Becoming a "naughty child" may be involuntarily! Parents should be alert to "attention deficit disorder"

The environment in which contemporary children grow up is becoming increasingly complex and their living conditions are gradually improving, which has also caused parents to shift their focus on their children from having enough food and clothing to their physical and mental health.

For teenagers under the age of 18, attention deficit disorder, autism, mood disorders, personality disorders, etc. are all relatively common mental illnesses. Among them, the overall incidence of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in my country is as high as 5.7%, which has shown an upward trend in recent years, and the incidence rate among boys is generally higher than that among girls.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood. Its main symptoms include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These symptoms are beyond the normal development level of children and may interfere with their learning and social functions, manifesting as difficulty understanding knowledge and emotional instability when interacting with peers.

The exact reasons why ADHD occurs are not fully understood, but research suggests that genetic factors, differences in brain structure and function, and environmental factors may all play a role in the development of ADHD.

Eight-year-old Xiao Ming (pseudonym) was brought to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology of the Hunan Provincial Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital) by his parents to seek medical help because he frequently had physical conflicts with his classmates at school and was unable to go to school normally.

After learning more about the situation, it was found that several of Xiao Ming's class teachers had reported that the child was careless in school, made frequent small movements, often had conflicts with classmates, and was easily overwhelmed when criticized. When excessive, he would even rush out of the classroom or attack the teacher. These problems became more obvious after he entered elementary school. He had difficulty concentrating in class, which led to a continuous decline in his grades and a gradual deterioration in his relationship with his classmates. No one liked this "fighting" little bully.

Xiao Ming's parents believed that boys are naturally naughty and did not take it seriously, which allowed Xiao Ming's condition to continue to deteriorate. Finally, the parents had no choice but to seek medical treatment. After learning about the situation, Dr. Chen Xi believed that behind Xiao Ming's impulsive behavior was a disease that was easily overlooked and had a significant impact on children's functions - attention deficit disorder.

Xiao Ming's situation seems difficult to deal with, but it does not mean that there is no treatment for attention deficit disorder. The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology of Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital) has carried out various work on ADHD. In order to popularize this disease to parents, the department has opened a separate parent consultation room in the outpatient department and arranged professional psychotherapists from the Child and Adolescent Psychology Treatment Center to sit in. Parents can understand their children's situation and treatment methods in a private and safe space.

After seeing the outpatient clinic, Xiao Ming's parents went to the parent consultation room for further understanding. After dozens of minutes of communication, the parents decided to make an appointment for one-on-one psychological treatment for their child. After returning home, they also went online to learn more about this type of disease. Xiao Ming's condition improved significantly after receiving treatment. He gradually began to have the desire to go to school, and his self-control over his emotions also improved a lot.

Often, pathological behaviors of children are easily ignored by parents as "naughty and playful", thus missing the best time for intervention. Therefore, the Parent Consultation Room set up by the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology of the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Provincial Brain Hospital) can better help parents clarify the actual situation, provide timely treatment, and prevent problems before they occur. For example, after understanding the specific situation, Xiao Ming's parents received targeted intervention guidance suggestions:

1. Maintain consistency and structure: Establishing clear, consistent rules and daily routines can help children feel safe;

2. Encourage exercise and activity: Regular physical activity is very helpful in managing ADHD symptoms;

3. Healthy diet: A balanced diet has a positive impact on a child’s overall health and behavior;

4. Positive communication: Enhance children’s self-confidence and sense of self-worth through positive communication skills;

5. Seek professional help: Work with a doctor, psychologist, or special education specialist to get advice and resources on how to best support your child.

In addition to ADHD, there may be many other children with psychological problems. The parent consultation room of the child and adolescent psychology department can also provide targeted advice and guidance to parents with problems. In order to provide children with healthier growth conditions, Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital) will work with parents to make progress and forge ahead.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Deng Ye Liufang, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital)

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(Edited by YH)