Symptoms of ADHD
Hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity are the main symptoms of adhd. Some people have only one type of symptom. A primary care physician may diagnose ADHD after conducting an evaluation of the patient. A specialist, like a developmental-behavioral pediatrician or psychiatrist, may also help with diagnosis and treatment.
ADHD should be diagnosed in childhood (before 12 years of age). The behavior must cause problems in at least two settings.
Attention
If you suffer from ADHD it can be hard to focus and keep your mind on a task for long. You might forget meetings or lose track on tasks at work or home. You might also have trouble keeping track of conversations or recalling particular details, like the names or phone numbers of the people you speak to.
The signs of inattention can impact your ability to perform in school, work, and in relationships. You can manage these issues with treatment. You can take medication, use cognitive behavior therapy or even change your surroundings to help stay organized and focused.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more difficult to identify due to its lower levels of hyperactivity and an impulsive nature. Your doctor will ask you to explain your symptoms and the effects they have on your life. They will examine your medical history and perform an examination of your body. They will also speak to teachers and staff at the school, or family members to confirm your symptoms.
Children suffering from this type of ADHD are full of energy and struggle to quiet down or stop talking. They may also have trouble following directions, remembering or doing their chores. They often have a variety of interests and often jump from one activity to another. They also tend to get bored easily and seek out new experiences.
A medical professional can diagnose ADHD in this form in the event that your child displays six or more hyperactive symptoms or impulsive behaviors for at least six months. The DSM-5 guidelines will be used to determine ADHD.
Children with inattention ADHD are also prone to having a difficult time sitting still or paying attention in class, however they don't have the same signs as children with the other two forms of the disorder. Teachers and school staff may notice that they often daydream, are slow to finish homework or struggle to stay on task in classes. But they might not realize that these problems are caused by their ADHD until they reach adulthood and try to manage the demands of college as well as careers and families.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity symptoms include fidgeting, having a hard sitting still, feeling restless in school or other activities, and talking excessively. They are also prone towards making decisions impulsively without thinking about the consequences. This type of ADHD occurs more often in adolescents and children.
Inattentive ADHD manifests as difficulty paying attention at school or in other places. The child has trouble following rules or directions at school. They also have difficulty keeping track of their belongings and are not able to complete long reading assignments. They may also appear be "daydreaming" or are calm, even though they're not. Instead they are unable to stay focused on their tasks and interacting with their classmates.
For the diagnosis of adhd, the symptoms must be present in at least two settings like school and at home. The child's symptoms must also begin before the age of 12, and they must be affecting their functioning.
Parents and teachers often diagnose children with inattentive ADHD, and they are treated with behavioral therapies like group therapy, counseling, and parent education. The use of medication can also be utilized to manage the disorder, but it should always be paired with behavioral therapy.
As children age, their symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity may start to affect their schoolwork and social interactions. They may become irritable or have a low tolerance for frustration and may find it difficult to finish their work or meet their social obligations. They may struggle to keep a job, or following corporate guidelines. They may also experience frequent financial problems because of late payments and unpaid bills.
It is important for adults to recognize that their ADHD symptoms are not their fault and that effective treatment options are available. It is also beneficial to have supportive friends and family members who understand the difficulties of ADHD. They can also help encourage healthy lifestyle choices like taking enough rest and eating a balanced meal, and managing stress. They can also join an online support group to be able to connect with others who are experiencing similar experiences and worries.
Impulsivity
The most common symptom of ADHD is impulsivity, which is a tendency to speak or act in a hurry without thinking about the consequences. This can cause trouble at home and in school. For instance an impulsive child might blurt out answers before questions are finished or frequently interrupt other children during games or conversations. They may also be in a position of not being able or willing to wait for their turn, or have trouble following the rules.
This symptom is especially common in kids with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, the most prevalent type of this disorder. They are always in motion and fidget. They also have a lot of excess energy. They tend to take a step up or engage in activities that are inappropriate for their age.
Children who suffer from this form of the disorder are more likely to exhibit hyperactivity and impulsivity but don't usually have trouble paying attention. They are unable to remain still and talk at a rate higher than the speed of light. They also become bored easily. They are usually very loud and frequently interrupt people. They're always playing and can seem oblivious of their surroundings.
The thalamus region in the brain controls the inhibition of responses and functions as gate, sending signals to allow or block actions. This gate might not be functioning properly for those with ADHD and contribute to the tendency to be impulsive. This is why people who have ADHD struggle to control their short-term impulses like eating a handful of candy or spending more than they intended.
In addition, people with this type of ADHD feel a constant sense of anxiety and restlessness, which can lead to mood swings and difficulty coping with frustration. They are typically very emotional and are prone of thinking highly of themselves.
The good news is that although impulsivity is a big problem in many situations however, it can also turn into an asset in certain situations. This impulsivity can lead innovative solutions that can help someone excel in their work or personal life. If it's handled properly, a person's impulsiveness can transform from kryptonite to superpower!
Organization
People suffering from ADHD have a hard time being organized both mentally as physically. They might lose or forget important items. This can cause mental clutter, which impedes their ability to prioritize tasks and keep focus. It can also lead to physical clutter, which can create clutter in the living space which makes it difficult to locate things and could pose safety concerns.
This lack of organization can lead to dissociation - a loss of touch with the environment and one's experiences. It is more prevalent among teenagers and young adults, and may be associated with other conditions like depression or anxiety disorders. It's particularly harmful to preteens and teenagers who are more vulnerable to dissociative disorders as they experience significant changes in their emotional state.
The disorder can also impact relationships with others, as people who suffer from ADHD may have trouble communicating effectively. They may react in a way that is overly emotional when they receive negative feedback, and not be able calm down to reassess and respond more carefully. They may also have difficulty to express their feelings which can lead to broken relationships and marriages.
Emotional reactivity also affects people with ADHD and their sex lives, since they may be more likely to skip pre-sex activities like foreplay and immediately jump into intercourse. This can lead to them feeling bored in sex and looking for more stimulating sexual experiences.
For add symptoms who suffer from ADHD, there are many strategies available to help them improve their organization and detachment. Establishing a routine with reminders, such as sticky notes or dry-erase boards, as well as setting alarms on phones can help keep their attention on track. They can also use organizational tools like shelves or bins, to organize things together to make them easier to find.
Some people with ADHD might benefit from counseling such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which is a type of counseling that teaches them how to manage their emotions and helps them recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed or out of control. Adults with ADHD may also benefit from medication that enhances executive functioning and can aid them in organising their lives.