How to Know If You Have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
If you have symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or if you think you may have the condition, you should talk to your doctor. Getting a diagnosis will give you and your family more options for treatment.
ADHD can affect how you interact with others, and it can also cause problems in your personal and professional life. It isn’t easy to live with, but it can be managed with help.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD
ADHD is a disorder that affects attention and behavior. It can cause problems with schoolwork, relationships, and social situations.
The symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse as people age. They often include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.
In children, these symptoms are more obvious and can be distracting. They may daydream, interrupt others or act without thinking it through first.
They may also make careless mistakes and miss important details in schoolwork or other activities.
If you or someone you know has these symptoms, talk to a doctor for an ADHD diagnosis. Treatments can help reduce the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Causes Of ADHD
ADHD is caused by many factors, including genetics and non-genetic influences such as exposure to stress, illness and family problems. It can also affect the way you think and behave.
Symptoms of ADHD occur because the brain structures that control attention, impulses and emotions are different in people with the disorder.
This causes problems with planning and paying attention to tasks. It also causes trouble making decisions and using language to moderate behavior.
A child can be diagnosed as having ADHD if he or she shows six or more of the following nine symptoms, according to the DSM-5-TR guidelines.
These symptoms are usually present when children are young and can affect their schoolwork, social relationships and daily activities. Medications can help reduce the severity of these symptoms.
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
If you suspect that you or your child have ADHD, getting a diagnosis is an important first step. It can help you or your child find the right treatment and improve their quality of life.
Usually, a health care professional specializing in ADHD will conduct an evaluation to diagnose the condition. They can be pediatricians, psychiatrists, or child psychologists.
The evaluation will include a clinical interview using one or more ADHD rating scales to collect information about symptoms. Your doctor might also ask you to complete behavioral scales that measure your behaviors.
Risk Factors Of ADHD
Children with ADHD are at greater risk for developing mental health problems. This may include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and impulsivity.
In addition, they are at increased risk for suicide. This is because of their deficient attention and difficulty with executive functioning.
It is a combination of genetics and environmental factors that determine whether a child will develop ADHD. In fact, about 1 in 4 children will have a parent with ADHD.
Other risk factors for developing ADHD include prenatal complications, chromosomal microdeletions (e.g., VCFS), large, rare CNVs, extreme low birth weight, and prematurity. Exposure to toxins during pregnancy or infancy, such as lead, also may increase the risk of ADHD.
Complications Of ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that can cause significant problems throughout an individual’s life. The effects can include academic difficulties, social skills issues and strained parent-child relationships.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder. They also struggle with executive function, which is the ability to plan, organize and complete tasks.
Treatment for ADHD usually involves medication, which helps to balance brain neurotransmitters. It is usually combined with counseling, which will teach an individual how to cope with certain triggers that may be causing their symptoms. This will help them to be more organized, handle their time better and improve their self-esteem.
