All you need to know about ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a severe mental health condition that includes a combination of persistent problems, like hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention, and impulsive behavior. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a chronic condition that can not be cured, though treatment can help. This disorder often starts in childhood. It can last for several years or even lifelong. It is a severe medical condition that affects the life of patients who have ADHD and may lead to trouble focusing on work and even destroy relationships. ADHD affects people by reducing their brain dopamine levels. ADHD is a prevalent mental disorder that affects many children and adults.
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How to know if you have ADHD?
There are some common symptoms of ADHD through which you can determine if you have ADHD so that you can consult a mental health expert and take the necessary actions. Symptoms of ADHD observed in children may include an overactive mind, constant physical movement, inability to sit still, excessive fidgeting, impatience, acting without thinking, making careless mistakes, interrupting conversations, and difficulty paying attention.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults may include:
- Inability to perform tedious tasks
- Being forgetful about things necessary for jobs in daily life like keys, books, wallets, etc.
- Not paying close attention to details
- Not remembering daily tasks, like running errands and doing chores
- Intruding on others
However, symptoms of this disorder in adults are hard to define. Since ADHD is a developmental disorder, it can occur in adults only if it begins in childhood. The symptoms go unnoticed in some cases but are more evident for some people.
What is ADHD in adults?
In adults, the main features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may include restlessness, poor time management skills, impulsiveness, trouble multitasking, poor planning, frequent mood swings, hot temper, and low frustration tolerance, among many others. Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can lead to low self-esteem, poor school or work performance, unstable relationships, and other problems. Some people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD may have fewer symptoms as they age. However, some adults continue to experience major symptoms that interfere with their daily functioning.
Common triggers of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults include poor sleep, stress, overstimulation, particular food and additives, and technology. Once a person recognizes what triggers their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, they can make the necessary lifestyle changes to manage episodes better. Standard treatments for ADHD in adults generally involve education, medication, psychological counseling, and skills training. A combination of these is often considered the most effective treatment. These treatments may help manage many attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adults, but they do not cure them. It may take some time to evaluate what works best for a particular individual.
Who can diagnose ADHD?
Health care professionals such as child psychologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians can diagnose ADHD with the help of guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the American Academy of Pediatrics. There isn’t a single test used to diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Medical experts diagnose ADHD when a person has shown all or some of the symptoms on a regular basis for more than six months and in more than a single setting.
The diagnosis in children involves gathering data from various sources, like parents, caregivers, and schools. The health care professional will note how a child’s behavior compares with other children the same age, and they can use standardized rating scales to document these behaviors.
