Almost all children seem hyperactive at some point, and it can be extremely frustrating trying to deal with a child who just won't calm down. If your child is hyperactive frequently or has trouble concentrating at school, you may want to speak with your doctor about possible underlying causes that may require treatment.
Causes
Many factors can contribute to frequent hyperactivity in children. Your child's diet could be a contributing factor to his behavior, especially if he regularly consumes sugar, processed foods or caffeine. Certain medications, such as antihistamines, can cause temporary hyperactive behavior. Mental health problems and learning disorders cause some children to act out. Some physical problems, such as an overactive thyroid, can manifest themselves as hyperactive behavior as well. Your child may have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, a condition that affects millions of children, according to MayoClinic.com.
Diagnosis
Pinpointing the cause of hyperactivity in a child can be a difficult process. Your child's doctor may run a variety of tests, including blood tests, hearing and vision tests and other physical screenings. If your child's physician thinks her behavior may be due to a mental health problem or ADHD, your doctor may recommend taking your child to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further testing.
Considerations
Because there are so many potential causes of hyperactive behavior, you may wish to seek a second opinion if your child is diagnosed with a physical or mental problem. While some physical problems, such as an overactive thyroid gland, are fairly easy for a physician to definitively diagnose, mental health problems are easier to misdiagnose. Often the only way to determine if a mental health diagnosis is correct is by discussing a treatment plan with your child's doctor or psychiatrist to see if it helps alleviate the hyperactive behavior.
Conventional Treatment
Treatment for a hyperactive child depends on the diagnosis. If your physician thinks your child's behavior is the result of poor vision or hearing, he will likely suggest glasses or a hearing aid to help correct the problem. Children diagnosed with hyperthyroidism are typically treated with prescription antithyroid medications to prevent the gland from overproducing the thyroid hormone.
Mental health problems are often resolved with therapy or counseling sessions, which may be between the child and the therapist or may involve other family members. Children diagnosed with ADHD are often able to control the condition with behavioral therapy and support groups. Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate, or Ritalin, and dextroamphetamine, or Adderall, are common in treating children with ADHD. Your child's doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe other nonstimulant medications or antidepressants if your child experiences negative side effects from stimulant medications or stimulants fail to relieve your child's symptoms.
Alternative Treatment
Some children with behavioral problems and ADHD benefit from alternative treatment methods. Eliminating sugar and caffeine from your child's diet may help, as well as limiting common allergens, such as milk, eggs and wheat, explains MayoClinic.com. Relaxation techniques and gentle physical activities, such as yoga, may also help. Some parents feel supplements including ginseng and ginkgo help reduce hyperactivity in their children. While there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of supplements, they are safe for most children when taken at the proper dosage. Always check with your doctor before giving your child any type of herb or supplement.
