A mother of a 5 year old boy came to me the other day in tears. She said she just could not handle her son at all, he was aggressive, violent, would hit her all the time if she tried to correct him. Also this boy was extremely fidgety and I had a torrid time trying to keep my clinic from being wrecked by him. His nursery teachers had complained to the parents that their son never paid attention in class and was difficult to handle. It was very clear to me that the child was suffering from " Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ".

 WHAT IS ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER ?

 Attention deficit disorder is a condition that refers to an individual's inability to control their own behavior or impulses. These people have great difficulty to focus on one thing at a time, they get easily distracted by any stimuli like sound. This is a chronic problem that first shows signs in early infancy and can extend into adulthood. It becomes very evident when the child starts going to school. He finds it very difficult to adjust to the structure and demands of the classroom. This disorder is not only a real challenge for the patient but also for his family and teachers.

This disorder can be divided into two types-

It is still not known what really causes this disorder but there are a few theories which have been put forward. Some believe that it is a physiological brain disorder with a genetic component. It is said to be related to abnormalities in the nervous system and in the way the messages are sent to and from the brain. There is some evidence to support the fact that this disorder is an inherited one from parent to child. It is more prevalent in boys than in girls.

Some researchers feel that a foetus exposed to drugs, alcohol, amphetamines and heroin, also premature infants are at more risk than the others to develop this disorder.

 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER?

These children can show a variety of symptoms but the most common ones have been listed here -

The reason I have listed all these symptoms is so that parents can pick up early signs of this disorder in their own children and treat it appropriately.

HOW IS ATTENTION DEFICIT DISODER TREATED ?

 Lots of parents are confused as to how they should handle their child who is suffering from this disorder. They don't understand whether to be strict or give in to them. My advise to these parents are to be both loving at the same time very strict. The child should receive correct instructions from one parent and all the other members of the family have to adhere to that. For instance if the mother tells the child that he has to finish his food before he goes down to play then he has to listen to that. He may throw a tantrum, scream and shout, but he should be ignored by all the family members till he comes around and listens to his mother. At the same time whenever he does something he has been told to he should be rewarded with love and affection. This makes it very clear in his mind what he needs to do and how to behave. Never confuse the child by one parent saying something and the other saying exactly the opposite. There should be only one lawmaker and everybody has to support that person, either the mother or father. Also remember that children are highly impressionable at a tender age and absorb things like a sponge so watch out for your own behavior in the house and the way you deal with people because your child is learning from you. CONSISTENCY is the key to bring up your child, you have to be consistent with your orders and also with your love and affection.

It is very important to take your child to a psychologist to assess the severity of the disorder and get some counseling. The parents must maintain an open communication with all the professionals involved with their child including the doctor and teacher.

The school teacher is an important part of the child's treatment. She/ he should make a few modifications like making the child sit near her or him, giving instructions clearly and making sure the child understands them. You must make a deal with your child or pact that if he does something you want him to you will give him something he wants. This batter system has proven to be a very effective way to make the child understand his duties.

 MEDICATION

The aim of giving medication is to -

There are many different types of medication available for Attention Deficit Disorder in the allopathic system of medicine. But each one has its own group of side effects, one worse than the other. Unfortunately in some severe cases it even be needed along with the Homoeopathic remedies. These are mostly drugs like Anti-depressants, Psychostimulants, Antihypertensives etc…… The commonest drug given is known as Ritalin.

All of these have a number of side effects like loss of appetite, restlessness at night, lethargy. The child may become dull and listless. He may refuse to do any physical activity, there may also be drowsiness.

A study published by the British Homoeopathic Journal, Oct 1997. This study showed that the children afflicted with Attention Deficit Disorder who were given Homopathic medicine responded very well rather than those given placebo. There was a marked reduction in the ADHD behavior from these children.

The best remedy for the child in Homoeopathy is always the Constitutional one. By that I mean the personality of the child unique only to him. But along with this sometimes it may be necessary to give some acute remedies to control an acute outburst from the child. Here are some of the medicines frequently used in our practice.

CHAMOMILLA

The 5 year old child whose case I narrated at the beginning was given this drug since he matched all the symptoms of this remedy. This child is extremely OVERSENSITIVE to everything, the slightest ache or pain is magnified 10 times. They just cannot bear pain in any form. This child will not let you touch him and beg to be carried which calms him down. They are fidgety, want to attract attention and will behave disruptive till they get it. When are so hyperactive that they work themselves to fatigue after which they get cranky and howl. They can throw big temper tantrums and can get into such frenzy that they turn blue in the face. In the fit of rage the child may even bang his head against a wall, pull your hair out or hit you. They do this because they know that this distresses you and they are getting the attention they want.

Along with this mental irritability a Chamo child suffers physically especially with COLICS, diarrhoea, convulsions. They cannot tolerate even the slightest PAIN. They will scream, howl bring the whole house down when in pain. The dentition period is most stressful for these children. They demand many things from people around but when given they will throw it away. All these problems are worse at night for these children.

Chamomilla 200, 5 pills 4 times a day will bring about a change in behavior and calmness to this child.

CINA

The best way to describe a Cina child is always HUNGRY, CROSS, NERVOUS. They are usually troubled with worm infestation which creates more irritability in the body and mind of this child. They grind their teeth and have a problem of bed wetting at night.

They are even restless while sleeping by constant tossing and turning, jerking.

A cina baby will tend to put his fingers constantly in his nostrils and rub the nose hard. They will not stop picking at it till it bleeds. Like chamomilla this child also hates to be touched or looked at and can get very violent. Throw things about, hit anyone and behave in an uncontrollable manner.

These children feel better when they sleep on their abdomen and by being rocked. They have an unnaturally large appetite and thirst. They love to eating sweets.

Cina 200, 5 pills 4 times a day will help get rid of the irritability in the body and mind.

HYOSCYAMUS

This remedy is for those children who have poor control over their impulses. They can exhibit bizarre behavior at times like laughing at everything, talking nonsense, doing silly and foolish things, acting like a clown or monkey, running around naked.

They are very jealous of their brothers or sisters, and can be violent towards them. There is tremendous violent excitability which manifests itself as rage, hitting, screaming, manipulation, inability to think.

These children feel that they are abandoned by their parents and have many fears. They are afraid of the dark, dogs, water, ghosts. They are very animated and expressive in all their actions and want to be the center of attraction.

These children are very hard to control and discipline but Hyoscyamus 200, 5 pills 4 times a day will make it easier.

Readers are advised that the medical information offered in this column pertains to generalized treatment of the condition. Kindly consult your Doctor before self-medication.