Take Time: How to recognise Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and teenagers

Signs of ADHD in children

A person may experience difficulties paying attention and staying organised, show excessive fidgeting or restlessness, have trouble with self-control or exhibit impulsive behaviour. In children or toddlers with ADHD, this can lead to symptoms at home, in daycare, or at school. A few observed symptoms include:

• Trouble focusing on activities and becoming easily distracted
• Low attention span while playing or doing schoolwork
• Fidgeting, squirming, or otherwise having trouble sitting still
• Constantly needing movement or frequently running around
• Engaging in activities loudly or disruptively
• Excessive talking and interrupting other people
• Throwing toys all around and room
• Lack of age-appropriate play

Symptoms of ADHD in teenagers

As children with ADHD get older, the symptoms they experience may change. In some cases, certain symptoms seen in childhood may become less problematic in adolescence, while new symptoms can arise amid the changing responsibilities that accompany growing older.

In adolescents and teenagers with ADHD, other symptoms that may appear can include:

• Difficulty focusing on schoolwork or other work
• Frequently making mistakes while doing work
• Trouble finishing tasks, especially schoolwork or chores
• Trouble with task organisation and time management
• Frequently forgetting things or losing personal items
• Frequently avoiding mentally taxing tasks
• Experiencing increased frustration and emotional sensitivity
• Trouble navigating social and familial relationships
• Increased conflict with parents due to ADHD symptoms affecting the home life

It is important to understand that while these symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can sometimes cause adolescents and teenagers with this condition to appear “immature,” they are simply a part of ADHD and have nothing to do with a child’s maturity level.

Helping a person with ADHD

ADHD is best diagnosed after age five. Most practitioners do not recommend diagnosis earlier, as it is understood that the child is still growing and certain behavioural changes may be normal and age appropriate.

As it is understood that a few symptoms of ADHD reduce/change during adulthood, there are also certain ways in which an adult suffering from ADHD can benefit better. Certain individuals are able to function adequately over time. However, for some individuals dealing with it without treatment, can be tough. 

Therapy 

Behavioural therapy is one of the most beneficial types of therapy for ADHD, especially for children and adolescents, because it helps identify the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that have the most impact. In younger children with ADHD, behavioural therapies that focus on parent training, classroom management, and peer interventions are most effective. In adolescents and adults, a type of behavioural therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can also be helpful.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes for ADHD involve strategies that can help you work through the inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that the condition causes. Here are some helpful ways to create structure for yourself if you have ADHD:

• Fine tune your study skills
• Create organisational techniques
• Implement time management strategies
• Prepare a timetable to help to organise yourself better

Medication

It can be used alone or in conjunction with therapy to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in both children and adults. The combination of medication and therapy together is said to yield quicker results. Giving or not giving medication is a personal choice, however a large number of patients have seen good results with the same. It is a myth that the medication would become addictive or they would put the person under treatment to sleep. 

Conclusion

ADHD occurs more often in males than in females, and behaviours can be different in boys and girls. Most healthy children are inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive at one time or another. It is typical for preschoolers to have short attention spans and be unable to stick to one activity for long. Even in older children and teenagers, attention span often depends on the level of interest. Seeing only one sign or trait, does not mean that a child has ADHD. It is also essential for parents to rule out the same from a mental health professional and not self-diagnose the same.  

Alisha Lalljee is a psychologist, special educator and psychotherapist practising in Bandra, Mumbai

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