Is it possible for a 4-Year-Old to have ADD/ADHD?

Question

My middle son turned four in October. I have noticed that the older he gets, the worse his behavior gets. He is also VERY restless. I can't get him to sit still for two-seconds. He also won't stay on task. He is constantly getting into trouble at school. At home, he is always wide open. I would guess that could all be explained away as a typical four-year-old. However, he is also always fidgiting. He is picking at his nails, he constantly picks the plastic tips off of his shoe laces, he picks at the designs on his shirts, he picks at bug bites/cuts/scabs/etc. He is a picker! Would that be considered a symptom? I don't want to take him to the doctor to get on some type of treatment if that isn't what this is. Also, if this is ADD/ADHD, are there any alternatives to treatment? I have heard about using St. John's Wort? Any ideas?

I am hesitant to take him to the doctor not because I want him to suffer but I am fearful since I live in a VERY rural area it will be missdiagnosed. Also, as for his diet, he doesn't get sweets, candy, soda, kool-aid, etc. As for stimulation, there is plenty. My husband and I play with him all the time. He has lots of good toys, stimulating toys, not just hotwheels. :)

Answer 1

Stop self diagnosing and go visit a doctor. Express your concern about medication and ask for alternatives, such as behavioral therapy. Picking is a sign of boredom. Get him things to entertain himself with... I didn't sit still at all at 4 either and I don't have ADD/ADHD.

Answer 2

You really should have him evaluated. If you feel like your area will not provide a good doctor for him then take him to the nearest city. This can be very important and can effect him for the rest of his life. I'm not even saying that you should rush into meds right away. But you need to know and you need to know what to look for. I say these things because I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. I look back and think, oh my! if I had been treated I would have done better in school and probably could have stayed out of alot of trouble. You should really research and ask questions. I think that 4 yrs old is probably too young for meds but maybe when he's older. these meds do have side effects such as being lethargic, and weight loss. But if given in the proper dosage it can be a wonderful thing.

Answer 3

The answer is most probably yes, he will be less hyper as he gets older. But this isnt neessesarily the case. Some people with ADHD will outgrow the condition completly and go on to be relatively normal adults. But this is only about 20% of people with ADHD, most will continue to suffer from it for their whole lives. 80% of those with ADHD will continue to suffer from it to some degree their whole lives but most of these will improve somewhat in adulthood. So they will still suffer from their ADHD problems but the hyperactivity usually improves. Around 1 in 5 will continue to have ADHD that is just as severe or more severe in adulthood. But this is more common in women than men. Some will continue to have extreme hyperactivity throughout their entire lives.

Answer 4

Yes it is possible - trust yourself - you sound like you already have ideas of what is outside of the average in your son. Natural medications are great but regular medications are often necessary.

I knew by the time my son was 3 that he was waaaay to energetic & distracted for the average. He took medications until he was 16. It is far better to have a child on medication then to have a child suffer the incredible damage of being constantly in trouble at school. Yes I agree that the non-stimulant medications are best, & some med's only need to be given once a day.

I told my son that the medication was a tool. He was still in charge (i.e. responsible) of his behavior. He took the repurcussions for what he did, but I wanted to make sure that he had every advantage possible to succeed in school - in his case that meant medication & "behavior therapy". I also always told him that I believed in him, that he could and would overcome his challenges. Happy ending? He's a great kid & doing well.

ADHD kids on medications are actually at the same risk as non-ADHD kids for other troubles like depression, school & future legal problems. Non-medicated ADHD kids are at increased risks for these (I read about some studies on this topic recently).

One more good-to-know thing - ADHD often runs with other issues like dyslexia, OCD and hypersensitivity (loud sounds, artificial foods, noisy environments, etc). He may/may not have another issue "full-fledged" but it may be a leaning toward that. A good thing to keep in mind as your son grows. I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 5

Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol.

* Trebaticka J,
* Kopasova S,
* Hradecna Z,
* Cinovsky K,
* Skodacek I,
* Suba J,
* Muchova J,
* Zitnanova I,
* Waczulikova I,
* Rohdewald P,
* Durackova Z.

Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Child University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Limbova 1, 833 40 Bratislava, Slovakia.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric disorder in children. Pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine, consisting of phenolic acids, catechin, taxifolin and procyanidins, has shown improvement of ADHD in case reports and in an open study. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Pycnogenol on ADHD symptoms. Sixty-one children were supplemented with 1 mg/kg/day Pycnogenol or placebo over a period of 4 weeks in a randomised, placebo-controlled, doubleblind study. Patients were examined at start of trial, 1 month after treatment and 1 month after end of treatment period by standard questionnaires: CAP (Child Attention Problems) teacher rating scale, Conner's Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS), the Conner's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) and a modified Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children. Results show that 1-month Pycnogenol administration caused a significant reduction of hyperactivity, improves attention and visual-motoric coordination and concentration of children with ADHD. In the placebo group no positive effects were found. One month after termination of Pycnogenol administration a relapse of symptoms was noted. Our results point to an option to use Pycnogenol as a natural supplement to relieve ADHD symptoms of children.

Answer 6

At four years old it may be to early to tell but I would encourage you to contact your doctor right away to have him evaluated.

I started noticing problems with my son when he was about 4. All four year olds have short attention spans by you can see how he acts compared to other children in his class. I waited until my son was 9 until I put him on ADD medicine because I didnt want him on 'medication' if I could help it.

As soon as he started I noticed such a huge change it brings tears to my eyes. It was so much easier for him to focus and he tells me he likes taking it because he doesn't get 'distracted' so easilly. His grades, reading level and relationships have improved dramatically as well.

So just keep in contact with your doctor and have him evaluated if you are worried. As he grows older he'll show signs one way or the other. He'll either gradually learn to focus, follow multiple directions and have a longer attention span or he'll get more disruptive compared to the other students.

Answer 7

If your doctor is any good, he will know what tests to give him before giving any medicine. My daughter was thought to have ADD and her doctor had her tested two different times by the Board of Special Ed at our school district. There are all kinds of great new drugs out there now for that. Its not just Ritalin anymore. They have things like Adderall and another new one that are non-stimulant. Go to your pediatrician and get some ideas and suggestions.

Answer 8

Hi
First I would examine the childs diet. My son can handle sugary sweets, while my daughter can not - she overreacts, kind of like people on too much caffein. Also it could be alergies that he is reacting to, but before going to a doctor - which usually means they will put him on medication, too fast and unnessesary, check out a website, that I have found usefull in taking care of my children. It is www.iahp.org. In the section for brain injured children, there is a section about ADD/ADHD.
Hope that helps and inspires you.
Good luck

Answer 9

You need to get him diagnosed before you try alternative treatments it could be ADHD but it could also be something else - my nephews were similar to your son and only ever slept about 5 hours a night but they have dyslexia and dyspraxia
If you do get him diagnosed and it is ADHD the link below may help - good luck

Answer 10

The fact that you mention his behavior is the SAME at school than it is at home might be a red flag. As long as you find yourself a good pediatrician who isn't quick to pill-push, I'd say it's worth it to pursue the option. My best friend is a pediatrician and says is drastically over-diagnosed. Just do your homework and find a GOOD doc to get a TRUE diagnosis.

Good luck!