What Do You Know About ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder dealing mainly with attention difficulties and hyperactivity. Although often considered to be chiefly a child related issue, adults also have it with many never having been diagnosed.

Symptoms usually become noticeable in a child before they are seven years old. The following are some of these symptoms:

- difficulties with impulse control and antisocial behaviors. Some may act out by exhibiting defiant behavior;
- easily distracted, problems with completing tasks and difficulty in following instructions;
- will have difficulty in focusing, will tend to daydream when they should be doing other things and are easily bored;
- has poor organizational abilities, will often talk non-stop and may be hyper;
forgets important things, sometimes losing them and is often impatient.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder affecting three to five percent of young children and is diagnosed in two to sixteen percent of school aged children. About 4.7 percent of adults live with ADHD. For those children who were diagnosed with ADHD, it will continue into adulthood. However, there are many adults who have ADHD but who have never been diagnosed.

It is believed that genetics is a large factor in ADHD. But issues such as nutrition and social environment may have a bearing as well. Also, it is believed there may be a potential link between smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy, contact with high levels of lead or possible consumption of some food additives such as artificial colors or preservatives.

To help reduce symptoms, treatments may include medication, psychotherapy, educational training or a combination of all three. Some medications can have side effects such as a decrease in appetite, sleeping problems, anxiety, irritability, stomach aches or headaches. Medication does not cure ADHD, it will only help to control the symptoms while it is being taken.

Psychotherapy includes behavioral therapy and assistance with social skills. For adults who have never been diagnosed, this can be extremely challenging but they are also usually more highly motivated because they know that treatment for them will make a big difference. They already know how challenging their lives have been. For some adults, they may also be suffering from anxiety and depression.

When ADHD is being diagnosed, sleeping disorders, tic disorders and behavioral problems may be confused with, or appear with ADHD. Most children diagnosed with ADHD quite often have at least one other developmental or psychiatric problem such as depression or bipolar disorder. For diagnosis in children, they should have at least six attention symptoms or six hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms presenting before the age of seven. These symptoms should be present for at least six months and be severe enough to cause difficulties with school, work and other areas of their life. Diagnosis of adult ADHD is somewhat more involved.

Many of those with ADHD have learned over time to adapt to the problems relating to this disorder.