all in interrupting everything in an inappropriate fashion ranging from playing, conversations and turn taking. There has been much debate about the hyperactivity symptoms as some parents claim that this is normal behaviour. However, if ADHD is present, the child will almost never sit and read a book or play quietly but is a constant stream of motion and that includes twitching, fidgeting and squirming in their seats. They run wild at times and seem to be eternally restless and talk far too much. They do not seem to have problems with attention or concentration.
The third type is the Combined one which as its name suggests displays symptoms from the first two types and the child displays both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive symptoms to a greater or lesser degree.
This article has looked at the main symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Once diagnosis of ADHD has been completed, parents have to decide about ADHD medication. They will no doubt be alarmed about the recent New York Times article which reported that a fairly new stimulant drug (introduced in 1993) called Risperdal has probably been responsible for the deaths of 31 children! Other ADHD drugs which are basically psychostimulants are widely prescribed now and there is a exponential growth in the number of prescriptions being written.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was some sort of medication which was safe, effective and non- addictive? The link below will tell you about an ADHD alternative therapy which many doctors or pediatricians will dismiss but wise parents know is a safe treatment which is risk-free..
Robert William Locke
http://www.articlesbase.com/adhd-articles/adhd-symptoms-real-or-imagined–728848.html