What Is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is caused due to persistent inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This condition has become common these years and impacts the regular lifestyle of adults, children, and adolescents. This blog will help you get all the details regarding ADHD’s diagnosis, medication, symptoms, medications, and what are the risks associated with the issue to help you be aware.
Introduction to ADHD
ADHD is a continuous pattern of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity-characterized disorder. The actual cause of such disorder is yet to be known, but it is believed that the different brain structures, environmental effects, and genetic components are the major factors to cause ADHD in a person. This issue is highly diagnosed in children, and the symptoms could be experienced till adulthood, affecting relationships, academic careers, and overall efficiency.
What are the possible symptoms of ADHD –
The symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD vary from one individual to another. It falls into two different groups: inattention and impulsivity/hyperactivity. Some people experience both of the symptoms, and some exhibit only one.
Inattention symptoms:
- Struggle to focus: people with ADHD disorder struggle to be focused on any particular work and even while communicating.
- Difficulty in organizing: individuals have difficulty organizing work, belongings, or school tasks.
- Absent-mindedness: people tend to forget things, tasks, appointments, or deadlines.
- Lack of effort: procrastination on long-term complex tasks.
Impulsivity and impulsivity symptoms
- Impulsiveness: people get highly impulsive with their reactions, behavior, and thinking.
- Anxious and Fidgeting: getting anxious, restless, tapping, or having trouble sitting constantly.
- Excessive Chatty: continuous interruption between conversations and lack of patience.
- Trouble Sitting Constantly: hard to be seated constantly and frequently leaving seats and moving inappropriately.
How do I diagnose ADHD?
The diagnosis of ADHD depends on many factors, and it is evaluated by a healthcare expert. Its evolution includes clinical meetings, history of the person, and behavior assessment.
- Clinical Evolution: getting all the data from the family and the individual.
- History Reviews: genetic history of the person and his family tree.
- Behavior Assessment: The Conners rating scale is a tool used to detect behavioral symptoms of the person.
- Feedback from others: getting details from parents, employees, and teachers can help identify the behavioral patterns.
- Finding out Other Reasons: The health expert analyses all symptoms and makes sure it is not caused by any other health disorders.
ADHD is mostly diagnosed in childhood but can be found in adults also, especially if the person has a history of previous diagnosis.
Medications for ADHD
Two types of medications are essentially used to manage the symptoms of ADHD. The types of medication are stimulants and non-stimulants.
Stimulant medications:
Stimulants are the most preferred drugs prescribed for ADHD. It helps boost the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brains of individuals, which elevates focus and alleviates impulsivity. Some of the most prescribed stimulants are
- Amphetamines (e.g., Vyvanse, Adderall)
- Methylphenidate (e.g., Concerta, Ritalin)
Non-stimulant medications:
Some people may get side effects or do not respond well to stimulants; their non-stimulants may be used. Some of the non-stimulants are
- Clonidine (kava) and Guanfacine (Intuniv): Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists that alleviate hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- Atomoxetine (Strattera): A norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Possible side effects of ADHD medications
Although the medications for ADHD are effective, they also can show some adverse effects.
Side effects of stimulant medications are:
- Mood swings: boosted mood swings or irritability
- Insomnia: the individual finds it difficult to sleep, especially when he has consumed it late at night.
- Alleviated appetite: The appetite gets suppressed, and that can affect the growth of the person.
- Stomachaches and headaches: While initiating or adjusting to the medications, headaches and stomachaches are common.
Side effects of non-stimulant medications are:
- Irritability: the person can experience mood swings and emotional changes.
- Drowsiness: the person can get the feeling of fatigue or tiredness.
- Suppressed appetite: its symptoms are similar to those of the reactions of stimulants but usually milder.
To get an effective result out of the medications, it is better to get the medication under the supervision of a healthcare expert.
Possible risks and remedies
The medications for ADHD are generally safe, but there are some risks to review:
Cardiovascular Effects: stimulants can cause high blood pressure and heart rate, and individuals need to monitor heart health.
Abuse Potential: stimulant medications, mainly amphetamines, can be misused. They are categorized as controlled matters, but they must be availed of with prescription only.
Delayed Growth: By using stimulants, children might get temporary delays in their growth.
Long-term Effects: It is essential to monitor the effectiveness and long-term safety of the medications for ADHD.
Treatment of ADHD beyond medications
Apart from the medications, ADHD can also be managed with better lifestyles and behavioral therapy. To manage impulsivity and enhance organizational skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral interventions can help a lot.
Tips to manage ADHD with lifestyle changes:
- Practice mindfulness: manage stress and enhance focus by practicing deep breathing techniques.
- Get sound sleep: insomnia can worsen ADHD symptoms, so it is necessary to maintain a perfect sleeping pattern.
- Stay Physically Active: exercise daily to control hypersensitivity and enhance focus
- Manage Structure: make a daily routine, use reminders, and break your work into small segments.
Final verdict:
ADHD is a complex condition that can be treated with several comprehensive approaches person with ADHD issues can also live a normal and successful life by considering a healthy lifestyle and behavioral therapy along with medications. An ADHD-affected person needs to be in contact with a healthcare expert to discuss potential options for treatment.
FAQs
Q. What is a person with ADHD like?
A. A person with ADHD lacks attention and focus, is unstable, hyperactive, and so on.
Q. Is ADD different from that of ADHD?
A. No, there is no difference in ADD and ADHD. ADD refers to attention deficit disorders, and ADHD refers to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Q. Does a person dealing with ADHD talk a lot?
A. it varies from person to person; not all individuals with ADHD talk a lot.
Q. Are ADHD and autism the same?
A. no, autism and ADHD are two different health issues.
Q. Is ADHD a genetic disorder?
A. ADHD runs in families, so yes, it is a genetic disorder.