Let us imagine, just for a moment, that you are a child, sitting in a classroom. You are surrounded by your friends and peers. The teacher is up front and talking about a very important topic but no matter what you do, you cannot focus on what he or she is saying at all! If that is too much of a stretch for your imagination then try imagining going to work, but again, no matter what you do, you cannot focus, or you cannot remain still for any length of time so that you can attend to the different responsibilities that you have. You simply constantly feel the need to move around, move something! You will tap your pen, wiggle your feet, get up, sit down, etc.
If you really do not need to imagine any of this because it describes your life, then you might well have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or ADHD. The fact is that living with adhd child can be very hectic, chaotic, and disruptive. It causes serious problems academically, professionally, emotionally, socially, privately, in fact, in every scenario and facet of existence. The reason for this is because those with ADHD do not have any control over their symptoms whatsoever! The absent-minded child in the classroom, or adult in the work place, is not merely lazy or unmotivated, they have a disorder that can be treated in a variety of different ways.
Of course it goes without saying that there could be another explanation if you find that you have experienced some of the symptoms mentioned above, and that it does not categorically mean that you have ADHD. To determine whether a child (or adult) has ADHD a thorough and complete evaluation is necessary. The evaluation process can take months because there is no single test for ADHD. You may have come across online ADHD tests and quizzes which can be very helpful in determining whether ADHD is a possibility or not, but they cannot take the place of a proper diagnosis rendered by a suitably qualified ADHD specialist.
While it is not pleasant to be told that your child has ADHD it can be helpful none the less. Once you know why your child is behaving the way that he or she is, you can then turn your attention to the possible treatment options available. Your child’s doctor will, in all likelihood, prescribe one of the standard ADHD medications, such as Ritalin. You might be familiar with the controversy surrounding these drugs. It is important to understand that, despite the controversial nature of these drugs, ADHD medications have proven effective for many children and adults living with ADHD. On the other hand, there are many who do not benefit or else cannot tolerate the side effects of the drugs.
Alternative treatments are more widely available today than ever before. In the past, kids who did not respond well to the psycho-stimulant drugs (such as Ritalin), had no choice but to live with the symptoms of ADHD for the rest of their lives. As already mentioned above, the symptoms of the disorder can cause untold suffering if left untreated. Nowadays there are homeopathic remedies, behavioral therapies, and even diets that can help to alleviate or even treat the symptoms and behaviors of ADHD.