WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ADHD

By J. Edwards Holt

IF YOUR CHILD IS HAVING DIFFICULTY IN SCHOOL BECAUSE OF A SHORT ATTENTION SPAN AND HYPERACTIVITY, YOU MAY BE WONDERING IF THEY HAVE ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) OR ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD). THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IS TO SEE A DOCTOR, BUT YOU CAN LOOK FOR THE SIGNS OF ADHD TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO GET CHECKED.

So, what is ADHD or ADD? This article will discuss the ADHD symptoms and what you need to understand about the commonly misunderstood condition.

What is ADHD or ADD?

As previously mentioned, ADHD stands for attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. It was previously known as ADD, or attention deficit disorder. It’s a common disorder that affects about 8.4 percent of children and 2.5 percent of adults. It’s typically characterized by inattentiveness or hyperactivity. Sometimes those who deal with ADHD deal with both of those things, but that isn’t always the case.

Most people associate ADHD with school-aged children because hyperactive symptoms are more common and easier to identify at a young age. Those who experience ADHD have so much hyperactivity and lack of attentiveness that it causes problems functioning at school, home, or with friends.

How to identify the symptoms and signs of ADHD

Inattentiveness and hyperactivity are the two main behavior problems associated with ADHD. Sometimes it’s a blend of the two symptoms, and sometimes they experience both.

Children and adults often have similar ADHD symptoms. In children, you can usually identify the symptoms when they’re at home or school.

If your child deals with inattentiveness, it may look like this: • Making careless mistakes in schoolwork • Being easily distracted and having a short attention span • Unable to complete tasks that are tedious or time-consuming • Losing things and being forgetful • Unable to listen to or carry out instructions • Constantly changing activities or tasks

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness are often used interchangeably when dealing with ADHD. If your child suffers from these, it may look like this: • Talking excessively • Unable to sit still • Talking or acting without thinking • Constantly interrupting conversations • Unable to concentrate on tasks • Constantly fidgeting • Little to no sense of danger

ADHD symptoms may make it difficult for children to do well in school and cause poor social interaction. These children may also have persistent problems with discipline.

Some children grow out of their ADHD symptoms, but some carry them through teenage years and adulthood. About 15 percent of people who were diagnosed with ADHD as children experience all the symptoms, while 65 percent still have some symptoms.

It’s much less likely an adult will be diagnosed because their symptoms are harder to identify. They’re more subtle, and adults may not realize their symptoms are related to ADHD.

Adults with ADHD may: • Drive recklessly and get into accidents • Have trouble juggling adult responsibilities • Have marital problems • Be very easily distractible • Have lots of misunderstandings due to poor listening skills • Have difficulty concentrating • Be constantly forgetful

Why it’s important to understand ADHD

ADHD can make life very difficult for the children and adults in your life. It’s one of the most common childhood disorders, with over 10 million people in the U.S. diagnosed. Even so, there is so much misinformation spread through the media and the internet. Understanding ADHD will help correct misconceptions and dissolve stigmas around it.

One of the myths surrounding ADHD is that it isn’t real. ADHD is real, and it affects the individual’s brain on a neurological level. Individuals can’t simply choose not to have symptoms. However, it is their responsibility to learn how to manage them.

Another misconception is that ADHD is a result of bad parenting. There’s a strong genetic link in ADHD, meaning it may not be related to parenting or the environment at all. Good parenting can certainly help the child manage symptoms better, but it won’t stop ADHD from occurring. On a similar note, bad parenting may make symptoms worse but won’t be the root cause of ADHD.

A popular misunderstanding about ADHD is that almost anyone can be diagnosed with ADHD since the list of behaviors is so expansive that many people exhibit them at some point. But having the symptoms is just part of getting diagnosed with ADHD.

When diagnosed properly, these symptoms must be longterm, usually lasting at least six months, and the individual must experience them every day. Symptoms must be severe enough they significantly impact work, school, family, or friend relationships. All other causes of the symptoms must be ruled out. Only then should an ADHD diagnosis be made.

Ways to manage ADHD

Those with ADHD may opt for treatment to help relieve their symptoms and have fewer problems in their day-to-day life. Treatment for ADHD includes medicine or therapy, and many people find a combination of both works best.

Medicines are not a permanent cure for ADHD, but they help those who suffer feel better, calmer, less impulsive, and they may be able to learn and practice new skills. The specialist can create a treatment plan and will schedule check-ups to ensure the treatment is working.

The specialist may prescribe: • Methylphenidate • Lisdexamfetamine • Dexamfetamine • Atomoxetine • Guanfacine

Many individuals seek therapy treatment to learn how to manage their symptoms better. Some therapies recommended to treat ADHD are: • Psychoeducation • Behavior therapy • Parent training • Social skills training • Cognitive behavioral therapy

If you have a child dealing with ADHD, remember they cannot control their symptoms. It can be especially difficult for children to behave when they have difficulty suppressing impulses or paying attention.

As a parent, it can be very difficult to parent a child with ADHD. If this is your situation, here are some ways you can help manage your child’s symptoms.

• Set a schedule

Many children benefit from a clear schedule. Your child with ADHD may behave better if they know what to expect. Set the same schedule for every day, so they know exactly what to do.

• Set boundaries

Follow through with boundaries. Reinforce positive behavior by giving them lots of praise or rewards, and use consequences when boundaries are overstepped.

Consistent parenting will help your child understand what’s expected of them.

• Be positive

Be very specific about what you’re happy about. Stay away from general phrases like, “Good job,” and try “Thank you for picking up your room; it looks so tidy now.” In the future, they’ll remember what you appreciated and why.

• Give an incentive

You may consider setting up a point system to earn a privilege. This may be a shopping trip or extra time on a favorite game. Let your child decide what they want so they’ll be motivated to behave well.

• Exercise

Playing, walking, and other physical activities will help your active child be tired enough to sleep at night. Just be sure that physical activity or excitement isn’t too close to bedtime.

• Communicate with teachers

Children with ADHD tend to have problems at school.

Spend some time communicating with your child’s teachers about their needs. If they need extra support, request it.

Luckily, anyone who deals with ADHD symptoms can learn to manage and be successful. If you take the time to understand ADHD, you’ll be able to get your child the help they need.

REFERENCES

“ADHD Health Center.” https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/default. htm

“What is ADHD?” https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ adhd/what-is-adhd

“Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” https://www.nhs. uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/ symptoms/

“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” https://www.cdc.gov/ ncbddd/adhd/facts.html#Causes

“General Prevalence of ADHD.” https://chadd.org/about-adhd/ general-prevalence/

“The Importance of ADHD Awareness.” https://www.verywellmind. com/the-importance-of-adhd-awareness-20474

J. Edwards Holt is an American author who has spent a lifetime dealing with mental health problems. Diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety, and depression at 10 years old, and later OCD and ADHD at 13, success has never come easy for him. After spending most of elementary and middle school isolated, in and out of therapy, Holt managed to turn things around and graduate high school as Valedictorian, later on graduating college with a major in education. Even today as a successful author, Holt still copes with symptoms of his illnesses. Because of this, he is a continued advocate for those struggling with mental health, incorporating bits and pieces of his own experiences in his written works. Website: jedwardsholt.com