CHAPTER II RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

Hyperactive behavior is a condition in which a person is unusually high-strung and energetic. People with this condition are in an inappropriate and constant state of activity, whether physically or mentally. There isn't one set definition for hyperactive behavior; what is uncharacteristic for one person may be standard behavior for another. It's common for hyperactive behavior to affect those diagnosed by interfering with social situations, learning capabilities and the ability to control impulses. Many who identify with hyperactive behavior are likely to be aggressive or have an inability to concentrate and participate in quiet activities. They're constantly moving around and easily distracted. Hyperactive behavior can often be a symptom of a more serious condition a person has, such as hyperthyroidism, emotional disorders, a victim of abuse, or brain or central nervous system disorders. Attention deficit disorder isn't the same condition as hyperactive behavior, and can occur with or without hyperactivity as a component. Hyperactive behavior is generally found in children and can often be managed without a doctor, whereas ADD commonly goes into adulthood and requires medication.The most common methods of finding a solution for a person exhibiting hyperactive behavior are social skills training, cognitive behavior management and consistent reinforcement consequences (By Gina Ponce, eHow Contributor; Copyright 1999-2012 Demand Media, Inc.).

According to Julie Boehlke (June 14, 2011), if your child displays an overactive personality or temperament, it can be hard to cope with his behavior and its repercussions. Kids Health explains that when a child is difficult to calm, especially when he is throwing a temper tantrum, there is generally a reason. While your child's hyperactivity and overactive behavior can be frustrating, getting to the bottom of the problem will help determine a way to calm him down.

The causes of an overactive child could simply be something obvious such as having an overload of energy, being extremely tired or having too much sugar or sweets with her lunch. It is important to look at all options when trying to decipher what is causing her over-activity. Some children are simply overwhelmed by being around a lot of other children, and playing in groups could bring out a range of emotions, especially in young children. In severe cases, a psychological or behavioral disorder could be the cause of a child who is difficult to calm. If your child is throwing a tantrum, is extremely overactive and difficult to calm, this can cause problems for him with both his peers and the adults who supervise him. In a peer setting such as a daycare, school or even when visiting a friend's house, if your son shows signs of overactive behavior he can come off as being domineering or aggressive with other children. This can cause problems with making and maintaining relationships and friendships. If this type of behavior proceeds at school, he may find himself disrupting the classroom or getting disciplined on a regular basis. Consider the fact that if your daughter is continually acting out and is difficult to calm down, there are several disorders that could be contributing to her behavior. Healthy Children states that some types of behavioral disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder and conduct problems should be ruled out by a developmental behavioral pediatrician or psychiatrist to ensure there is not an underlying problem. If your child is hard to handle and shows signs of hostility, he may have a conduct disorder, states Medline Plus. Some of the symptoms include stealing, lying, poor school performance, tantrums, argumentative behavior and hostility toward authority such as caregivers, parents and teachers. Most psychologists will diagnose your son with a conduct disorder if these

symptoms are present for more than six months. While an overactive child can show all of these signs in isolated events, these behaviors can turn into habitual occurrences. When your child is acting out and is difficult to calm or reason with, you need to find a solution to her behavior. Family Education suggests not to give in completely but to offer your daughter a firm choice from her poor behavior. Shift the situation from her anger and outburst by moving her to a new location and talking her through her emotions. Try to transform any negative behavior or outbursts to something completely different such as her favorite hobby or toy. This may help her transfer her focus from being high strung to behavior that is more manageable and acceptable.

Some children are naturally energetic, restless and excitable. They may not do as they are told and they may be noisy and argumentative. Many children have difficulty sitting still, for example, children are often unable to sit through a meal without fidgeting or attempting to leave the table and allowing their food to go cold. Although this can be exhausting to deal with, it is nothing to worry about. Children like this are often described as being 'hyper' but this over-used term can be misleading. It is merely used to describe overactive behavior which is often nothing more than being in high spirits.

Children who have marked difficulty with concentration/attention/overactivity and who do not receive help at a young age often continue to have difficulties when they grow up. This can affect their working life, for example, they may find it difficult to hold down a job for any length of time and instead they flit from job to job. These difficulties also often lead to major stress within the family.

Providing the child with help at a young age can often increase their chance of achieving their full potential, for example, feeling able to contribute or raising their sense of self-worth or confidence. As they mature, young people learn to live with their difficulties and to cope better with them, but providing help at a younger age is important in helping them to have happier experiences in their childhood. Some children who struggle at home may do extremely well within the structure of the school setting. Having a structure, clear boundaries and routine in their daily life is helpful (http://www.handsonscotland.co.uk/topics/inattention/general.html).

While T. T. S. Ingram, M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P.E., D.C.H. ( from the Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh; 2012 The Royal College of Psychiatrists) The histories and clinical findings of twenty-five children showing a characteristic type of overactive behavior are described. The behavior is typified by an increase in distractability, poor attention span, an apparently irresistible urge to touch and chew every object which is seen, a diminished capacity for spontaneous affectionate behavior, aggressive outbursts, an absence of fear and a failure to respond to reprimand or chastisement. Neurological findings indicating the presence of cortical lesions were present in the majority of cases and thirteen, or about half, suffered from epilepsy. In most patients phenobarbitone resulted in an exacerbation of behavior symptoms, though the drug appeared to diminish the epileptic manifestations. Amphetamine and primidone were successful in controlling both behavior symptoms and epileptic manifestations in a high proportion of the patients to whom they were given. Most of the patients had histories suggesting the occurrence of cerebral injury. In thirteen this appeared to have been sustained at the time of birth, most commonly as a result of paranatal anoxia. In twelve cases it was acquired as a result of trauma or anoxia or of intracranial

infections of which cerebral thrombophlebitis was the most common. All but two of the twelve acquired cases were under the age of three years at the time of their causative illness. The histories and neurological findings, especially the frequency with which aphasia or disproportionately severe retardation of speech development, homonymous visual field defects and Jacksonian or epileptic attacks with visual or gustatory auras occurred suggest that the majority of the patients suffered from lesions of the cerebral cortex involving the temporal lobes in a proportion of the patients. Abnormalities of behavior showing a resemblance to the symptoms present in the patients in the series have been produced experimentally in animals by temporal lobotomy.
Ron Kurtus (revised 23 December 2008) cited that some students have difficulty paying attention in class, act restless and seem impulsive. They exhibit various characteristics that can be bothersome to teachers, other students and even themselves. Hyperactive children can be difficult to teach, as well as disruptive to the class. In extreme cases, this type of behavior is called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.

Some students have problems in paying attention because of their short attention span. If you know that you have this kind of behavior or others have this, it is better to try to manage in able for you or for them to be a successful in life.