Common Early Warning Signs of ADHD

Is it often that you find your children being inattentive and hyperactive? Do you find them constantly fidgeting? Do they have trouble being organized or do they constantly lose track of things? Now in some cases, compared to adults, kids do appear to be hyper-active and they can be easily distracted therefore this could come under common childhood behavior but these could also be early warning signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a highly complex neurodevelopmental chronic disorder, where more than 60% of children who are diagnosed with it carry it with them into adulthood. This disorder can affect your ability to function in many different aspects of your life. Early diagnosis of ADHD can help children receive the proper treatment they need and provide them with solutions to help them manage their condition. One can easily find an experienced psychiatrist in Ajman, who specializes in diagnosing and treating ADHD.

This disorder is generally diagnosed in children by the time they reach their teens, the average age of moderate ADHD is 7. However, although ADHD can cause visible challenges in everyday life, its symptoms in children and adults may vary, and sometimes they are difficult to recognize. It’s been observed that adults who suffer from ADHD have exhibited elaborate symptoms in their childhood, but failure to recognize the early signs lead to their late diagnosis. According to a psychiatrist in Ajman, it is essential to recognize the signs early on, let’s now look at the early warning signs parents, guardians, or caregivers should watch out for.

SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN CHILDREN

1. INATTENTION

Attention and distraction are the primary problems in ADHD, it interferes with an individual’s ability to listen, learn, and sometimes even think. In kids, these are certain signs that parents should be watchful of; inability to pay attention, the constant occurrence of careless mistakes, inability to focus on tasks, inability to follow through instructions, organizing tasks, completing activities that require some mental effort, constantly losing track of belongings and inability to listen and pay attention when spoken to directly.

2. IMPULSIVENESS & IMPATIENCE

Children who are generally hyperactive also tend to be impulsive, they can find it difficult to play quietly and they may show signs of impatience. Often so, you might find them interrupting conversations or find it difficult to wait for their turn. This type of ADHD is termed hyperactive-impulse. Now there is no single test that can confirm if your child has this category of ADHD. In most cases, the doctor or psychiatrist will try to rule out other options that can cause hyperactivity, which could be anxiety or other emotional issues. This behavior could also be common in that age group.

Also, suppose if a child has certain visual impairments or learning disabilities, then a child may have trouble sitting still. The common symptoms that a doctor will watch out for would include; constant fidgeting, constant talking, inability to sit still, excessively hyperactive, inability to be patient, speak with thinking, interrupting conversations constantly, etc. Now there are many children who are high on energy and that should not be confused with hyperactive ADHD. For the doctor to diagnose it as ADHD, the symptoms have to be extreme in nature and it has to be observed over a certain period of time, say for instance it should happen constantly for at least 6months. If you want the best psychiatry treatment in Ajman, you need to visit Thumbay University Hospital.

3. EMOTIONAL OUTBURST

Emotional dysregulation is another common sign of ADHD, individuals with ADHD experience emotions so deeply at times that they get excessively overwhelmed with different emotions like joy, anger, pain, etc. They tend to show impulsive aggression and defiance and the intensity of their emotions isn’t in their control. Emotional outbursts are a defining feature of ADHD which is central to hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Such intensive emotions make it hard for children to maintain friendships, which causes a strain on their social life. Early diagnosis of ADHD can help individuals manage these intense outbursts of emotions and prevent them from any long-term consequences. Mood swings are also fairly common, you will notice that their moods change very randomly and very quickly throughout the day. The psychiatry treatment in Ajman at Thumbay University Hospital is one of the best treatments offered in the middle east region.

4. CONSTANT FRUSTRATION

Frustration is a fairly common sign of ADHD because individuals due to constant distractions are unable to focus on things. Frustration is an emotion that ideally stems from obstacles that stand in the way of achieving certain goals. A poor frustration tolerance gives rise to behavioral issues which can often trigger intense emotional outbursts and meltdowns.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD?

Parents and caregivers can often misunderstand ADHD symptoms in children and sometimes it can get difficult at times when you see your child distressed or see them lose control. While you can’t make the problem disappear, you can definitely find ways to help manage it better. The most crucial step first is to recognize these warning signs early on and seek medical help.

Once diagnosed, it’s imperative to work closely with a mental health professional who practices or specializes in behavioral therapy and follow their advice to the ‘t’. Depending on the severity of the case, your doctor might suggest medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or other special treatments. ADHD specialists can help you develop a tailored treatment plan. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, one can effectively learn to identify and manage the symptoms of ADHD in the long run. If you’re looking for an experienced child psychiatrist in Ajman, book an appointment with one at Thumbay University Hospital.