What is ADHD?
ADHD is the most common behavioral disorder diagnosed in children. It is a brain disorder that causes problems paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Doctors usually diagnose ADHD with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. Medications help activate the brain’s ability to pay attention and control behavior.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Everybody can have trouble paying attention or settling down at times, but kids with ADHD are more likely to have persistent problems that interfere with their school, social, and home lives.
Symptoms of ADHD often develop gradually during childhood, and they can take many forms. Sometimes the symptoms are mild and may go unnoticed by others.
But if you or your child have frequent problems with these symptoms, it’s time to talk to your doctor about getting a diagnosis. This will help you find the right treatment for your needs and give you tools to manage your symptoms.
It’s important to note that ADHD symptoms can also be caused by other things, such as stress, sleep disorders, or anxiety. This can be difficult to distinguish from ADHD, so your doctor will need to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your symptoms.
If you or your child have ADHD, it’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. This will give you the best chance of receiving the appropriate treatment. It can also help you and your family cope with the symptoms that you have.
Types of ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD may be different between people. However, a common theory is that there are seven types of ADHD: impulsive/hyperactive, inattentive, combined, classic, ADHD-combined, dysregulation and anxiety.
According to this theory, a person with ADHD must experience specific sets of symptoms in order to be diagnosed with a particular type. This is important because different treatments will be recommended for the type of ADHD that an individual has.
For example, an adult with inattentive ADHD may have a hard time focusing on tasks that require concentration and attention. They may easily lose track of their work or become distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds.
In contrast, an adult with hyperactive ADHD may find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time. They may get up from their desk or leave a meeting or classroom before the session is over.
This type of ADHD is less common than the other two types. Although it is a serious condition, it can be treated effectively. Treatment options include medication, therapy and counseling.
Causes of ADHD
ADHD is a condition that causes problems in many aspects of life. It can interfere with school performance, cause family stress and disruption, lead to depression or anxiety, result in substance abuse and delinquency, and even cause accidents.
Symptoms often show up in children when they are young, but it can also affect adults. They may have a hard time staying still, fidgeting or talking a lot. They may also have trouble concentrating or staying organized.
They may run around a lot or climb things that aren’t right for them. They may blurt out answers before they finish speaking, interrupt others, or take over when people are doing something that doesn’t interest them.
These behaviors are called impulsivity. They can be dangerous, as they may do things without thinking about how they will affect the people they are with.
Genetics play a large role in the development of ADHD. In most cases, one or more genes interact with other factors to create the disorder. It can also be caused by environmental factors. Exposure to certain toxins during childhood, for example, can increase the risk of developing ADHD.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
When a doctor makes a diagnosis of ADHD, they use the guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Healthcare providers follow this standard to make sure people are diagnosed properly.
Your doctor will review your medical, psychiatric, and family history to get an accurate picture of your symptoms. They will also ask you questions about how your symptoms affect you, your relationships, and your work life.
Next, your doctor will examine you to find out if you have any physical problems that might be related to ADHD. This might include blood tests and a neurological assessment.
Finally, your doctor may conduct psychological tests to determine if your behavior patterns are caused by a learning disability or other mental health problem. These tests can look at working memory, executive functioning (ability to plan and carry out tasks), or other skills such as visual and spatial thinking and reasoning.
Your doctor may use one or more behavior rating scales to find out if you have any behaviors that meet the criteria for ADHD. Your doctor will likely ask you to fill out these scales before the evaluation or at the appointment.
Treatsments for ADHD
Medicines that affect the brain’s chemicals are used to treat ADHD. The most common ADHD medicines are methylphenidate (brand names include Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin) and amphetamines (brand names include Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse).
Medication is one of the best ways to help children with ADHD control their symptoms. It works best when combined with therapy, parent support, and school support.
The medications methylphenidate and amphetamine work by increasing the activity in parts of the brain that help control attention and behavior. They can be taken once or twice a day, depending on the medicine. Short-acting formulas last about 4 hours, and long-acting formulas stay in the body for up to 12 hours.
Aside from medicines, other treatments for ADHD include behavior therapy, social skills training and counseling. These help children and adults learn new strategies for coping with their symptoms, focusing better and controlling their emotions.
Treatment for ADHD can also involve a variety of alternative therapies, such as meditation, yoga and neurofeedback. These practices may be effective for some people with ADHD, but they are not always recommended by doctors.
Regular follow-up visits are important for monitoring your child’s height, weight and blood pressure, as well as side effects of medication. If any side effects become serious, you or your child’s doctor should stop the medicine and try another.
ADHD in Adults
Adults with ADHD can have a difficult time focusing and paying attention, leading to a range of problems. They may miss important work deadlines or forget about social plans and appointments. They also may have trouble controlling impulses, such as driving in traffic or interrupting others.
In addition to difficulties with attention, people with ADHD tend to have problems organizing and completing tasks. They often underestimate how long it takes to complete a task, and they can’t organize their schedules well enough to meet deadlines.
ADHD is a developmental disorder, meaning that it is present throughout an individual’s life. For a diagnosis to be made, adults must have 5 symptoms for at least 6 months that meet the criteria for one of the three types of ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive/impulse, or combined).
If you think you may have ADHD, talk to your health care provider about it. Your doctor can help you get started and can recommend a mental health professional to provide treatment. Psychotherapy is a popular form of therapy for adults with ADHD. It can help you develop skills to improve your attention and concentration, organization, and use of time. It can also help you gain control of impulsive and risky behaviors.
ADHD Medication
Stimulants are the most common type of medication used to treat ADHD. They work by improving communication between brain cells, which helps with attention, concentration and impulsivity.
Non-stimulants are also used to treat ADHD. They are less effective than stimulants, but can be used if a child or adult has medical reasons not to take stimulants or doesn’t respond well to them.
They can also help control tics, which are sudden, repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking or throat clearing. However, they may cause growth reduction in some children and adolescents.
The most common stimulant medications for treating ADHD are methylphenidate (sample brand names: Concerta, Focalin, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin) and amphetamines (sample brand names: Adderall, Ritalin XR, Dexedrine). They are available as capsules or tablets that need to be taken twice or three times daily.
Atomoxetine is another type of medication used for treating ADHD. It is similar to methylphenidate in action, but it increases levels of a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline.
It is usually taken once or twice a day in capsule form and should not be chewed. Some side effects include weight loss, vomiting and nausea. Other serious side effects include liver damage.
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Aron Croft, Aaron Croft, Hidden ADD, Hidden ADHD, Atypical Coach, neurodivergent, neurodiversity
