What is adhd
There are many things that can cause a person to become inattentive or hyperactive. Among them is a lack of attention regulation skills. Unlike healthy children, who are generally full of energy at all times, people with ADHD have trouble staying focused on one task or activity for any length of time.
In addition, people with ADHD are impulsive — they often act too quickly before thinking it through. This is especially noticeable in young children, but it can also occur in older adolescents and adults. They might interrupt other people, grab something that they shouldn’t, or act in ways that are risky or out of character.
When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, the first thing that a doctor will do is look at what’s happening in different situations. They’ll ask about behaviors at home, at school and with peers. They’ll also do a physical exam to check for other health problems that might be the reason for the symptoms.
Then, they’ll ask about other things that have happened to you or your child in the past 6 months. They’ll use checklists and rating scales to review your or your child’s symptoms. They’ll take your or your child’s medical history and talk with other people who know you well, such as a spouse or close friend.
Once they have all the information they need, your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis of ADHD. They will also discuss what kind of treatment you or your child might need, including medication, psychotherapy, education or training.
Your doctor may start with a trial of medications, which are effective for many people with ADHD and can help control hyperactivity and impulsivity. These medications can reduce symptoms of ADHD, but they must be taken regularly as directed by the physician.
Behavioral therapy is another type of treatment that can help people with ADHD improve their focus, control their impulsivity, and manage their behavior. It is most effective when it is started early. In addition to addressing behavioral problems, the goal of behavioral therapy is to teach people with ADHD how to develop their own effective strategies for managing their symptoms.
When it comes to coping with ADHD, people who have the disorder may need extra support and encouragement. They might need help with learning new ways to manage their symptoms, such as how to organize their schedule or how to handle stressful situations.
They might also need help with developing skills to overcome negative feelings, such as frustration and blame. This can be very difficult for parents and their children to do on their own. A mental health professional can help the family learn how to cope with these issues and work together to develop better coping skills, attitudes, and ways of relating to each other.
Some parents of kids with ADHD are reluctant to seek treatment because they fear that the condition will impact their family relationships. They may feel that if they seek treatment, the child will get a bad diagnosis or be forced to take medication at school. However, most parents find that medication and treatment are very helpful in controlling their child’s symptoms and helping them succeed at school and at home.
NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for medical advice. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of mental health and nutrition. We’ve flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: f
Psychiatrist, Dr. Drew Ramsey, invites us to use food to increase our mental health. In this whimsical and informative talk, Dr. Ramsey gives us a simple way to take care of our minds as we feed our bodies. Drew Ramsey, MD is a leading innovator in mental health, combining clinical excellence, nutritional interventions and creative media. He is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and in active clinical practice in New York City.
His work and writing has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Lancet Psychiatry, and NPR, which named him a “kale evangelist.”, the Today Show, BBC and TEDx. He is the author of three books: Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss and Transform Your Health, 50 Shades of Kale, and The Happiness Diet. His e-course, Eat To Beat Depression, helps people maximize their brain health with every bite.
He splits his time between New York City and rural Indiana where he lives with his wife, children and parents on his 127 acre organic farm. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at x
