ADHD in Children and How to Cope With It

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, often mistaken for naughtiness in Indian communities, is actually a disorder common among 3%-5% of the children in the country. The rate of ADHD in children is more common in boys than in girl, with the ratio being 3:1. The behavioral pattern of children suffering from this disorder varies from being inattentive to being hyperactive or compulsive.

Symptoms

There are a lot of symptoms for ADHD in children. A few of the common symptoms are:

• Easily distracted
• Find it tough to remember things or follow instructions
• Make careless mistakes
• Difficulty in staying organized
• Overactive
• Losing things
• Impatience
• Squirmy nature

In adults, it can cause frequent mood swings and anger issues, as well as lead to unstable relationships.

Causes

The different causes of ADHD include:

• Genetics
• Environmental factors
• Dietary factors like use of artificial sweeteners, chemical preservatives in food, deficiencies of nutrients and various allergies
• Forcing a child to learn something he is not interested in can also lead to development of lack of interest and thereby ADHD

Dietary Habits for Children with ADHD

There are dietary plans and habits that can act as remedies for children with such disorders.

• Eat a regular and healthy breakfast – A regular and healthy breakfast regulates the blood sugar and helps in stabilizing hormone fluctuations. This can do a lot of good in the long run not just for people with the disorder but everyone.
• Unprocessed food that is free from additives – Food additives are toxic in nature. It is best to avoid such additives or go for food without any artificial preservatives or sweeteners.
• Leafy vegetables – Leafy vegetables contain high amounts of Vitamin B, which helps in maintaining a healthy nervous system. It also helps the body to produce essential brain fluids.

It is not just dietary plans and habits that would help your child during these tough times but creating an environment that makes the child feel comfortable is also a must. Don't make children living with ADHD feel that they are bad. Their hyperactivity and impulsive nature can become troublesome but the key is to show affection while making sure they learn appropriate behaviour. Regular exercise or playtime can also be beneficial as it would burn the extra energy that they have in them and will also balance the hormone levels. 

A little affection can go a long way, but it is also important to consult an experienced pediatrician before making a diagnosis on your own.