ADHD: A Comprehensive Overview

[nelson]

Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both adults and children. However, it diagnoses most predominantly during the childhood years. Characteristics from patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are persistent and prevailing enough to be considered symptoms of the disorder because they cause significant problems in functioning at home and or in school and at work. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is highly heterogeneous; far from being entirely understood, its whole symptoms, causes, and treatments have yet to be perceived by many people.

 

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurobiological disorder in the functioning of the brain, which basically governs attention and behavior. It is characterized by three symptom categories, namely:

Inattentive Type: An inability to pay attention, forgetfulness, and disorganization. The inattention forms problems for the individual to stay on a given task at school or work.

Hyperactivity: Fidgetiness; excessive movement; and inability to remain seated. It is more frequent in children where there is a constant fidgeting or inability to sit down.

Impulsivity: Acting without thinking; interrupting others; making quick decisions without considering the outcome.

ADHD tends to be a serious disorder. For some people, symptoms are mild, but for others symptoms may be moderate or severe and interfere with daily functioning.

 

Symptoms of ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD usually begin to show before one reach age 12, during early childhood. In other cases, the signs only become conspicuous later in one's life, especially where one happens to learn to coexist with the symptoms early enough. The symptoms of ADHD have been grouped into two categories:

Inattentive Type: Cardinal symptoms include difficulties in sustaining attention, following instructions, and being well-organized. Individuals with this type appear to be forgetful or uninteresting in activities that prolong mental work.

Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Symptoms are expressed by fidgeting, talking excessive, failing to wait for one's turn, and interrupting others. Such types may act without reflection, including impulsive decision-making on things or hazardous behavior.

Combined Type: Many people with ADHD have symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. It is the most common form of ADHD.

 

Causes and Risk Factors

Although incompletely understood, a number of factors have been identified as contributing to its development:

Genetics: ADHD does indeed run in the family; therefore, there should be a genetic contribution. If either of the parents has ADHD, it is bound to be observed more in the child.

Brain Structure: Anatomy and activity of the brain in individuals with ADHD have been different, particularly in parts believed to take part in attention and impulse control-for instance, the prefrontal cortex.

Others are Environmental in Nature including exposure to toxins, prenatal smoking, consumption of alcohol while pregnant, and poisoning with lead that may expose one to the risk of ADHD. Traumatic experiences or even notably stressful events may present as early as in childhood and serve as antecedents.

Neurotransmitter Chemical Imbalance: Neurotransmitter chemical imbalance, especially of those neurotransmitters that control mood and attention, such as dopamine, may be one of the causative agents in symptoms of ADHD.

 

Diagnosis and Assessment

Diagnosis of ADHD is not quite straightforward because there's no single test to confirm whether the disorder is present or not. Evaluation needs to be detailed; it most probably will include:

History of the medical background and family history in detail.

Parent, teacher, or someone who is very close with the person assessment concerning behaviors

Psychological test to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms of anxiety or learning disabilities.

Questionnaires and standardized rating scale regarding attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Also, symptoms of ADHD may sometime coincide with symptoms of other disorders such as anxiety, depression, and learning disorders; therefore, full diagnosis by a healthcare professional is justified.

 

ADHD: Children vs. Adults

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder does not go away; symptoms may be less apparent or exhibited so differently at other times in the child's life. The classic case of the hyperactive child tends to fade out over time, but often inattention, disorganization and impulsivity remain.

ADHD in children can become an issue at school with work and in relationships with peers due to failures in school, loss of confidence in one's self and friendships lost. In adults it can be the cause of problems at work time management issues and relationship issues. Other mental conditions can also be stimulated in an adult with ADHD such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse.

 

Treatment Options

Although there is no cure for ADHD, various treatments in combination can go a long way in symptom management and improving functioning. Treatment is individualized to the person, and may include the following:

Most widely used medications include the following in treating ADHD: the stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), and amphetamines (Adderall). These drugs work by increasing neurotransmitter levels of the brain, especially those related to focus and impulse control, like dopamine and norepinephrine. Then there are non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine, for those patients who are not responsive or in whom the use of stimulants is contraindicated.

Behavioural Therapy: Traditionally CBT is applied to enable the ADHD sufferer to develop a strategy of living with the symptoms and also enhances organizational skills and reduces impulsiveness.

Parent Training and Support: Where the condition presents in children then the parents may themselves need to be trained on how to best support the child's behaviour. These could include strict discipline, reward systems, and very structured regimes.

 

School Accommodations: Most of the children with ADHD qualify for accommodation at school-such as extended times for tests, reduced class size, or a quiet place to work. Also, educational interventions might be used in order to help them overcome symptoms and to achieve academic success.

Lifestyle Modification: Regular exercises, dieting healthily, and maintenance of proper sleep hygiene may help in improving concentration and reducing hyperactivity in ADHD sufferers. Indeed, regular exercise has been found to raise levels of dopamine, which, as earlier mentioned, tends to have a positive impact on the symptoms of ADHD.

 

Coping Mechanism for ADHD

ADHD is a little irritating to live with; however, there are a couple of coping mechanisms that help in dealing with the disorder, and these include:

Routine daily: A clearly set out timetable and routine can lessen disorganization and allow the person suffering from ADHD to keep track of appointments.

Reminders and lists: Calendars, alarms and checklists serve to help organize activities and reduce forgetfulness.

Set Achievable Goals: The big tasks should be decomposed into smaller, workable steps. There must be some rewards mid-way into progress.

Seek Support: The support groups or a therapist may contribute useful inputs and motivation.

 

ADHD Myths and Misconceptions

Despite the awareness drive, ADHD is still a victim of myths. A few of them are:

"ADHD is an excuse to justify bad behavior." In actual fact, ADHD is a valid medical disorder wherein there is impairment in brain functioning with regard to controlling behavior.

"Only children have ADHD." Though ADHD does start during childhood years, this continues into adulthood.

"ADHD is over diagnosed." Though the diagnoses of ADHD have gone up, ADHD is most actually under-diagnosed, particularly in girls and adults since they do not meet the stereotypical image of hyperactive children.

 

Conclusion

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a very complex problem and highly misinterpreted. It can affect a person's life to a great extent. Properly medicated and supported, those with ADHD learn to live with the symptoms of the disorder in a productive, successful life. The basic approach to ADHD should be that each person is unique in his or her experience of the disorder. There is no one-size-fits-all approach in trying to handle the challenges bestowed upon one by ADHD or to unlock its potential through medication, therapy, changes in lifestyle.

Edited Thursday at 01:33 PM by nelson