What is ADHD?
There are many options to treat ADHD, ranging from natural treatments to psychotherapy and medication. The best approach will vary from person to person.
Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat; has trouble playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly; blurts out answers before questions are finished; frequently interrupts others or intrudes on their conversations or games.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
It’s normal for kids to fidget and move around, but it’s a problem when it interferes with sleep, school or work. People with ADHD often feel restless all the time, especially when they’re supposed to be calm or engaged in quiet activities like homework or reading. They might have ten thoughts at once and have trouble keeping their attention on tasks, or they may have difficulty organizing their work or completing repetitive tasks.
Impulsive behavior can also be a sign of ADHD. People with this condition seem to act without thinking, and they interrupt others or barge into rooms where they’re not invited. They might blurt out answers before they’re called on in class or say inappropriate things when talking to their friends. They might have trouble keeping their emotions in check and have powerful temper tantrums when they’re frustrated.
People with ADHD tend to forget things often and have a hard time concentrating. They might not remember what they learned in school, or they might regularly lose track of their keys or phone. They might be more likely to develop substance misuse problems. To diagnose ADHD, doctors ask parents or teachers about their child’s symptoms and use rating scales to help them evaluate their behavior. They’ll also do a physical exam to make sure something else isn’t causing them.
Types of ADHD
People with the inattentive type of ADHD display more symptoms of inattention than they do of impulsive and hyperactive behaviors. Children with this form of the disorder often have trouble organizing their schoolwork or following directions, which can make learning more difficult for them and other students. This is the most common form of ADHD in both boys and girls.
Children and adults with the hyperactive-impulsive form of ADHD can’t seem to sit still or wait their turn. They often jump into activities without being asked, talk nonstop and blurt out answers before they’re finished with their thoughts, and they often have trouble following instructions or completing tasks. Kids with this form of the disorder are often referred to as “jumpers” and may act like the Winnie-the-Pooh character, Tigger.
In order to receive a diagnosis of any of these types, a person must display six or more symptoms in various settings and for more than six months. The symptoms must also be more severe than normal and can’t be better explained by another mental health condition, such as a mood disorder or anxiety disorder. These different forms of ADHD are sometimes referred to as ADHD subtypes or types, but the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders changed the name to ADHD presentations.
Causes of ADHD
It isn’t clear what causes ADHD, but studies show that genes and environmental factors may be involved. Problems with the brain’s nervous system also appear to be linked to ADHD. People with ADHD have problems with specific parts of the brain that send and receive messages, as well as issues with how neurotransmitters work.
It’s normal for kids to be restless, impatient, and impulsive at times. But if these behaviors happen often enough to cause trouble at school, home, or in relationships, it may be a sign of ADHD.
It’s important to know that ADHD is a real medical condition and can affect both children and adults. Symptoms usually begin in early childhood and continue into adolescence and adulthood. It is also important to distinguish between the symptoms of ADHD and those of other disorders. A psychological evaluation is necessary to determine which disorder is causing the symptoms. These other disorders can include oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders and depression, bipolar disorders, and eating disorders.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
If you suspect that your child may have ADHD, make an appointment with their doctor. They will ask about your child’s behavior and how it affects their life at home, school and with friends. They will use checklists and rating scales to review your child’s symptoms. They may also interview other people, like teachers and daycare providers.
Children who meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD have trouble paying attention, staying organized and acting impulsively to a degree that significantly interferes with their daily lives. This can cause problems at school, in their relationships and at work.
They often have difficulty following instructions or keeping their focus during lectures, conversations and reading. They have trouble with tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as homework or long-term projects at school. They frequently forget appointments or misplace things.
Before diagnosing a child with ADHD, a health care provider should rule out other conditions that can mimic the symptoms of the disorder. These include learning disabilities, certain medical conditions (like thyroid problems and neurological disorders) and psychological disorders (like anxiety and depression). In addition to a clinical interview and rating scales, providers can do neuropsychological tests, which offer more detailed insight into strengths and weaknesses and help identify comorbid conditions.
Treatsments for ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD are highly treatable. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, improving organization and time management, resolving thinking distortions and building healthy relationships. Many adults find that they improve with therapy and lifestyle changes. Medication can also be very effective for people with ADHD. The most common medication for treating ADHD is stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin). These medications increase dopamine levels in the brain, which helps with attention, planning, and working memory. Non-stimulants include atomoxetine and bupropion, which increase the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.
While it’s normal for children to forget things, daydream in class, or be fidgety at the dinner table, too much screen time, poor nutrition, and stressful life events can exacerbate these symptoms. To diagnose ADHD, doctors review a child’s school records and questionnaires from teachers and caretakers, observe their behavior, and conduct tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
Children who consistently exhibit five or more of the following symptoms are diagnosed with ADHD – primarily inattentive type:
ADHD in Adults
People with ADHD have brain differences that affect how they think and behave. These differences are present from childhood, and they can have different effects as adults. Experts have categorized ADHD symptoms as mild, moderate and severe, depending on how they interfere with work or social relationships.
Many people with ADHD have trouble understanding situational social boundaries, which may cause them to interrupt or intrude on others frequently. They may also have trouble waiting their turn at school, during activities or games, and in other situations. They often have a hard time reading other people’s facial expressions or body language to determine their reactions to a situation.
It’s important to get a diagnosis as early as possible, so that you can take steps to improve your life. A mental health professional can help you understand your symptoms and make recommendations for treatment.
Getting a diagnosis can be an enormous relief for people with untreated ADHD. It can help them realize that the challenges they face are due to their ADHD, not because of a lack of effort or some other character flaw. This can reduce feelings of embarrassment, frustration, self-blame, failure and hopelessness. It can also lead to a more positive outlook about their future.
ADHD Medication
Some people with ADHD find that medicine helps them to pay attention, listen better, and fidget less. Medicine doesn’t cure ADHD, but it can make a big difference for many people.
Most medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants. These include methylphenidate (brand names Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin), amphetamines (e.g., Adderall, Dexedrine), and atomoxetine (brand name Strattera). Stimulants can be fast-acting or long-acting. Those taken in the short-acting form have effects that last for four hours or so. When these medications wear off, it can cause a drop in energy and hunger. Some people who take these drugs supplement their dose with an immediate-release medication taken in the late afternoon or evening to cover this period.
It’s important to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you or your child takes, including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins and supplements. Some of these can interact with certain ADHD medications and have side effects. Your healthcare provider will help you find the right ADHD medication and dosage to get the best results with the fewest side effects. They will also monitor the effects of the medication to see how it affects you or your child over time.
