ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)is a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour symptoms, can create real life challenges to work, school, relationship and just about every facet of life. ADHD will have varying degrees of symptom intensity. The primary features of ADHD include inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behaviour. Both adults and children can have ADHD. It’s symptoms start before age 12 and in some children, they’re noticeable as early as 3 years of age. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe and they may continue into adulthood.

There are three subtypes of ADHD:

• Inattention.
• Hyperactive /Impulsive.
• Combination  of inattention symptoms and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.

Inattention

• Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes
• Have trouble staying focused in tasks or play
• Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly
• Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish work or chores
• Have trouble organizing tasks and activities
• Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as work
• Be easily distracted
• Forget to do some daily activities

Hyperactivity and impulsivity

• Fidget with or tap his/ her hands or feet or squirm in the seat
• Have difficulty staying seated in one
• Be on the go, in constant motion
• Run around or climb in situations when it’s not appropriate
• Have trouble playing or doing an activity quietly
• Talk too much
• Blurt out answers, interrupting the questioner
• Have difficulty waiting for his or her turn
• Interrupt or intrude on other’s conversations, games.
• In addition, there are other secondary symptoms associated with ADHD such as insomnia, learning disabilities and delayed language development. The symptoms affect cognitive, academic, behavioural, social and emotional function.

Ayurveda perspective

In Ayurveda, ADHD is classified as a vata imbalance. Vata is “wind energy” it’s light, changeable, dry, cool and mobile.  ADHD-overstimulation of a sensitive CNS-throwing in person vata energy further out of balance. The doshic imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD must be recognized in order to balance them. Looking for references in the Chraka Samhita that sight symptoms associated with inattention, hyperactivity and compulsive behaviour.

 The inability to keep a steady thought stream or focus, is described in the Chraka Samhita as one of twenty main blocks of Vata in the body, “ If vyana-vayu is occluded by prana-vayu, then there will be loss of all the senses, and there will loss of memory as well as strength.” Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) manifests in childhood with symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity or inattention.

There are other secondary symptoms associated with ADHD such as insomnia, learning disabilities and delayed language development. The symptoms affect cognitive, academic, behavioural, emotional and social functioning. ADHD is a Vata- Pitta predominant disorder. In Ayurveda, there are references in the Samhita that cite symptoms associated with inattention, hyperactivity and compulsive behaviour as the symptoms of Vata imbalance in the body.  Pitta symptoms include anger, aggressiveness, self-ruining behaviour, increased body temperature, discolouration of eye, skin and upashaya relief with coolant activities.

In Ayurveda the symptoms of ADHD are described as   abnormal behaviour are discussed under features of vataprakriti, Anavasthita, Chittatva, Mano vibhrama, Buddhi vibhrama,  Smriti vibhrama, Sheela vibhrama, Cheshta vibrama and Achara vibhrama can be correlated with ADHD.

According to Ayurveda, the main reason for ADHD is vitiation of dhee (rational thinking), dhriti (retaining power of the mind),  smriti  (memory)  which  causes  abnormality  and  abnormal  conduct  resulting  into improper contact of the senses with their objectives and give rise to inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

 Psychological problems start when fundamental imbalances develop in the biological intelligence that controls all processes.

Vata imbalance contributes to anxiety, fear, mental instability and insomnia

Pitta imbalance may give rise to anger and irritability

 Kapha imbalance may lead to lethargy and depression.

Ayurvedic wellness plan includes

• Ayurvedic herbs
• Customised Detox plan
• Diet plan
• Lifestyle management
• Ayurveda Bliss Therapeutic Program

Ayurveda is a holistic science and lays emphasis on preserving and promoting the fitness of healthy individuals besides giving method for treatment of diseases.