How to Know If You Have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
If you are having trouble focusing, getting organized, or finishing tasks at work or home, you may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can affect children and adults.
It is important to know if you have ADHD in order to get the help you need. This can include medication, therapy, and other coping strategies.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD
There are a number of symptoms that may indicate that you or your child have ADHD. These include problems with paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
Adults can also have these same symptoms. They might forget to do things, or take longer than others to complete a task.
The most common symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. How these symptoms present can help a doctor diagnose the condition.
If you think your child might have ADHD, make an appointment with their doctor. They can do a physical exam and review your medical history to rule out other health problems.
Causes Of ADHD
ADHD is a brain disorder that usually starts in childhood and can last into adulthood. It affects attention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.
Children with ADHD tend to have an underdeveloped frontal lobe. This lobe is important for planning, understanding cause-and-effect, learning, and changing habits.
It also helps kids read social cues, recognize emotions and learn about the world around them.
They may act out of frustration, impulsively grab something that isn’t theirs, or try to run away from a problem.
Babies who are born prematurely or have low birth weights may have a higher risk of developing ADHD. However, this doesn’t mean all babies who are born early will have the condition.
Genetics are also a major factor in whether a child will develop ADHD. There are many studies that show that people who have ADHD have a gene called DRD4 that affects dopamine receptors in the brain.
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
ADHD is often a challenging condition to get diagnosed. Many doctors and mental health professionals aren’t aware of how to diagnose ADHD in adults, or they don’t take the time to do a thorough evaluation.
That’s why it’s important to have a complete diagnosis from a trained health professional.
A doctor or other clinician will start by conducting a clinical interview and asking questions about your symptoms. They’ll also look at your childhood history, if you have it.
They may also ask your spouse, friends or other people in your life to fill out questionnaires about your behavior. This gives the evaluator more insight into your life and allows them to compare the feedback with what you’re telling them.
Risk Factors Of ADHD
Various risk factors can increase the chances of developing ADHD. These include genetics, heredity and environmental factors such as prenatal exposure to toxins and alcohol or substance abuse during pregnancy.
Children born with birth defects and other serious head injuries may also be at higher risk for developing ADHD. There is a link between ADHD and other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Studies have shown that parental mental health problems are a risk factor for the development of ADHD in children. However, it has not been known if the effects of parental psychopathology on initial ADHD symptoms are moderated by self-efficacy, family climate and social support.
Complications Of ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause serious complications, both physical and mental. People with ADHD can run into problems at work and in their personal lives because they have difficulty focusing, managing time and dealing with emotions.
Despite this, treatment is available for those who have ADHD and their family members. Medication is often used along with counseling.
Several studies have found that children with ADHD are more likely to have a wide range of physical health problems, including chronic conditions such as obesity and substance abuse. However, these studies have not been able to determine whether the relationship between ADHD and physical health issues continues into adulthood. This is an important research area to study in the future. It may help researchers develop strategies to better treat ADHD in adults.
