What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: symptoms and treatment of ADHD in children and adults. Symptoms in children of different ages

The occurrence of complications with concentration and concentration, as well as the appearance of a neurobehavioral disorder, indicate the disease "Attention Deficit Disorder" or ADD for short. Children are primarily affected by the disease, but the manifestation of the disease in adults is not excluded. The problems of the disease are characterized by varying degrees of severity, so ADD should not be underestimated. The disease affects the quality of life, its susceptibility, as well as relationships with other people. The disease is quite complex, so patients have problems with learning, performing any work and mastering theoretical material.

It is the children who partly become hostages of this disease, therefore, in order to prevent such a deficiency, it is worth learning as much as possible about it, and this material will help in this.

Description and types

This disease is a deviation in a person that is caused by high intelligence. A person with such an indisposition has difficulties not only with mental development, but also with physical development, which is already referred to as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Children are the main contingent that is prone to the manifestation of this disease, but in rare cases there are symptoms of malaise in adults. According to many years of research, it has been found that the occurrence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults is associated solely with the nature of genes.

In children, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is quite common, and it can be detected both after birth and at a later age of the child. Mostly the syndrome occurs in boys, and only in rare cases in girls. If you look at the example, then in almost every classroom there is one child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The syndrome is divided into three types, which are called:

• Hyperactivity and impulsivity. This species is characterized by inherent signs of impulsivity, irascibility, nervousness and increased activity in humans.
• Carelessness. Only one sign of inattention appears exclusively, and the possibility of hyperactivity is excluded.
• Mixed look. The most common form, which manifests itself even in adults. It is characterized by the predominance of the first and second signs in humans.

In the language of biology, ADHD is a dysfunction of the central nervous system, characterized by the formation of the brain. Brain problems are the most dangerous and unpredictable diseases.

Causes

The development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is hidden in several reasons that have been established by scientists on the basis of facts. These reasons include:

• genetic predisposition;
• pathological influence.

genetic predisposition is the first factor by which the development of malaise in the patient's relatives is not excluded. Moreover, in this case, both distant heredity (i.e., the disease was diagnosed in ancestors) and near (parents, grandparents) play a huge role. The first signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child lead caring parents to a medical institution, where it turns out that the predisposition to the disease in a child is associated precisely with genes. After examining the parents, it often becomes clear where this syndrome came from in the child, since in 50% of cases this is exactly the case.

Today it is known that scientists are working on isolating the genes that are responsible for this predisposition. Among these genes, an important role is given to DNA regions that control the regulation of dopamine levels. Dopamine is the main substance responsible for the correct functioning of the central nervous system. Dysregulation of dopamine due to genetic predisposition leads to the disease of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Pathological influence plays an important role in answering the question about the causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pathological factors can serve as:

• the negative impact of drugs;
• influence of tobacco and alcoholic products;
• premature or prolonged labor;
• interrupt threats.

If a woman allowed herself to use illegal substances during pregnancy, then the possibility of having a child with hyperactivity or this syndrome is not excluded. There is a high probability of the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child born at 7–8 months of pregnancy, i.e. premature. In 80% of such cases, pathology occurs in the form of ADHD.

The causes of the development of the disease in children are also distinguished if a woman, being in a position, is fond of taking artificial food additives, pesticides, neurotoxins and other things. It is also possible to provoke this syndrome in adults due to the passion for bioadditives, artificial hormones, etc.

Until the end, the unexplored causes of provoking attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are:

• the presence of infectious diseases in a pregnant woman;
• chronic diseases;
• incompatibility of Rh factors;
• environmental degradation.

It follows that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is an unusual disorder that occurs due to the action of one or more of the above factors. The most basic and proven is the cause of genetic influence.

Symptoms of the disease

The symptoms of the disease have a pronounced manifestation in children, so let's consider the main signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. childhood.

Most often, the impetus for contacting treatment centers is educators, teachers and educators who discover some deviations in children. Symptoms of the disease have the following signs:

Impaired focus and attention. The child cannot focus on one thing, he is constantly going somewhere, thinking about something of his own. The performance of any task ends with errors, which is caused by a disorder of attention. If the child is addressed, then there is a feeling of ignoring speech, he understands everything, but cannot assemble the heard speech into one whole. Children with attention disorder are completely unable to plan, organize and perform a variety of tasks.

Symptoms are also expressed in the form of absent-mindedness, while the child tends to lose his things, be distracted by any trifles. Forgetfulness appears, and the child categorically refuses to take on mental affairs. Relatives have a feeling of remoteness of the child from the whole world.

Hyperactivity. It manifests itself together with the syndrome, therefore, in addition, parents can track the following symptoms in the child:

Impulsiveness. Symptoms of impulsivity include the following manifestations:

1. A premature answer to a question that was not voiced to the end.
2. Wrong and quick answers to the questions asked.
3. Refusal to complete any task.
4. Does not listen to the answers of his peers, can interrupt them during the answer.
5. Constantly talking off-topic, perhaps a manifestation of talkativeness.

Symptoms of attention deficit hypersensitivity syndrome have their own characteristics of manifestation for different categories of children, depending on age. Let's consider in more detail.

Symptoms in children of different ages

Consider what symptoms are inherent in children of the following ages:

• preschool;
• school;
• teenage.

AT before school age from three to seven years, the symptoms are difficult to trace. ADHD at an early age is diagnosed by a doctor.

From the age of three, caring parents may notice the manifestation of hyperactivity in the form of a constant movement of the child. He cannot find something to do, constantly rushes from one corner to another, does not take on various mental tasks and constantly chats. Symptoms of impulsivity are due to the impossibility of restraining oneself in a given situation, the child constantly interrupts his parents, shouts over them, takes offense and even becomes irritable.

Games with such children lead to devastating consequences: they break toys, splashing out all their energy; it costs them nothing to harm their peers and even older children. Patients with ADHD are a kind of vandals for whom nothing is essential. Their brains have little to no control over their movements. There are also symptoms of developmental delays from their peers.

Reaching the age of seven when it's time to go to school, children with ADHD problems are increasing more and more. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are unable to keep up with their peers in terms of mental development. In the classroom, they behave unrestrainedly, do not pay attention to the teacher's remarks, and do not listen to the material presented at all. They can be taken to complete the task, but after a while they actively switch to another one without finishing the first one.

At school age ADHD in children it manifests itself more clearly, as it is actively noticed by the teaching staff. Among all the children in the class, ADHD patients are visible even to the naked eye, for this it is enough to spend a couple of lessons, and it will not be difficult even for a person without a medical education to identify the presence of the syndrome in children.

Children not only lag behind in development, but also try in every way to incite their peers to this: they disrupt lessons, interfere with their classmates to perform any actions, and at a later age they can argue and even snap with the teacher. For a teacher in the classroom, such a child is a real test, because of which the lessons become unbearable.

Reaching adolescence, the symptoms of ADHD begin to subside a little, but in fact there is a certain change in the signs of the disease. Impulsivity is replaced by fussiness and the emergence of feelings internal restlessness. Teenagers are taken to perform certain tasks, but everything also ends unsuccessfully, no matter how hard they try.

Irresponsibility and lack of independence are all signs of attention deficit hypersensitivity syndrome in adolescents. They are not able (even at this age) to do the lessons on their own, there is no organization, planning of the day and distribution of time.

Relationships with peers are deteriorating, as they do not communicate at the proper level: they are rude, do not restrain themselves in their statements, do not observe subordination with teachers, parents and classmates. Along with this, failures lead to the fact that adolescents have low self-esteem, they become less and less psycho-resistant and more and more irritable.

They feel negative attitudes towards themselves from parents and peers, which leads to the emergence of negative and even suicidal thoughts. Parents constantly set them as a bad example, thereby causing dislike and antipathy towards their sisters and brothers. In the family, children with attention deficit hypersensitivity become unloved, especially if more than one kid grows up in the house.

Symptoms of the disease in adults

Symptoms in adults are different compared to children, but this does not change the final result. The same irritability is inherent, plus depressive disorders and the fear of trying oneself in a new field are added to this. In adults, the symptoms are more secretive, since at first glance the signs are due to calmness, but at the same time, imbalance.

At work, adults with ADHD are not smart, and therefore work as simple clerks is their maximum. Often they find it difficult to cope with mental types of work, so they do not have to choose.

Mental disorders and isolation lead to the fact that the ADHD patient finds painkillers for problems in alcohol, tobacco, psychotropic and narcotic substances. All this only aggravates the situation and causes complete degradation of a person.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease is not confirmed on any special equipment, but is carried out by observing the behavior of the child, his development and mental abilities. The diagnosis is established by a qualified doctor who takes into account all the information from parents, teachers and peers.

Diagnosis of ADHD is carried out using the following methods:

1. Collection of information about the child regarding the visit to the doctor.
2. Study of dopamine metabolism.
3. To identify the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the passage of Doppler ultrasound, EEG and video EEG.
4. A neurological examination is carried out, on which the use of the NESS technique is not excluded.
5. Genetic examination of parents to identify the causes of the disease.
6. MRI. Full study a person will also show other deviations that may have influenced the provocation of the disease.
7. Conducting methods of neuropsychological testing for children of school and older ages is not excluded.

Based on all these methods, the preliminary diagnosis of ADD and hypersensitivity is either confirmed or refuted.

Treatment

The treatment of ADHD should include a complex impact, which should be due to the use of methods for correcting behavior, psychotherapy and neuropsychological correction. Treatment also implies an impact not only through various techniques on the patient, but also the help of parents, teachers and relatives.

Initially, the doctor conducts a conversation with the people around the child and explains to them the features of the disease. The main feature is that such negative and reckless behavior of the child is not intentional. For a positive influence on the patient, contributing to his recovery, it is necessary that the people around him treat him positively. After all, first of all, it is with this that the treatment begins.

Parents have two main tasks that they must perform and monitor this:

Task #1: upbringing should not include a pitiful attitude towards the child and permissiveness. One should not feel sorry for him, address him with excessive love, this will only exacerbate the symptoms.

Task #2: do not impose increased requirements and tasks with which he cannot cope. This will contribute to the fact that his nervousness will increase and self-esteem will fall.

For children with ADHD, the change in the mood of the parents has a much more negative impact than for normal children. Treatment must also come from the teachers with whom children spend most of their time. The teacher should control the situation and relations of children in the classroom and in every possible way instill love and integrity. In case of manifestations of aggression by a patient with ADHD, one should not scold and even more so call the parents, but it is worth trying to explain to him the correct attitude. After all, it is worth remembering that all manifestations of it are unintentional.

Note! It is also impossible for the child to feel from those around him that he is being treated as if he were sick. This will lower his self-esteem and will only lead to an exacerbation of symptoms.

Medication treatment

The complex uses treatment with the help of taking medications, which are formed according to individual indicators. Medications to treat ADHD include the following:

1. For CNS stimulation: Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine, Pemoline.
2. Tricyclic antidepressants: Imipramine, Amitriptyline, Thioridazine.
3. Substances of the nootropic series: Nootropil, Cerebrolysin, Semax, Phenibut.

It is stimulants that have a huge impact on the recovery of a person with ADHD. It was found that treatment with these drugs implies the influence of pathogenetic factors that have a targeted effect on the brain system.

The main advantage of such drugs is the speed of influence on the patient's recovery, that is, the effect of recovery is noticeable almost in the first week after taking the drugs. Among the signs of a cure, it is worth highlighting the manifestation of greater attentiveness, less distractibility, attempts to bring any matter to the end.

It is normal for children to sometimes forget to do their homework, daydream during class, act without thinking, or get nervous about dining table. But inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity are signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD). ADHD leads to problems at home, school, affects the ability to learn, get along with others. The first step to solving a problem is to provide the help the person needs.

We all know kids who can't sit back, who never seem to listen, who don't follow instructions no matter how clearly you present them, or make inappropriate comments at the wrong time. Sometimes these children are called troublemakers, criticized for being lazy, undisciplined. However, it could be Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), formerly known as Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD.

Is this normal behavior or ADHD?

Signs and symptoms of ADHD usually appear before the age of seven. However, it can be difficult to distinguish ADHD from normal "child behavior".

If only a few signs are noticed, or symptoms appear only in certain situations, it is probably not ADHD. On the other hand, if a child is showing a range of signs and symptoms of ADHD that are present in all situations - at home, at school, at play - it's time to take a closer look at the problem.

Once you understand the challenges your child is facing, e.g. forgetfulness, difficulties at school, work together to find creative solutions to capitalize on strengths.

Myths and facts about attention deficit disorder

Myth: All children with ADHD are hyperactive.

Fact: Some are hyperactive, but many others with attention problems are not. Not too active, seem dreamy, unmotivated.

Myth: They can never concentrate.

Fact: They often focus on their activities. But no matter how hard they try, they cannot concentrate if the task is boring or repetitive.

Myth: They can do better if they want to.

Fact: They do their best to be good, but still they cannot sit still, remain calm, concentrate. They may seem naughty, but this does not mean that they act on purpose.

Myth: children will eventually outgrow ADHD.

Fact: ADHD often continues into adulthood, so don't wait for your child to outgrow the problem.

Treatment will help you learn how to minimize symptoms.

Myth: medicine is the best treatment option.

Fact: medication is often prescribed for attention deficit disorder, but this may not be the best option.

Effective treatment for ADHD includes education, behavioral therapy, support at home, school, physical exercise, proper nutrition.

Key Features of ADHD

When many people think of Attention Deficit Disorder, they imagine an out-of-control child in constant motion, destroying everything around them. But this is not the only possible picture.

Some children sit quietly - their attention is scattered for several tens of kilometers. Some people pay too much attention to the task, they cannot switch to something else. Others are only slightly inattentive, but overly impulsive.

Three main

The three main characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The signs and symptoms of a child with attention deficit disorder depend on which characteristics predominate.

Which of these boys might have ADHD?

• A. A hyperactive boy who talks non-stop cannot sit still.
• B. Calm dreamer, sitting at the table, looking into space.
• C. Both
  Correct answer: "C"

Children with ADHD are:

• Inattentive, but not hyperactive or impulsive.
• Hyperactive and impulsive, but able to pay attention.
• Inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive (the most common form of ADHD).
• Children who only have attention deficit symptoms are often overlooked as they are not destructive. However, the symptoms of inattention have consequences: falling behind in school; conflicts with others, games without rules.

In every little child
Both boy and girl
There are two hundred grams of explosives
Or even half a kilo!
He must run and jump
Grab everything, kick your feet,
Otherwise it will explode:
Fuck-bang! And there is none!
Every new baby
Coming out of diapers
And gets lost everywhere
And it's everywhere!
He's always running somewhere
He will be terribly upset
If anything in the world
Suddenly happen without it!

Song from m / f "Monkeys, forward!"

There are children who are born to immediately jump out of the cradle and rush off. They can't sit still even for five minutes, they scream the loudest and most often tear their pants. They always forget their notebooks and every day they write " homework' with new bugs. They interrupt adults, they sit under the desk, they don't walk by the hand. These are kids with ADHD. Inattentive, restless and impulsive,” such words can be read on the main page of the website of the interregional organization of parents of children with ADHD “Impulse”.

Raising a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not easy. Parents of such children hear almost every day: “I have been working for so many years, but I have never seen such a disgrace”, “Yes, he has a bad manners syndrome!”, “You need to beat more! Completely spoiled the child!
Unfortunately, even today, many professionals working with children do not know anything about ADHD (or know only by hearsay and therefore are skeptical about this information). In fact, sometimes it is easier to refer to pedagogical neglect, bad manners and spoiledness than to try to find an approach to a non-standard child.
There are also back side medals: sometimes the word “hyperactivity” is understood as impressionability, normal curiosity and mobility, protest behavior, the child’s reaction to a chronic psycho-traumatic situation. The issue of differential diagnosis is acute, because most of the children's neurological diseases can be accompanied by impaired attention and disinhibition. However, the presence of these symptoms does not always give grounds to say that a child has ADHD.
So what exactly is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? What is an ADHD child? And how can you tell a healthy "shilopop" from a hyperactive child? Let's try to figure it out.

What is ADHD

Definition and statistics
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental behavioral disorder that begins in childhood.
Manifested by symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity and poorly controlled impulsivity.
Synonyms: hyperdynamic syndrome, hyperkinetic disorder. Also in Russia, in the medical record, a neurologist can write to such a child: CNS PEP (perinatal damage to the central nervous system), MMD (minimal cerebral dysfunction), ICP (increased intracranial pressure).
For the first time the description of the disease, characterized by motor disinhibition, attention deficit and impulsivity, appeared about 150 years ago, since then the terminology of the syndrome has changed many times.
According to statistics, ADHD is more common in boys than girls (almost 5 times). Some foreign studies indicate that this syndrome is more common among Europeans, fair-haired and blue-eyed children. American and Canadian specialists use the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) classification in diagnosing ADHD, in Europe the International Classification of Diseases ICD (International Classification of Diseases) is adopted. ) with more stringent criteria. In Russia, the diagnosis is based on the criteria of the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), also based on the DSM-IV classification (WHO, 1994, recommendations for practical use as criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD).

The controversy surrounding ADHD
Disputes of scientists about what ADHD is, how to diagnose it, what kind of therapy to carry out - medicinal or to manage with pedagogical and psychological nature— have lasted for more than a decade. The very fact of the presence of this syndrome is also called into question: until now, no one can say for sure to what extent ADHD is the result of brain dysfunction, and to what extent it is the result of improper upbringing and incorrect psychological climate that prevails in the family.
The so-called ADHD controversy has been going on since at least the 1970s. In the West (particularly in the USA), where the medical treatment of ADHD with the help of potent drugs containing psychotropic substances (methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine) is accepted, the public is alarmed that a large number of "difficult" children are diagnosed with ADHD and unnecessarily often prescribed drugs that have large quantity side effects. In Russia and most countries of the former CIS, another problem is more common - many teachers and parents are unaware that some children have features that lead to a violation of concentration and control. The lack of tolerance for the individual characteristics of children with ADHD leads to the fact that all the problems of the child are attributed to the lack of education, pedagogical neglect and parental laziness. The need to regularly make excuses for the actions of your child (≪yes, we explain to him all the time≫ —≪that means you explain poorly, since he doesn’t understand≫) often leads to the fact that moms and dads experience helplessness and guilt, starting to consider themselves worthless parents.

Sometimes the opposite happens - motor disinhibition and talkativeness, impulsiveness and inability to comply with discipline and the rules of the group are considered by adults (more often parents) as a sign of the child's outstanding abilities, and sometimes even encouraged in every possible way. “We have a wonderful child! He is not hyperactive at all, but simply alive and active. He is not interested in these classes of yours, so he rebels! At home, carried away, he can do the same thing for a long time. And irascibility is a character, what can you do with it, - other parents say not without pride. On the one hand, these mothers and fathers are not so wrong - a child with ADHD, carried away by an interesting activity (assembling puzzles, role-playing, watching an interesting cartoon - to each his own), can really do this for a long time. However, you should know that with ADHD, voluntary attention is the first to suffer - this is a more complex function that is peculiar only to a person and is formed in the learning process. Most seven-year-olds understand that during the lesson you need to sit quietly and listen to the teacher (even if they are not very interested). A child with ADHD understands all this too, but, unable to control himself, can get up and walk around the classroom, pull a neighbor's pigtail, interrupt the teacher.

It is important to know that ADHD children are not "spoiled", "ill-mannered" or "educational neglect" (although such children, of course, also occur). This should be remembered by those teachers and parents who recommend treating such children with vitamin P (or simply a belt). ADHD children disrupt classes, misbehave at breaks, be bold and disobey adults, even if they know how to behave, because of the objective personality traits inherent in ADHD. This must be understood by those adults who object to the fact that "a child is molded with diagnoses", arguing that these children "just have such a character."

How does ADHD manifest?
Main manifestations of ADHD
G.R. Lomakin in his book "Hyperactive child. How to find mutual language with a fidget" describes the main symptoms of ADHD: hyperactivity, impaired attention, impulsivity.
HYPERACTIVITY manifests itself in excessive and, most importantly, stupid motor activity, restlessness, fussiness, numerous movements that the child often does not notice. As a rule, such children speak a lot and often inconsistently, not finishing sentences and jumping from thought to thought. Sleep deprivation often exacerbates manifestations of hyperactivity—an already vulnerable nervous system the child, not having time to rest, cannot cope with the flow of information coming from the outside world, and defends itself in a very peculiar way. In addition, such children often have violations of praxis - the ability to coordinate and control their actions.
ATTENTION DISORDERS manifested in the fact that it is difficult for a child to concentrate on the same thing for a long time. He has insufficiently formed abilities of selective concentration of attention - he cannot distinguish the main from the secondary. A child with ADHD constantly "jumps" from one to another: "loses" lines in the text, solves all the examples at the same time, drawing the tail of a rooster, paints all the feathers at once and all the colors at once. Such children are forgetful, unable to listen and concentrate. Instinctively, they try to avoid tasks that require prolonged mental effort (it is common for any person to subconsciously avoid activities, the failure of which he foresees in advance). However, the above does not mean that children with ADHD are not able to keep their attention on anything. They cannot focus only on what they are not interested in. If something fascinated them, they can do it for hours. The trouble is that our life is full of activities that still have to be done, despite the fact that it is far from always exciting.
IMPULSITY is expressed in the fact that often the child's action is ahead of thought. Before the teacher has time to ask a question, the ADHD child is already stretching his hand, the task is not yet fully formulated, and he is already doing it, and then, without permission, gets up and runs to the window - simply because he became interested in watching how the wind blows off birch last foliage. Such children do not know how to regulate their actions, obey the rules, wait. Their mood changes faster than the direction of the wind in autumn.
It is known that no two people are exactly the same, and therefore the symptoms of ADHD in different children manifest themselves in different ways. Sometimes the main complaint of parents and teachers will be impulsivity and hyperactivity, the other child has the most pronounced attention deficit. Depending on the severity of symptoms, ADHD is divided into three main types: mixed, with a pronounced attention deficit, or with a predominance of hyperactivity and impulsivity. At the same time, G.R. Lomakina notes that each of the above criteria can be expressed in the same child at different times and to varying degrees: “That is, in Russian, the same child today can be distracted and inattentive, tomorrow - resemble an electric broom with battery Energizer, the day after tomorrow - all day to move from laughter to crying and vice versa, and in a couple of days - to fit in one day and inattention, and mood swings, and indefatigable and stupid energy.

Additional Symptoms Common to Children with ADHD
Coordination disorders found in about half of ADHD cases. These can be fine movement disorders (tying shoelaces, using scissors, coloring, writing), balance (difficulty for children to skateboard and two-wheeled bicycles), visual-spatial coordination (inability to play sports, especially with a ball).
Emotional disorders often seen in ADHD. emotional development the child, as a rule, is late, which is manifested by imbalance, irascibility, intolerance for failures. It is sometimes said that the emotional-volitional sphere of a child with ADHD is in the ratio of 0.3 to his biological age (for example, a 12-year-old child behaves like an eight-year-old).
Violations of social relations. A child with ADHD often has difficulties in relationships not only with peers, but also with adults. The behavior of such children is often characterized by impulsiveness, obsession, excessiveness, disorganization, aggressiveness, impressionability and emotionality. Thus, a child with ADHD is often a disruptor to the smooth flow of social relationships, interaction and cooperation.
Partial developmental delays, including school skills, are known as the discrepancy between actual performance and what can be expected based on the child's IQ. In particular, difficulties with reading, writing, counting (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia) are not uncommon. Many preschool children with ADHD have specific difficulties in understanding certain sounds or words and/or difficulty in expressing their opinions in words.

Myths about ADHD
ADHD is not a perceptual disorder! Children with ADHD hear, see, perceive reality just like everyone else. This distinguishes ADHD from autism, which is also often motor disinhibition. However, in autism, these phenomena are due to a violation of the perception of information. Therefore, the same child cannot be diagnosed with ADHD and autism at the same time. One excludes the other.
At the heart of ADHD is a violation of the ability to perform an understood task, the inability to plan, execute, and complete the work begun. Children with ADHD feel, understand, perceive the world in the same way as everyone else, but they react to it differently.
ADHD is not a disorder in understanding and processing the information received! A child with ADHD in most cases is able to analyze and draw the same conclusions as everyone else. These children perfectly know, understand and can even easily repeat all those rules that they are endlessly reminded day after day: “do not run”, “sit still”, “do not turn around”, “be silent during the lesson”, “lead yourself just like everyone else≫, "clean up your toys after you." However, children with ADHD cannot follow these rules.
It is worth remembering that ADHD is a syndrome, that is, a stable, single combination of certain symptoms. From this we can conclude that at the root of ADHD lies one unique feature that always forms a slightly different, but essentially similar behavior. Generally speaking, ADHD is a disorder of motor function, as well as planning and control, and not the function of perception and understanding.

Portrait of a hyperactive child
At what age can ADHD be suspected?
"Hurricane", "thump in the ass", "perpetual motion machine" - what kind of definitions parents of children with ADHD do not give their children! When teachers and educators talk about such a child, the main thing in their description will be the adverb “too much”. The author of the book about hyperactive children, G.R. Lomakina, notes with humor that “there are too many such children everywhere and always, they are too active, they can be heard too well and far away, they are too often seen absolutely everywhere. Not only do these kids always get into stories for some reason, but these kids always get into all the stories that happen within ten blocks of the school.”
Although today there is no clear understanding of when and at what age it is safe to say that a child has ADHD, most experts agree that that it is impossible to make this diagnosis before five years. Many researchers argue that the signs of ADHD are most pronounced at 5-12 years old and during puberty (from about 14 years old).
Although the diagnosis of ADHD is rarely made in early childhood, some experts believe that there are a number of signs that suggest the likelihood of a baby having this syndrome. According to some researchers, the first manifestations of ADHD coincide with the peaks of the child's psychoverbal development, that is, they are most pronounced at 1-2 years, 3 years and 6-7 years.
Children prone to ADHD often have increased muscle tone even in infancy, experience problems with sleep, especially with falling asleep, are extremely sensitive to any stimuli (light, noise, the presence of a large number of strangers, a new, unusual situation or environment), during wakefulness is often excessively mobile and excited.

What is important to know about a child with ADHD
1) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is considered to be one of the so-called borderline states of the psyche. That is, in a normal, calm state, this is one of the extreme variants of the norm, however, the slightest catalyst is enough to bring the psyche out of the normal state and the extreme version of the norm has already turned into some deviation. A catalyst for ADHD is any activity that requires the child to pay more attention, focus on the same type of work, as well as any hormonal changes that occur in the body.
2) Diagnosis of ADHD does not imply a lag in the intellectual development of the child. On the contrary, as a rule, children with ADHD are very smart and have fairly high intellectual abilities (sometimes above average).
3) The mental activity of a hyperactive child is characterized by cyclicity. Children can work productively for 5-10 minutes, then for 3-7 minutes the brain rests, accumulating energy for the next cycle. At this moment, the student is distracted, does not respond to the teacher. Then mental activity is restored and the child is ready for work within the next 5-15 minutes. Psychologists say that children with ADHD have a so-called. flickering consciousness: that is, they can periodically “fall out” during activity, especially in the absence of physical activity.
4) Scientists have found that motor stimulation of the corpus callosum, cerebellum and vestibular apparatus of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder leads to the development of the function of consciousness, self-control and self-regulation. When hyperactive child thinks he needs to make some kind of movement - for example, swinging in a chair, tapping a pencil on the table, muttering something under his breath. If he stops moving, he "falls into a stupor" and loses the ability to think.
5) Hyperactive children are characterized superficiality of feelings and emotions. They are they cannot hold a grudge for a long time and are unforgiving.
6) A hyperactive child is characterized by frequent mood swings- from stormy delight to unbridled anger.
7) A consequence of impulsivity in ADHD children is irascibility. In a fit of anger, such a child can tear up the notebook of the neighbor who offended him, throw all his things on the floor, shake out the contents of the briefcase on the floor.
8) Children with ADHD often develop negative self-esteem- the child begins to think that he is bad, not like everyone else. Therefore, it is very important that adults treat him kindly, understanding that his behavior is caused by objective control difficulties (that he does not want to, and cannot behave well).
9) Common in ADHD children lowered pain threshold. Also, they are practically devoid of a sense of fear. This can be dangerous to the health and life of the child, as it can lead to unpredictable fun.

How to recognize ADHD
Basic diagnostic methods
So, what to do if parents or educators suspect a child has ADHD? How to understand what determines the child's behavior: pedagogical neglect, lack of education or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Or maybe just character? In order to answer these questions, you need to contact a specialist.
It should be said right away that, unlike other neurological disorders, for which there are clear methods of laboratory or instrumental confirmation, there is no single objective diagnostic method for ADHD. According to modern recommendations of experts and diagnostic protocols, mandatory instrumental examinations for children with ADHD (in particular, electroencephalograms, computed tomography, etc.) are not indicated. There are many works that describe certain changes in the EEG (or the use of other methods of functional diagnostics) in children with ADHD, however, these changes are nonspecific - that is, they can be observed both in children with ADHD and in children without this disorder. On the other hand, it often happens that functional diagnostics do not reveal any abnormalities, but the child has ADHD. Therefore, from a clinical point of view the basic method for diagnosing ADHD is interviews with parents and the child and the use of diagnostic questionnaires.
Due to the fact that in this violation the boundary between normal behavior and disorder is very arbitrary, it is up to the specialist to establish it in each case at his own discretion.(unlike other disorders, where there are still landmarks). Thus, due to the need to make a subjective decision, the risk of error is quite high: both not detecting ADHD (this is especially true for milder, “borderline” forms), and identifying the syndrome where it actually does not exist. Moreover, the subjectivity doubles: after all, the specialist focuses on the data of the anamnesis, which reflect Subjective opinion parents. Meanwhile, parental ideas about what behavior is considered normal and what is not can be very different and are determined by many factors. Nevertheless, the timeliness of the diagnosis depends on how attentive and, if possible, objective people from the child’s immediate environment (teachers, parents or pediatricians) will be. After all, the sooner you understand the characteristics of the child, the more time for the correction of ADHD.

Stages of diagnosing ADHD
1) Clinical interview with a specialist (children's neurologist, pathopsychologist, psychiatrist).
2) Application of diagnostic questionnaires. It is desirable to obtain information about the child "from various sources": from parents, teachers, psychologist educational institution that the baby attends. The golden rule in diagnosing ADHD is to confirm the presence of the disorder from at least two independent sources.
3) In doubtful, “borderline” cases, when the opinions of parents and specialists about the presence of ADHD in a child differ, it makes sense video filming and its analysis ( recording the child's behavior in the lesson, etc.). However, help is also important in cases of behavioral problems without a diagnosis of ADHD - the point, after all, is not in the label.
4) If possible - neuropsychological examination a child whose goal is to establish the level of intellectual development, as well as to identify often associated violations of school skills (reading, writing, counting). Identification of these disorders is also important in terms of differential diagnosis, because, given the presence of reduced intellectual capabilities or specific learning difficulties, attention disorders in the classroom can be caused by a program that does not match the child's ability level, and not ADHD.
5) Additional examinations (if necessary)): consultation of a pediatrician, neurologist, other specialists, instrumental and laboratory research for the purpose of differential diagnosis and detection of concomitant diseases. A basic pediatric and neurological examination is reasonable in connection with the need to exclude an "ADHD-like" syndrome caused by somatic and neurological disorders.
It is important to remember that behavioral and attentional disorders in children can be caused by any general somatic diseases (such as anemia, hyperthyroidism), as well as all disorders that cause chronic pain, itching, physical discomfort. The cause of "pseudo-ADHD" may be side effects certain medicines(e.g. diphenyl, phenobarbital), as well as a number of neurological disorders(epilepsy with absences, chorea, tics and many others). The problems of the child may also be due to the presence sensory disorders, and here a basic pediatric examination is important to identify visual or hearing impairments that, if mild, may be misdiagnosed. A pediatric examination is also advisable in connection with the need to assess the general somatic condition of the child, to identify possible contraindications regarding the use of certain groups of medications that can be prescribed to children with ADHD.

Diagnostic questionnaires
DSM-IV criteria for ADHD
Attention disorder
a) often fails to pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities;
b) there are often problems keeping attention on the task or game;
c) often there are problems with the organization of activities and tasks;
d) is often reluctant or avoids engaging in activities that require sustained concentration (such as completing in-class assignments or homework);
e) often loses or forgets items needed for tasks or other activities (eg diary, books, pens, tools, toys);
f) is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli;
g) often does not listen when spoken to;
h) often does not follow instructions, does not carry out orders to the end or in the appropriate amount, homework or other work (but not out of protest, stubbornness or inability to understand the instruction / task);
i) forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity - impulsivity(at least six of the following symptoms must be present):
Hyperactivity:
a) cannot sit still, is constantly moving;
b) often leaves his seat in situations where he should be sitting (for example, in a lesson);
c) runs a lot and “turns everything upside down” where it should not be done (in adolescents and adults, the equivalent may be a feeling of inner tension and a constant need to move);
d) is unable to play quietly, calmly or rest;
e) acts "as if wound up" - like a toy with a motor running;
f) talks too much.

Impulsiveness:
g) often speaks prematurely, without listening to the end of the question;
h) impatient, often cannot wait for his turn;
i) frequently interrupts others and interferes with their activity/conversation. The above symptoms must have been present for at least six months, occur in at least two different environments (school, home, playground, etc.) and not be caused by another disorder.

Diagnostic criteria used by Russian specialists

Attention disorder(diagnosed when 4 out of 7 signs are present):
1) needs a calm, quiet environment, otherwise he is not able to work and concentrate;
2) often asks again;
3) easily distracted by external stimuli;
4) confuses details;
5) does not finish what he starts;
6) listens, but does not seem to hear;
7) has difficulty concentrating unless a one-on-one situation is created.

Impulsiveness
1) shouts out in the classroom, makes noise during the lesson;
2) extremely excitable;
3) it is difficult for him to wait for his turn;
4) overly talkative;
5) offends other children.

Hyperactivity(diagnosed when 3 out of 5 signs are present):
1) climbs on cabinets and furniture;
2) always ready to go; runs more often than walks;
3) fussy, writhing and writhing;
4) if he does something, then with noise;
5) must always do something.

Characteristic behavioral problems should be of early onset (before six years) and persistence over time (manifest for at least six months). However, prior to school entry, hyperactivity is difficult to recognize due to the wide range of normal variations.

And what will grow out of it?
What will grow out of it? This question worries all parents, and if fate decreed that you became a mom or dad of ADHD, then you are especially worried. What is the prognosis for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Scholars answer this question in different ways. Today they talk about the three most possible options for the development of ADHD.
1. Over time symptoms disappear, and children become teenagers, adults without deviations from the norm. Analysis of the results of most studies indicates that 25 to 50 percent of children "outgrow" this syndrome.
2. Symptoms to varying degrees continue to be present, but without evidence of psychopathology. Such people are the majority (from 50% or more). They have some problems in daily life. According to polls, they are constantly accompanied by a feeling of "impatient and restless", impulsiveness, social inadequacy, low self-esteem throughout life. There are reports of a higher frequency of accidents, divorces, job changes among this group of people.
3. Develop severe complications in adults in the form of personality or antisocial changes, alcoholism and even psychotic conditions.

What is the path for these children? A lot of it depends on us adults. Psychologist Margarita Zhamkochyan characterizes hyperactive children as follows: ≪Everyone knows that restless children grow up as explorers, adventurers, travelers and founders of companies. And this is not just a coincidence. There are quite extensive observations: children who in elementary school tormented teachers with their hyperactivity, becoming older, are already addicted to something specific - and by the age of fifteen they become real docks in this matter. They have attention, concentration, and perseverance. Such a child can learn everything else without much diligence, and the subject of his passion - thoroughly. Therefore, when they say that the syndrome usually disappears by the senior school age, this is not true. It is not compensated, but results in some kind of talent, in a unique skill.
The creator of the famous airline "JetBlue" David Niliman tells with pleasure that in his childhood they not only found such a syndrome, but also described it as "luxuriantly blossoming" (flamboyant). And the presentation of his work biography and management methods suggests that this syndrome did not leave him in his adult years, moreover, that he owes his dizzying career to him.
And this is not the only example. If we analyze the biographies of some famous people, it becomes clear that in childhood they had all the symptoms characteristic of hyperactive children: explosive nature, problems with learning at school, a tendency to risky and adventurous enterprises. It is enough to take a closer look around, recall two or three good friends who have succeeded in life, their childhood years, in order to conclude: a gold medal and a red diploma very rarely turn into a successful career and a well-paid job.
Of course, a hyperactive child is difficult in everyday hostel life. But understanding the reasons for his behavior can make it easier for adults to accept the "difficult child." Psychologists say that children are especially in dire need of love and understanding when they least deserve it. This is especially true of a child with ADHD who wears down parents and educators with his constant "antics". The love and attention of parents, the patience and professionalism of teachers, and the timely help of specialists can become a springboard for a child with ADHD into a successful adult life.

Oksana Berkovskaya | editor of the magazine "Seventh petal"

Portrait of a hyperdynamic child
The first thing that catches the eye when meeting a hyperdynamic child is his excessive in relation to the calendar age and some kind of "stupid" mobility.
Being a baby, such a child in the most incredible way gets out of the diaper. ... It is impossible to leave such a baby on the changing table or on the couch even for a minute from the very first days and weeks of his life. One has only to gape a little, as he will somehow dodge and fall to the floor with a dull thud. However, as a rule, all the consequences will be limited to a loud, but short scream.
Not always, but quite often, hyperdynamic children have some kind of sleep disturbance. ...Sometimes the presence of hyperdynamic syndrome can be assumed in an infant by observing its activity in relation to toys and other objects (although only a specialist who knows well how ordinary children of this age manipulate objects can do this). The study of objects in a hyperdynamic infant is intense, but extremely undirected. That is, the child discards the toy before exploring its properties, immediately grabs another (or several at once) only to discard it a few seconds later.
... As a rule, motor skills in hyperdynamic children develop in accordance with age, often even ahead of age. Hyperdynamic children earlier than others begin to hold their heads, roll over on their stomachs, sit, stand up, walk, etc. ... It is these children who stick their heads between the bars of the crib, get stuck in the playpen, get tangled in duvet covers and quickly and dexterously learn to shoot everything that caring parents put on them.
As soon as a hyperdynamic child is on the floor, a new, extremely important stage begins in the life of the family, the purpose and meaning of which is to protect the life and health of the child, as well as family property from possible damage. The activity of the hyperdynamic infant is unstoppable and crushing. Sometimes relatives get the impression that he acts around the clock, almost without a break. Hyperdynamic children from the very beginning do not walk, but run.
... It is these children, aged from one to two - two and a half years old, who drag tablecloths with tableware to the floor, drop TV sets and New Year trees, fall asleep on the shelves of empty wardrobes, endlessly, despite prohibitions, turn on gas and water, and also overturn pots with contents of different temperatures and consistency.
As a rule, no attempts at admonition work on hyperdynamic children. They are fine with memory and understanding of speech. They just can't resist. Having committed another trick or a destructive act, the hyperdynamic child himself is sincerely upset and does not understand at all how it happened: “She fell herself!”, “I walked, walked, climbed, and then I don’t know”, “I didn’t touch it at all !"
...Quite often, hyperdynamic children have various speech development disorders. Some begin to speak later than their peers, some - on time or even earlier, but the trouble is that no one understands them, because they do not pronounce two-thirds of the sounds of the Russian language. ... When they speak, they wave their arms a lot and stupidly, shift from foot to foot or jump on the spot.
Another feature of hyperdynamic children is that they do not learn not only from others, but even from their own mistakes. Yesterday, a child was walking with his grandmother on the playground, climbed a high ladder, could not get down. I had to ask the teenage guys to take him out of there. The child was clearly frightened, to the question: “Well, are you going to climb this ladder now?” - earnestly replies: "I will not!" The next day, on the same playground, he first of all runs to the same ladder ...

It is the hyperdynamic children who are the children who get lost. And there is absolutely no strength to scold the found child, and he himself does not really understand what happened. “You left!”, “I just went to look!”, “And you were looking for me ?!” - all this discourages, angers, makes you doubt the mental and emotional capabilities of the child.
...Hyperdynamic children are usually not evil. They are not able to harbor resentment or plans for revenge for a long time, they are not prone to targeted aggression. They quickly forget all grievances, yesterday's offender or offended today is their best friend. But in the heat of a fight, when the already weak inhibitory mechanisms fail, these children can be aggressive.

The real problems of the hyperdynamic child (and his family) begin with schooling. “Yes, he can do anything if he wants to! He only has to concentrate - and all these tasks are for him in one tooth! nine out of ten parents say this or something like this. The whole trouble is that a hyperdynamic child categorically cannot concentrate. Seated for lessons, in five minutes he draws in a notebook, rolls a typewriter on the table, or simply looks out the window, behind which the older guys play football or clean the feathers of a crow. Ten minutes later, he will be very thirsty, then eat, then, of course, go to the toilet.
The same thing happens in the classroom. A hyperdynamic child for a teacher is like a mote to the eye. He spins endlessly in place, gets distracted and chats with his desk mate. ... In the work at the lesson, he is either absent and then, when asked, answers inappropriately, or takes an active part, jumps on the desk with his hand raised to the sky, runs out into the aisle, shouts: “I! I! Ask me!” - or simply, unable to resist, shouts out an answer from a place.
The notebooks of a hyperdynamic child (especially in primary school) are a pitiful sight. The amount of bugs in them rivals the amount of dirt and fixes. The notebooks themselves are almost always wrinkled, with bent and soiled corners, with torn covers, with spots of some unintelligible dirt, as if someone had recently eaten pies on them. The lines in the notebooks are uneven, the letters crawl up and down, letters are omitted or replaced in words, words in sentences. The punctuation marks seem to be in a completely arbitrary order - the author's punctuation in the worst sense of the word. It is the hyperdynamic child who can make four mistakes in the word "more".
Reading problems also occur. Some hyperdynamic children read very slowly, stuttering over every word, but they read the words correctly. Others read quickly, but change endings and "swallow" words and whole sentences. In the third case, the child reads normally in terms of pace and quality of pronunciation, but does not understand what he read at all and cannot remember or retell anything.
Problems with mathematics are even rarer and are associated, as a rule, with the total inattention of the child. He can correctly solve a complex problem, and then write down the wrong answer. He easily confuses meters with kilograms, apples with boxes, and the resulting two diggers and two-thirds do not bother him at all. If there is a “+” sign in the example, the hyperdynamic child will easily and correctly perform subtraction, if the division sign will perform multiplication, and so on. etc.

The hyperdynamic child constantly loses everything. He forgets his hat and mittens in the locker room, his briefcase in the square near the school, sneakers in the gym, a pen and textbook in the classroom, and a diary with grades somewhere in the garbage heap. Books, notebooks, boots, apple cores and half-eaten candies coexist calmly and closely in his satchel.
At recess, a hyperdynamic child is a "hostile whirlwind." The accumulated energy urgently demands an exit and finds it. There is no such brawl in which our child would not get involved, there is no prank that he will refuse. Clueless, crazy running around at recess or at the "extension", ending somewhere in the solar plexus area of ​​​​one of the members of the teaching staff, and suggestion and repression appropriate to the occasion - the inevitable end of almost every school day of our child.

Ekaterina Murashova | From the book: "Children are "mattresses" and children are" disasters ""

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a minimal brain dysfunction. This is a clinical syndrome manifested by impulsivity, excessive motor activity, impaired concentration.

There are 3 types of ADHD diagnosis: one of them is dominated by hyperactivity, the second is only attention deficit, the third type combines both indicators.

Children suffering from ADHD syndrome are not able to keep their attention on anything for a long time, they are distracted, forgetful, often lose their things, do not perceive the instructions and requests of adults from the first time, it is difficult for them to follow the daily routine.

They are too mobile, talkative, fussy, strive to be leaders everywhere, often pugnacious, very emotional, impatient, like to fantasize. It is difficult for them to learn the rules and norms of behavior, they are distracted by any sounds; at school, such children often lack motivation to study. In the dialogue, they often interrupt the interlocutor, impose their own topic, which interests them at the moment.

What age is the disease typical for?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder begins to manifest itself with the onset of child development, but it becomes especially pronounced in children by the age of 4-5 years. But the diagnosis is officially made only by the age of 7-8, despite the fact that the symptoms of the disease appear much earlier.

According to studies, in most cases the disease is inherent in boys than girls, and the ratio between those affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is 4:1 in favor of the former. At primary school age, about 30% of students suffer from the disease, i.e. in every class elementary school 1-2 students are children with ADHD. Only 20-25% of patients undergo any treatment.

Causes and risk factors

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be caused by:

• developmental pathology of the frontal lobes of the brain and disruption of its subcortical structures;
• genetic factor, - children whose relatives have a history of ADHD are 5 times more likely to suffer from such a disorder;
• - CNS disorder in newborns resulting from brain damage in utero or during the mother's labor activity;
• prematurity;
• problem pregnancy(entanglement with the umbilical cord, in the fetus, the threat of miscarriage, stress, infections, taking illegal medications, smoking, alcoholism);
• swift, prolonged premature birth, stimulation of labor activity.

Frequent conflicts in the family, excessive severity in relation to the child, physical punishment are factors that can start the mechanism for the development of ADHD.

Features of ADHD in adults

For adults suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the following symptoms and manifestations are characteristic:

A large percentage of people diagnosed with ADHD become drug addicts and alcoholics, they lead an antisocial lifestyle and often turn to crime.

Hyperactivity in children of preschool and school age

The first signs of hyperactivity syndrome begin to appear from infancy in the form of the following symptoms:

• frequent movements of the arms and legs;
• randomness of movements;
• delayed speech development;
• clumsiness;
• disinhibition, lack of control in behavior;
• restlessness;
• inattention;
• inability to keep attention on the subject;
• frequent mood swings;
• constant haste;
• difficulty in communicating and establishing contacts with peers;
• lack of fear.

Schooling a child with ADHD becomes a heavy burden for him. Due to his physiology, the student cannot sit still, is distracted during the lesson and interferes with others, cannot concentrate his attention, he is of little interest in school subjects, during the lesson he can walk around the classroom or ask for leave under the guise of “going to the toilet”, and he walks around the school spaces.

Diagnosis of the disease

The main diagnostic method for a preschool child in order to identify ADHD is to observe his behavior in his usual environment: in a kindergarten group, on a walk, when communicating with friends, educators, parents.

To diagnose ADHD, attention, activity, thinking and other processes are assessed, for which a behavioral rating scale is used in children older than 6 years.

The problem should be dealt with by a child psychiatrist. Particular emphasis is placed on the complaints of parents, teachers and the history of the child. When evaluating the behavior model, the doctor needs to know the opinion of the school psychologist, the intra-family situation. The child must have at least 6 of the following symptoms for six months:

• makes a mistake due to inattention;
• does not listen and does not hear the interlocutor;
• avoids tasks that require mental effort;
• loses personal belongings;
• distracted by any noise;
• plays restlessly;
• interrupts those who are talking to him;
• talks too much;
• fidgets and sways in his chair;
• gets up when it is forbidden;
• arranges a tantrum in response to a fair remark;
• wants to be first in everything;
• commits thoughtless acts;
• can't wait for their turn.

When diagnosing ADHD in adults, a neurologist collects data on possible symptoms of the disease and prescribes studies: psychological and educational testing, electrocardiography,. It is necessary to collect the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment and the necessary set of measures for correction

Don't expect a complete cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But there are many means and methods able to reduce severe symptoms. Treatment for ADHD includes medication, diet, psychotherapy, behavior modification, and other methods.

Drugs that have an effect on concentration and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity in ADHD: Methylphenidate, Cerebrolysin, Dexedrine. Their exposure time is up to 10 hours.

Children under 6 years of age should take these drugs with extreme caution, because at an early age there is a high risk of developing allergic reactions, insomnia, tachycardia, decreased appetite, and drug dependence.

Massage of the head and neck-collar zone, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, the use of infusions of medicinal herbs (pine bark, mint, ginseng, St. John's wort).

Corrective process in the family

The family should participate in the correction process for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

• the child must be praised at any opportunity, it is important for him to be successful;
• the family should have a system of rewards for every good deed;
• requirements for the child must be feasible for his age;
• exclude parental pickiness;
• it is important to spend time together as a family;
• crowding contributes to outbreaks of hyperactivity in a child;
• it is unacceptable to overwork the child, humiliation, anger and rudeness towards him;
• do not disregard children's requests;
• it is forbidden to compare the baby with peers, highlighting his shortcomings;
• it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the attending physician.

Preventive measures

Excessively active children should not take part in competitions and games that have a pronounced emotional component. Strength sports are also not an option. Hiking, boating, swimming, jogging, skiing, and ice skating are good options for preventing ADHD. Exercise stress should be moderate!

It is necessary to change the attitude towards the child, both at home and at school. Modeling of successful situations is recommended to eliminate self-doubt.

Children with ADHD can "cripple" the health of the household. Therefore, it is advisable for parents to undergo a course of family or personal psychotherapy. Mother and father should be calm and allow as few quarrels as possible. You need to build a trusting relationship with your child.

Hyperactive children practically do not react to remarks, punishments, prohibitions, but they gladly respond to encouragement and praise. Therefore, the attitude towards them should be special.

The symptoms of the disease in most cases, as the child grows older, will be smoothed out and manifest not so brightly, the child will gradually “outgrow” the difficult period. Therefore, parents need to be patient and help their beloved child survive a difficult life stage.