What is adhd?
ADHD is a condition in which people have trouble paying attention and controlling their behavior. It affects children, teens and adults, and can cause serious problems throughout a person’s life.
The symptoms of ADHD can interfere with a person’s work, social and home life. They can also lead to other health problems, including compulsive eating and substance abuse.
Symptoms of ADHD typically begin in childhood. However, some children have the condition later in adolescence or adulthood.
If you notice any of the signs or symptoms of ADHD, speak with your child’s teacher or doctor. They can help you assess the severity of the condition and suggest possible treatments.
Your doctor can order a variety of tests to determine the extent and severity of your child’s symptoms. If the test results show that your child has ADHD, they can give you a diagnosis and recommend treatment options.
Some children with ADHD are mainly inattentive, while others have a combination of the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity or impulsivity. They may not be able to concentrate on a task and seem distracted by everything around them.
They often make careless mistakes in schoolwork or at home and have trouble following instructions from teachers and parents.
For example, they may forget to turn in a homework assignment or have trouble finishing an assigned project on time.
If you have an adolescent who has been diagnosed with ADHD, your doctor can teach him or her how to control his or her behavior and improve focus and concentration. Your child can also learn techniques to reduce the effects of his or her ADHD on other people and the environment.
Your teen may also benefit from behavioral therapy, which teaches him or her how to manage his or her ADHD by setting goals and working towards them. During behavioral therapy, your teen can be given positive feedback when he or she meets these goals, and he or she can receive rewards for doing well.
You can also work with your teen on learning how to organize his or her schoolwork and other activities. This can include using color-coding, notes to self, rituals and other tools that will help him or her stay focused on a specific task.
Practicing good communication skills can help your teen with ADHD manage his or her behaviors. Use nonjudgmental language, avoid accusing and emphasize solutions to the problem instead of blaming your teen for his or her own behaviors.
Understanding the nature of ADHD can help your teen develop confidence and self-esteem. He or she will realize that the disorder isn’t caused by any flaw in his or her personality.
Your teen will also understand that he or she is not at fault for the way he or she acts. This can help your teen avoid a sense of guilt or shame that can accompany the diagnosis.
Your teen may need support with his or her social relationships as well, such as in school and with friends. He or she may need to practice good eye contact, listen carefully when others are talking, and keep a positive attitude during social interactions. He or she will also need to learn how to set realistic expectations and accept that his or her behavior is temporary.
