Hyperactivity can be present in attention deficit disorder (ADHD). When a child is hyperactive he has the urge to move continuously, not to stay still. Given that this concept is very subjective , due to the fact that what can become excess movement for one person, for another can be considered normal, it is difficult to diagnose .
When assessing whether a child is hyperactive, it is taken into account that this behavior is not a problem that makes it difficult to lead a normalized life, a positive school performance and that does not influence them when interacting with others, either with your family or with your friends.
What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is a conduct disorder . Children who suffer from it tend to be in continuous movement, especially when they have an excess of energy, perform impulsive actions, are easily distracted, show aggressive behaviors and have difficulties concentrating and paying attention.
On many occasions, this disorder is diagnosed by mistake , without the child actually suffering from it; since in many cases it is not taken into account that in the childhood stage, children are restless and moved by nature, and that they are only more active children, who over the years will decrease their energy, especially when they reach adolescence.
It should be noted that hyperactivity is not the same as ADHD , it is only considered a symptom of what this disorder entails. However, having hyperactive behavior is already a problem in itself; hence they are often confused and both are treated as behavioral disorders.
What symptoms do hyperactive children present?
When it comes to knowing whether or not your child suffers from hyperactivity, it is important that you observe their behavior, taking into account several aspects that make this problem visible. Some of the most common signs that we should be alert to are:
– Talk excessively and without stopping. Often interrupts or gets into other people’s conversations.
– It is difficult for him to remain still when the situation requires it, for example, at meals, meetings, waiting rooms, etc.
– Shows difficulty in concentrating or paying attention, being constantly distracted and with anything.
– It moves at times when it is not appropriate to do so.
– He can not finish any activity before switching to a new one, for example: He leaves the construction that he was doing with so much enthusiasm halfway and begins to paint.
– It is not constant in what it does.
– It is difficult for him to remember information , due to lack of attention, such as: what has been asked of him, what he has to take, etc.
– He is not able to carry out relaxing activities that he likes without moving, for example: Watching TV, reading, etc.
– Tends to show aggressive attitudes or destructive behaviors , such as breaking things, yelling, etc.
– Make repetitive noises or make small movements when calm.
In addition to the above , it is very common to confuse hyperactivity with:
x Hyperthyroidism : This condition is not usually common in children, but in some cases if they suffer from it, they can be mistaken for hyperactivity due to the fact that they are excessively restless, distracted, etc.
x Anxiety disorder : since it makes children appear restless, with difficulty concentrating, anxiety, etc.
x Complications in the sensory development of the child : In many cases, due to lack of sensory stimuli or due to an excess of them, hyperactivity originates.
x Disorders at the auditory level: since hearing deficiency makes them not listen to what is being said, being confused with a passive, distracted, ignoring, rebellious, etc. attitude.
x Borderline personality disorder : In this case, it is confused by the impulsive behaviors that occur in both cases, the difficulty in concentrating, the possible aggressiveness or disobedience of the rules, etc.
What warning signs should we be aware of?
As we have said before, on many occasions there is a tendency to diagnose hyperactivity, confusing natural attitudes of childhood with symptoms. For this there are certain points that must be taken into account before:
– That the child has a movement or a disproportionate restlessness in comparison with that presented by other children of his age and with respect to his degree of physical and psychological development.
– That these behaviors interfere in a negative way in your life, causing its quality to decrease or be affected.
– That this behavior is detectable before the age of 12, that is, at an early age.
– That the problem affects at least two of the three areas of the child’s life: Social, school and family.
– That said behavior is not caused by the consumption of drugs, psychological problems, etc.
However, if you think that your child may be suffering from hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder (ADHD), it is advisable that you go to a specialist who will assess your case and can detect in time whether or not he or she suffers from this type of disorder.
Why is it important to detect hyperactivity early?
Like any conduct disorder, hyperactivity, the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it will be to help the child control it. Detecting these types of problems early makes his behavior put into words, thus giving him an appropriate response, as well as the necessary help, support, tools, etc.
There are many cases of children who suffer from hyperactivity, but because it is not detected, they suffer in silence, being unhappy and even with depressive behaviors. This happens, because by not knowing what is wrong with him, he is considered a bad child, useless in his studies, who must be continuously punished, annoying, etc; when they just have a difficulty concentrating or an excess of energy that he alone cannot control.
What can cause my child to be hyperactive? Do you have treatment?
Thanks to Dr. Tredgold, it is known that the cause of hyperactivity may lie in a minimal dysfunction at the brain level, which causes the behavioral area to be affected.
For this reason, in most cases of children with hyperactivity, drugs that stimulate the brain are administered as treatment, such as benzedrine, causing brain function to activate and increase.