How to Know If You Have ADHD
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, you should talk with your health care provider. Primary care providers routinely diagnose ADHD and may refer you to mental health professionals. You can also get information from the NIMH’s fact sheet, Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider. To begin the conversation, you must make an appointment with your healthcare provider. You can visit their website to learn more about the symptoms of ADHD.
What Are The Symptoms Of ADHD
What are the symptoms of ADHD? Those with this condition have trouble staying focused on tasks or keeping up with conversations. They also often forget social plans or forget to complete important tasks. Adults with ADHD have a poor sense of time, lose their sense of order and become overly-focused on trivial tasks. The symptoms of ADHD are difficult to detect unless a child or adult is experiencing them. The best way to diagnose ADHD is by seeking a doctor’s help.
Children with ADHD struggle to focus, make decisions, and stay on task. They often tune out when a task is boring and have trouble staying on task. Their lack of focus makes it harder to plan schoolwork and organize their time. They also have a hard time concentrating in noisy environments. Children with ADHD require a quiet environment to concentrate and complete tasks. If a child is diagnosed with ADHD, the child may also need additional assistance.
Causes Of ADHD
The causes of ADHD vary from person to person. There is genetic component and ADHD is highly heritable (74% heritability). Environmental risks include exposure to toxins and infections during pregnancy and brain damage from trauma. Based on DSM-IV criteria, ADHD affects between five percent and seven percent of children. It is estimated that approximately 84.7 million people worldwide are affected by ADHD. Rates may vary depending on how ADHD is diagnosed. In the case of children, parents may worry that they have raised their child in the wrong way. Similarly, a student may be dismissed by a teacher as unreliable, lazy, or lacking in caring.
Neurobiological studies suggest that the disorder is triggered by a dysregulation of certain neurotransmitters. These chemicals play a major role in transmitting information to nerve cells. When a neurotransmitter imbalance disrupts this system, the brain can no longer process information properly. This disrupted processing results in problems with concentration, impulse control, and perception. Some researchers have even found that ADHD is caused by a disruption in the functioning of certain brain regions.
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD
The process for getting diagnosed with ADHD varies, but the end result is the same: an accurate diagnosis. To diagnose ADHD, a health care professional will ask you about your current concerns, functioning, relationships, work, family, and social life. Then, he or she will use an assessment tool to evaluate symptoms and recommend treatment plans. The assessment may include cognitive tests, medical records, and interviews with family and friends. In some cases, the clinician will conduct both a clinical exam and a psychological test.
If you suspect that your child is suffering from ADHD, you can initiate testing by discussing your concerns with your healthcare provider. You can also talk to your child’s school and see if they can provide accommodations or discuss other treatments with your child. A thorough support system can help you overcome the challenges of ADHD. It will also help you to communicate with other people, which will help you overcome the challenges of ADHD. However, if you don’t want your child to be medicated, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.
Risk Factors Of ADHD
Prenatal risk factors have been implicated in the development of ADHD in a large sample of American children. Among these factors were maternal age at conception, history of thyroid disease, and exposure to X-rays and other traumatic events. The study also found a link between prenatal stress and the development of ADHD symptoms. These studies, however, do not address the causal role of maternal SES. Further research is needed to determine if maternal stress increases the risk of ADHD in children.
The most important risk factor associated with ADHD is being a mother who has had the condition during pregnancy. Another potential risk factor is smoking during pregnancy. The prevalence of AHDH was also higher in cases of ADHD when compared to those who did not smoke during pregnancy. In fact, a recent study highlighted the benefits of a new test for diagnosing ADHD in adults. While it may be difficult to determine the exact cause of ADHD, the findings highlight the need for accurate diagnosis to prevent its detrimental consequences.
Complications Of ADHD
Complications of ADHD affect children and adults differently. Some children experience difficulty concentrating, while others struggle to remember important information or organize tasks. Other children with ADHD experience problems in school and at home. They may also experience problems at playtime or at parties. Children with ADHD are more likely to be troubled by sleep deprivation, which can result in poor daytime behaviour. Adults with ADHD are also at a higher risk for substance abuse, gambling problems, and other behavioral issues.
Some people with ADHD require medication to control symptoms. Medications used to treat ADHD can balance chemicals in the brain. If stimulants aren’t working, nonstimulant drugs may be prescribed. Children with ADHD should work with their doctors to find the right dosage. In addition to medication, therapy for children with ADHD may also help them develop better time management, organizational skills, and interpersonal relationships. In many cases, behavioral therapy may be all that is needed.
