What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a learning disability. Over three million Americans each year recieve an ADHD diagnosis.

Considering how common it is, the number of people who know very little about it is quite staggering. Also, many people buy into the myths that surround this mental health condition. So, what exactly is ADHD?

ADHD is a chronic disorder that lasts an entire lifetime. What is surprising, though, is the fact that some patients do not get diagnosed until late in life. Someone could spend decades suffering from ADHD symptoms without receiving mental health treatment. This is because learning disabilities were not properly recognized by medical experts until a few decades ago.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder arises during the developmental stages of life. This means the vast majority of patients receive their diagnoses during early education. 

A common myth about people with an ADHD diagnosis is the belief that they cannot focus on anything. The reality is the exact opposite. The problem that these individuals run into is that they focus on everything. They might try to pay attention to one person or event, but their mind will veer off and start acknowledging all the events taking place.

So people with ADHD learning disabilities do not have trouble focusing on something. They have trouble not focusing on everything besides the main focal point.

ADHD is incurable since it affects the patient’s brain chemistry in irreversible ways. But it can be treated with certain ADHD medication. Adderall is the most common prescription drug that battles symptoms of the condition.

Adderall helps with focus and attention. Unfortunately, some undiagnosed individuals take the drug to boost their mental performance. According to Forbes, this is putting Adderall in a negative spotlight. Addiction issues and illegal purchases of stimulant medications contribute to this problem.

Often, individuals with ADHD to also suffer from other disabilities. This could include dyslexia, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, and even depression. Fortunately, there are now less people whose ADHD is undiagnosed and untreated. This is thanks to the advancement of modern medicine.

According to webmd.com, ADHD medications alone may not be enough. Adults with ADHD should consider adding talk therapy to their mental health treatment.

In cognitive behavior therapy, patients recognize thoughts that are undesirable. Then patients replace these negative thoughts with thoughts that are positive. Studies of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have shown positive results. Cognitive behavior therapy can help diminish inattentive or impulsive behaviors. 

Some are reluctant to take ADHD medications because of potential side effects. For instance, Adderall’s side effects, according to webmd.com, include: 

More serious, but less common, side effects are: 

In light of these side effects to ADHD medicine, some choose to take a more natural method to treat ADHD. This often starts with diet. Accoring to draxe.com, food can play an important role in how severe ADHD symptoms are. Some foods that are recommended for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include: 

It can be a lengthy process to determine which foods do and don’t contribute to ADHD symptoms. For those who want to avoid the risks associated with ADHD medicine, though, this may be a good option. 

There are three different types of ADHD. According to hopkinsmedicine.org, these are: 

Symptoms of impulsivity include:

• interrupting others
• taking risks
• acting without forethought
• difficulty in taking turns

These symptoms often appear in the impulsive/hyperactive type of ADHD. Students with this type of ADHD don’t usually have symptoms of inattentiveness, though. Symptoms tend to be limited to hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. 

This type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder causes people to be inattentive. They may also have difficulty concentrating on one thing at a time. Symptoms of this disorder include

• being easily distracted
• having a short attention span relative to others of the same age
• forgetfulness
• difficulty listening to others

People with this type of ADHD often go undiagnosed, as it is not as noticeable as the other types of ADHD. 

Symptoms of the combined type of ADHD include impulsivity, inattentiveness and hyperactivity. The patient is interested in everything around them. They focus on multiple things at once (distractible). They may also have difficulty in sitting still (hyperactive). The symptoms of both of the above types of ADHD apply to the combined type of ADHD. This is the most common form of ADHD. 

Yes, ADHD often shows up differently in girls than it does in boys, according to this article from webmd.com. While over twice as many boys are diagnosed with ADHD as girls, this doesn’t mean that girls don’t have ADHD. Rather, it means that the symptoms show up in different ways in girls than they do in boys.

ADHD in girls and women is an area that still needs research. It is difficult to study, since the symptoms are often hidden. Stereotypically, the disorder is thought of as relating to little boys, and this can mean that girls with ADHD don’t end up getting the care they need. 

According to addititudemag.com, a website that publishes articles on what it is like to have ADHD, there are multiple mental disorders and other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD.

Someone might be showing symptoms like difficulty concentrating, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, or other common symptoms of ADHD without actually having the condition, but instead having other mental disorders or mental illness. Some conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD include: 

Bipolar Disorder

People who have ADHD often experience emotions very deeply and can have very sudden mood swings. This symptom is also present, however, in people with bipolar disorder. In order to correctly diagnose which one someone is suffering from, it is important to find out the causes of the mood swings. 

What are the causes of ADHD? The question is not fully settled, and researchers continue to try to figure it out. However, they have been able to understand several of the factors that go into this condition. 

ADHD toddlers are not usually diagnosed until they are somewhat older, according to healthline.com. But toddlers may display symptoms that make parents concerned that they will develop into ADHD kids. Some of these symptoms are an inability to sit still, talking excessively, and running from one toy to another without stopping.

If your child shows these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean he or she will develop ADHD. It could simply be normal toddler behavior. With that being said, these symptoms are often showed by toddlers who go on to develop ADHD. 

ADHD kids are usually the ones who are diagnosed. This is true especially in the case of children with ADHD who have the impulsive/hyperactive type of ADHD or the combined type of ADHD. These are generally more noticeable, and therefore easier to diagnose.

ADHD kids, according to mayoclinic.org, are usually diagnosed by developmental or behavioral pediatricians, psychologists, or psychiatrists. Parents who believe their child might have ADHD should see their doctor first, however, as ADHD symptoms can have other causes. It is important to get a medical evaluation for children with ADHD. 

An article from webmd.com describes symptoms of ADHD in teenagers. These symptoms are similar to the symptoms for children with ADHD. Teens with ADHD may lose textbooks or assignments, rush through assignments, interrupt others, or have trouble sitting still. They may have difficulty with relationships. This can include relationships with peers or with authority figures, such as teachers or parents. 

Parents also need to help their ADHD teens as they transition into adulthood. This could include things like job interviews, college, and career plans. It could also include everyday things like doing laundry, cleaning up, grocery shopping, or paying bills. Parents should keep in mind that while their child will have challenges because of ADHD, they are still growing into adulthood and will enjoy having some independence. 

Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to mayoclinic.org, includes symptoms such as: 

It can be difficult to diagnose adult ADHD because most people have these symptoms at some point in their adult lives. When an adult has ADHD, these symptoms will get in the way of almost every aspect of their lives, including work, family, and other relationships. 

Another difficulty in diagnosing adult ADHD is that these symptoms are often signs of other disorders, as described above. These could include anxiety and depression. In addition, anxiety and depression are often present in adults with ADHD. This complicates matters when diagnosing adults with ADHD. 

ADHD is difficult to live with in adulthood. Some of the problems that adults with ADHD have to live with are: 

ADHD is a difficult condition to live with, no matter what the age of the person who has been diagnosed. What are the causes of ADHD? The causes are not entirely known, and research is still being done. There are many misconceptions about what it means to have ADHD. 

However, there are several ways that people with ADHD can lessen their symptoms. These include medication, cognitive behavior therapy, and natural alternatives to medication. In addition, teachers and parents are gaining more awareness about ADHD. Research continues to be done in this area. It is possible for people with ADHD to live happy, fulfilled lives.