19 Jun Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed among children. While it is possible to get diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, symptoms often arise in early childhood. According to the CDC, the estimated number of children from ages 3 to 17 to be diagnosed with ADHD is 6 million.[1]
ADHD can be extremely difficult to cope with, causing an array of issues in daily functioning. For example, this condition often causes people to have a hard time focusing, controlling their impulses, and staying calm, making it extremely hard to excel in school, at work, or even complete seemingly normal tasks at home.
Because ADHD can cause so many difficulties in your life, it’s important to seek professional help. Being aware of the signs, symptoms, and treatment for ADHD can help you determine what your next steps should be.
What Causes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
While the causes and risk factors of this condition are not fully known, there are some things that researchers have noticed among people with ADHD. For example, it is widely accepted that genetics play a huge role in the development of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. This means that you are more likely to have the condition if someone in your family does.
According to the CDC, some of the possible causes of ADHD include:[2]
- Genetics
- Brain injury
- Exposure to environmental risks like lead during pregnancy
- Alcohol or tobacco use during pregnancy
- Premature delivery at birth
- Low birth weight
While some people have theorized that eating too much sugar or watching a lot of TV during the developmental years could cause ADHD, this is currently unfounded. While social and environmental factors like parenting styles or chaos in the home can make the symptoms of ADHD worse, they cannot cause it.
What are the Symptoms of ADHD?
If you are worried that your child or teenager has this condition, they must display symptoms in more than one setting. For example, if they experience the symptoms of ADHD at school and home, they might meet the diagnostic criteria.
The main symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder include:[2]
- Frequent daydreaming
- Forgetting or losing things a lot
- Squirming or fidgeting when they attempt to sit still
- Talking too much or at inappropriate times
- Cutting people off when they are speaking
- Making careless mistakes or being reckless in general
- Behaving before considering the consequences
- Difficulty resisting temptation
- Having a hard time taking turns with others
- Problems getting along with one’s peers
It is important to note that while some of the symptoms of ADHD sound like normal childhood behavior, these symptoms occur more frequently and intensely than with a neurotypical child. Since it can be difficult to differentiate normal behaviors and symptoms of ADHD, the diagnosis should always be left to a mental health professional.
Are there Different Types of ADHD?
According to the CDC, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder can present in three ways: predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, or a mixture of both.[2]
The symptoms of the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD include:[3]
- Being easily distracted or not being able to focus on one thing for very long
- Making careless mistakes, often in schoolwork
- Losing things and appearing forgetful
- Not being able to focus on tedious or time-consuming tasks
- Having a hard time following instructions
- Appearing to have a difficult time listening to others
- Constantly changing tasks
- Having a hard time organizing tasks and managing one’s time
On the other hand, the signs of the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation of ADHD include:[3]
- Having a hard time sitting still, especially during class or at work
- Constantly fidgeting when attempting to sit still
- Having a hard time concentrating
- Engaging in excessive physical activity
- Talking excessively
- Cutting people off during conversations
- Being unable to wait your turn
- Acting without thinking of the consequences beforehand
- Having little to no sense of danger
If you experience the symptoms of both types of presentations, you are struggling with the mixed type of ADHD. Knowing the difference between each way that ADHD presents can help you determine whether you have the condition, even if it looks different than the stereotype of the condition.
How is ADHD Treated?
If you or your child are suffering from untreated attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, knowing how it is treated can motivate you to seek professional help. Oftentimes, seeking mental health treatment for a child can be scary, especially when medication is on the table. However, the symptoms of ADHD can make it extremely difficult for a child or an adult to function in their daily lives, making therapy and/or medication vital.
First, ADHD is treated with behavioral therapy, parent education, and social skills training. These therapeutic techniques help your child learn how to manage the symptoms of their ADHD while providing you with education on how to best support them.
If you or your child has severe symptoms of ADHD that cannot be fully managed with therapy, you might be prescribed medication. Typically, ADHD is treated with stimulant medications like Adderall or Ritalin which can increase the dopamine in your brain. This helps manage symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
Find Help for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
If you or someone you love is experiencing the symptoms of ADHD, it’s time to consider professional help.
At Florida Recovery Group, we offer a separate mental health program specifically for adults 18 and older who suffer from emotional and psychiatric health issues. Our team of mental health therapists and medical professionals will evaluate, diagnose and treat the root cause with compassion and empathy.
To learn more about our mental health treatment program, contact Florida Recovery Group today.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Data and Statistics About ADHD in Children, Retrieved June 2023 From https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): What is ADHD, Retrieved June 2023 From https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html
- The National Health Service (NHS): Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Retrieved June 2023 From https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/
