Volume 32, Issue 1 (3-2025)
RJMS 2025, 32(1): 1-5 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Shojaaddini Ardakani T, Farmani M, Hojjati S, Marvasti Nia G, Shojaaldini Ardakani H. Evaluation of the Effect of Stress Caused by Covid 19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) after Pandemic: Consequences and Strategies (Letter to the Editor). RJMS 2025; 32 (1) :1-5
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-7081-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-7081-en.html
Tayebeh Shojaaddini Ardakani *1 
, Mina Farmani2 , Sara Hojjati2 , Ghazaleh Marvasti Nia2 , Hossein Shojaaldini Ardakani3
, Mina Farmani2 , Sara Hojjati2 , Ghazaleh Marvasti Nia2 , Hossein Shojaaldini Ardakani3
1- Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery,Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, & Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maybod, Iran , Tshojaaldini@gmail.com
2- Student of Midwifery , Department of Midwifery, Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maybod, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Medical, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran, & Imam Ali Hospital Complex, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
2- Student of Midwifery , Department of Midwifery, Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maybod, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Medical, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran, & Imam Ali Hospital Complex, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Abstract: (963 Views)
At the end of 2019, COVID-19 plunged the world into a health crisis. This disease, with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose, involved the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems and led to the implementation of quarantine measures and home restrictions (1). The study by Choobdari et al. showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, children experienced greater fear and anxiety, reduced appetite, physical and psychological isolation due to quarantine and school closures, increased emotional problems, and greater distractibility and irritability (2). Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) always face challenges that affect both themselves and their families. Due to their impulsive behaviors, these children experience more family conflicts than typically developing children and are also at greater risk of developing psychological disorders. They also have difficulties in their interactions with parents; consequently, they may be subjected to physical punishment and aggression by their parents. In turn, children’s misbehavior leads to deterioration in their interpersonal relationships, and parents, especially mothers, become vulnerable to psychological disorders such as depression, stress, anxiety, reduced emotional attachment to the child, and poor communication. The special needs of these children place parents under pressure, making the family environment stressful for both the parents and the child (3).
The previous conditions in the country caused by the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the above-mentioned issues. Therefore, it has been, and still is, necessary to adopt preventive and therapeutic crisis-management strategies, especially in families with hyperactive children. In this regard, families should first be trained to cope with children’s anxiety. The home environment should be harmless, safe, familiar, stable, and reliable. Children should not be allowed to watch television programs that cause fear and worry. Parents should spend more calm and relaxed time with the child, ask the child to explain his or her concerns, listen to the child without criticism or fault-finding, enhance the child’s self-esteem, encourage the child and show affection, and try to involve the child in activities that lead to success. They should use positive reinforcement and rewards instead of punishment, encourage physical activity and exercise, and learn how to make appropriate requests of the child—requests that are simple, accompanied by verbal and non-verbal encouragement during performance, and followed up appropriately—and teach these skills to their child (4).
Play therapy is another practical strategy that leads to emotional release, reduces restlessness, and facilitates the expression of emotions and feelings. Through play, children learn the ability to take turns, become flexible and adaptable, cooperate, and express their opinions (5). The effect of music on reducing symptoms in children with ADHD is another available preventive and therapeutic approach. Music, by affecting the nucleus accumbens, increases dopamine; on the other hand, it changes the neurochemical and autonomic functions of the brain and synaptic plasticity, leading to increased serotonin levels (6). These two hormones can play a role in increasing self-satisfaction and reducing anxiety in affected children. Yoga is a treatment method without adverse effects that has a considerable short-term impact on children’s functioning. Yoga consists of three components: specific body postures, regulated breathing, and meditation. Meditation affects the prefrontal cortex, the right hemisphere, the cingulate gyrus, and the basal ganglia, increasing the activity of these centers. The brain regions impaired in hyperactivity are similar to those affected by yoga; therefore, yoga can help reduce symptoms in this group of children (7).
Sandplay is another strategy in which the child uses a sand box or sand tray to depict mental images. In this activity, by demonstrating his or her abilities, the child feels empowered and releases emotions, which leads to a reduction in impulsive behavior. Sandplay and drawing patterns with sand activate the child’s psychological energy, and moving the sand helps eliminate negative emotions. It also activates the right hemisphere of the brain and increases the power of visualization, fantasy, imagination, and emotions (8). In painting therapy, through the use of colors and lines, the child expresses emotions and needs in the way he or she prefers. By drawing, the child releases emotions, which reduces anxiety and tension (9). Storytelling for children enables them to express their thoughts and mental fantasies. This process improves children’s communication; furthermore, because children must answer related questions after listening to the story, they learn to increase their attention. Storytelling has a positive effect on improving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (10).
All the above-mentioned methods can be implemented during quarantine and post-quarantine conditions, and parents can effectively contribute to improving their children’s condition and reducing the destructive effects of stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: Insufficient attention to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the post-coronavirus period will be associated with destructive individual, social, occupational, marital, and other consequences during adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to be aware of simple methods that can help improve problems related to children’s behavioral disorders. Given the unclear effects of the quarantine period, specialists in women’s and children’s health, respected officials of healthcare centers, and healthcare providers should assess the mental health status of parents and children with ADHD. Then, through appropriate education aimed at prevention and treatment, they should help improve the mental health status of the target group, namely parents and children, in the post-coronavirus period. It is suggested that maximum use be made of virtual platforms and national media to educate the general public, with particular emphasis on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The previous conditions in the country caused by the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the above-mentioned issues. Therefore, it has been, and still is, necessary to adopt preventive and therapeutic crisis-management strategies, especially in families with hyperactive children. In this regard, families should first be trained to cope with children’s anxiety. The home environment should be harmless, safe, familiar, stable, and reliable. Children should not be allowed to watch television programs that cause fear and worry. Parents should spend more calm and relaxed time with the child, ask the child to explain his or her concerns, listen to the child without criticism or fault-finding, enhance the child’s self-esteem, encourage the child and show affection, and try to involve the child in activities that lead to success. They should use positive reinforcement and rewards instead of punishment, encourage physical activity and exercise, and learn how to make appropriate requests of the child—requests that are simple, accompanied by verbal and non-verbal encouragement during performance, and followed up appropriately—and teach these skills to their child (4).
Play therapy is another practical strategy that leads to emotional release, reduces restlessness, and facilitates the expression of emotions and feelings. Through play, children learn the ability to take turns, become flexible and adaptable, cooperate, and express their opinions (5). The effect of music on reducing symptoms in children with ADHD is another available preventive and therapeutic approach. Music, by affecting the nucleus accumbens, increases dopamine; on the other hand, it changes the neurochemical and autonomic functions of the brain and synaptic plasticity, leading to increased serotonin levels (6). These two hormones can play a role in increasing self-satisfaction and reducing anxiety in affected children. Yoga is a treatment method without adverse effects that has a considerable short-term impact on children’s functioning. Yoga consists of three components: specific body postures, regulated breathing, and meditation. Meditation affects the prefrontal cortex, the right hemisphere, the cingulate gyrus, and the basal ganglia, increasing the activity of these centers. The brain regions impaired in hyperactivity are similar to those affected by yoga; therefore, yoga can help reduce symptoms in this group of children (7).
Sandplay is another strategy in which the child uses a sand box or sand tray to depict mental images. In this activity, by demonstrating his or her abilities, the child feels empowered and releases emotions, which leads to a reduction in impulsive behavior. Sandplay and drawing patterns with sand activate the child’s psychological energy, and moving the sand helps eliminate negative emotions. It also activates the right hemisphere of the brain and increases the power of visualization, fantasy, imagination, and emotions (8). In painting therapy, through the use of colors and lines, the child expresses emotions and needs in the way he or she prefers. By drawing, the child releases emotions, which reduces anxiety and tension (9). Storytelling for children enables them to express their thoughts and mental fantasies. This process improves children’s communication; furthermore, because children must answer related questions after listening to the story, they learn to increase their attention. Storytelling has a positive effect on improving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (10).
All the above-mentioned methods can be implemented during quarantine and post-quarantine conditions, and parents can effectively contribute to improving their children’s condition and reducing the destructive effects of stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: Insufficient attention to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the post-coronavirus period will be associated with destructive individual, social, occupational, marital, and other consequences during adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to be aware of simple methods that can help improve problems related to children’s behavioral disorders. Given the unclear effects of the quarantine period, specialists in women’s and children’s health, respected officials of healthcare centers, and healthcare providers should assess the mental health status of parents and children with ADHD. Then, through appropriate education aimed at prevention and treatment, they should help improve the mental health status of the target group, namely parents and children, in the post-coronavirus period. It is suggested that maximum use be made of virtual platforms and national media to educate the general public, with particular emphasis on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Type of Study: Letter to the editor |
Subject:
Clinical Psychiatry
Send email to the article author
