Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is more common in boys than girls. Read all about it in this interesting article!
As its name suggests, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that manifests during childhood. Overall, it affects more than 5% of children worldwide and more than 6% of children in Spain. Moreover, it’s more common in boys than in girls.
Fortunately, studies have shown that the disorder may respond well to an early diagnosis and proper treatment. Now, let’s learn more about this disorder!
Due to this disorder’s complexity, no single cause has been identified. Essentially, it’s a heterogeneous disorder with several subtypes that results from various risk factors.
Professionals don’t know exactly what causes it. However, they’ve discovered that genetic and environmental factors have a great influence on its development. In this case, we’re talking about prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors.
Furthermore, ADHD has a heritability of 76%. This means that, on average, 76% of the factors associated with the disorder are related to genes and the rest to non-genetic factors.
Finally, it’s been shown that the relatives of people with this neurological disorder have a five times greater risk of developing it than those without a family history of this condition.
This article may interest you: Childhood Influences the Development of Personality
Typically, children who suffer from ADHD may have poor school and social performance.
Essentially, this disorder has three core symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms manifest themselves in a greater or lesser degree depending on the sub-type.
Next, for the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity to be associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, certain conditions must be met:
First of all, psychological therapy helps control the symptoms of this disorder and improve the child’s performance.
However, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents should be treated according to each patient’s needs. There’s still no cure for ADHD. Therefore, treatment aims to improve symptoms and reduce the risk of other associated disorders.
Typically, professionals recommend combination treatment for children and adolescents whose ADHD moderately or severely impacts their daily lives. This includes behavioral, pharmacological, and psychological treatment and psychopedagogical intervention.
Overall, the psychological interventions that have yielded good results are based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy.
These include:
Next, psycho-pedagogical intervention is a fundamental pillar in combined treatment.
Basically, this involves a series of interventions. These range from improving the child’s academic performance to improving the school environment.
Next, pharmacological treatment helps reduce the core symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Overall, this can lead to improved academic performance and behavior.
At the same time, it enhances the effect of psychological and psychoeducational interventions. Methylphenidate, which is a stimulant, is a popular drug that doctors prescribe to treat this disorder.
Read: Pay Attention: These Traits Could Indicate that Your Child Has Learning Difficulties
This disorder can affect a child’s self-esteem.
This condition is common. However, the reality is that there’s widespread ignorance about it.
Unfortunately, very few people are well-informed about his disorder. In addition, many others mistakenly believe that ADHD is caused by a disorganized family or school environment.
Not having enough information on this disorder has direct consequences on patients and their families, friends, and the other people around them. Misinformation or lack of information leads to stigma, insensitivity, and lack of consideration for the disorder.
Typically, to talk about Addison’s disease is to talk about adrenal insufficiency. First of all, it’s important to know that this disease is very uncommon. After all, the incidence, or new cases, is only 0.83 per hundred thousand people. Thus,…
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease. It accounts for between 10 and 20% of cases. Like all dementias, it’s characterized by cognitive impairment. This refers to the loss or deterioration of some mental…
Dental cavities are, essentially, tooth decay. Many different factors can contribute to the development of tooth decay. However, it is mostly related to diet, bacteria, and saliva components. Dental cavities first damage the enamel, the superficial layer of the tooth.…
Vulvar pain is a burning, throbbing sensation that results from inflammation in a woman’s genital area. Unfortunately, it afflicts about 16% of the female population. Today we’d like to tell you about this condition so you can identify its symptoms…
Multiple pilomatrixoma syndrome is a fairly rare syndrome. Typically, a pilomatrixoma is a benign tumor that appears in the cells of the hair matrix. There are no conclusive data about the incidence of multiple pilomatrixoma. There are already large gaps…
Pituitary adenomas are abnormal growths of cells within the pituitary gland. They attach to the hypothalamus by a thread of nerves and blood vessels. Most pituitary adenomas are benign and slow-growing. Doctors can identify them because they either remain inside…