Signs of ADHD in adults. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults. How to help yourself

Autumn is traditionally considered one of the most depressed seasons. The source of ills lies in our physiology: a deficiency of light inhibits the production of serotonin - an organic protein that is produced by the pineal gland (a tiny endocrine gland located in the brain) and is the main regulator of our mood, as well as sleep and appetite.

Exit:

  Rebuild the daily routine in a way that maximizes. Phototherapy (with bright white light) also gives a good effect, which consists in the fact that a person suffering from depression sits for an hour in front of a bright fluorescent lamp installed at a distance of 60 cm.

Factor number 2. Age

At risk are adolescents and older people. Due to the powerful hormonal changes that their body experiences.

In addition, it is precisely in these age groups that a deep reassessment of the system of ideals takes place.

Exit:

  Consult a doctor (psychiatrist, psychotherapist), who will understand the root causes of your melancholy and prescribe medications if necessary. What exactly - sedatives, sleeping pills or antidepressants - depends on what type of depression the patient suffers from (apathetic, dreary or anxious).

If necessary, the doctor will prescribe psychotherapy sessions to the patient and / or members of his family.

Factor number 3. Stress

Among the most destructive emotional shocks are the death of a loved one, job loss, divorce ...

Exit:

  Learn, change your attitude towards problems. Indeed, you can look at any, even the most terrible event, both from the negative and the positive side. Does not work? Call your friends for help.

It also does not hurt to observe the regime of the day, sleep more, eat well, minimizing the consumption of coffee and alcohol, take more walks and exercise. The most useful in dealing with stress are sports that develop endurance: running, swimming, tennis, aerobics.

Factor number 4. Disease

The risk of depression is highest for those suffering from diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders, coronary heart disease, heart failure, malignant neoplasms, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, intracranial tumors (primarily in the temporal lobe), cerebral arteriosclerosis ( post-stroke condition).

Affective disorders also occur with vitamin deficiencies, iron and vitamin B12-deficient anemia, and with certain medications (corticosteroids, antihypertensives, and antitumor drugs).

Exit:

  To treat the underlying disease in combination with depression, trying to comply with all medical recommendations.

Factor No. 5. Heredity

Depression can also be inherited. Doctors have long noticed: if one of the parents suffered from one or another disorder of the nervous system, the likelihood of such disorders in their descendants is quite high.

Exit:

  Try to build your life in such a way that it gives you maximum pleasure, surrounding yourself with nice people, finding work to your liking, an interesting hobby. And in case of problems - consult a specialist (psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist).

Depression is called the plague of the twenty-first century. Comparison with the terrible epidemic did not arise from scratch. According to medical forecasts, by 2020 depression will come first among diseases, even overtaking the flu, colds and cardiovascular diseases.

And this despite the fact that a large number of people do not go to the hospital for depressive conditions, but try to cope with the disease on their own. Sometimes it is successful, and sometimes vice versa, exacerbating one’s condition.

A depressive state differs from a simple manifestation of negative emotions in duration. As a rule, doctors diagnose depression if depression is observed for more than 2 weeks. The main manifestation of a depressed state is that a person loses hope and faith in the future. Normally, even if a person is very ill, he believes that this is temporary, and in the future, everything will be fine. But depression says the opposite. Man does not see a bright future. He is sure that his problems are forever.

Depression is not a manifestation of human weakness. This is a disease that requires specialist intervention. Although people still have not revealed the right attitude to this problem. How many of you will treat on your own pain in the stomach or heart? So why with depression we allow ourselves to take advice from incompetent people, without making an adjustment for our own personality.

It is generally accepted that female depression is more common than male depression. Specialists attribute this to the hormonal background of women. But when calculating the percentage of depressive symptoms, it should be remembered that it is common for men to hide depressive symptoms for aggression or drinking. This makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. In addition, men can go headlong into work, extreme activities, and gambling. Even the desire to find reassurance in connections on the side can be considered as a search for a way out of a depressive state.

Depression usually begins with denial - I do not want

  1. do work (even if she was loved)
  2. communicate with people (it's just not interesting)
  3. do everyday things
  4. eat, sleep, relax, walk ...

Signs of Depression

The main symptoms of depression

  1. Bad mood . Depressed state, longing, feeling of depression and boredom, gloomy mood - these are one of the first symptoms of depression
  2. No desire to act . There is no mood to fulfill your plans and all sorts of things, or you have to tune in a long time before they are completed. There is a matter requiring special attention, but there is no desire and intention to fulfill it. You know that an important task needs to be completed, but you can’t force yourself to do it. You are nothing, and no one is interested and nothing pleases. You don't want to see and hear anyone
  3. Fast fatiguability . Even small physical activities can lead to very fatigue. After work, there is no longer anything to do, no strength. In depressive conditions, there are cases of chronic fatigue throughout the day.

Additional symptoms of depression

  1. Difficulty in concentrating, especially in the presence of extraneous irritants.   For example: the television or the conversation of strangers in the room while reading is interfering. It happens that you read and don’t understand what is being discussed, it’s not easy to grasp the meaning of what you read and you have to re-read many places in the text because of extraneous thoughts in your head. In dealing with other people, it has become difficult to choose the right words, thoughts get confused and concentration is reduced
  2. Unusual indecision during everyday tasks, both in everyday situations and in the professional field, after the decision is made. Self-confidence has gone somewhere
  3. Negative review of your entire past . Example: "I have not achieved anything in my life, I’m not doing what I would like, I’m living with the wrong person, I’m not happy with my life." A person feels superfluous and unnecessary both in the family and at work
  4. You can be beaten negative thoughts   about own worthlessness, both in personal life and in the professional sphere
  5. You can be beaten destructive thoughts aimed at self-destruction and self-destruction. They can even encourage suicide. A feeling of hopelessness, hopelessness and meaninglessness of life can roll on you.
  6. Insomnia or sleep disturbance . Manifestations of this symptom can be difficult falling asleep, even when a person is "mortally" tired, frequent awakenings during a night's sleep, awakenings in the middle of the night followed by insomnia
  7. In humans, easily appetite may decrease or disappear altogether . It happens that there is no appetite to such an extent that the smell of food causes bouts of nausea.

The relationship of depression with somatic diseases

Depression

  • It provokes somatic diseases (ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes, psoriasis, eczema, etc.)
  • It aggravates the course of somatic disease (strengthening, expansion of somatic, pain, asthenic, autonomic symptom complexes, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath)
  • Complicates treatment for somatic disease
  • Reduces patient participation in the treatment process and rehabilitation programs
  • Affects the degree of performance

Causes of depression

The main cause of depression is stress.. Stress is constantly around the person. Small and large - you will never know what kind of situation will turn out to be a drop overflowing the cup of patience.

Of course, there are global situations that cause depression due to their hopelessness: death of a loved one, loneliness, break with a loved one, family breakdown, job loss, unfulfilled plans, identifying a terrible disease. Some of these situations are understandable.

But their depth can be so great that situations cannot pass without a trace for the human psyche. In this case, the person needs the help of a doctor. And it is also obvious, as a treatment for any serious illness. You can not hope for time. In this case, time will play against the person, because every day the depression will deepen.

One can talk a lot about the treatment of depression. Features of treatment depend on many indicators: age, cause, somatic condition. Most importantly, you need to remember that treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. Depression can and should be fought. Victory over depression is guaranteed provided that the person wants to be a winner.

Depression Prevention

Prevention of depression is important for people of different age categories. Simple rules can help prevent depression.

Proper nutrition!

During the first signs of depression, you need to eat something tasty and healthy, because the body needs heat, it needs extra calories. But this does not mean that you need to relax, and you can afford any amount of a wide variety of food. You just need to be able to pamper yourself, with something very pleasant and tasty. We must not forget about vegetables and fruits, as well as healthy foods rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, etc. Vitamin A and C are very necessary in such situations. It is useful to use vitamin complexes.

Traffic!

Motor activity causes the release of special substances into the blood: endorphins, which are called hormones of happiness. Just a few minutes of morning exercises will give an explosion of positive for the whole day. Try to move more during the day, walk more, play sports. Physical education and sports must be. In this case, there are no bad and good species. The main thing is that the movement should be desired and bring satisfaction.

Cheer up!

You can support your body with various natural stimulants: herbal teas, balms, rosehip broth, etc. Many use tea and coffee for this purpose. It can really tone up, but, most importantly, do not abuse such drinks. The production of serotonin causes chocolate. Ginger can support internal heat.

Beautiful images!

Try to make everything beautiful around you: nature, atmosphere, people. There should be order on the desktop. Things should be pleasing to the eye. Go to museums, exhibitions more often, listen to pleasant music. You can use color therapy: In the cold season, often use red. Yellow and orange color enhance energy. Blue color can cause comfort and calm. Try to surround yourself with bright beautiful things.

Communication!

Communicate with relatives, friends and those who are pleasant to you.

Make plans!

Let your attitude to the future be planned. Plan a hobby, pick up your clothes and jewelry. Hikes to the hairdresser, sports, large purchases, hiking. Let your wishes be planned, long-awaited and fulfilled.

Give yourself pleasure and then depression will never defeat you!

Self Diagnosis of Depression

The first thing you should pay attention to! If you have at least 3 symptoms, both primary and secondary, then depression must be present.

1. Mild depressive disorder

If you notice any 2 major symptoms and at least 2 non-major symptoms of depression, then you have mild depression. Your condition is causing you concern. You are experiencing a certain degree of difficulty in the social environment and professional activities.

2. Mild depressive disorder

If you notice that you have 2 main symptoms and 4 more non-main symptoms of depression, then you have moderate depression. At this stage of the development of the disease, tangible difficulties arise in social life and professional activity.

3. Severe depressive disorder

If you notice in yourself 3 main symptoms and 4 or more non-main symptoms of depression, then you have severe depression. In this case, social life and activities are practically reduced to zero.

Watch your mental health. Depression does not start in one day! If you find depression, the symptoms of which are listed above. If you felt its early signs, If it is medium or severe and lasts long enough, then you need to visit a doctor - psychiatrist or psychologist.

You can pre-make an appointment

  • to the doctor psychiatrist (218 office, 2nd floor of the clinic)
  • tel: 41-5-24 (reception)
  • to a medical psychologist (311 room, 3rd floor of the clinic) - tel: 42-0-29

We are located at: from. Bichura, st. Soviet 38

Opening hours GBUZ "Bichur Central District Hospital": from 8-00 to 16-12 hours.

24-hour helpline of the psychological and psychotherapeutic service of the Republic of Belarus - 668-311

Federal Fund for the Support of Children and Adolescents - 8 800 2000 122

Medical psychologist GBUZ "Bichur Central District Hospital": Ehlakova NA

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ADHD is a fairly common disease in children of preschool and school age, which is manifested by a lack of attention, increased impulsivity and extreme hyperactivity and can cause difficulties in adapting to society. Recent studies show that more than half of the disease in the disease remains for life, creating extremely unfavorable conditions for the formation of personality.

The urgency of the problem is also due to the relatively low level of diagnosis of hyperactivity syndrome in adults and timely detection. Most people try to adapt to this way of life, get a job that will not prohibit their hyperactivity and attention deficit and do not require much attention to work. Such people have families and raise children. In general, the syndrome does not prevent a full-fledged life, but significantly complicates this process. Relations with relatives and colleagues at work, communication with people are difficult.

Causes of attention deficit in adults

At its core, ADHD in adults is an organic disease that involves minimal dysfunction of the brain lobes and their inability to adequately perform their work. That is, organic changes are not always detected using instrumental research methods, but in most cases, modern devices can record those minor changes that can cause signs of the disease.

The cause of the disease can occur even before the birth of the baby, that is, before or during the pregnancy of the mother. It is known that the abuse of alcohol or other psychoactive substances even several years before pregnancy can negatively affect the eggs and complicate the formation of the psyche of the child. A significant role is played by the unfavorable course of pregnancy, the threat of interruption, toxicosis and gestosis in different periods. The infectious diseases that the mother of the child suffered while being pregnant with them are of great importance, this increases several times the chance of developing brain dysfunction, which in the best case can be manifested by attention deficit disorder. An important role is played by how the pregnancy ends, the presence of asphyxiation at birth and in the first days of life.

The cause of the disease is also the social and living conditions of the growth and development of the child. A huge role for the development of ADHD in adults is played by the microclimate of family relationships in the family, the behavior model of parents, an example from which the child takes.

Symptoms of the disorder

The international classification of diseases ICD-10 devotes a whole section to the nomenclature of this disease F-90.0. Each diagnosis is coded separately, depending on the prevailing symptoms or their presence in general.

These symptoms are more relevant to children, as some of them are not observed in adulthood. The emergence of new symptoms with the person reaching adulthood is also proven. For example, in men and women in adulthood, the symptom of hyperactivity is practically not observed. This is due to the energy resource of the body, which changes after growing up.

In adulthood, attention deficit in the form of instability comes to the fore. People with this symptom experience difficulty in performing routine daily activities. It is difficult for them to clean the house, lay out things or calculate the family budget. Of course, the most significant disadvantage for this disease is the destruction of the family by constant quarrels and conflicts. This is the first thing people with ADHD complain about. The second - difficulties at work, the inability to fulfill their direct duties. Such people are often below the antisocial line.

An adult with ADHD can be recognized by the following symptoms:

  • difficulties in routine affairs, cleaning, cooking;
  • inability to pay bills on time;
  • difficulties in calculating your salary or the required amount for the purchase;
  • inability to listen to the end;
  • difficulty in maintaining tact in communication;
  • forget to take medication regularly;
  • do not fulfill orders;
  • difficult to concentrate on work;
  • little to interest;
  • it is difficult to hold on to one type of activity or hobby;
  • not capable of ambitious movements on the career ladder;
  • it is difficult to plan for the future and stick to the plan;
  • it is difficult to draw up reports, draw conclusions and conclusions;
  • it's hard to get yourself to analyze something;
  • distraction in daily affairs;
  • easily distracted by extraneous matters;
  • disorganization in everyday life;
  • often late;
  • not able to save money;
  • do not have long-term plans;
  • difficult to keep spontaneous statements;
  • impulsive in their actions.

It is very difficult for people with attention deficit disorder to keep to their usual tact in conversation, sometimes they shout out thoughts out loud before they think if they will be appropriate in this case. Such an action has the character of an impulse and is not subject to control. Absent-mindedness is often very harmful to work, which is sometimes done qualitatively, and it is therefore very difficult to achieve promotion. People with attention deficit disorder show difficulties in driving, because you need to constantly concentrate on the road, notice all traffic signs and other road users, compare the picture from the rear mirrors and act accordingly. It is very difficult for people with attention deficit disorder to read a book, exceptions become very interesting topics that capture from the first pages. The same applies to the film, which is very difficult to watch to the end and understand the essence. Usually, patience is not enough even for the first minutes.

There is a confirmed opinion of researchers that hyperactivity does not occur in adults from scratch, it necessarily flows from a child's form. Therefore, the first step in the diagnosis of this disease is a questionnaire to identify the presence of symptoms of this disease in childhood. Information about childhood from the person himself or from his family or friends with whom he grew up can clarify the picture and form a clear idea of \u200b\u200bthe disorder that is present in adulthood. Information about school years, academic performance and comments about behavior at that time is important. You should also pay attention to the pace and conditions of development.

The next step is a general medical examination, which will exclude the possibility of the development of any somatic or neurological disease that may manifest similar symptoms.

An important component of the examination of adults with this syndrome is the confirmation of the presence of organic changes in the brain through the use of various types of tomographs. A distinctive feature is the absence of organic changes during the study at rest and their presence when trying to concentrate.

Only specialist psychologists will be able to conduct personality testing, determining the IQ level, various additional tests. Thus, you can get a full picture of the individual.

Treatment methods for attention deficit disorder in adults

The treatment of ADHD in adults, as well as in children, requires a comprehensive approach, taking into account work with a psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist, prescribing medications and taking a course of behavioral therapy. In general, any specialist of the above can treat such a disease, but a set of all three will be optimal.

Psychotherapy

A mandatory component of the treatment of an adult with this disorder is to work with a psychotherapist who individually selects a method of therapy. This can be individual cognitive and behavioral therapy, which is most popular among such patients and is used to increase self-esteem and self-affirmation. Trainings for relaxation and relaxation after heavy psychological stress and stress or behavioral courses are also widely used. The latter help a person organize his life mode correctly, teach how to devote time to work and rest in order to maximize the use of his time. For adults, family psychotherapy is of great importance, during which the domestic problems of the spouses are solved, considering one of them as a patient with ADHD. To normalize relations in the workforce, they use working trainings that improve productivity and professional growth and are able to treat manifestations of the disease.

Medications

The treatment of adults in the pharmacological aspect is not much different from children, except that adults themselves control the administration of drugs and, due to forgetfulness, may take the drug irregularly.

Widely used are a well-known group of drugs - psychostimulants, which have proven effective and have long been in the treatment protocols in foreign countries. They significantly reduce the symptoms, but often addictive. Therefore, the mode of reception of these funds must be carefully monitored.

Modern protocols include no less well-known nootropic drugs - drugs that stimulate brain activity and stabilize the level of thought processes and are capable of treating attention deficit disorder.

To treat ADHD, vasodilators with anti-ischemic action are also used, which increase the blood circulation of some areas of the cerebral cortex, thereby positively influencing the dynamics of the disease.

It should be remembered that treatment of ADHD in adults and medication should be prescribed only after an accurate diagnosis and determination of the type of disorder.

What is it?

Specialists call the term "ADHD" a neurological behavior disorder that begins in early childhood and manifests itself in the form of problems with concentration, increased activity and impulsivity. Hyperactivity Syndrome is where excitement always prevails over inhibition.

Causes

Scientists educators and doctors suggest that the onset of ADHD symptoms depends on the influence of various factors. So, biological factors are divided into the prenatal and postnatal period.

The causes of organic lesions can be:

  • drinking large amounts of alcohol and smoking during pregnancy;
  • toxicosis and immune incompatibility;
  • premature, prolonged labor, the threat of miscarriage and an attempt to terminate the pregnancy;
  • consequence of anesthesia and cesarean section;
  • cord entanglement or abnormal presentation of the fetus;
  • stresses and psychological trauma of the mother during pregnancy, unwillingness to have a baby;
  • any diseases of the child during infancy accompanied by a high temperature can also affect the formation and development of the brain;
  • unfavorable psychosocial environment and hereditary predisposition;
  • emotional disorders, increased anxiety, injuries.

There are also social reasons - these are the features of upbringing in the family or pedagogical neglect - upbringing according to the “family idol” type.

Signs

How can parents determine if their child has hyperactivity? I think at the initial stage of the determination this is very simple. It’s enough to note the symptoms that are present in your child over a period of time.

Signs of carelessness:

  • does not like noisy rooms;
  • it is difficult for him to concentrate;
  • he is distracted from the task, reacts to external stimuli;
  • with great pleasure grabs the case, but often moves from one incomplete action to another;
  • hears hard and does not perceive instructions;
  • experiencing difficulties in self-organization, often losing his things in the kindergarten or at home.

Signs of hyperactivity:

  • climbs on the table, cabinets, cabinets, outdoors on the trees, fences;
  • more often running, spinning and spinning in place;
  • during class walks around the room;
  • restless movements of arms and legs are observed, as if twitching;
  • if he does something, then with noise and scream;
  • he constantly needs to do something (play, tinker, and draw) and cannot rest.

You can talk about ADHD only when almost all of the above symptoms have been present in your child for a very long time.

The mental activity of children with ADHD syndrome is cyclical. The child can work well actively for 5-10 minutes, then there comes a period when the brain is resting, accumulating energy for the next cycle. At this moment, the child is distracted, does not hear anyone. Then mental activity is restored, and the child is ready to work again within 5-15 minutes. Children with ADHD have “flickering attention”, lack of concentration without additional motor stimulation. They need to move, spin and constantly turn their heads in order to remain in “consciousness”.

In order to maintain concentration, children activate their centers of balance with the help of physical activity. For example, they lean back on a chair so that the hind legs do not touch the floor. If their head is motionless, their activity will decrease.

How to distinguish ADHD from spoiling?

First of all, let's recall that all children are born with temperament already laid by mother nature. And how it will manifest itself depends on the development of the baby, and on the education of the parents.

Temperament is directly dependent on nervous processes such as agitation and inhibition. At the moment, there are four types of temperament - it's sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic and melancholic. The main thing that parents should know is that there are no pure temperaments, just one of them predominates more than the others.

If your child is mobile when you are talking with friends on the street, or he rolls tantrums in the store, and you are busy at the same time choosing foods, then this is a normal, healthy, active child.

But you can talk about hyperactivity only when the child is constantly running, it is impossible to distract him, the behavior is the same in kindergarten and at home. That is, sometimes the symptoms of temperament can actually overlap with the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Parents share their experiences about raising children with ADHD in the next video.

ADHD Classification

The International Psychiatric Classification (DSM) identifies the following ADHD options:

  1. mixed - this is a combination of hyperactivity with impaired attention - occurs most often especially in boys;
  2. inattentive - attention deficit prevails, more common in girls with violent imagination;
  3. hyperactive - hyperactivity dominates. It can be a consequence of both individual characteristics of the temperament of children, and some disorders of the central nervous system.

Symptoms in children of different ages

Symptoms of hyperactivity may appear even before the baby is born. Such children can be very active in the womb. An excessively mobile child is a very dangerous phenomenon, because its activity can provoke an entanglement of the umbilical cord, and this is fraught with hypoxia.

In babies up to 1 year

  1. A very active motor reaction to various actions.
  2. Excessive loudness and hyper excitability.
  3. Possible delay in speech development.
  4. Sleep disturbance (rarely in a state of relaxation).
  5. High sensitivity to bright light or noise.
  6. It should be remembered that the baby’s moodiness at this age can be caused by malnutrition, growing teeth, and colic.

In babies 2-3 years old

  • Restlessness.
  • Violations of fine motor skills.
  • The chaotic movements of the baby, as well as their redundancy.
  • At this age, the symptoms of ADHD are activated.

In preschoolers

  1. They are unable to concentrate on business (listen to a fairy tale, play a game).
  2. Confuses tasks in the classroom, quickly forgets the question asked.
  3. Hard to put to sleep.
  4. Disobedience and whims.
  5. Kids at 3 years old are very stubborn, willful, since this age is accompanied by a crisis. But with ADHD, these characteristics are enhanced.

Schoolchildren

  • There is no safety attention in the classroom.
  • He answers quickly, without hesitation, interrupts adults.
  • Feels insecure, low self-esteem.
  • Fears and anxiety.
  • Imbalance and unpredictability, changes in mood;
  • Enuresis, complaints of pain in the head.
  • Ticks appear.
  • Not able to calmly wait for a long time.

Which specialists should I contact for help?

To confirm such a diagnosis, parents should, first of all, consult a neurologist. It is he who, having collected the entire history, after the conducted examinations and analyzes can confirm the presence of ADHD.

A child psychologist conducts psychological diagnostics using various questionnaires and techniques for examining mental functions (memory, attention, thinking), as well as the emotional state of the child. Children of this type are often overexcited and tense.

If you look at their drawings, you can see surface images, the absence of color schemes or the presence of sharp strokes and pressures. When raising such a baby, you should adhere to a single style of education.

To clarify the diagnosis of a hyperactive child, additional tests are prescribed, since various diseases can also be hidden behind such a syndrome.

Correction and treatment

Rehabilitation of a child with ADHD includes both individual support, as well as psychological, pedagogical and medical correction.

At the first stage, a child psychologist and a neurologist conduct consultations, individual examinations, use BOS-technologies, where the child is taught to breathe correctly.

In the correction of ADHD, the entire social and related environment of the hyperactive child should interact: parents, educators and educators.

Medication is an additional, and sometimes the main, method for correcting ADHD. In medicine, children are prescribed nootropic drugs (cortexin, encephabol), they have a beneficial effect on brain activity and are effective in cases of inattention. If, on the contrary, hyperactive symptoms predominate, then drugs that contain gamma-aminobutyric acid, pantogam, phenibut are used, they are responsible for inhibition of processes in the brain. It must be remembered that all of the above medicines can be taken only as prescribed by a neurologist.

It is important for parents to monitor the nutrition of the child.

  • Mandatory is the intake of 1000 mg of calcium,   which is necessary for the development of a growing organism.
  • The need for magnesium is from 180 mg to 400 mg per day.   It is found in buckwheat, wheat, peanuts, potatoes, and spinach.
  • Omega 3 is a special type of fatty acidwhich provides the passage of impulses to the cells of the heart, brain, and therefore it is also important in the treatment of ADHD.

The main thing is that vitamins such as “choline” and “lecithin” are still present in the baby’s nutrition — these are defenders and builders of the nervous system. Products that contain these substances are very useful (eggs, liver, milk, fish).

A very good effect is observed after using kinesiotherapy.   - These are breathing exercises, stretch marks, oculomotor exercises. Timely massage courses (SHOP) of the cervical spine, starting from an early age, will also be useful.

Sand therapy, working with clay, cereals and water, will also be useful.   but these games must be held under the strict supervision of adults. Especially if the child is small. Now on the shelves of children's stores you can find ready-made sets for such games, for example, “Kinesthetic sand”, a table for games with water and sand. The best result can be achieved if parents start treatment and correction in a timely manner at an early age, when symptoms are just beginning to appear.

  • Learn to follow the daily routine, for a child with ADHD it is very important, follow all regimen moments at the same time.
  • Create a comfortable environment for the child, where he will be able to show his activity for the benefit of himself. Record in sports sections, mugs and swimming. Protect from overwork, try to get enough sleep.
  • When prohibiting one thing, always offer an alternative in return. For example, at home you can’t play with the ball, but on the street you can, offer to play together.
  • If possible, parents can attend behavioral programs held at the centers. There they will be taught to interact with children correctly, share the secrets of the upbringing and development of such children. Also, such classes are held with children, both individually and in group form.
  • To reinforce oral instructions, use visual stimulation, pictures depicting actions.
  • Children are very fond of stroking, do each other massage, draw on the back with your hands.
  • Listen to the music. It has long been proven that classical music helps children focus and concentrate.
  • V. Beethoven "Concert for piano and orchestra No. 5-6" controls all parts of your child’s brain at the same time, stimulates speech skills, motor ability.
  • A. Mozart: "Symphony No. 40 in G Minor" trains muscles in the ear, sound activates motor and auditory functions.
  • Parents in the home environment can adjust their children themselves through games aimed at training one function.

Useful games

Mindfulness games

"Catch - do not catch."   This analogue on the beloved game "Edible - Inedible". That is, one leader player throws the ball and pronounces a word, for example, relating to animals, and the second participant catches or throws it.

You can also play "Find the difference"; "Prohibited traffic"; “Listen to the team.”

Games to relieve emotional stress

  • "Touch."With the help of the game you teach your child to relax, relieve anxiety and develop his tactile sensitivity. Use different objects and materials for this: scraps of fabric, fur, bottles of glass and wood, cotton wool, paper. Lay it out on a table in front of a child or put it in a bag. When he carefully examines them, offer him, with his eyes closed, to try to guess which object he took or touches him. The games “Tender Feet” are also interesting; "Talk by hand."
  • "Cake".Invite the kid to bake his favorite cake, play with his imagination. Let the child be a test, portray the preparation of the test using the elements of massage, stroking, tapping. Ask what to cook, what to add. This fun game relaxes and relieves stress.

Games to control motor activity

  • "One, two, three freeze."   Turn on him some fun dance music. While it will sound, the baby can jump, run to depict animals, but as soon as it finishes it should stop in the position in which it was found, the game teaches to concentrate.
  • Family game "Fruit Salad".Each family member paints himself in the form of fruit, then shows drawings and talks about his features. Then all the fruits are cut out and glued to the salad bowl.
  • "Commander".   The rules of the game are explained to the child. One of the family members plays the commander, and the child plays the role of a fighter who clearly follows the instructions of an adult. For example, "We will build a tower, I will supervise the construction, and you will build." Then everything changes places. This game teaches children and parents to hear and understand each other.
  • "Describe and draw."   The purpose of the exercise is cohesion and mutual understanding. The kid draws a drawing on any topic, then describes it in great detail, and the adult must recreate the drawing according to his description.

What help can you give your baby when he is overexcited?

Your child has flared up - then take his hand and, for example, leave with the baby in another room. Offer to wash, and if this does not help, turn his attention to something interesting.

When he is angry, touch him, pat him gently on the back, hug him, because children with ADHD really need emotional contact.

An excellent way to restore balance and harmony in children is to take a soothing bath at night with various herbs, such as chamomile or lavender. Before going to bed, you can read your favorite fairy tale together or watch a calm cartoon.

If your child has a well-developed fantasy, try using meditative techniques. For example, ask to close your eyes. Let him imagine a clearing or forest. Pay attention to the birds singing or the sound of a brook, let him feel the wind on his face, all this can be accompanied by musical design.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of ADHD syndrome, every mother, even before the birth of a child, should ensure favorable conditions for the normal course of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as create a positive microclimate in her home.

But if nevertheless a hyperactive baby has appeared in your family, remember, the main thing is to start complex therapy in time, which will teach the child to competently build relationships with adults and children, to control their behavior and emotions.

For more on ADHD, see Dr. Komarovsky’s program.

How to behave to parents, see the next video of a clinical psychologist Veronika Stepanova.

  organic lesions of the brain, and respond well to correction in the early stages of development. Adult behavioral disorders are generally less pronounced, but no less dangerous. Therefore, it is extremely important to correctly diagnose and treat such disorders at any age.

One of the forms of a gradual quantitative increase in disorders of individual mental functions, most often manifested in behavioral changes, is called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In most cases, this diagnosis is associated with children. However, adults can also suffer from the disorder. According to statistics, the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among people over 18 reaches 6-7%.

Basic concepts

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a complex border problem at the intersection of medicine, psychology and pedagogy. The pathology itself is a chronic disorder of behavior manifested in childhood. Not promptly corrected symptoms of the disorder make themselves felt in adulthood in at least 60% of patients.

The specific clinical manifestations of the disease are quite diverse. In this regard, initially the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had a number of synonyms, reflecting the predominant clinic or pathogenesis of the disease - "lack of moral control", "minimal cerebral dysfunction", "chronic hyperkinetic brain syndrome", "mild brain dysfunction" and others. However, none of them fully reflected the essence of the disease. The term “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” was introduced in 1980 and has proven to be most appropriate for describing behavioral disorders. Along with it, “attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity disorder” and “residual type syndrome”, diagnosed in people suffering from ADHD at an earlier age, were distinguished.

ADHD is a polyetiological disease that manifests itself in behavioral disorders that manifest in children over 5 years old and are accompanied by decreased attention and hyperactivity. Potentially, such changes provoke problems with training and work, a decrease in the quality of life, and social maladaptation of a person.

Causes

Currently, ADHD is seen as a consequence of impaired development of the nervous system that arose precisely in childhood. It is believed that as a primary disease, ADHD in adults cannot be formed, and its presence is the result of a process launched in childhood.

The disease is based on the perinatal pathology of the nervous system with a violation of the coordinated work of cerebral structures, providing attention control and organization of behavior. Such entities include:

  • associative and prefrontal cortex;
  • cerebellum;
  • thalamus;
  •   corpus callosum;
  • An increase in the incidence of ADHD among relatives has suggested the genetic nature of the disorder. It is proved that not one, but many genes are involved in the formation of the disease. In this regard, the clinical picture of ADHD in adults (just like in children) has such wide variability.

    There are less common theories for the development of ADHD. According to them, the disorder may be associated with:

    • food allergies;
    • impaired glucose metabolism;
    • pathology of the thyroid gland;
    • helminth infections;
    • diseases of the broncho-pulmonary system.

    In addition, adverse social aspects can be important contributing factors to ADHD. Subsequently, they act as complications of the disease.

    Clinical manifestations

    The clinical symptoms of ADHD in adults are somewhat different from those in children. In this case, a retrospective assessment of the behavior of a patient aged 5-15 years in most cases corresponds to a manifestation of the disorder in childhood.

    Mandatory manifestations of ADHD in adults are considered constant physical activity and impaired attention. The most typical complaints in this case are forgetfulness, inattention, distraction, impaired attention.

    In addition, common signs of the disease are:

    • emotional lability;
    • inability to complete the planned action;
    • short temper;
    • poor stress resistance;
    • impulsiveness.

    Additionally, autonomic disorders, sleep disorders, and headaches are common ADHD companions.

    Laboratory-instrumental diagnosis of ADHD does not exist. Therefore, the diagnosis is based on clinical criteria.

    The predominant predominance of one of the symptoms of the disease can manifest itself clinically in different ways. So, hyperactivity in adults can be manifested by signs of excessive desire for leadership. At the same time, reinforcements to such ambitions may be absent. Such patients talk a lot, often come into conflict, sometimes they are aggressive. They themselves choose too active work, constantly busy with chores, which ultimately harms family relationships.

    With the predominance of impulsiveness, people do not tolerate stressful situations, constantly change jobs, do not maintain social contacts, and are prone to depression. Characteristic for them is a predisposition to dependencies.

    The predominant attention deficit disorder in adults is manifested in the inability to plan their time, disorganization and poor organization of work. At the same time, distracted attention and a lack of concentration are clearly noted.

    Symptoms may be combined in any variation. The influence of the symptoms of the disease extends to all spheres of human activity. However, a pronounced cognitive deficit is not observed, and patients have a normal neurological status upon physical examination.

    In adults, in comparison with children, ADHD is more prevalent inattention and less often hyperactivity.

    Treatment

    Regardless of the age at which ADHD was diagnosed, it requires correction. Early detection of the disorder and adequate therapy significantly improve treatment outcomes. The package of measures aimed at eliminating the clinical manifestations of ADHD includes:

    • cognitive behavioral therapy;
    • physiotherapy;
    • physiotherapy;
    • impact on concomitant pathology;
    • participation in addiction treatment programs (if any);
    • drug treatment (neuroprotectors, vegetocorrector, antidepressants and so on).

    The leading importance in terms of treatment is given to psychotherapy, self-monitoring and social adaptation of the patient. The fight against inattention, hyperactivity and distracted attention with the use of drugs is unreasonable in view of the lack of the organic nature of the lesion. Medications can only be prescribed by the attending physician. Their expediency is justified only with the ineffectiveness of neuropsychological correction and in the presence of comorbid pathology requiring the administration of drugs.

    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, despite the traditional association with childhood, occurs among the adult population, being a serious medical and social problem. It is more difficult for people with this disorder to get a job, adapt in a new team, take a high position, make friends, start a family. The significant prevalence of the disease, the variability of clinical manifestations and the severity of behavioral disorders dictate the need for early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of pathology. Despite the relevance of issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults, there is still no single standard for the management of such patients. An individual approach to people suffering from behavioral disorders can significantly improve the effectiveness of the therapy, improve the patient's quality of life and adapt it to the surrounding reality.