Symptoms of ADHD
Hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity are all symptoms of adhd. Some people have only one kind of symptom. A primary care physician can evaluate and make the diagnosis of ADHD. A specialist, like a developmental-behavioral pediatrician or psychiatrist, may also help with diagnosis and treatment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must begin in childhood (before age 12). The behavior must be challenging in at least two different environments.
Inattention
When you have ADHD, it can be hard to concentrate and focus at a given task for long. You may forget about meetings or forget about tasks you have to complete at home or at work. You may also have difficulty recalling conversations or details, such as numbers or names of the people you talk to.
Inattention issues can hinder your ability to be successful at school, work and in relationships. However, you can also be able to manage them using treatment. You can take medication, utilize cognitive behavior therapy or change your environment to help you stay organized and focused.
Attention-deficit ADHD typically has fewer issues with impulsivity and hyperactivity which makes it more difficult to recognize than the other two manifestations of the disorder. Your doctor will ask you to explain your symptoms and the effects they have on your life. They will review your medical history and conduct a physical exam. They will also speak to teachers, staff at the school or family members in order to verify your symptoms.
Children who suffer from this type of ADHD are full of energy and struggle to quiet down or stop talking. They may also have difficulty following directions, remembering things or completing their chores. They have many interests and frequently jump from one thing to the next. They can also become bored easily and seek out new experiences.
A health professional can determine ADHD in this way if your child has six or more hyperactive symptoms and impulsive behaviors for at least six months. The DSM-5 guidelines will be used to determine ADHD.
Children who have inattention ADHD might also have difficulty sitting still or paying close to their class. However they do not display the same symptoms as children with the other types of ADHD. Teachers and school staff may notice that they tend to think about other things, are slow to finish their work or have trouble staying on task in classes. However, they may 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
Symptoms of hyperactivity include fidgeting, having a hard to sit still or being anxious at school or during other activities and a tendency to talk too much. They are also susceptible to making impulsive choices without considering the consequences. This type of ADHD is more prevalent in teenagers and children.
Inattentive ADHD manifests as a difficulty paying attention at school or in other settings. The child may have difficulty following directions or rules at school, often loses their personal belongings and has trouble with long reading assignments. They may also appear to be "daydreaming" or tend to be slow-moving, but they are not. Instead, they have difficulty staying focused on their work and interacting with their classmates.
It is crucial to remember that adhd symptoms must occur in two or more settings, such as school and at home, to be diagnosed. The child's symptoms must start before age 12, and they must be significantly impairing their performance.
Many children suffering from inattentive ADHD are diagnosed by their parents or teachers and are typically treated by a behavioral therapy program which includes counseling or group therapy, as well as parent training. The disorder can be controlled by medication, but it must always be accompanied by behavioral treatment.
As children age hyperactivity and impulsivity could affect their schoolwork and relationships. They could become frustrated or have a low threshold for frustration. They may also have difficulty to finish their work or meet their social obligations. They may have trouble keeping a job, or following corporate rules. They could also face frequent financial issues because of late payments and unpaid bills.
It is crucial for adults to recognize that their ADHD symptoms are not due to their own fault and that effective treatments are available. It is also helpful to have a supportive group of friends and family members who understand the challenges of ADHD. They can help manage impulsive behaviors and promote healthy lifestyle choices for example, getting enough rest, eating a nutritious diet, and managing stress. They can join support groups to meet others who have the same issues and experiences.
Impulsivity
The symptom of impulsivity is the most prominent of ADHD. It is the tendency to make decisions on the spur of the moment or speak without considering consequences. This can lead to issues at home and at school. For instance children who are impulsive may blurt out answers before questions are completed or often interrupt other children in games or conversations. They might also be unable to sit and wait their turn or may find it difficult to follow the rules that require them to do so.
This symptom is especially common in kids with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, the most prevalent type of this disorder. They are always on their feet, fidget and have a lot of energy. They tend to get up and leave their seat even when they are supposed to sit or engage in physical activities that aren't appropriate for their age.
Kids who have this presentation of the disorder tend to exhibit hyperactivity and impulsivity but aren't typically having 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're often very vocal and often interrupt others. They are always playing and seem to be completely unaware of their surroundings.
The thalamus area of the brain is responsible for regulating response inhibition and functions as a gate, sending signals to allow or restrict actions. Research suggests that for people with ADHD, this gate isn't functioning properly and could contribute to the tendency to be impulsive. This is the reason why people who have ADHD struggle to control their impulses in the short term like eating a handful of candy or spending more money than they planned to.
Additionally, those with this type of ADHD experience a constant sense of restlessness and anxiety, which can lead to mood swings and difficulties in handling frustration. They are typically very emotional and have a tendency of thinking highly of themselves.
While impulsivity is a major issue in many circumstances, it can also be a benefit in other circumstances. It can lead to innovative solutions that can help someone excel in their work or personal life. If it's properly managed it can be a superpower.
Organization
People with ADHD often struggle to keep their lives organized, both mentally as well as physically. They might forget where they put something or lose important items. This can lead to mental clutter that can affect their ability to prioritize tasks and maintain focus. It can also lead physical clutter. This can create clutter in the home and make it difficult to find things and poses safety risks.
This lack of organization can cause dissociation, a loss of touch with the surrounding environment and experiences. It's more common among teens and young adults, and may occur in conjunction with other conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders. It's particularly harmful to teens and preteens who are more prone to dissociative disorders as they experience significant changes in their emotional state.
Disorganization can also impact interpersonal relationships, as those with ADHD might have difficulty communicating effectively. They may overreact when they receive negative feedback, and may not be able to reflect and respond more carefully. They may also have difficulty to express their emotions which can lead to broken relationships and marriages.
Emotional reactivity can affect those with ADHD and their sexual lives, as they could be more likely to avoid pre-sex activities like foreplay and jump right into a sexual encounter. add symptoms can cause them to feel bored while having sexual activities, which can lead them to seek out more stimulating sexual experiences outside of their relationship.
There are a variety of strategies that can help people with ADHD improve their organization abilities and decrease their disengagement. Setting alarms for phones or creating a routine using sticky notes, or a dry-eraseboard, will help them stay on the right path. You can also make use of organizing tools, such as bins or shelves, to store items together and make them easier to find.
Some people suffering from ADHD require counseling like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which teaches them skills to manage their emotions and help them learn to discern when they are feeling overwhelmed or out of control. Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from taking medication that enhances executive functions and aids them to manage their lives.