Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also known as ADHD, is mainly characterized by age inappropriate attention dispersion, reduced attention span, excessive activity and emotional impulses that do not distinguish between different fields, accompanied by cognitive impairment and learning difficulties, and normal or near normal intelligence.
Characteristics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Attention deficit: mainly manifested as frequent carelessness, inability to maintain concentration when needed, difficulty in completing homework within the designated time, easy distraction in class, appearing absent-minded when talking to others, difficulty completing tasks, lack of organization in work, and frequent loss of learning and daily use items.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity: mainly manifested as frequently moving hands and feet, or twisting in one's seat, unable to sit still as required, unable to queue up and wait in a regular manner, interrupting or answering questions when others are chatting or teachers are in class, leaving one's seat, running around or climbing up and down in inappropriate situations, unable to do homework quietly, accompanied by many small movements such as turning pens, tearing paper, pulling rubber, etc.
FAQ for Parents: Why can playing games last for a whole day, but not studying?
The fluctuation of symptoms in children with ADHD is related to their different environments and activities. Children with ADHD have the most difficulty maintaining attention when doing homework or doing things they are not interested in, but there is almost no difference between them and normal children when doing things without too many rules and constraints.
Are children with ADHD necessarily hyperactive?
Not necessarily. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) does not necessarily require both sets of symptoms to be called ADHD. Some children only have attention deficit, while others only have impulsive hyperactivity. So children with ADHD may not necessarily be hyperactive.
Do children with ADHD necessarily have poor academic performance?
Not necessarily. The vast majority of children with ADHD are affected by attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms, which affect their listening effectiveness, completion speed, and quality of homework in the classroom, resulting in academic performance lower than their intellectual capacity. Some children also have problems with recitation, pinyin, writing, or language expression, which is also one of the reasons for learning difficulties. After comprehensive treatment, children with ADHD can improve their control over impulsive behavior, promote cognitive completion and concentration, and control their symptoms. If their learning is not affected, ADHD children can also achieve good grades.
Can drugs used to treat ADHD become addictive?
At present, there are two first-line treatment drugs for ADHD: atomoxetine and methylphenidate. Atomoxetine is a non stimulant drug and it is not addictive. Methylpheniramine belongs to central nervous system stimulants, and long-term abuse may lead to tolerance and psychological dependence. Therefore, the use of the drug should be guided by a physician to avoid the aforementioned concerns.
Will medication affect a child's development?
Many questions parents consider in the clinic are whether the medication still contains hormones. Taking medication at such a young age is not good and may have adverse effects on the body. The role of drugs for treating ADHD is to regulate central neurotransmitters, and has nothing to do with hormone drugs. There is data showing that taking ADHD medication during the initial treatment stage has a relatively small impact on growth and development. However, based on 5-year medication data, the medication has no significant impact on the height and body mass of the vast majority of adolescents and children. Therefore, the medication for treating ADHD is not hormones, and it will not affect the growth and development of children.
Can ADHD children stop taking medication during holidays?
In order to maintain the continuity of treatment, we no longer advocate the "medication holiday" therapy of stopping medication during holidays. However, if a child's growth and development lag after taking medication, medication treatment can be considered to be suspended after evaluation by a physician.
Can ADHD be cured with medication?
The symptoms of ADHD are a syndrome with significant heterogeneity and require comprehensive intervention. Drug therapy is the core symptom of relieving ADHD, but ADHD has chronic defects or comorbid behaviors, and medication alone cannot solve the problem. We need to integrate hospitals, families, and schools to manage children's behavior.
Do children with ADHD need to take medication for a lifetime?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is more common in school-age children, with approximately 70% of children experiencing symptoms that persist into adolescence and 30% to 50% experiencing symptoms that persist into adulthood. When we usually use medication, as long as the symptoms disappear, some children's symptoms will improve on their own when they grow up and do not need to take medication again. Therefore, it is recommended that parents actively take their children for medical follow-up. Early intervention and treatment are generally effective. Once discovered, do not delay the condition, be afraid of seeking medical treatment, and have a lucky mentality, thinking that the child will naturally get better when they are older, after all, this probability is very small.