It has been revealed that a significant number of children in today’s society live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This condition is believed to arise due to various physical and mental factors, including family background, genetic inheritance and adverse environmental factors. Proper identification, treatment and guidance can help manage this condition effectively.
Dr. Swarna Wijetunga, Consultant Psychiatrist (Child and Adolescent), joined the Union Assurance Circle of Well-being programme to share expert insights on ADHD, offering guidance on how we can better support and empower children and adults with this condition.
What is ADHD?
ADHD or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by inattention and hyperactivity. Children with ADHD often exhibit behavioural challenges that stem from how their brain functions. Normally, as a child’s brain develops, they gain the ability to regulate their behaviour. However, developmental delays can lead to difficulties in maintaining attention and controlling hyperactivity. Children with ADHD may struggle to stay in one place for long, making it difficult for them to focus during activities like classroom learning. Instead of paying attention to instructions, they tend to engage in other activities. While young children are generally energetic, not all of them are hyperactive. If a child’s behaviour disrupts their daily life, it could indicate ADHD. Hyperactive children tend to shift their focus between multiple tasks, not because they lack attention but because their attention is scattered across various stimuli. As a result, they struggle to sustain focus for extended periods, making them more forgetful. They may frequently forget to bring back school materials or other essential items. Additionally, they often find planning difficult, which significantly impacts their learning process. In some cases, they may also engage in risky behaviours without fully comprehending the consequences of their actions.
Is ADHD a condition that develops over time or present from birth?
ADHD is a behavioural issue, which is linked to brain function. Therefore, it is considered a neurological condition rather than a learned behaviour. The brain develops in a progressive, step-by-step manner. At one stage of development, significant growth occurs in the prefrontal cortex, the front-most part of the brain. What truly sets humans apart from other animals is the development that takes place in this specific region of the brain, which controls decision-making, planning, reasoning, intelligence and emotional regulation. The development of the prefrontal cortex tends to be delayed in children with ADHD. These differences can be noticeable even in early childhood. Although brain development continues as the child grows, certain ADHD-related characteristics become more evident over time. Some children with ADHD show unusual behaviour from a young age due to underlying delays in brain development.
What causes ADHD and can it be managed?
The exact cause of ADHD is not definitively known. However, it is believed to have a genetic component. Additionally, external factors during fetal development or after the birth of the infant may contribute to the development of ADHD. Factors such as parental substance use (alcohol or drugs), exposure to toxic environmental substances, maternal infections during pregnancy, complications during childbirth (such as head trauma during delivery) and neurological conditions like epilepsy and encephalitis may increase the risk of ADHD. While ADHD cannot always be entirely prevented, parents can reduce the risk by avoiding harmful substances, maintaining good physical and mental health, ensuring proper nutrition and creating a positive and nurturing environment for the child.
How does ADHD affect a person during childhood into adulthood?
Children with ADHD generally have normal intelligence and with proper guidance and treatment, they can become highly skilled individuals. Their high energy levels and sharp cognitive abilities enable them to excel in certain areas. However, they may also be at a higher risk of engaging in substance abuse due to impulsive behaviours. Even in adulthood, ADHD-related behaviours can impact professional and social life, potentially leading to reckless decision-making that affects both themselves and those around them. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention are crucial in helping children with ADHD develop into well-rounded individuals. Without proper support, they may face severe consequences, including social difficulties and an increased tendency towards illicit behaviour.
How does exposure to digital devices affect children with ADHD?
Children with ADHD tend to show a strong liking for digital devices. Since they struggle to maintain focus on one task over an extended period, their attention shifts rapidly, even while watching cartoons or playing games on a device. Digital devices do not effectively improve their focus and therefore does not help manage ADHD. However, certain technological solutions are designed to help enhance attention retention in children with ADHD.
Can a child with ADHD lead a normal life and pursue a career?
With proper guidance, children with ADHD can grow up to lead productive lives and have successful careers. Parents and teachers play a crucial role in cultivating necessary life skills and habits in them. While medication is required to help improve focus, consistent guidance and structured learning play key roles in managing ADHD.
With long-term support and continuous intervention, many children with ADHD can outgrow the need for treatment as they develop coping mechanisms. This underscores the vital role of dedicated parental and educational support in understanding their needs, managing their condition and guiding them towards a positive and purposeful path. Despite busy schedules, spending quality time with the child is crucial for their development.
Do adults with ADHD need continuous treatment?
While ADHD tends to become more manageable with age, difficulties in maintaining attention may persist into adulthood, affecting work and daily tasks. Fortunately, effective treatments are available for adults as well. The best approach is to seek guidance from a mental health
professional specialising in ADHD, ensuring the condition is managed effectively without disrupting personal and professional life.
