Introduction
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the children’s most frequent neurodevelopmental diseases. Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are hallmarks of this disorder. Around 2.2% of school-aged children worldwide are affected by this. ADHD symptoms can range from hyperactivity to attentional dominance. Smoking, heavy drinking, stress, and prenatal lead exposure are some causes of ADHD among children. Important concepts to consider when dealing with ADHD include having basic knowledge of psychopathology, clinical manifestations, and nursing intervention.
Pathophysiology
Many genetic and environmental factors and the interaction between the two have been related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because some risk factors only play a role in a subset of ADHD instances, exposure to them does not guarantee that a person will develop the disorder (Ronald et al, 2021). Younger parental ages are often connected with a higher chance of having a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the offspring.
Parents under twenty years old had a high risk of having a child diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to parents between the ages of thirty. ADHD has been linked to environmental factors like exposure to lead, brain damage, low birth weight, prematurity, postmaturity, postnatal jaundice, smoking and drinking by parents during pregnancy, and problems with the mother’s health during pregnancy and childbirth (Hassan et al, 2022). The genetic composition is another possible cause of ADHD among children. Reports indicate that later-born siblings of children with ADHD have a higher risk of being diagnosed with ADHD than later-born siblings of children without ADHD.
Clinical manifestations
The early signs and symptoms of ADHD include being incapable of sitting still, particularly in quiet environments, inability to focus on a single task, and excessive verbalization. And frantic physical activity becoming impatient, acting rashly, preventing others from finishing their thoughts during dialogues, and having little to no awareness of potential danger (Womble & Kincheleo, 2020). Children whose parents may have been exposed to some risks of ADHD may have communication problems or language delays (Womble & Kincheleo, 2020). The signs and symptoms of inattentiveness may include having a short focus span or being easily fooled, making simple errors, and giving the impression of being unable to pay attention to or pass out instructions (Womble & Kincheleo, 2020). Constantly switching activities and having trouble organizing tasks are all symptoms of a short attention span.
Late signs and symptoms
The late signs and symptoms are seen in adult age, including carelessness and inattention to detail in starting new things before finishing old ones—a lack of organization, failure to concentrate, or set priorities. According to Womble & Kincheleo, 2020, persistently dropping things or leaving them behind; forgetfulness, agitation, anxiety, and a short fuse; difficulty waiting for one’s turn; impulsive, frequently rude replies; problems handling stress; severe impatience; reckless behavior; lack of concern for others’ feelings; restlessness are some of the late signs and symptoms of ADHD.
Nursing interventions
Medication has long been the standard method of treating ADHD. The recommended medications for treating ADHD in children are not without their share of potential unwanted effects. Therefore, both parents and medical professionals are looking for alternatives (Sibley et al, 2022). The multimodal treatment of ADHD consists of medical and non-medical approaches, such as parent and professional medical education (Wong, 2022). There are behavioral management programs for kids who need extra help getting along at home or in the classroom. Furthermore, nutrition and exercise can be employed to supplement these management strategies.
Dietary techniques that encourage the consumption of a wide variety of healthful foods, such as fresh produce, whole grains, lean proteins, and minimally processed meals, are examples of non-medical treatments (Hassan, 2022). Many studies have looked at the impact of nutrition on ADHD symptoms; those that focused on colorings-free, gluten-free, and low-sugar diets found statistically significant and clinically relevant favorable benefits on ADHD (Wong, 2022). A cascade of physiological responses occurs in response to both short-term and chronic physical exertion (Hassan, 2022). These have been linked to enhanced cognitive abilities, improved memory, and positive physical and mental health effects.
Counseling, behavioral therapy, and environmental adjustments are examples of non-pharmacological treatment options for ADHD. The patient’s age heavily influences care recommendations (Sibley et al, 2022). Behavioral therapy is the first line of defense for kids between the ages of four and five, and methylphenidate, a stimulant medicine, may be used if necessary. Approved drugs such as amphetamine pharmaceuticals and behavioral treatment are advised for children and adolescents ages 6 to 11 (Sibley et al, 2022). Treatment options for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years old include behavioral counseling and the use of licensed drugs. It is advised that adults receive treatment that incorporates both pharmaceutical and psychological modalities (Ronald, 2021). Education for the patient and the patient’s family and cognitive behavioral treatment tailored to the patient’s particular condition are examples of psychosocial techniques or psychiatrists may offer these treatment of ADHD (Sibley et al, 2022).
Conclusion
In conclusion. ADHD is a serious mental problem that affects many children at adolescents’ stage and at some points it proceeds with this children up to the adulthood stage. Some of the signs and symptoms includes lack of paying attention to important occasions and carelessness in adulthood period. There are some possible treatments for ADHD disorder where one can visit the psychologist for guidance.
References
Womble, D. M., & Kincheloe, C. A. (2020). Introductory mental health nursing. (4thed).Wolters Kluwer.
Ronald, A., de Bode, N., & Polderman, T. J. C. (2021). Systematic review: How the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder polygenic risk score ads to our understanding of ADHD and associated traits. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 60(10), 1234–1277. Web.
Hassan, M. M., Nuaim, A. A., Osman, S. R., Hassan, M. D., & Ismail, T. M. (2022). Diet and physical exercises for preschoolers with ADHD and their mothers: An intervention study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 67. Web.
Wong, R. (2022). Psychopathology of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: From an inflammatory perspective. The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 58(1). Web.
Sibley, M. H., Arnold, L. E., Swanson, J. M., Hechtman, L. T., Kennedy, T. M., Owens, E., Molina, B. S. G., Jensen, P. S., Hinshaw, S. P., Roy, A., Chronis-Tuscano, A., Newcorn, J. H., & Rohde, L. A. (2022). Variable patterns of remission from ADHD in the multimodal treatment study of ADHD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 179(2), 142–151. Web.