ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects millions of children all over the world, and the number of new cases being diagnosed year on year is growing all the time.
Some kids may outgrow the condition when they reach adulthood, but most will live with it all their lives.
Children who have this disorder inevitably face several hurdles in life.
The most obvious challenge for these kids is the fact that they are at a disadvantage academically.
Given that the primary symptoms of this disorder are inattentiveness; impulsivity and hyperactivity, it is easy to see why ADHD kids often struggle with their schooling.
Many children (and adults) with ADHD also suffer from anxiety.
If you think about this for a moment or two, it's easy to understand how and/or why ADHD can cause anxiety.
Very few teachers have undergone the necessary training for teaching kids with ADHD, and this routinely results in clashes between teachers and pupils.
Kids with this disorder often fall behind with their schooling as a result of this.
When these children are continuously being reprimanded and scolded despite the fact that they are actually trying their best, they often become anxious, and of course, the more anxious they become, the more their schooling is affected.
Children with ADHD and anxiety are incredibly vulnerable, and if they are not cared for and treated correctly, their future can so easily be destroyed.
Diagnosis Of Anxiety And ADHD In Children While symptoms of ADHD can start to become apparent before children start school, it's usually only once they do start school that the disorder comes to light.
In a classroom setting, the three typical behavioral problems caused by ADHD make it relatively easy for teachers to see that something isn't quite right.
However, this only applies if a teacher is actually familiar with the disorder.
If a teacher suspects that your child may have the disorder, the school will more often than not mention it to you and recommend that you get your child tested.
Diagnosing the disorder is quite complex, particularly if a child has both ADHD and anxiety.
Usually a diagnosis will involve a number of questionnaires and a one on one interview with the child and with the parents.
These days, several health experts are also relying on a procedure known as quantitative electroencephalography.
Using highly sophisticated equipment, they can successfully map brainwave activity.
This is known as a BFA (Brain Function Assessment) and it is often used alongside a regular diagnosis.
It can also help to reveal the severity of the disorder, just as it can help to prevent a misdiagnosis.
Treatment And The Importance Of An Accurate Diagnosis While treatment options like BFT (Brain Function Training) are starting to gain some ground now, many doctors are still treating ADHD with the use of powerful stimulant drugs.
For this reason, it is crucial for a child to be accurately diagnosed before any form of treatment is started.