ADHD can anyone explain it to me please?

Question

Can anyone tell me more from first hand experiences about ADHD, My husband is convinced that my son may have it after reading through the list of symptons, but to me the list just sounds like every 8 year old kid I know! eg been unable to sit still for very long, lack of concentration during school activities, the list goes on and on but it just doesn't sound out of the ordinary this symtons and not all the time just some times, should i get him checked out to be on the safe side i dont want him to grow into an out of control teenager.
Ps he is very intelligent and scored average on his sats last year

He is constantly in trouble at school for not following instructions and been slightly unruly but nothing major that I thought i would have to worry about

Answer 1

I would say that if nobody has mentioned it to you then dont mention it to them. ADHD is usually first spotted in school, teachers are trained to see this and then a doctor referall is made, maybe just talk to the teacher in a roundabout kind of way not mentioning adhd but asking about his behaviour in general.
Hes probably just a normal 8 year old boy .

also with adhd the children are 8 out of 10 times put on very high medication that brings them down so you would have to think would you want your child on this type of medication aswell.

Answer 2

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Criteria for ADHD
I. Either A or B:

A = Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.

Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.

Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).

Often has trouble organizing activities.

Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).

Is often easily distracted.

Is often forgetful in daily activities.

B = Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.

Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).

Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.

Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".

Often talks excessively.

Impulsivity

Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.

Often has trouble waiting one's turn.

Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.

Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).

There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.

The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months

ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months

ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.

Answer 3

For an excellent discussion and suggested remedies for ADHD see the chapters in Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Murray & Pizzorno) and Prescription For Natural Cures (Balch & Stengler). Chek your local library or health food store for copies. Also available on Alibris.com at a discount.
We have heard that many ADHD kids get good results from taking MonaVie juice (info on request).

Answer 4

It is not easy to diagnose in the very young.
eg. in an adult, remembering names, numbers and lightswitches is difficult if you have ADHD, in an 8 year old boy it's normal.
The brain is going too quickly to remember minor details - just like a kid.
But if your child's behaviour is affecting his life to the point that he is failing socially and academically then seek help - try three doctors regardless of advice. It may be bahavioural problems or ......etc.etc.
Medicating your child against ADHD is in itself a diagnosis, giving a child methamphetamine (speed) doesn't slow them down, unless they have an existing chemical imbalance - quite the opposite.
ADHD is controversal for no good reason. The behaviour is part of a boy's natural make-up. But sometimes the brain gets it wrong, and goes to extremes or into adulthood. This can hamper a person's progress in today's soceity. The treatment is low dose and as harmless as a drug can be, and contrary to opinion isn't designed to mellow out normal kids. If normal kids take it they get hyper.
My advice is to go through the list with your husband (other lists and tests are available online - search ADHD). If you both agree he has MOST of the symptoms, then decide if he is suffering socially or academically because of them - if the answer is YES, try three doctors.
ps. You need three doctors because politics plays a more important role than medicine for most doctors in this issue, both pro and con sides of the argument.

(edit)
I keep saying 'boy' because it's mainly boys who suffer, and it is typical 'male' behaviour that is the problem. Girls of course also suffer but in lesser numbers.

(edit)
My personal opinion is that many men and some women have some form of this 'condition'. In that respect it is normal, but when a person is required to sit still and behave in order to progress in soceity, and cannot re-train himself to do that, then there is a problem. The brain is complex and we are only beginning to understand how it works, but behaviour wise we have a lot of differences that are having to be squeezed into a narrow band of acceptable behaviour. Most of you succeed in this, some of us struggle. And our failure is not through lack of trying. There is treatment available and it works well, but if I had to think think on my feet in a stressful situation I wouldn't want to be as slow as the normal ones. Unfortunately for me I live in a civilised soceity and I need patience and aforethought to get me through the day.

Answer 5

I have ADHT & Bi-polar. It's really not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Grant it is bad and it is a mental disorder but you can do anything you put your mind to, it just depends on the person.
I am an aircraft mechanic who works with less stressful big trucks. Talk to your doctor about your son and see what he says.

Answer 6

what 8 yr old isnt hyper....talk to your child doctor first they will direct you to testing if they feel the same way as your husband,,,warning doctors have been known to put children o medice for that with no testing...and talk to school theres a test there for you and teacher to do its called occonners.....teachers are not alound to go to parents and say they suspect adhd,they can only tell you what is going on with them in school,as to addional comment you left,you should talk to youir childs doctor first,i have a 12 year old bi-polar daughter also and i started there, and school started some testing

Answer 7

i used to have similar problems with my son we had him checked for ADHD, results told us he didn't have it, so we spoke to a counsellor and told her what he did,, we were refered back for more tests and found out that at 7/8 yrs old his IQ was that of a 20 yr old, far superior to other kids in his class, his symptons were that of boredom and frustration, the work was too easy and he needed to be challenged more, the brainy little so and so even taught himself algebra at 9.

i'd get his IQ tested aswell to see if it his intelligence that is causing him to behave that way, and speak to a child counsellor.

Good luck with your son.

Answer 8

nicely it stands for interest deficit hyperactivity ailment so it is kinda contained in the call. yet in case you have not realised yet, that's a ailment that outcomes a persons' means to to absolutely pay interest or supply interest for the period of a annoying project. This also causes those with this ailment to act "hyper" in case you'll E.g. they could't stay interior a similar position for a given era of time.

Answer 9

It is called hyder attension deficit disorder, my daughter has it, and like your son she does not pay any attention to anything that we want her to. take him to see a doctor that is the nly way it will be diagnosed. And let me tell you some men don't know everything, and there is alway's a quick answer for what they don't want to deal with.

Answer 10

attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Basically a part of his brain is messed up, and it makes concentration harder/
My friend had this and he used fish oil tablets. Try them!