According to NIMH, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders in children and adults.
The term ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) refers to a range of common behavioral symptoms in children and adults, including trouble focusing, being unorganized, and maintaining attentional focus (in youngsters), as well as difficulties with attention, organization, and attention to tasks (in adults).
But what are the main symptoms and causes of ADHD? And how can you treat this if you or someone you love might have this disorder? This article looks at everything you need to know about ADHD, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment for children and adults.
Let’s dive right into it!
What Does ADHD Mean?
ADHD means Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a developmental disorder that affects about 11% of children and 5% of adults in the United States. Those with ADHD struggle with impulsivity, focus, and organization.
Brain imaging and clinical research show that ADHD is not a behavioral disorder nor a mental illness. In addition, it is not a specific learning disability. In other words, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting self-management, which both adults and children can be diagnosed to have.
ADHD Symptoms
Common symptoms of ADHD include:
- lack of attention
- lack of focus on something.
- bad time management
- lacking impulse control
- intense emotions
- deep concentration
- extreme energy
- disruption in executive functioning
Signs may differ from one individual to the other. You or your child may experience all or some of the above symptoms and others not included in the DSM-V. The difficulties above lay under the surface, meaning that most symptoms of ADHD are out of sight but are still present.
What Causes ADHD?
The precise cause of ADHD has not yet been determined, although scientists are certain that genetics and hereditary predispositions have a significant influence. There is, however, no indication that any gene causes ADHD directly.
According to recent studies, kids who are exposed to particular chemicals may be at an increased risk of developing ADHD.
Sugar, terrible parenting, or a lot of video games are not the causes of ADHD. ADHD is a neurological condition. Many people with ADHD have abnormalities in brain function that may or may not be detected via an MRI or other imaging scanning.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Since ADD is a syndrome rather than a disease, it’s hard to diagnose. Doctors try to look for symptoms across all four of these criteria before making a diagnosis.
Hyperactive behavior; difficulty paying attention or staying focused; problems with impulsivity or taking action without thinking (for example, blurting out answers before hearing all of a lecture); or having trouble sitting still.
The next thing is to rule out other possible causes for your child’s symptoms. For instance, if they have learning disabilities, are sad, worried, intellectually gifted, or have other behavioral issues, those should be addressed first.
To diagnose ADHD, a doctor first examines the patient’s present symptoms, background information, and medical record.
If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior, get in touch with a psychologist as soon as possible—the sooner help for your kid, the better he’ll function later in life. ADHD offers benefits as well. Creativity, enthusiasm, vitality, and a burning desire to continue are all examples of upsides that can be derived from having ADHD.
ADHD Diagnosis in Children
A kid must exhibit at least six of the nine symptoms stipulated in DSM-V to be diagnosed with ADHD, and the problems must be apparent in two or more settings (such as at home and school). Most children who have ADHD are identified between the ages of six and 12, with symptoms that impact their daily lives. Symptoms must have persisted for six months to be labeled as ADHD.
A Psychologist will review the child’s school records and caretaker’s information to ensure it aligns with your child’s condition. They’ll speak with your child as well as screen for Learning Disabilities or Gifted characteristics. In addition, they will rule out other conditions that exhibit the same symptoms as ADHD such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, hearing impairment, or hearing impairment to name a few.
Psychologists also use continuous performance tests (CPT) to assess for difficulty with inattention, impulse control, reaction to distracting visual and auditory stimuli.
ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
It can be harder to diagnose ADHD in adults since many of the symptoms are subtle and may not be disruptive. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms:
- Often has difficulty finishing tasks
- Frequently loses focus during conversations
- Is easily distracted
- Makes careless mistakes in work
Any other disorder mustn’t better explain symptoms. CPT tests are also used with adults.
ADHD in Children vs. Adults
The symptoms of ADHD manifest differently in children and adults. In children, hyperactivity and impulsivity are more common, while inattention is more common in adults. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have problems with self-regulation and emotional control.
How is ADHD Treated?
There is no one-size-
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10% of youngsters aged 5-17 have ADHD, making it one of the most prevalent neurological developmental disorders in children in the United States.
In the classroom, ADHD symptoms are generally observed. Although teachers can’t diagnose ADHD, if a child’s school performance or interactions with others in class begin to deteriorate, they may be the first to notice it.
Because there is a lot of overlap between childhood behavior and ADHD indicators, it’s sometimes difficult to tell whether a youngster has ADHD symptoms. Children with primarily hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may misbehave or disrupt initially because they are typically impulsive, impatient, and interrupting at inopportune moments.
Because ADHD is mistakenly thought to be a male disease, and because boys are generally more likely than girls to exhibit the symptoms of hyperactivity, they are more frequently diagnosed with it.
This is changing, however, as ADHD in girls is becoming better understood.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, 3% to 7% of adults have ADHD. It’s not just a childhood disorder; it can persist into adulthood. Adult symptoms may be different from those in children. For example, adults with ADHD are more likely to have problems with organization and time management. They may also feel overwhelmed by stress or feel like they’re constantly under pressure.
ADHD Treatment
It’s critical to note that, for the most part, multimodal treatments—those that integrate several distinct, supplementary therapies—offer the greatest chance of success. An ADHD therapy strategy might include Adderall or Vyvanse medicine, an ADHD diet plan, behavioral therapy, and physical fitness exercises. Alternatively, you can take ADHD supplements and vitamins while practicing mindfulness and spending time in nature.
Finding the appropriate ADHD treatment for your child — and keeping it on his or her schedule — will take some effort. At the start of your child’s ADHD therapy, talk to their doctor about what you should do. If you’re concerned that your kid isn’t paying attention at school, you could ask if therapy might help. The professional can assist you in determining how ADHD is affecting your youngster’s conduct at school—and offer ideas on how to remedy it.
These professionals can decide whether medication is appropriate for treating your kid’s symptoms and suggest other types of treatments that may help.
The Psychologists at Davenport Psychology have much experience diagnosing and treating ADHD in adults and children in Sarasota, FL and Venice, FL. We offer services at 1608 Oak St. Sarasota, FL 34236 and 1224 Ridgewood Ave. Venice, FL 34285. 941-702-2457.