How to Know If You Have ADHD
ADHD can make it hard to get things done, and sometimes the disorder causes problems with relationships and other areas of life.
It’s important to understand how ADHD affects your life, so you can start treatment as soon as possible.
Diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough medical exam, including hearing and vision tests. It also includes psychological testing to look at how your symptoms affect your daily life.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD
If your child is having problems sitting still, being impulsive, or bouncing from task to task without finishing them, they may have ADHD. They may also be unable to stay focused on things they like to do, or take their turn in games.
Children with ADHD may act out or lose control of their emotions when they are upset. They may blurt out inappropriate comments, grab a toy or hit another child.
A health care professional, such as a doctor or psychiatrist, will diagnose ADHD after taking into account all symptoms. A detailed history of a child’s behavior from parents and teachers and psychoeducational testing are important parts of making the diagnosis.
Causes Of ADHD
If a child has ADHD, it’s important to find out what’s causing the condition. The most common cause is genetics, but other environmental factors have been linked to ADHD.
In childhood, symptoms can include inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. These traits can affect schoolwork, relationships and even work performance.
Adolescence presents a special challenge for children with ADHD, as they deal with typical adolescent issues. They may have problems with peers and schoolwork, as well as risky sexual behavior and substance abuse.
ADHD can also co-occur with other mental health conditions, including oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, sleep disorders and learning disabilities. This requires a careful assessment and treatment plan that takes into account all of the symptoms.
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a complex process. It involves a series of interviews and evaluations, which may include neuropsychological testing.
The evaluation can be performed by a qualified mental health professional or physician. These practitioners typically use symptom checklists, normed rating scales, and detailed histories from loved ones and educators to make an accurate diagnoses.
The doctor will also look for comorbid conditions that are often associated with ADHD, including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. Treatment plans that address all of these factors can significantly improve a person’s quality of life.
Risk Factors Of ADHD
ADHD is caused by a number of factors, including genetics, the environment or problems with brain development at key moments. But the exact causes of ADHD are still unknown.
There is strong evidence that inherited genetic factors contribute to ADHD. In family studies, siblings of affected probands have higher rates of the disorder compared with relatives of unaffected controls; twins have also been found to be at increased risk.
In addition, environmental factors such as prenatal exposure to toxins (alcohol, smoking, lead) have been associated with ADHD risk. However, these studies often don’t account for the psychopathology of the mother or her genetic risk.
Complications Of ADHD
If you have undiagnosed ADHD, it can cause major problems in your life. It may make it difficult to get your finances organized, keep track of your schedule or meet your obligations on time.
It can also lead to poor relationships with friends and family members. It can even put your marriage at risk.
In addition to these behavioral symptoms, those with ADHD are at an increased risk of developing physical health complications. These include migraine, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, obesity and digestive problems.
