Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or ADHD is a certain condition which is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, impulsiveness, or all of these in combination. Almost 60% of children with this condition in the USA grow to be adults with ADHD, which is about 8 million adults or around 4% of the total adult population. It is shocking to know that only around 20% of adults in the US are diagnosed or treated for ADHD and among them only one-quarter seek help. This condition is considered to be genetic most often and biological sometimes. ADHD starts at a very early age and affects brain development. It has been noticed that adults suffering from ADHD exhibit the same symptoms which they did during their childhood. Though hyperactivity may go away from the onset of adulthood, impulsivity, and inattentiveness would persist in most cases.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of ADHD are disorganization, restlessness, and inability to focus. Adults suffering from this condition find it difficult to organize things, remember details, listen to instruction, and complete tasks. All these affect their relationship with the school, work, and home. Different people exhibit different symptoms. The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person, impairment ranging from mild to a significant level.
ADHD and other mental health disorders
Adults suffering from ADHD are likely to experience depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, and another comorbid psychiatric issues. About 50% of adult ADHD patients suffer from anxiety disorder. ADHD symptoms co-existing with any other disorder or anxiety disorder could impair the functioning ability significantly.
Diagnosis
A healthcare professional would be able to evaluate and diagnose the issue in a proper way. The steps to diagnosing ADHD include personal history, mental-status testing, self-reported symptoms, and early development issues. These also include symptoms of distractibility, inattention, emotional instability, and impulsivity. However, the overlapping comorbid psychiatric disorders often makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis.
A healthcare professional during a consultation would generally ask the following questions:
- Do you find it difficult to keep your temper or stay in a good mood?
- Do you show behaviors which look like you have attention and hyperactivity problems?
- Do you face these issues at home or at work?
- Do your friends and family members notice that you have these issues?
- Do you suffer from any mental and physical health issue which is affecting your behavior?
- Are you having these issues since you were a child?
Treatment for ADHD
Stimulants
Stimulants are most commonly prescribed for ADHD treatments. They work towards balancing the ways in which neurotransmitters function in the brain. Research has shown that stimulants drastically improve patients’ condition. They can make the patients avoid hyperactivity and stay attentive. There are different types available for these medicines. While some have short time effect, some other last a lot longer. There is one patch as well which is to be put on the hip, and it will help in controlling these symptoms for a long time.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are also used for the treatment of ADHD. They can really improve the symptoms and are appropriate for those who are not able to take stimulants. People with a heart condition cannot take stimulants as the same would make it quite dangerous to use this kind of drugs. Thus, it is important to check if the patient has any heart ailment before starting with ADHD medicines. It is to be noted that antidepressants would not start working as soon as it is taken. It may take many weeks before it shows the full effect. Moreover, stimulants may show effect sooner. There are a few risks associated with antidepressants, the most dangerous being a suicidal tendency.
Therapy
Apart from medicines, ADHD patients are suggested therapy as well. Different types of therapies available to deal with different symptoms of ADHD. Moreover, therapies make children and adult ADHD patients as for how to behave socially, so that they can behave well at work or school. There are therapies to allow people talk about things that upset them and ways to deal with them in a better way. Even the parents or partners are provided therapy so that they can identify signs and symptoms of ADHD condition and accordingly learn how to deal with the patient.
Best treatment facilities and clinics
ADHD cannot be treated with professional medical help. There are certain treatment facilities and clinics which are known for taking care of patients suffering from ADHD in a better ways. The best clinics and treatment centers across the US include the following names:
- ADHD, Mood & Behavior Center of New Jersey
- The Reynolds Clinic
- Chesapeake ADHD Center
- Center for Neurocognitive Excellence, Washington, D.C.
- The Thrive Center for ADHD
With a little professional help and lot of care and support, ADHD patients can improve their condition to a large extent. The most important thing is to look for signs and symptoms and seek immediate medical help.
