According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, around 6.4 million children are diagnosed with ADHD in the United States.

ADHD means Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and ADD means Attention Deficit Disorder. ADD is a form of ADHD and was referred to as a lack of focus in children. But now this term is outdated and the concern is called ADHD.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a kind of disorder mainly found in children, but it can affect adults too. It is based on brain function and can hamper your child’s daily activity at home and school.

Diagnosed children will have a change in their behaviour, trouble in paying attention and gets hyperactive.

There is no ADD vs. ADHD as they both are considered as part of one problem and the same condition.

Signs of ADHD

• Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity: Symptoms include hyperactivity and impulsivity like fidgeting, tapping, squirms in seat, taking a spur of the moment decision without thinking the chance of harm and many more.
• Inattention: This symptom inattentiveness or easy distraction but doesn’t include hyperactivity or impulsivity. Like having difficulty in paying attention, doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to, easily can be distracted, forgetful in daily activities and many more.
• Combines: It is the combination of both and has most of the symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive.

Diagnosis

• The child must have at least 6 of the symptoms and Adults must have at least 5 of them.
• Before the age of 12, a person must have 3 or more symptoms of ADHD.

These symptoms severely affect their daily or routine life. It can happen anytime any place like home, school, park, or any social place. A Child with ADHD may also have behavioural problems such as anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, and other learning disorders.

Thorough diagnosis increases the chance of early treatment in early-stage and can make it easier to manage ADHD and its effects.

Treatment

The Doctor will suggest the medication be taken when diagnosed with ADHD, but on the same hand, parents should help and encourage children by making some lifestyle changes:

• Giving plenty of praise and creating space
• Practising routine
• As a good example, keeping the house organized
• As per their interest planning activities and hobbies
• Help them to make a list and schedule to follow
• Encouraging them to eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Plenty of exercises and good sleeping practice

By helping the child with medical and lifestyle change, we can take a step towards improvement.

If you find any of the symptoms which are stopping the growth in school or work, it is good to seek help from the doctor. A person diagnosed with ADD will not have hyperactivity and will have trouble only in attention.

Today, ADD is not considered as a separate condition but is treated as part of ADHD in the form of Inattentive ADHD.