What is ADHD?

ADHD is a common, chronic brain disorder that affects how people pay attention, think and behave. It can cause trouble at school, work and home.

Symptoms usually appear in childhood. However, many people don’t get diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood.

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

Often, parents will notice signs and symptoms of ADHD in their children. These could include missing schoolwork or social plans, a messy room, an inability to keep track of their belongings, impulsive behavior, and more.

The earliest signs of ADHD usually occur in children between the ages of 3 and 6. These symptoms can continue to manifest into adolescence and adulthood.

When children are diagnosed, mental health professionals often help them and their parents learn ways to manage the disorder and its impact on their relationships. For example, parents might learn to use positive reinforcement and a system of rewards and consequences when their child is following rules.

They may also learn to make lists and break large tasks into smaller parts so they can more easily accomplish them. This can be helpful in a variety of settings, including work and school.

In addition, adults with ADHD have an increased risk for mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder. This is because ADHD causes a lot of stress and frustration, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness or low self-esteem.

In addition to focusing on how ADHD affects the person, mental health professionals will help their patients overcome negative feelings. They will also help them find ways to communicate with family members about their diagnosis.

Types of ADHD

There are three main types of ADHD, and the type you have will affect how your symptoms present. Whether you have predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive or combined-type ADHD, all can be treated with medication and therapy.

In children, the most common form of ADHD is hyperactive type. It usually shows up in preschoolers and young school-aged children. They often run around, interrupt people’s conversations, and jump or squirm in their seats.

Adults with this type of ADHD may have trouble focusing on tasks and activities. They may also lose things or get easily distracted.

They can have problems organizing work and home, following instructions and managing time. They often lose things, such as keys, wallets or project notes.

Symptoms of this type of ADHD often start before age 12. Your doctor will need to see you demonstrate at least six of nine of the symptoms in multiple settings, including at home and at school.

Although the criteria for diagnosing ADHD can be rigid, it’s important to remember that how symptoms manifest at a given time can change. For example, a child might meet all of the criteria for ADHD-H when they are young, but only a portion of the criteria for ADHD-C in mid-childhood and none of the criteria for ADHD-I in adulthood.

Causes of ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect your child’s life. This can cause problems in your child’s schoolwork, family life and relationships.

It can also lead to depression, substance abuse and delinquency. These symptoms are often treated with medication and behavior therapy.

Your doctor can help you determine if your child has ADHD and treat it if needed. He or she will also check your child’s health to see if there is another problem causing his or her symptoms.

Many kids with ADHD also have learning problems, oppositional and defiant behaviors or mood and anxiety issues. Your doctor will usually treat these along with the ADHD, if they are present.

Genetics: Children with ADHD have a higher risk for having the disorder if they have a parent or relative with it. They may also be more at risk if they were born prematurely, had exposure to environmental toxins or their mothers used drugs during pregnancy.

In children with ADHD, the frontal lobe is developing slower than other children’s. This can make it hard for them to plan their activities, change habits, remember things long-term and understand cause-and-effect.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

The first step to a diagnosis is to look at a person’s behavioral patterns. This can include speaking with the individual, family members, and caregivers, such as teachers.

A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, may help make the diagnosis. They can also work with the individual to develop a treatment plan that’s right for them.

They may use a combination of tests to determine if ADHD is present, including IQ and standardized tests, and neuropsychological testing. This can help rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms, like anxiety and depression.

Once a doctor has determined that ADHD is present, they can work with the patient to choose the best treatment. They can prescribe medication, which can help improve attention, focus, and self-control.

This can be done with or without the patient’s consent, depending on their age and the severity of their symptoms. Medication can also be used in conjunction with other treatment options, such as behavior therapy.

If the symptoms of ADHD are affecting a child’s schoolwork, parents should request an evaluation by their schools. This can help them get accommodations in the classroom and access to resources and support.

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you can help them manage it by following their treatment plan and communicating frequently with their doctor. Be sure to stay up-to-date on how the medications are working and ask questions if you have any concerns.

Treatsments for ADHD

Treatments for ADHD can include medicines, behavior training, and changes at home and school. A combination of these treatments is often the best way to treat the disorder.

Stimulant medications (such as methylphenidate) are the most common medicines used for treating ADHD. They boost and balance levels of two brain chemicals called dopamine and norepinephrine.

Doctors usually start by prescribing a low dose of medicine, then watch to see how well it works. Then, the dose may be changed as needed.

The medications work by boosting dopamine and norepinephrine, two brain chemicals that help you focus on something. They also reduce hyperactivity.

Medication doesn’t cure ADHD, but it can make it easier to do things like pay attention and follow directions. It can also help you behave and interact with others more effectively.

Some medicines have other benefits, such as reducing sleep problems and increasing appetite. They’re also helpful for managing impulsive behavior and feelings of anxiety and depression.

Because everyone responds differently to medications, it can take time to find the right dose and schedule. You should go to all your doctor’s appointments and have your health care team check your height, weight, blood pressure, and side effects.

ADHD in Adults

ADHD is a common problem for children, but it can also affect adults. Adults with ADHD struggle to keep up with their responsibilities, stay organized, and remember instructions. They may also experience mood swings and difficulty coping with stress.

The symptoms of ADHD can be similar to those of other mental health disorders or physical conditions, so a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider or mental health professional is necessary to make a diagnosis. The evaluation process includes a detailed history of the person’s behavior, school experiences, and medical history.

If you are diagnosed with ADHD, the treatment will be personalized to your needs and goals. Your doctor may recommend a combination of behavioral therapies and prescription medication.

In addition to focusing on the disorder, a comprehensive treatment plan should include education and coping strategies. This will help you manage your ADHD symptoms and prevent them from disrupting your daily life.

According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of ADHD requires the presence of at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity in two or more settings. These symptoms must have occurred before the person was 12 years old and must have interfered with social, school or work functioning.

ADHD Medication

ADHD medicines, which include stimulants and nonstimulants, help people with the condition to focus better and ignore distractions. They can also improve their ability to plan, follow through with tasks and control impulses.

Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana) and dexamphetamine (Metadate CD), are the most commonly prescribed medications for children, teenagers and adults with ADHD. These work by stimulating specific cells in the brain to produce more of a key neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.

They can be taken as a tablet or an oral solution. They are usually used with behavior therapy.

There are several types of stimulant medicines available, and each one has different side effects and dosage schedules. They all need a prescription from your doctor.

The most common are immediate-release formulas that last four hours. Extended-release formulas, which stay in the body for 12 or more hours, are also sometimes prescribed to help people with ADHD concentrate during long school or work days.

The first step in treating ADHD is finding the right medication for you or your child. This may take time, and can involve trying several different medications at different doses, with frequent visits to your doctor. The type of medicine you need will depend on your history, genetics, experience with side effects, and unique metabolism.

This episode of Drug Talk features a medication commonly used to treat ADHD and goes by the name of methylphenidate or Ritalin, Biphentin & Concerta.

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