The question of what is ADHD has a lot of negative connotations. For instance, children with ADHD can face ridicule from their teachers and parents, as well as being ridiculed by their peers. Adults with ADHD can also face punishment from family members and employers. In some cases, people with ADHD are even looked down upon by their friends and family. This makes it even more difficult for those suffering from the condition to make friends.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Some common signs and symptoms of ADHD are excessive distractibility, inability to complete tasks, and problems following directions. Individuals with this condition often find it difficult to follow directions, complete chores, or maintain order in their homes. These individuals often fidget with their hands and feet or leave their seats, demonstrating typical signs of ADHD. They also have a tendency to talk rapidly and often end up interrupting others. In addition, they are often overactive, with racing thoughts.
Parents of children with ADHD need to recognize their emotions, admit that they may have difficulties parenting their child, and find ways to defuse these feelings. Whether it is humor or other methods, recognizing the difficulties involved can help alleviate parents’ feelings. However, parents should seek medical attention if they suspect their child has ADHD. A healthcare provider can help parents learn about appropriate behavior and prescribe an effective treatment plan. They should also be aware of any changes in their child’s behavior or the reaction to medication.
Diagnosing ADHD may be difficult, but it is important to find out the exact cause of a child’s symptoms. In addition to evaluating the child’s behavior and school experiences, health care providers will ask about the family and friends of the child to determine the exact cause of their symptoms and help them cope. A health care provider will also use standardized behavior rating scales and symptom checklists to make a proper diagnosis. Additionally, an individual with ADHD may also undergo psychological tests to assess working memory, executive functioning, and reasoning skills.
Types of ADHD
If you have ever wondered if you or your child might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you’re not alone. Many people with this disorder struggle to stay organized and manage their time, and many avoid tasks that require sustained mental effort. Likewise, people with ADHD often become easily distracted by the things they see around them, or think about things that are unrelated. They may even forget to do everyday tasks or run errands. These symptoms of ADHD can make them appear hyperactive and inattentive simultaneously.
While science hasn’t yet found a single cause for ADHD, genetics and environmental trauma are thought to play a role. Exposure to toxins and a traumatic birth may also increase a child’s risk for the condition. Some other risk factors include brain injury and smoking. In some cases, ADHD may be present from conception. Sometimes, people with ADHD may have coexisting mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
There are three types of ADHD. The most common is the predominantly inattentive type. The other two types are the hyperactive-impulsive type and the combined type. Both types are common in both males and females, but the latter is more likely to seek professional help. Symptoms of the Combined Type are present in both sexes, but males tend to exhibit the more severe symptoms. However, males are more likely to suffer from the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD.
Causes of ADHD
While there is no clear single cause for ADHD, several environmental factors have been identified as risk factors. These factors occur at various times of central nervous system development. In particular, the gestational and perinatal periods are considered critical for CNS development. In this article, we discuss some of these environmental factors. You may also want to read more about the genetic component of ADHD. Regardless of your reasons for being anxious or irritable, it is important to understand the environmental factors that may affect your child’s development.
A new study has linked the gene methyltransferase A to a specific neurotransmitter pathway in the brain. This association has been linked to neuronal excitability. Researchers from the Nemours/Alfred L. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, presented their findings at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 63rd annual meeting. The researchers found that 22 percent of children had the mutated gene.
In addition to genetic and environmental risks, researchers have linked ADHD to several psychopathologies. Even though ADHD is highly heritable, genetic risk is not sufficient to explain the occurrence of the disorder. There is no single risk factor, and not all people exposed to it will develop ADHD. In addition, studies show that the presence of multiple risk factors isn’t enough to explain the occurrence of ADHD. A combination of inherited and non-inherited risk factors seems to be necessary for a thorough understanding of ADHD.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Most children with ADHD are eligible for educational services in public schools. Their parents will work closely with school personnel to create goals and a customized education plan for their child. Schools can make accommodations for children with ADHD, such as placing them at the front of the class or providing extra classroom staff for help with specific issues. Parents and doctors will discuss setting measurable goals for their child. ADHD treatment options can include medication, educational accommodations, and game-based digital therapeutic devices.
In most cases, a child with ADHD can be diagnosed through observation of behavioral symptoms and history. Testing for a learning disability may also be necessary, as children with ADHD may have difficulties learning to read, write, and solve math problems. Tests to rule out these problems will help educators form the best plan for your child. However, these tests are only one option for the diagnosis. Therefore, a visit to a licensed healthcare provider is required.
The process of ADHD diagnosis begins with a clinical interview and medical history. Neuropsychological testing is often incorporated into the diagnosis process, which provides greater insight into a child’s strengths and weaknesses. The tests can also identify comorbid conditions. Sometimes a child with ADHD may not be diagnosed until later in life. This is especially true for girls and twice-exceptional individuals. The most common form of ADHD is inattentive.
Treatsments for ADHD
There are several types of ADHD treatments, and the right one for a child will depend on their needs. Behavioral therapy is one of these treatments. It aims to teach children new ways of acting and behaving, and rewards desired behavior while eliminating undesirable actions. Behavioral therapy is most effective for children under five, but can also help older children. A 2014 survey by the National Center on Birth Defects and Development Disabilities and the National Center for Health Statistics found that nearly half of all children diagnosed with ADHD receive medication. Behavioral therapy may be a more effective option than medication alone.
Neurofeedback is another option. This high-tech approach to treating ADHD can help children learn to sustain attention on non-preferred tasks. Patients wear electrode-lined caps during sessions. This allows the doctor to learn which brain-wave patterns are associated with focus and concentration. These sessions are quick and painless, and can cost as much as $5,000. Unfortunately, there is limited evidence that neurofeedback can help treat ADHD. But if your child has ADHD, neurofeedback can help.
ADHD in Adults
To diagnose ADHD in adults, physicians must consider a number of factors, including the patient’s medical and developmental history, behavioral patterns, and interactions with others. Laboratory tests are not always available, so the doctor must also consider the patient’s age and gender, as women often exhibit different symptoms than men. Before initiating treatment, however, doctors must rule out other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or thyroid disease. Moreover, the symptoms of ADHD in adults can overlap with other conditions, including anxiety.
Adults with ADHD can struggle to focus, and they may have difficulty keeping up with conversations or other activities. They may lose track of time, miss important deadlines, and be easily distracted. They may also have trouble keeping track of their own schedules, resulting in missed deadlines and misunderstandings. In addition, people with ADHD are prone to becoming overly focused on things that they don’t need to be doing. Despite these symptoms, there are ways to deal with ADHD in adults.
While experts still aren’t able to pinpoint the exact cause of ADHD in adults, many researchers suspect genetics plays a role. Almost three out of four people with the disorder have a parent or sibling who has the disorder. Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment can improve a person’s quality of life. If left untreated, ADHD in adults may result in job instability and decreased education. This can have a serious impact on a person’s life, not just the one with the disorder.
ADHD Medication
There are a few different types of ADHD medication available. A non-stimulant medicine, for instance, may take weeks to start working and will be in effect for 24 hours. A stimulant medicine will last for a shorter period, but will have a rebound effect that can be uncomfortable for some people. Your doctor may switch to an extended-release formulation or prescribe a lower dose. While most ADHD medications have minimal side effects, your doctor may recommend a combination therapy of anti-depressants.
A common side effect of ADHD medication is a decreased appetite and trouble sleeping. Side effects of other medications may include jitteriness, irritability, moodiness, headaches, stomachaches, and fast heart rate. These side effects will subside after a few weeks of taking the medication, and will likely pass in time. Your doctor will likely provide you with a detailed list of possible side effects before you begin treatment.
Medication for ADHD is not a cure, but it can help people with symptoms of ADHD to focus better, stay organized, and cope better with stress. The most common medication for ADHD is methylphenidate, also known by the brand names Adderall and Ritalin. There are also long-acting formulas of methylphenidate that remain in the body for up to 12 hours, which is particularly useful if your child has to go to school for a long period of time.
Adderall is known as the “study drug”, and many students are abusing it to try and study. What is Adderall and what other drugs are people using to gain a mental or physical edge?
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