Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
It manifests in individuals with excessive hyperactivity, attention deficits, and impulsive behaviors. Children who are generally called "naughty" or "unable to sit still" in society are more likely to have this disorder. It can be seen as only an attention deficit disorder, or both attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder can occur simultaneously.
Frequency and Prevalence of Attention Deficit
Based on studies of school-aged children, it is commonly seen in 3-7% of these children, and its occurrence and frequency in boys are 3 to 5 times higher than in girls. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis is the leading diagnosis among patients applying to child and adolescent mental health departments both globally and in Turkey.
Determining the Diagnosis of Attention Deficit
There are three important points for diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These are:
- It must be persistent and continuous, meaning it should be observed for at least 6 months,
- The child must be observed in more than one different environment (e.g., school, home),
- Symptoms must have started before the age of 7.
Individuals with attention deficit can be defined as having a noticeably lower duration and intensity of attention on a single focus compared to their peers. In children with attention deficit disorder, their attention can be easily distracted by new stimuli from their surroundings. For this reason, children have difficulty engaging in a specific task for a long time and experience problems with focus. After children are diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity, it is quite important for parents to approach their children with more understanding and leniency during the treatment process for the course and healthy progression of the treatment. For situations like attention deficit and hyperactivity in children, you can visit relevant online addresses on web pages to learn what to do and what steps to follow to get the necessary information.
