How to Know If You Have ADHD
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, the first step is to talk to your health care provider. A comprehensive evaluation will include symptom checklists, standardized behavior rating scales and a complete medical and social history.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must appear before age 12, occur in two or more settings (like school and home) and cause impairment.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD
People with ADHD often find it difficult to sit still, focus or complete tasks in a timely manner. They may also struggle with emotional concerns, according to a 2019 literature review, which can make it easier for small frustrations to seem intolerable.
Their impulsive behavior can show up as them leaving their seat during class lectures, blurting out answers before they’re called on or barging into people’s spaces without knocking. This can lead to relationship problems and a higher risk of becoming sexually active at a young age (Austerman, 2015).
Symptoms of ADHD can be hard for others to recognize, especially when they’re seen in kids. A doctor will ask to speak with the person’s family, friends and other caregivers, like teachers, to get a clearer picture of their behavior.
Causes Of ADHD
Many people with ADHD go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed throughout their lives. They may be labeled as dreamers, goof-offs, troublemakers or slackers instead of having their disorder recognized. Their problems only get worse as they age and have more responsibilities, especially at work or school.
Women with ADHD often report more feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted than men do. They also may feel frustrated and blame themselves for their symptoms.
Getting an evaluation for ADHD requires the assistance of a health care professional who is trained to perform an ADHD evaluation. This specialist will use standardized behavior rating scales to assess an adult’s symptoms and may ask permission to talk with family members, teachers or friends who knew the person well in childhood.
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
For parents of children with ADHD, it can feel overwhelming to pursue a diagnosis. But it’s important to take small steps, like talking to the school principal and requesting feedback from teachers. It’s also helpful to gather direct information about how your child acts in more than one setting, such as at home or with friends.
To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, multiple symptoms must have been present before age 12. They must cause impairment in two major settings, such as work and home. This could mean missing deadlines at work, losing jobs due to poor performance or running into financial trouble because of impulsive spending. It could even be a struggle to maintain a healthy relationship with a partner. The good news is that there are solutions for these struggles, including medication.
Risk Factors Of ADHD
People with ADHD often develop complications such as poor performance at school and work, substance abuse problems and troubled relationships. These symptoms also lead to health problems like depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.
ADHD is usually hereditary, but there are other factors that can increase the risk of developing it. These include poor nutrition, exposure to toxins during pregnancy and birth trauma. It is also believed that having other family members with mental illness or ADHD increases the chance of a person developing it as well.
However, many children who are exposed to these risks don’t end up with ADHD. This is because there are other underlying issues at play. This is why it’s important to get a thorough psychiatric evaluation before making any conclusions about the cause of a child’s difficulties.
Complications Of ADHD
The inattentive and impulsive aspects of ADHD can lead to problems with work, school, relationships, and managing finances. These issues can have long-term effects on your life, especially as you get older and your responsibilities increase.
Symptoms of ADHD are often missed in childhood, and adults may be unaware that they have the condition. They may have been labeled as dreamers, goofballs, slackers or troublemakers by family and teachers.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, multiple symptoms must have been present before the age of 12. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders provides the guidelines for diagnosing this condition. A health care provider will take a complete history of the person’s life and conduct an interview with them. They will also review the individual’s medical and psychiatric history.
