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Decoding ADHD

Posted By : Administrator Monday 10 Oct, 2016
Decoding ADHD

‘ADHD’, ‘brain disorder’, ‘no cure’. Put all of these terms together and you have a pretty scary-sounding diagnosis. Add to this the fact that we live in a society that prefers to avoid and ignore all mention of mental illness, considering it something to be ashamed of. However, what we often forget is that ADHD is not new, unnatural or anything to be afraid of. It is merely that we have learned to recognize it, give it a name and find a way to treat it. The sooner everyone accepts this, the better it would be, because ADHD or any other mental illness is not going to disappear if we refuse to acknowledge it.

So what exactly is ADHD? It is a condition that is seen in children as well as adults. People with ADHD have trouble focusing on tasks and paying attention, have too much energy, find it difficult to sit in one place and are often rash, impulsive and socially disruptive. While it is common for children and adults to display one or more of these characteristics from time to time, in ADHD patients, these symptoms present together, are more severe and regular, observed for a longer period of time, and affect work, play and interactions.

To break it down even further, let’s look at what goes on in the brain of a person with ADHD. The disorder is thought to be present in a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, which controls and processes all the information that the brain receives. In an ADHD brain, the ability to decide which information is more important and should be focussed on is impaired, which forces the person to concentrate on everything urgently, resulting in low attention spans and a tendency to leave tasks incomplete.


ADHD is a disorder that does not have a cure. However, it is a condition that is easily managed and has proven methods of treatment. These methods include prescription of medication, psychotherapy and a combination of both. Psychotherapy often involves simple courses of action, such as encouraging children to monitor their behaviour, having fixed schedules and setups at home and involving them in physical activity for 30 minutes each day. Trained psychologists and psychiatrists can help children and adults overcome their condition, avoid challenges in day-to-day life, significantly improve concentration and effectively manage energy levels.


Family, friends, peers and teachers of ADHD patients are often unable to understand and identify the condition, which leads these children and adults to be labelled as ‘hyperactive’ and ‘naughty’ and be scolded for inattention and lack of focus. This can make them less confident, angrier and induce feelings of low self-esteem, in turn putting them at a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression, and indulging in substance abuse and frequent misconduct.
Thus, it is vital for us, our society and our future to identify ADHD as a condition, understand it, be sensitive towards it and help children and adults who have it receive the right kind of help so that they may lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Catex Health is a large network of mental health experts who are available 24x7 for your support and will ensure confidential, dignified and empowering support for any sort of emotional distress. Click here to reach out to an expert or call +91 9911775626.