Do you have ADHD? ADHD is a developmental disorder that causes hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating. Read more about symptoms and treatment here.
Facts about ADHD
- ADHD stands for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
- It is a developmental disorder of the brain that is particularly manifested by difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and difficulty maintaining attention.
- The first symptoms of ADHD appear already in childhood.
- In mild cases, treatment consists of extra support and counseling, while in moderate to severe cases, ADHD can be treated with medication.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’. It is a neurologically based mental disorder that primarily affects children, but can also continue into adulthood.
People with ADHD have difficulty maintaining attention, controlling impulses, and regulating their activity levels. They may be inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive, which can affect their daily functioning, learning, and social interactions.
There is a tendency for men to develop ADHD to a greater extent than women. The prevalence of ADHD is approximately twice as high in men as in women.
Types of ADHD
ADHD can be divided into three main types:
1. Predominantly inattentive type
People with this type of ADHD have difficulty maintaining attention, are forgetful, and have difficulty organizing and planning. They may appear dreamy, disinterested, and have difficulty focusing on details.
2. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
This type of ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity. People with this type may have difficulty sitting still, appear restless, and tend to interrupt others. They may also act impulsively without thinking through the consequences.
3. Combined type
This is the most common form of ADHD, where symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The person has difficulty maintaining focus, is restless, and impulse control may be challenged.
It is important to note that ADHD symptoms can vary in severity and combination from person to person. A specialist usually makes an accurate diagnosis based on a thorough assessment of symptoms and observations.
What causes ADHD?
ADHD occurs due to a reduced ability to transport the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline around the brain. This means that brain cells cannot communicate properly with each other.
ADHD is caused by a biological disorder in the part of the brain that controls our attention, motor activity, and impulsivity. Therefore, people with ADHD have difficulty taking initiative, planning, overseeing, and carrying out specific actions and activities.
Research suggests that ADHD is hereditary, and it often affects multiple people in the same family. There is also evidence that the cause of ADHD can also be found in factors such as premature birth and low birth weight.
Challenges ADHD can cause
ADHD causes difficulties in focusing and regulating attention, as well as maintaining concentration on activities you are doing, and can also affect your ability to plan ahead. People with ADHD can have different symptoms, and thus also have different difficulties.
On the other hand, in the condition ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), there is no hyperactivity, but the same pronounced difficulties with attention and often also impulse control. ADD is found in both boys and girls, but seems to be most common among girls/women. Often other problems accompany it, such as sleep disorders, learning problems, motor difficulties, behavioral disorders, anxiety or depression disorder.
What are the danger signs?
The most severely affected children have clear symptoms that are detected as early as kindergarten age, while others only show definite signs of the disorder around the start of school. Danger signs that parents, educators and teachers should be aware of are:
- Restlessness and jumping behavior;
- Difficulty with play that requires rules;
- Sleep problems.
Children often do not learn from their mistakes and have difficulty responding appropriately in dangerous situations. Most parents can usually tell that their child was difficult to regulate from infancy and had problems establishing regular eating and sleeping rhythms.
Who gets ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common diagnoses among children and teenagers. The number of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD has almost doubled in the past 10 years. The first signs of ADHD typically appear early in life, but the neuropsychiatric disorder is often only diagnosed when the person with ADHD has to manage more things on their own.
Treatment for ADHD: 7 non-drug solutions for basic treatment!
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people’s behavior, making them appear restless and have difficulty concentrating. The disorder is often diagnosed in childhood and continues into adulthood.
There are many medications available to treat ADHD. However, because these medications can be associated with side effects, many people prefer to use other strategies to control their ADHD symptoms. If you want to learn about the best non-drug treatments for ADHD in children and adults, continue reading this article.
The best treatment for ADHD in adults and children may be different for each person. Effective treatment should address underlying symptoms, such as impulsivity or inattention, and the behavioral and social challenges that come with ADHD, such as difficulty making friends, time management, and low self-esteem . Here are some non-drug approaches to treating ADHD.
Struggling with ADHD?
1. Cognitive Behavioral therapy
CBT or cognitive behavior therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on managing or reducing unhelpful behaviors. In addition to the person with ADHD, other family members may need to attend behavior therapy sessions. This is especially important for young children or people whose ADHD has affected family relationships. Behavior therapy teaches the person how to:
- Regulate your emotions;
- Reduce impulsive behaviors;
- Improve your self-confidence;
- Increase your focus.
2. Parent education
Different parenting styles do not play a role in the development of ADHD. However, the way parents treat a child with ADHD can affect their symptoms and mental state. For example, punishing a child is not only not helpful; it can also lead to aggravation of ADHD symptoms.
Educational programs can equip parents with the tools they need to help their child. These programs help parents understand the impact of ADHD on their child and teach them how to reinforce positive behaviors.
3. Proper sleep pattern
Some people with ADHD struggle with sleep. Researchers believe that ADHD affects the circadian rhythm (the body’s rhythm of the day and night). As a result, people with the disorder have difficulty sleeping at night and feel tired in the morning.
A useful way to treat adult ADHD without medication is to improve the quality of sleep. This approach can also be helpful for children with ADHD. Useful strategies for dealing with sleep problems include:
- Avoiding coffee, chocolate, and other sources of caffeine late in the day or immediately before bed;
- Doing physical activity during the day;
- Having a regular sleep and wake schedule;
- Sleeping in a cool, quiet, and dark room;
- Avoid using smart devices during the night before going to bed.
4. Creating a suitable environment
Support at school is the cornerstone of ADHD treatment for children. Because treating inattention hyperactivity disorder requires providing various opportunities to pay attention to lessons and remember material. In this regard, it is necessary to provide the child with the following:
- A distraction-free environment for taking the exam
- Providing more time to complete tasks
- Teaching study skills
Children with ADHD need to be supported in the school environment. Parents can also help their child with homework at home. For example, it is recommended to let your child rest for a while after school and then get to work on their homework. Make a checklist for your child’s activities so they can check it off as they complete the task. Turn homework into a challenge or game to increase your child’s motivation to do it.
5. Yoga
Some studies have shown that yoga is beneficial as a complementary treatment for people with ADHD. For example, in one study of boys with ADHD, practicing yoga alongside medication was associated with reduced symptoms of hyperactivity, anxiety disorder, and social difficulties.
6. Spending time outdoors
Spending time outdoors may also be beneficial for people with ADHD. Evidence shows that even 30 minutes outdoors is associated with improved focus. Natural, green environments can have the greatest impact on the mind.
7. Follow a healthy diet
Evidence suggests that nutrition may also play a role in managing ADHD symptoms. For example, in one study of children, adequate intake of vitamin D and magnesium was linked to reduced behavioral problems associated with ADHD. However, it is generally recommended that people with ADHD eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
Outlook for the future
ADHD is a chronic condition for the vast majority, which for most people persists beyond childhood and into adulthood. Many find a way to compensate for their problems, while others have great difficulty with concentration, inner turmoil, restlessness and poor work and social functioning throughout their lives.
Studies indicate that the prognosis depends on whether the child and later the young person can be kept in education, work and good socialization. Many dangers lurk for impulsive people. Poor adaptation to the education system and the labor market, abuse and crime occur frequently in this group. There is an overabundance of psychiatric disorders such as depression and personality disorders later in life.
The young person with ADHD may need a special entry into education and the labor market. It is important that the education and rehabilitation system is aware of the problems people with ADHD have and builds a network of workplaces where they can be tested under protected conditions. With a little more patience and openness, young people and adults with ADHD can constitute a large workforce and a dynamic resource in society.
Final words
Today, there are various ways to treat ADHD or hyperactivity or control other ADHD symptoms. If you need guidance in this area, you can consult with the best specialists at Wholesome Mind Psychiatry in Mansfield TX.
After examining the various needs of patients, the Wholesome Mind Psychiatry team has provided the opportunity to make an appointment with the best psychologists and neurologists.
