Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - bad manners or disease?

Often, parents come to see a psychologist with complaints about the child's inattention, restlessness, increased mobility, inability to control their behavior, poor performance at school, suspecting that they have a diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder). Are these complaints always justified?

According to the medical classifiers of diseases (ICD-10), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological-behavioral developmental disorder that begins in childhood and manifests itself with symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and poorly controlled impulsivity.

Symptoms of inattention:

📍the child does not pay attention to details, makes many mistakes;

📍does not hold attention well when performing school and other tasks;

📍does not listen when spoken to;

📍cannot follow instructions and see things through to the end;

📍unable to independently plan, organize the execution of tasks;

📍avoids tasks that require prolonged mental effort;

📍often loses things;

📍easily distracted;

📍forgetful.

Symptoms of hyperactivity:

📍the child is constantly spinning;

📍cannot sit still when necessary;

📍he is characterized by excessive and aimless motor activity;

📍cannot play quietly, calmly;

📍is constantly in motion;

📍talkative.

Symptoms of impulsivity:

📍the child answers questions without hesitation;

📍cannot wait for his turn;

📍 interferes with other people, interrupts them.

The criteria for making a diagnosis are:

📍duration: symptoms are observed for at least 6 months in such a severity that indicates poor adaptation of the child;

📍early age of onset of manifestations, up to 7 years;

📍 constancy: apply to all spheres of life - a violation of adaptation is observed in two or more areas of the child's activity;

📍severity of violations: significant problems in learning, social contacts, other activities with a normal intellectual level.

Comprehensive rehabilitation of such children is advisable, which consists of:

📍drug therapy;

📍psychological and pedagogical behavioral correction;

📍medical and recreational physical education;

📍breathing exercises;

📍Biofeedback (BFB-therapy, Biofeedback).

Yours, Vadim Kobylchenko

Ukraine