ADHD stands for “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” which is a neurodevelopmental condition detected in children and adults characterized by the inability to pay attention and hyperactivity. Although all human beings find it difficult to maintain the same level of attention at all times, people diagnosed with ADHD face it more frequently and more intensely, hampering their professional and personal lives in general. The symptoms usually start from early childhood even though the symptoms might not be recognized during this time.
Types of ADHD
ADHD is mostly diagnosed in men than in women. It can be divided into three categories according to the behaviors of the patients and the intensity of their symptoms. Let’s take a look at the types of ADHD that the patients are diagnosed with.
Predominantly inattentive
People diagnosed with this type of ADHD frequently are unable to focus on a single thing. So the primary symptom of their mental issue is the inability to pay attention which might include things like getting distracted easily, forgetting to do basic chores, having difficulty following instructions, etc.
Predominantly hyperactive
This type comprises people who predominantly show symptoms of hyperactivity like fidgeting, talking a lot, unnecessary movements, etc.
Combined
People with the combined type of ADHD fall victim to a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive behavior.
Causes of ADHD
Although researchers are trying their best, research on the causes of ADHD has not revealed anything specific yet. Recent researches have suggested that factors like genetics, low birth weight, problems with the central nervous system, premature birth, intake of tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy, injury to the brain, exposure to unfavorable environments are some of the major causes that might be responsible for causing ADHD in children and in adults.
Symptoms of ADHD
The most prominent symptoms of ADHD can be divided into three major classifications.
Inattention
These symptoms range from difficulty in sustaining attention, listening to others, remembering regular details, organizing things, studying, etc. For instance, in children, this symptom is usually noticed in school or while doing their homework.
These children will often find it difficult to concentrate on the teacher’s instructions and would be lost in daydreaming instead of paying attention to their current surroundings. Their parents struggle to make them study as it is difficult to make them focus on a certain topic.
So these children tend not to do well in school. In the case of adults, these symptoms might be difficult to detect, but they can be diagnosed as people with ADHD find it difficult to even talk about a particular topic for too long and so it hampers their personal and professional lives.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactive symptoms vary from having difficulty in being seated at a specific place, jumping or climbing without any particular goal in mind, squirming constantly, excessive talkative nature, shifting from one task to another without completing any, etc.
In the case of children, these children are easily noticeable as they are constantly moving from one corner to the other without any reason. They tap their hands or feet consistently and sometimes, they talk at a rapid pace without taking a break. Adults with ADHD often show similar symptoms as children unless they have been masked by the detail
Impulsivity
Inability to wait for a turn, interrupting while others are talking, impatient behavior, taking risks without thinking about the consequences, etc. are some of the signs people with impulsive inclinations show, which often point towards ADHD.
These children will quite often interrupt others while they are in the middle of a conversation trying to put their own opinion ahead and might even throw tantrums when they have to be patient for something.
In the case of adults, impulsive behaviors are seen in their decision-making process where they take part in action all of a sudden without hesitating to take the decision
Testing
When a child or an adult is suspected to have ADHD, they should go to a psychologist to get their mental health evaluated. This is not a matter of a short time as it requires a consistent assessment of a person’s mental condition for at least a period of six months. The doctor also talks to teachers, family members, and friends to evaluate with expertise on the symptoms the person might have.
A certified checklist can give the psychologist a thorough mental checkup of the concerned person and will also give a full review of the condition, diagnosing whether or not the person has ADHD. This testing process will further be polished if the doctor gets observatory notes from the patient’s family member to give him/her a better look into the person’s behaviors.
Treatment of ADHD
Although ADHD is not a curable mental health problem, it can be tackled in different ways, either using medication or by taking the help of psychological counseling and behavioral therapies.
Medication of ADHD
The medication used for treating ADHD are of two types-
Stimulants
A stimulant, as the name suggests, stimulates the brain to produce more dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals make a person more attentive to details and thus help to combat the symptoms of inability to pay attention in a person with ADHD.
Non- stimulants
If a person reacts badly to the stimulants, then the doctor might prescribe some non-stimulants, which, unlike stimulants, take more time to start working against the symptoms of ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy like behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral theory, and psychosocial therapies such as family therapies, classroom behavioral management, training in parenting skills, stress management techniques, support groups are some of the ways to treat ADHD without the help of medication.
ADHD should not be overlooked under any circumstance as it hampers the lives of children and adults alike. A person suspected of ADHD should be tested and diagnosed with utmost care. If the person has been detected with ADHD then immediate treatment, medication or psychotherapy or both, should be started according to a psychologist’s recommendation without delay.
Source: United News of Bangladesh