Hyperactive Attention Deficit Disorder is a much misunderstood condition, generally of young children up to early school years, though it is now evident that it can be carried on into adulthood if not properly treated. In the past the disorder was known as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD if the child was also hyperactive. Now it is more commonly known as ADHD with or without hyperactivity.
Those sufferers without hyperactivity are not incapable of concentration, and are able to focus their attention, its just that they cant choose when they should do this. They may be so focused on a particular thing that they are unable to stop. You may be speaking to them and they pay no attention since they are trying to switch attention between you, the last thing that caught their attention, and perhaps even that before.
They can focus, but if something is not interesting to them they find it impossible to concentrate on it because they are still thinking on what does interest them. Not by choice, but because they must. They are hopeless in class because there are so many changing options for them to concentrate on.
A sufferer can rush into things without enough thought, and adults will often have difficulty shopping and frequently shop compulsively. They have problems with normal domestic chores because something else will catch their attention and they will lose sight of what they are doing at the time. Sufferers frequently lose things, like toys, pencils and books, because they have been distracted and have no idea what they were doing when this occurred.
However, sufferers are frequently just like the rest of us, only they dont know when they should stop thinking about that film they saw and when to start listening to their teacher.
When they start to listen, their attention wanders to something else. Sometimes they get frustrated because they seem different to other people, and at other times they have no idea what all the fuss is about.
If children are also hyperactive, they live life as if on a massive dose of caffeine. They move about on their seats, fidget, stand up and sit down again, chatter constantly and generally live a super-charged life. Always on the go, they never seem to get anywhere because their activity is not directed to a specific purpose.
Eventually sufferers can become extremely depressed since they cannot understand why they are not like other people, and why their behaviour is regarded as abnormal.
There is no known cure, as yet, but there is treatment that can be given. The problem is thought to be neurological, perhaps exacerbated by diet, and possibly genetic. The treatment available is effective, and sufferers from ADHD are frequently be able to start living a normal life.
This article is for information only and the author accepts no liability for any action
Margaret Tye is a ex-teacher who runs the From Tots 2 Teens/ADHD website
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