How to Know If You Have ADHD
If you have trouble paying attention or making careless mistakes, it could be a sign of ADHD. It is a condition that can affect your life in many ways.
When it comes to a diagnosis, the most important criteria are based on how long the symptoms have been going on and how they’re affecting your life. Doctors use guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association to help them make the diagnosis.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. It is often first diagnosed in childhood and lasts into adulthood, though the symptoms can look different from person to person.
If you think you have ADHD, your doctor will want to know if the symptoms interfere with your social life, schoolwork or job. They will also ask you to think about what symptoms you might have had as a child.
According to the CDC, adults and adolescents age 17 and older must have 5 of the following symptoms to receive an ADHD diagnosis. The symptoms must have been present before age 12 and must impair daily functioning in two or more settings.
Causes Of ADHD
ADHD is a disorder that affects people’s ability to pay attention, stay focused, control impulsive behaviors, and organize tasks. It’s caused by differences in the brain.
These differences are most often genetic. They’re also linked to environmental factors such as prematurity, prenatal exposure to toxins, and mothers who used drugs during pregnancy.
When a child has ADHD, it can cause serious problems in their lives. They may have trouble in school, with friends, and family.
Children with ADHD are also more likely to have other conditions, including oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, anxiety, depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and learning disabilities.
Treatment for ADHD involves medication and behavior therapy. Medicines work to activate the brain’s ability to pay attention, slow down, and use self-control. Psychotherapy helps kids learn skills to control their emotions and behaviors.
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
When you or your child are diagnosed with ADHD, it can feel like a huge relief. The diagnosis can explain why you’ve struggled with life skills such as paying attention, following directions, listening closely and organizing.
When getting a diagnosis, it’s important to work with a professional who has experience diagnosing ADHD. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist.
Your doctor may also use tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as a medical exam. These tests can help identify other medical conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
The process for getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be complicated and confusing. However, with a little research and planning, it can be a positive experience for everyone involved. A diagnosis can make a big difference in your life, and the sooner you get treatment, the faster you will be able to take back control of your symptoms and get your life back on track.
Risk Factors Of ADHD
ADHD is a brain disorder that affects 1-3% of children. It causes a variety of problems, including learning and behavioral disorders.
Like many medical and psychiatric conditions, there is no single cause of ADHD, but a combination of genetic and non-inherited factors may contribute to its aetiology.
It is often thought that ADHD can be caused by birth trauma, but this is not a proven theory. A few studies have linked prenatal and perinatal exposures to ADHD, but these associations should not be confused with causality.
Some risk factors that have been associated with ADHD include preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal disease, and a lower level of mother’s education. However, future research should also include clinical factors at birth and more precise methodologies in large samples.
Complications Of ADHD
Symptoms of untreated ADHD can cause problems in every area of your life, including relationships and work performance. Fortunately, adults with ADHD can find treatment for their condition and overcome the obstacles that keep them from living life to the fullest.
People with ADHD are at a 2.5-fold increased risk of childhood seizures6 and may have a higher risk of physical health complications, such as asthma, allergies, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity7.
A new study shows that people with ADHD are more likely to have post-operative surgical complications than other patients. It is important to know this information as it can help surgeons better understand the potential for complication in this population and tailor their care to patients with ADHD. The results may lead to an improved patient experience and lower costs.
