HYPERACTIVITY

Causes

Stress is the most common cause of hyperactivity in adults, especially when it is chronic and associated with difficult challenges, uncomfortable work conditions, or family situations. These problems are like an inflammatory spark fueled by an abnormal and unhealthy lifestyle. Many people downplay their poor emotional state by getting used to it, which further worsens their ability to suppress negative emotions. Hyperactivity in adults is often the result of their daily habits. A person who is constantly under pressure and struggling with severe tension more or less consciously worsens their quality of life. Alcohol abuse and nicotine use are certainly not conducive to nervous system control. Diet is also very important, especially when it is low in magnesium and vitamin B6, whose presence helps the body absorb this valuable element. Moreover, if we exclude the above as a possible cause of hyperactivity, its occurrence may be linked to a serious illness. Examples worth mentioning here include hyperthyroidism, hormonal causes, autonomic neurosis, or panic disorders.

Various causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be identified. These include:

• genetic factors,
• psychosocial conditions (disrupted family functioning, illnesses or mental disorders in the family, parental addiction, lack of consistency in the educational process, failure to meet the child’s emotional needs, neuropsychological deficits),
• perinatal factors (injuries, stress, abnormal course of pregnancy; prematurity; nicotine use, alcoholism, drug addiction during pregnancy; infections, especially viral infections during pregnancy),
• allergies and food intolerance,
• severe infectious diseases and head injuries in childhood,
• chronic lead poisoning,
• deficiency of neurotransmitter substances; brain cells affected by the disorder are immature and in most cases mature later (juvenile),
• providing the body with excessive amounts of colorings, preservatives, and salicylates.

Symptoms

Hyperactivity in adults is associated with many clear symptoms that can be categorized. These include emotional hyperactivity and motor hyperactivity, and agitation is also associated with cardiac hyperactivity. Symptoms typical of hyperactivity include sweating, nausea, dizziness, feelings of warmth, or difficulty falling asleep. In addition, many people report breathing problems, often associated with muscle tension responsible for this activity. Sleep problems, frequent waking in the middle of the night, and difficulty falling asleep due to nervous tension further contribute to stress. A body that does not recover sufficiently at night may become even more overstimulated during the day.

Emotional hyperactivity – usually occurs after traumatic experiences or in the case of prolonged exposure to the factors mentioned above. A person suffering from it mainly experiences attacks of aggression. Usually, their nervous reactions are disproportionate to the stimuli that trigger them, and the ability to suppress emotions is clearly impaired. At the same time, a person suffering from emotional hyperactivity has significant concentration problems. Another characteristic feature of this type of nervous hyperactivity in adults is the frequent tendency toward sudden mood changes and emotional instability.

Motor hyperactivity – is also associated with physical symptoms. One of the symptoms is undoubtedly the occurrence of tics. At the same time, people struggling with neuroses may be characterized by motor hyperactivity. States of apathy are interwoven with moments of aggression, accompanied by expressive gesturing and forceful performance of simple daily activities. At the same time, excessive energy is not necessarily directed rationally due to impaired concentration.

Cardiac hyperactivity – usually leads to irregular heart function, especially tachycardia, meaning a rapid heartbeat. The problem is particularly aggravated in people who, in order to cope with difficult challenges, overuse caffeine, which, in addition to reducing the feeling of fatigue, significantly stimulates the work of the heart muscle. Any contact with a stimulus that causes stress intensifies the irregular functioning of the heart. In addition to an increased pulse, blood pressure also rises.

Hyperactivity is associated with various conditions, such as:

• reduced self-esteem,
• disturbances in the emotional sphere and the development of neurosis,
• development of depression,
• antisocial personality,
• behavioral disorders manifested by an attitude of anxiety or aggression,
• addiction,
• in children, poorer school performance, which affects the child’s later upbringing,
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Treatment

Treatment requires comprehensive methods tailored to the severity of the symptoms and the possible coexistence of other conditions. The basic elements of the therapeutic process are:

• Psychoeducation – providing information about symptoms and basic ways of interacting with the patient;
• Behavioral interventions – specific ways of dealing with problematic patient behavior, as well as methods to help increase concentration effectiveness;
• Individual psychotherapy – especially in the case of co-occurring emotional disorders, anxiety, and low self-esteem;
• Family therapy – especially if there are conflicts and tensions between family members;
• Social skills training, anger and aggression management training – for people who have difficulties with social functioning and display violent or aggressive behavior;
• Pharmacotherapy.