| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a | | | | especially when they start going to school. |
| very well documented and common medical condition | | | | * ADHD is a neurobiological disorder, and most |
| which affects millions of children and adults globally. | | | | scientists believe it is due to genetic abnormalities in the |
| However, because its exact cause remains a | | | | brain. ADHDers are very inattentive, hyperactive, and |
| mystery, it gives rise to lots of ADHD myths which | | | | very impulsive too (have poor control over their |
| have bewildered many parents who have ADHD | | | | impulse). Get this - ADHD is not caused by poor |
| children. | | | | parenting, or exposing children to too much television |
| For instance, there was a recent story about a | | | | when young. |
| 5-year-old boy who went missing for two weeks. | | | | * This disorder is more commonly seen in boys, but it |
| Neighbors who found him believed that he might be | | | | does affect girls too, roughly in the ratio of 3:1. |
| suffering from ADHD. Now, although he showed | | | | * ADHD symptoms appear early in a child's life. Studies |
| symptoms of ADHD, his parents never brought him to | | | | have shown that out of every 10 people with ADHD, 3 |
| see a specialist because they believed that children | | | | to 5 of them may outgrow it when they become |
| who were hyperactive and slow in learning would be | | | | teenagers. As for the rest, the symptoms will remain |
| all right when they reach the age of 7. | | | | throughout their life but often in less severe forms. |
| Is their belief correct? Will children who show classic | | | | * Some of the key problems facing people with ADHD |
| signs of having ADHD be all right when they reach the | | | | are that they have emotional and behavioral difficulties, |
| age of 7? Generally, experts view it as only a myth. | | | | which makes treatment of their condition difficult at |
| Another belief that kids aged 2 and 8 would be free of | | | | times. |
| ADHD by the time they are 9 or 10 has also been | | | | * Treatment for ADHD children is often best done |
| considered to be myths. | | | | using a multi-pronged approach. This involves a |
| To be able to make informed decisions concerning | | | | combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and |
| their children's ADHD treatment, parents should get | | | | counseling for the affected parents so that they can |
| their facts right. Below are scientific facts concerning | | | | view things in the right perspective. |
| ADHD. | | | | * ADHD is a serious medical condition and needs to be |
| * Hyperactivity is a common feature among kids with | | | | treated. It will not just go away. Hence, do not listen to |
| mental-related problems. Such children seem to be | | | | people who proclaim that ADHD is merely a |
| motor-driven, for they are always on the move and | | | | conspiracy by giant pharmaceutical firms out to make |
| have difficulty sitting still. In fact, hyperactivity is a key | | | | money from other people's misery. |
| feature of ADHD, which is one of the most common | | | | From the facts above, it is clear that ADHD can be |
| psychiatric conditions affecting both children and adults | | | | treated, and the wise thing to do for parents who |
| today. Individuals who are inflicted with this disorder | | | | suspect that their kids may have ADHD is to bring |
| often experience pronounced behavioral and cognitive | | | | them to see experts (such as child psychiatrists) for a |
| difficulties in personal and family relationships. These | | | | proper diagnosis and treatment. |
| problems can manifest itself in a significant way, | | | | |