ADHD in Boys.. Here's What You Need to Know

By: Yassmine ElSayed

CAIRO, Dec. 15 (SEE) – Parents sometimes complain of the hyper moods of their boys, that is, “ADHD which boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it.

As a mother, it is important to learn about the ADHD so as to be aware of how you should deal with your little one.

In a recent piece written by Rae Jacobson, M.S., ADHD was mentioned as having four main symptoms.

Although not all kids struggle with them to the same degree,

these symptoms are hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention and distractibility.

A child with ADHD is being in constant motion and acting impulsively. (Kids who aren’t hyperactive may be referred to as having ADD instead of ADHD, or ADHD without hyperactivity. ADD is technically one of the three subtypes of ADHD.)

Hyperactive behavior is more likely to draw the attention of parents and teachers than trouble focusing. So boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls in childhood.

That doesn’t mean they’re more likely to have ADHD, however.

The numbers of men and women with ADHD are about the same.

Boys (and girls) who are hyperactive and impulsive usually get noticed, which can be good and bad. Good because their ADHD is more likely to be identified and treated early on. Bad because their behavior often bring them in trouble.

Boys with hyperactivity can get a lot of negative feedback from teachers, parents, siblings and others. That can be very stressful. It may take a toll on their self-esteem. It can also make the ADHD behaviors worse,and it sometimes leads to disciplinary problems.

Having hyperactivity can be a huge challenge for boys. But it’s important to know that some boys with ADHD don’t have this symptom. There can be a consequence to that, too.

Especially for young boys, hyperactivity may be dismissed as simply “boy behavior.” People may think that being very active, even to the point of bothering others, is normal, and that boys will grow out of it.

That belief is wrong, and it can also lead to two unwanted consequences. The first is that a child with ADHD won’t be diagnosed, treated or supported at school until much later. The second is that it sends a message that his behavior is OK, even if he feels out of control or different from other boys. Nobody is recognizing that he’s struggling.

Sometimes, boys with ADHD behave like the class clown to mask their challenges and be popular with other kids. That behavior can backfire, however. Their antics can be funny, but kids might also find them annoying.

Certainly, not all boys with ADHD face these particular challenges. While these situations are common for boys, every child experiencesADHD differently.

There are steps you can take if you’re concerned your child might have ADHD or if your child was just diagnosed with ADHD.

Behavioral therapy: One of the goals of behavioral therapy is to change negative behaviors into positive ones. It often involves using are wards system at home. This type of therapy is helpful for some kids withADHD, and is often used along with medication.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a type of talk therapy. The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to get kids to think about their thoughts, feelings and behavior.

In part, CBT helps kids replace negative thoughts with ones that are more realistic and positive. It also helps kids build self-esteem,which tends to be negatively affected by ADHD.

CBT is effective for treating ADHD, anxiety and depression.

Anxiety and/or depression occur in about 50 percent of people with ADHD.