- June 27, 2020
- Comments: 53
- Posted by: cbtkeadmin
Psychology| What is ADHD all about? CBT Kenya
It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder that affects how you pay attention, sit still, and control your behavior. It happens in children and teens and can continue into adulthood. It is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in children. Boys are more likely to have it than girls. It can’t be prevented or cured. But spotting it early, plus having a good treatment and education plan, can help a child or adult with ADHD manage their symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD
The key signs of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. For some people with ADHD, only one of these behaviors is the primary problem, but for others it’s a combination. In children, a combination of behaviors is most common. Without proper identification and treatment, these behaviors negatively affect their quality of life, whether it’s at work, school, or at home.
- Children with ADHD often can’t sit still. They may try to get up and run around, fidget, or squirm in their chair when forced to sit.
- A child with ADHD may show interest in lots of different things, but they may have problems finishing them. For example, they may start projects, chores, or homework, but move on to the next thing that catches their interest before finishing.
- A child with ADHD may have trouble paying attention even when someone is speaking directly to them. They’ll say they heard you, but they won’t be able to repeat back what you just said.
- Children with ADHD may have trouble following instructions that require planning or executing a plan. This can then lead to careless mistakes but it doesn’t indicate laziness or a lack of intelligence.
- Children with ADHD aren’t always rambunctious and loud. Another sign of ADHD is being quieter and less involved than other kids. They may stare into space, daydream, and ignore what’s going on around them.
- Kids with ADHD may be forgetful in daily activities. They may forget to do chores or their homework. They may also lose things often, such as toys.
What causes ADHD?
- ADHD runs in families. If a parent has ADHD, a child has more than a 50% chance of having it. If an older sibling has it, a child has more than a 30% chance.
- Children born with a low birth weight, born premature, or whose mothers had difficult pregnancies have a higher risk of having ADHD. The same is true for children with head injuries to the frontal lobe of the brain, the area that controls impulses and emotions.
- Fetal exposure to alcohol and tobacco is thought to play a role in ADHD. Children exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally are 2.4 times as likely to have ADHD as those who are not, research suggests.
- There’s no proof that too much TV or video-game time causes ADHD. Although research has found that school- and college-age students who spent more time in front of a screen had more attention problems than those who did not.
Word from CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based practices have been found to be the most effective therapeutic interventions. Studies have begun to show promising results using dialectical behavioral therapy as well. Group therapy programs and peer support groups are immensely helpful in this regard. There is simply no replacement for being around other people who “get it.” It’s also important to remember that ADHD doesn’t exist within in a vacuum, it affects those you love, too.
At CBT Kenya, we have friendly yet professional psychologists who are ready to have a talk with you. We encourage you to find out more about our services. We welcome any questions. Any questions related to psychotherapy, counselling, and psychology services are welcomed. Our purpose is to help you to achieve your therapeutic and life goals, to improve the quality of your life and to help you to build strong relationships in your life. Get in touch or book an appointment on +254 739 935 333, +254 756 454 585 or info@cbtkenya.org.
