Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects between 5 and 12 percent of children worldwide. It is less conscious that as many as two thirds of these children retain some of their symptoms into adulthood, which significantly affects their quality of life. ADHD does not only cause learning problems; it also affects other areas of life. For example, some people with this condition may be confused on the left side, they may have the inability to relate to others, especially in large groups, they may have little or no sense of time, they may experience a loss of balance or sharp mood swings or easy to get lost.
Others may experience speech problems, such as stuttering, hesitant speech, or a bad phrase. Some may have trouble remembering names, dates, or numbers. Others may experience hyperactivity, low attention, poor self-confidence, or even depression. Some adults with the condition is difficult to do work.
Symptoms of ADHD are characterized as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. In adults, these symptoms can be expressed as an inability to sit without fijing, a chronic search for stimulation and arousal, overwork, a search for thrills, impulsive purchases, a sudden work or change in relationships, without talking, interruption of conversations, addiction, boredom easily, problems concentrating on tasks or conversations, chronic tardiness, difficulty keeping things, oblivion, excessive anxiety, uncertainty, low tolerance to stress, problems with a short fuse and / or self-esteem.
All of our fundamental abilities, which we learn at an early stage and rely on our whole life, such as balance, locomotion, coordination of vision with movement and discrimination of speech and language, depend on the proper functioning of the vestibular system. In addition, the vestibular system supports all the important states of arousal necessary to be conscious, helpful and responsive. Disturbance or damage to the vestibular system causes serious learning difficulties. As an example, researchers found that more than 90% of children with visual impairments showed two or more abnormal neurological parameters that indicate dysfunction of the cerebellum / vestibular system. Disturbance or damage can occur with injuries of the cerebellar / vestibular system in the form of ear infections, allergies, whiplash injuries, head or spinal injuries, or shaking as babies.
Anterior frontal bone, temporal lobe, primary sensory and motor cortex, pre-motor cortex and additional motor area (SMA) are often not developed in a patient with ADHD. Usually these areas develop by movement, as reflexes develop into a balanced, integrated movement and a well-developed vestibular system.
Lack of cerebellar / vestibular development also manifests itself in the muscles that control eye movement (extraocular muscular dysmetry), causing them to re-adjust or lower their position of optimal reading efficiency — again a symptom of an underdeveloped vestibular system. Lack of movement and preservation of the head for long periods of time (for example, when watching TV or sitting in place and silence at school) are also implicated in dysfunction in the vestibular system.
One of the goals of cognitive vestibular therapy is to increase the proprioceptive effects on the brain. Integrated movements and actions performed in a coherent and purposeful manner, for example, embedded in a cognitive vestibular program, activate the entire vestibular system. Sensory training and cognitive behavioral therapy underlie cognitive vestibular therapy. This training can help your body and brain to maintain balance on an automatic basis and change thinking patterns.
Treatment should focus on sensory motor rehabilitation, including proprioception training, visual acuity, tangibility, coordination of the vestibular system, and cognitive skills-based learning skills (CBT and memory training). The program is best provided by a specialized team with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy and sensory motor rehabilitation methods.
If you think that you or a loved one may have symptoms of ADHD, consult your doctor for a proper assessment and seek treatment. Although the identification of adult ADHD lagged behind that of childhood ADHD, recognition is increasing and treatment is available.
