If you have these symptoms, consult a child-adolescent psychiatrist! We are above the world average in attention deficit!
Problems that develop in the field of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity inappropriately with age and developmental level are called Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Experts state that the prevalence of ADHD is 5% worldwide and that this rate is the same in our country. ADHD is more common in boys than girls. Stating that families have great duties in the treatment process, experts warn parents not to label the child and not to make negative comments to the child.
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Clinical Psychologist Merve Umay Candaş Demir from Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital stated that it is healthy to diagnose Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder in primary school periods, "Because the period when attention and concentration are most needed to do a job is primary school ages. Therefore, a child needs attention the most in primary school ages, and the problems that arise in this area tell us that we can diagnose this condition."
If there are symptoms, consult a child-adolescent psychiatrist!
Merve Umay Candaş Demir warned, "Let's say our child has a mobility, we have observed this. What should be done here is to consult a child-adolescent psychiatrist."
"Within this framework, information is obtained from the child, information is obtained from the family and then teachers can be contacted. In addition, the child's relationship with his/her circle of friends is questioned. Apart from these, a clinical examination and psychometric evaluation processes are also included in this process and a diagnosis is made at the end of this process."
Not every active child is hyperactive
Stating that Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder manifests itself in three areas, Demir said, "It is examined in three main sections: the part with attention deficit, the part with hyperactivity and the part with both. In this sense, parents need to be vigilant. Not every active child is hyperactive," he warned.
Does your child lose their belongings and forget their homework?
Merve Umay Candaş Demir emphasized that a child with attention deficit has difficulty in getting down to details and avoids tasks that require intense thinking and said, "When something is explained to him, it seems like he is not listening and when he is asked, there is no response, he has difficulty in following the given commands, he forgets and loses his belongings, and forgets that he has homework. Such symptoms make us think of attention deficit. However, these children may not be hyperactive and may actually be calmer, obey the rules, but at some point they experience a process that progresses in a way that is incompatible with their age and developmental level due to attention deficit."
A hyperactive child cannot quietly engage in a task
Merve Umay Candaş Demir stated that the child with hyperactivity cannot stand still and is, so to speak, "like a stuck motor" and said the following:
"He cannot engage in something quietly. When you take him/her to a movie theater or a theater, he/she cannot finish these activities in silence. He always wants to go out in between, he walks around. This child can talk a lot. They cannot do things that require waiting. For example, if he/she has to stand in a line, he/she cannot wait in that line. If he/she is playing a sequential game with his/her friends, he/she may immediately go to the front without waiting for his/her friends' turn. This may cause children to be labeled as rude, but these children are actually showing signs of hyperactivity. Of course, impulsivity also prevails. Impulsivity can manifest itself in the form of acting on impulse and not being able to command themselves. This impulsivity is also more common in hyperactivity. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also have both of these symptoms."
Negative criticism pushes children to failure
Emphasizing that it is important for parents to make observations, Merve Umay Candaş Demir said, "What is important for parents is that in the first stage, we may not be able to immediately say 'My child is hyperactive' or 'My child is hyperactive' or 'He has attention deficit' at the first stage, or let's say he is only active at school, he comes home and there is nothing; but there are complaints at school. For this diagnosis to be made, these symptoms need to be observed in at least two environments. Observing symptoms for 1-2 weeks is not enough to make this diagnosis."
Labeled as hyperactive or inattentive
Stating that recent studies have shown a very high correlation between ADHD diagnosis and the brain, Demir said, "These children are labeled as 'hyperactive' or 'inattentive' and these children are recognized in their schools. Just as when something that is done well is liked, it is done better, in these children, by criticizing and criticizing the things they do badly (and they can do most things badly if they do not receive treatment), we are actually pushing them to fail even more. What we will do here is to have information about the diagnosis and to approach the child at the level that the diagnosis brings. These children may also have the perception that 'I am taking medication because I am lazy, naughty, inadequate, deficient'. In order for them not to experience this perception, we need to support them and parents need to support them in this process while they struggle with this disease."
Avoid labeling your child!
Clinical Psychologist Merve Umay Candaş Demir from Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital said, "Avoid labeling your child and negative comments, be sure to inform the school about your child's condition and follow this process by staying in constant communication with the school without interfering with the work of educators."
"Especially school psychological counselors and guidance counselors have a great role in this process. The fact that the child knows that there is someone who understands him/her during the period of struggle with the disease supports him/her in this process. If the child feels that he/she is not understood, it may cause him/her to close himself/herself even more or his/her negative behaviors may come to the forefront."
