There are many conditions that children in particular may suffer from that have their roots in the neural system. One of the most common is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly shortened to ADHD. It is not known precisely what causes a person – adults can suffer too – to have ADHD. It is however known that it presents in the way of certain symptoms.
The history of ADHD stretches back a lot further than you may think. In 1902, a doctor by the name of Sir George Still – a respected paediatrician in his day – recognised that some children ‘misbehaved’ in the same manner. He saw the problem as an inability to control their behaviour the way an ‘ordinary’ child would be expected to.
It was not until 1957 that the condition was formally recognised. A group of medical researchers working with children named the condition ‘Hyperkinetic Impulse Disorder’ and published a number of notable papers on it. This is what we know today as ADHD. Why is it important to engage the services of specific ADHD doctors for children who endure the condition? Let’s talk about this in a little more detail.
Recognising ADHD
As the above brief history of ADHD explains it has not always been recognised as a specific condition. In the past an ADHD child would merely be labelled naughty or badly behaved. Though the specific cause remains unknown the common symptoms are now recognised. It is also thought to run in families and is definitely a neurological problem. Following are the most common symptoms of ADHD in children:
- Short attention span
- Acting on impulse
- Excessive fidgeting
- Hyperactivity (this can be physical, verbal or emotional)
- An inability to manage time
- General disorganization
- Unable to prioritize.
These are not the only symptoms, yet they are those that are present in most cases of ADHD in children. Is ADHD dangerous? That’s our next subject, so let’s move on.
The Dangers of ADHD
ADHD in itself is not dangerous. It is not a disease or an illness, it is a condition brought about by the brain operating in a different way to that of a non-ADHD child. The danger lies in the disruption to the child’s life, education and ability to live day to day. Also, ADHD responses – particularly where impulse is concerned – can be reckless and this may affect others who perhaps do not understand the child suffers from ADHD. The child may also find themselves an outcast in society, and have trouble fitting in which can lead to depression and the problems that brings.
ADHD can be controlled by medicines, and much research has been undertaken into the condition and is ongoing. A specialist ADHD doctor will know what treatment is best for the child and will also teach the other members of the family what to expect and how to deal with the child’s problems. Get in touch with an ADHD doctor now if your child displays any of the symptoms we talked about above, and you will start to see improvements once treatment begins.
