What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
If you have a child who is constantly distracted or has trouble paying attention, there could be a good chance they have ADHD. This disorder affects the way people think, act and feel.
A doctor can diagnose ADHD based on a detailed history and observation of a person’s behavior. It’s common for a doctor to use a variety of tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that causes problems with concentrating and paying attention. It is usually present in children, but can also affect adults.
ADHD symptoms are most common in children, with the symptom of hyperactivity and impulsivity being the most prominent. However, these symptoms can change over time.
Inattention symptoms can make it difficult to pay attention in class or at home. These can include being easily distracted, not focusing during lectures or conversations and taking long to complete tasks.
People with ADHD may also have trouble staying organized, completing tasks and managing their time. They might rely on reminders and schedules to keep track of what they need to do.
These can be helpful, but they can also make life more stressful for people with ADHD. They can cause them to miss out on important events, get frustrated by their inability to do things quickly and become angry or irritable.
Types of ADHD
ADHD is a mental health condition that can affect people of all ages and genders. It is especially common among children, but can also be found in adults.
There are three main types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined. Each type has its own unique set of symptoms, treatment options, and challenges.
Predominantly inattentive (or inattentive-hyperactive) ADHD is the most common. It’s what used to be called attention-deficit disorder (ADD). This type of ADHD can cause problems with focus and concentration, as well as trouble completing tasks.
This is often accompanied by problems with memory and attention to detail. You’re easily distracted by your surroundings or thoughts, and you’re not able to stay focused on your work for long periods of time.
In addition, this type of ADHD can lead to temper outbursts and difficulty regulating your behavior. It can also make it hard for you to sit still without fidgeting or moving around a lot.
This type of ADHD can be a challenge to deal with for both children and adults. It can also be a sign of poor self-control, as well as anxiety and depression. Fortunately, treatment can help improve your ability to focus and stay calm, even when you’re feeling stressed or anxious.
Causes of ADHD
ADHD is a brain-based disorder that affects the way your brain works. Currently, researchers are working to better understand how the brain processes information and what factors may lead to a disorder like ADHD.
ADHD can be caused by a number of things, but the most common cause is the lack of a normal balance of brain chemicals called dopamine and norepinephrine. This imbalance causes problems with attention, memory and other brain functions.
Some research has shown that certain genes can increase a person’s risk of having ADHD. These genetic variants affect the activity of certain parts of the brain, which can change how a person feels and behaves.
However, it is still unclear how the genes work. Other factors, such as family stress, may have a role in ADHD.
Regardless of the causes, many people with ADHD can benefit from medical and behavioral treatments. These can help control symptoms, improve self-control and reduce impulsivity and anxiety.
Treatment can involve taking medications, seeking outside support and practicing calming therapies. Yoga and meditation are two calming practices that can improve focus and calm the mind. These techniques combine physical exercise with deep breathing and meditation. They can also relieve stress and help you relax when you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
If you think that your child has ADHD, you should talk to a doctor. They can do a health check to make sure there isn’t another problem, like a learning disability, that causes the same symptoms.
Your doctor will then ask about your child’s behavior in different settings, such as at home, school, and with peers. They can also ask you to complete checklists of your child’s behavior, so they can look at the patterns.
You might be referred to a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, who can diagnose ADHD with more confidence and make a full assessment of your child’s symptoms. Psychiatrists and other specialists have many tools they use to make a diagnosis, including a thorough clinical interview.
They might also do a review of your child’s medical and psychological records from childhood, including a physical examination and a psychological test or two. They may also ask your child’s teachers and other adults who know them well about the symptoms they see.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, but it can affect adults as well. Adults with ADHD might have other comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, which can worsen if they aren’t treated properly.
Treatsments for ADHD
Medication is the most common form of treatment for ADHD, but therapy can also be helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people with ADHD understand their behavior and learn to change it. It can help with problems at school, work and at home. It can also teach coping skills that make it easier to control their behavior.
Stimulants are the most common type of medicine used for ADHD, but non-stimulants are available. These medications increase norepinephrine in the brain, helping you focus and pay attention better. They take longer to start working than stimulants, but they may be less likely to cause dependence.
Your child’s doctor will carefully determine the right medication, dosage and schedule to help him or her feel better. Your child will need regular follow-up appointments to monitor his or her condition and symptoms, so your doctor can adjust the dose accordingly.
You should also be aware that some children and adolescents who take stimulants may experience a minor growth delay. This is because the drugs can affect the brain’s ability to grow.
Stimulants can also make tics more noticeable, especially if your child has other tic disorders. They also can cause upset stomachs and changes in blood pressure or heart rate.
ADHD in Adults
ADHD is a common disorder that affects an estimated 4.4 percent of American adults. It affects men more than women, but the condition can occur in anyone.
Often, people with ADHD have difficulty with schoolwork or job tasks, especially when it comes to organizing their time and staying focused. They may also be more prone to procrastination or have problems remembering details or making careless mistakes.
They may also struggle to keep calm and manage their emotions, particularly when feeling stress or anxiety. This can lead to problems with relationships and a lack of confidence.
These symptoms can affect all areas of life, including work and home life. They can also interfere with your social relationships, especially if they affect your friends and family.
If you think you might have ADHD, talk to your primary care provider or mental health professional. They will help you find a doctor who can diagnose and treat the disorder.
The most important type of treatment for adult ADHD is medication. These are drugs that can help you concentrate, reduce impulsive behaviour and feel more calm.
These drugs are also known as stimulants and are prescribed by a GP. They can also be combined with therapy and other interventions. These therapies can help you learn how to manage your ADHD, improve your behaviour and relationships and teach you new ways to stay organized at home and at work.
ADHD Medication
Medications are often an important part of treatment for ADHD. They are usually prescribed in combination with behavioral therapy, which is an effective approach for improving symptoms of ADHD.
Stimulant medications (methylphenidate or amphetamine) are the most common type of medication used to treat ADHD. They boost levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which help a person focus.
These medicines can be short-acting or long-acting, depending on the patient’s needs and preference. They are generally taken once or twice a day, either in the morning or in the evening.
A short-acting medicine, such as methylphenidate, works in the brain within an hour after you take it. It can be taken as a pill, liquid, or patch.
Another stimulant medicine, lisdexamfetamine, works on parts of the brain that control attention. It’s offered to teenagers and children over the age of 5.
Guanfacine, an antidepressant, is also available to treat ADHD. It helps increase the availability of norepinephrine in the brain, and it may reduce blood pressure in adults and children who cannot tolerate methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
There’s no clear evidence that stimulants used to treat ADHD are habit-forming. However, some people who have an active substance use disorder are tempted to abuse psychostimulants and may become addicted.
