ADHD: What is the Disorder and How is it Treated?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complicated brain disorder that affects around 11% of children and nearly 5% of adults in the United States. ADHD is a developmental disorder that affects the executive processes of the brain. Impulse control, concentration, and organizing are all issues for people with ADHD.

According to some specialists, the term “attention deficit” is deceptive. “Attention deregulation” could be a better term, because most people with ADHD have plenty of attention; the problem lies in those with the disorder not being able to consistently direct it in the correct place at the appropriate time. This can include school, listening to an instructor, paying attention to a detail-orientated task, or an important business meeting. As a result of this, people with ADHD are prone to losing track of time, misplacing their keys, or blurting out an unrelated notion when their attention is broken.

What is the cause of ADHD?

Like most disorders, ADHD can not be narrowed down to one sole cause. Instead, most of the scientific community marks the disorder down to genetics. ADHD seems to run in the family, and it’s assumed that the genes you acquire from your parents have a key role in the development of the disorder. According to research, parents and siblings of people with ADHD are more likely to have the disorder themselves. However, the inheritance of ADHD is likely to be complicated, and it is not assumed to be linked to a single genetic flaw.

Although the exact significance of these changes in the brains of people with ADHD and those without the illness is unknown, research has revealed a number of distinct abnormalities in the brains of people with ADHD. Brain scan studies have revealed that certain parts of the brain in people with ADHD tend to be smaller, while others are larger. Other research has suggested that people with ADHD may have an imbalance in their brain’s neurotransmitter levels or that these chemicals aren’t functioning properly.

Though there is a theory that ADHD was a result of evolution back in the hunting and gathering days of humanity. This is known as the Watchmen theory. This theory states that evolution had polished hyperfocus and the ability to provide equal attention to everything in our environment. According to the theory, those with ADHD are designed to be the ideal night watchmen and hunters for tribes, and much of our contemporary benefits and drawbacks can be traced back to this crucial duty, in which those “symptoms” would have saved lives.

5 fast facts

• Males are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females.
• During their lifetimes, 13 percent of men will be diagnosed with ADHD. Just 4.2 % of women will be diagnosed.
• The average age of ADHD diagnosis is 7 years old.
• Symptoms of ADHD typically first appear between the ages of 3 and 6.
• ADHD isn’t just a childhood disorder. About 4% of American adults over the age of 18 deal with ADHD on a daily basis.

Also Read: The Current State of Mental Health in America

What are the types of ADHD?

There are two distinct types of ADHD: Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive and Primarily Inattentive ADHD. The latter was formerly known as ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder. People with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD act “as if pushed by a motor,” with no impulse control, moving, wriggling, and talking at inconvenient moments. They are rash, irritable, and often interrupt others.

Meanwhile, the inattentive subtype of ADHD affects people’s ability to focus, complete tasks, and follow instructions. They’re easily distracted, and they’re prone to forgetfulness. They could be daydreamers who regularly lose track of assignments, cell phones, and discussions.

 

What are the Symptoms of ADHD?

The fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) lays out the signs of ADHD, which include nine unique symptoms that can indicate one of two forms of ADHD. Only if a kid exhibits at least six of nine symptoms from one of the lists below, and if the symptoms have been present for at least six months in two or more places — for example, at home, and at school — may he or she be diagnosed with ADHD. Furthermore, the symptoms must be interfering with the child’s ability to function or develop, and at least part of the symptoms must have appeared before the age of 12. Adults and older teens may just need to show five of these symptoms consistently in multiple environments.

For Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, the symptoms are:

1. Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected (e.g., leaves his or her place in the classroom, in the office or other workplace, or in other situations that require remaining in place).
3. Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate. (Note: In adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless.)
4. Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly.
5. Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor” (e.g., is unable to be or uncomfortable being still for an extended time, as in restaurants, meetings; may be experienced by others as being restless or difficult to keep up with).
6. Often talks excessively.
7. Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., completes people’s sentences; cannot wait for turn in conversation).
8. Often has difficulty waiting for his or her turn (e.g., while waiting in line).
9. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations, games, or activities; may start using other people’s things without asking or receiving permission; for adolescents and adults, may intrude into or take over what others are doing).

For Inattentive ADHD, the symptoms include:

1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities (e.g., overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate).
2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (e.g., has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (e.g., the mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction).
4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetracked).
5. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities (e.g., difficulty managing sequential tasks; difficulty keeping materials and belongings in order; messy, disorganized work; has poor time management; fails to meet deadlines).
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (e.g., schoolwork or homework; for older adolescents and adults, preparing reports, completing forms, reviewing lengthy papers).
7. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
8. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (for older adolescents and adults, may include unrelated thoughts).
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities (e.g., doing chores, running errands; for older adolescents and adults, returning calls, paying bills, keeping appointments)

What are the Treatments for ADHD?

Usually, the doctor diagnosing the disorder will prescribe and multi-faceted approach to treating ADHD. Treatments include both stimulant and non stimulate medication. While therapy is also a widely accepted approach to treating the disorder. The therapies come in different shapes and sizes from short-term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to Psycho and behavioral therapy.