Restless with a cause

ADHD is a heterogenous condition that can persist well into adulthood

- DR ALOK KULKARNI

I was at a friend’s place when I bumped into his child who was restlessly running around. He could hardly wait for his turn. He was constantly in motion as if driven by a motor. I was told that he was disrupting class, interrupting others, and, in general, was unable to focus on things. The child’s behaviour was termed unruly. My friend was at his wits’ end.

I had a long chat with my friend. I asked him if his son had seen a psychiatrist. As expected, there was a hint of surprise on my friend’s face. I had to explain that this could possibly represent an ongoing pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity, which was interfering with his son’s functioning and development. This was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD as known in medical parlance.

Clinical manifestations

People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with consequent disruption in the spheres of social, interpersonal and occupational life. The individual will have trouble staying on a task as a result of poor focus and disorganisation. This does not signify defiance or lack of comprehension but is the result of a complex brain disorder. A hyperactive individual constantly moves about even in situations where it is deemed inappropriate. Alternatively, he or she could fidget, tap or talk excessively. An impulsive individual may act without thinking or may have difficulty in exercising self-control. This may manifest as a need for immediate reward or as a difficulty in delayed gratification. An impulsive person interrupts others, or makes major decisions without considering long-term consequences.