How to Know If You Have ADHD
If you have trouble paying attention or are constantly forgetful, you might have ADHD. This disorder can affect your life in many ways, including at work and in relationships.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can help you control symptoms and improve your life. The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is by talking with a doctor or mental health professional.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way your brain works. It is caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
If you have symptoms of ADHD, you may need help managing them so that you can focus, work, and study better. Treatment can include medication, behavioral therapy, education and support.
Your doctor can help you understand your symptoms and find the best treatment for you. You might need several treatments before you get the results you want.
ADHD symptoms often appear during childhood and can be hard to recognize or diagnose. It is also difficult to determine whether you have ADHD if the symptoms are only noticeable in one setting.
Causes Of ADHD
It is not clear what causes ADHD. It is thought that genetic factors play a role and that environmental risk factors like lead, stress during pregnancy and brain damage can also affect a person’s chance of developing ADHD.
Children with ADHD have a frontal lobe that is developing slower than peers’, which can make it difficult for them to understand cause-and-effect, change habits and read social cues. It can also make it hard for them to learn the difference between right and wrong.
The condition is inherited and runs in families. Kids with a parent or relative with ADHD are more likely to develop the disorder. Other common risk factors include being born early, having a mother who used drugs during pregnancy, or having a family history of the condition.
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can feel overwhelming and confusing, but it’s an important step for many people. It can help you or your child get the right treatment, and it may even help reduce your feelings of guilt, shame, or frustration over your symptoms.
A typical assessment for ADHD in children or adults involves a comprehensive evaluation that may include a medical exam. It also includes a detailed history of the individual’s development and school experiences.
The evaluation usually involves multiple professionals, including physicians, clinical and school psychologists, clinical social workers, speech-language pathologists, learning specialists, and educators.
You can start the evaluation process by asking your doctor for a referral to a health care professional who specializes in adult ADHD assessment. You can also search for professionals in your area online.
Risk Factors Of ADHD
While a family history of ADHD is a known risk factor, there are many other environmental and developmental factors that can contribute to ADHD. It’s important to note that the association between these risk factors and ADHD is usually a correlation, and does not necessarily mean that they cause it.
Teratogens, or substances that can harm the fetus during pregnancy, have been linked to an increased risk of ADHD. However, these associations may not be causal; they might be due to confounding effects of genetics.
Complications Of ADHD
Those with ADHD may have trouble controlling their impulses and are at risk for addiction. They can also develop sleep disorders, depression, anxiety and learning disabilities.
According to the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), people with ADHD can be diagnosed if they meet certain criteria. A diagnosis must include six or more symptoms that occur in two or more settings and significantly impair a person’s daily life.
The condition can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how many symptoms are present and how they affect a person’s ability to function in social, school and work situations. It’s important to have a proper evaluation by a professional in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment plan.