ADHD

What is ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is not a new problem or condition but over the years it has been called many things. In the 1930’s it was a brain-injured child, in the 1950’s hyperactive child syndrome, in the 1960’s minimal brain dysfunction and in 1965 it changed again to hyperkinetic child syndrome. By 1975 it was being termed ADD and in 1987 it changed to the familiar name of ADHD.

The current clinical definition of ADHD is that the child is developmentally excessive in areas such as inattention, impulsivity and over activity.

This is the technical bit; the brain basically works in 3 parts; receiving cells, transmitters and sending cells.

The receiving cells enable the action, which is then passed onto the transmitters, which are the bridging gap between receiving and sending out information, or an action, to the body. The information or action is then sent out the message via sending cells.

In the case of ADHD there is a problem with the receiving cells -Like a chip in a plate or glass. In situations where medication might help, the medication provides more transmitters, which help the message continue on its path.

The causes of ADHD.

Many of us sit and wonder why our child has ADHD or what have we done to cause it but it is not an uncommon condition. There is a list of known causes that have been linked to people having ADHD. In 75% of cases it’s genetic (this doesn’t have to be immediate family member like a parent but it could be a distant relative like a great uncle). It’s twice as common in boys as girls. Smoking can be a factor as can alcohol use in pregnancy, Prematurity, a brain injury or pregnancy complications.

ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, diet or food additives.

Some people have noticed that children with ADHD cannot tolerate food additives which can heighten the ADHD symptoms, but it is not the cause of ADHD.

When ADHD is likely to appear

Onset of ADHD is normally before 7 years of age, although it is rarely diagnosed before a child is reaches 3 years of age. This is due to the fact that the natural tendencies of a preschool child can make it hard to differentiate between normal behaviour and traits of ADHD. Also health care professionals like it to be present for at least 6 months, and not linked to, or in response to, a particular event.