Hyperactive child syndrome, more commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a medical condition characterized by impulsive behavior, inattention and hyperactivity. While these symptoms may occur simultaneously in a single child, they may also appear in isolation, and the behaviors associated with ADHD can vary considerably among individual children.
Physiology
Roughly 3 to 5 percent of school-age children have some form of ADHD, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus. Far more cases of the syndrome occur in boys than in girls. The exact cause of ADHD is not known, although children with the syndrome appear to have noticeable changes in their brain structure when compared to children without ADHD and also show differences in the processing of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline. In some cases, ADHD runs in family bloodlines. If your child has ADHD, he will also likely have some other type of behavioral or development difficulty.
Symptoms
Children with ADHD can manifest several distinct groups of symptoms. Your child's symptoms of hyperactivity may include nonstop talking, fidgeting or other constant motion and difficulty sitting still or performing quiet tasks. Symptoms of inattention may include difficulty focusing on a single thing, daydreaming, trouble completing tasks and distraction. Symptoms of impulsivity may include lack of emotional restraint, inappropriate verbal expression, difficulty waiting during games or tasks and generally high impatience.
Forms
ADHD comes in three basic forms: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. If your child has six or more symptoms of inattention in combination with fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, she has predominantly inattentive ADHD. If your child has six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity in combination with fewer than six symptoms of inattention, he has predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. If your child has six or more symptoms from both of the above categories, she has combined ADHD. Most children with ADHD have combined symptoms.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of ADHD can be difficult. In some cases, children with the syndrome do not receive an appropriate ADHD diagnosis, while in other cases children with other behavioral problems are mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD. Before making an ADHD diagnosis, a doctor will need to determine if your child's symptoms have been present for more than six months, that they do not stem from other problems, that they have appeared in two or more settings and that they are severe enough to cause significant difficulties in a variety of social settings and relationships.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD typically focus on reducing symptoms and improving your child's ability to function. A given treatment program may include medication, training, psychotherapy or any combination of these approaches. Common medications for ADHD include stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. Training approaches may include setting strict schedules and organizing everyday items such as clothing or toys. Psychotherapeutic approaches may include behavioral therapy or family-based therapy.
