The Best Information You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is usually associated with children who are hyperactive, distracted and can’t sit still. While this description is partially correct, it also leaves out a lot of important details that could help lead to a better understanding of the condition. If you’re reading this article, it’s likely because someone you care about: a child, colleague or friend has been diagnosed with ADHD.

Perhaps you’re even struggling personally with this diagnosis yourself. Understanding the facts about ADHD can be very helpful. It can help with coming to terms with your own condition. It can also help when supporting someone in your life who struggles with it. Here is what you need to know about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and how it affects those who have it.

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects over 60 million people worldwide. While there is still a lot of debate about what ADHD actually is. What is certain is that it is a serious condition that requires treatment. If you or someone you know is affected by ADHD. It’s important to understand what the symptoms are and how to best manage them. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common ADHD symptoms and discuss what causes them. We’ll also provide tips on how to deal with them and help improve your overall functioning.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 9.4 percent of children in the United States have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). This neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While ADHD can begin in childhood, it often persists into adulthood. ADHD is more prominent in boys than in girls and it usually has an onset around the age of 4 but are varied by the type that each individual has.

Types of Attention Deficit Hyper active Disorder

There are three different types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type.

Predominantly Inactive ADHD: the person has difficulty following instruprections or following up on dialogs or tasks. Distractions are common or daily routines are forgotten by the person.

Predominantly hyperactive – implosive ADHD the person may show Fidgeting and a lot of talking. When doing homework or having a meal, it can be challenging to sit still for long periods of time.For young children, running, jumping, and climbing are constant activities. Individuals with restlessness and impulsivity have difficulty. In an impulsive person, things may be grabbed, things may be said at the wrong time, or someone may interrupt others frequently. Listening to directions or waiting their turn is difficult for the person. Accidents and injuries may occur more frequently in people with impulsiveness.

Combined ADHD Persons with the above symptoms present with both types equally.

Those with ADHD have lower levels of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for making us feel good. Dopamine and norepinephrine are closely linked. Brain reward and pleasure centers are controlled by dopamine. As a result of ADHD, four areas of the brain are impaired in activity.

The four areas that are affected are the Frontal Cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, reticular activating system.

The Frontal Cortex controls high-level functions such as Attention, executive function, organization.

A deeper part of the brain is home to the limbic system. Emotions and attention are regulated by this system.

An inadequate level of basal ganglia can result in “inter-brain communication and information processing problems,” resulting in inattention or impulsiveness.

The reticular activating system is one of the brain’s major relay systems, receiving inputs from and sending outputs to virtually every other region. A defect here can result in inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity.

It boils down to people with ADHD have brain’s that mature at a slower rate than someone who does not have ADHD.

Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD

The symptoms of ADHD according to the dsm-5 are as follows:

Inattention: A child aged 6 through 16 who has six or more inattention symptoms or an adolescent aged 17 or older or an adult who has five or more inattention symptoms and who has had these symptoms for at least 6 months, and whose inattention symptoms are atypical for their developmental level:

• Difficulty paying careful attention to details or making careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities often.
• Difficulty focusing on tasks or play is frequently encountered.
• It is apparent that he does not pay attention when spoken to directly.
• She/he often does not follow through on instructions and doesn’t finish schoolwork, chores, or workplace duties (for example, gets distracted or sidetracked).
• Organizing tasks or activities are often difficult.
• Doing schoolwork or homework requires a lot of mental effort and is often avoided, disliked, or resisted.
• Cannot keep track of vital items needed for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile phones).
• Distracted easily.
• Often forgets during daily activities

hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Children up to age 16 years, or adolescents age 17 years and older and adults, must have six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, or five or more for persons with an intellectual disability, in order to be diagnosed with AD(H)D. The symptom of hyperactivity-impulsivity must have been present for at least six months and to a degree that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level.

• Hands or feet are often fidgeted with or tapped, or the person squirms in his seat.
• When required to remain seated will frequently leave their seat. I.E. when taking a test in school.
• Will often climb or run in situations where it is inappropriate. In adolescence and adulthood they may feel restless.
• Difficulty completing tasks or participating in leisure activities quietly.
• may seem like they are driven by a motor and appears to be always on the go frequently.
• seems to be over-talkative frequently.
• before question is fully asked may blurt out answer
• waiting their turn is often difficult
• interrupts or intrudes on others conversations.

A mental health professional can determine if they associated with ADHD or if they are associated with another mental health illness.

There are a few treatment options available for ADHD.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parent training in behavior management should be the first line of treatment for children with ADHD younger than 6 years old, before medication is used. The combination of medication and behavior therapy is recommended for children aged 6 and above. Parent training in behavior management for children up to age 12, should also be undertaken. It is common for schools to take part in the treatment plan as well.

A good treatment plan will include close monitoring of how much the treatment helps the child’s behavior, as well as making adjustments as necessary along the way.

What is Behavior Therapy

Behavior Therapy is a type of therapy that is geared towards identifying and helping change behavior that could be potentially self-destructive or unhealthy. Behavior therapy is based on the idea that behaviors are learned and therefore the person in behavior therapy can unlearn those behaviors and put in place new and better behaviors. Some of the techniques that are used in behavior therapy are cognitive behavior therapy, cognitive behavior play therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, Dialectical behavioral therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a therapy that is about talking about the current behavior and symptoms. It works on a guided plan to use healthier thought and behavior patterns in a safe environment with a therapist.

CognitIve behavioral play therapy

Cognitive behavioral play therapy is similar to cognitive behavioral therapy except that it is mostly used with children under the age of 8. It consists of a therapist watching a child play. This shows what emotions or behaviors a child is comfortable with showing and what they are not or unable to show. This gives the therapist a tool to help guide the child in how to show or be more comfortable showing certain emotions or behaviors.

acceptance And commitment therapy

A mental health clinician performs behavioral analysis in ACT therapy. ACT is distinct from CBT, although they are sometimes compared. ACT is based on relational frame theory, which focuses on mental processes and human language.

In this type of therapy the person receiving therapy is taught mindfulness skills. They are also taught acceptance approaches. Additionally, behavior changing methods and commitment methods are also incorporated.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a therapy that is a type of therapy that works to create a balance between acceptance of who you are and the hurdles that the client may have to overcome and the how change can be a benefit instead of a drawback. It is also used to help the individual with emotion regulation. This therapy works by using a type of talk therapy. It stems from cognitive

Individuals receiving DBT are educated in skills and strategies to help them live healthier, happier lives. There are four elements that DBT consists of:

DBT pre-assessment is sometimes given to determine if DBT is appropriate for the individual or loved one who needs the therapy. This assessment contains a series of questions that are typically asked by a licensed therapist. After the assessment the therapist may ask the individual to commit to a treatment plan as well as the amount of time needed to complete the treatment plan.

This therapy can be done in a one on one setting or in a group setting.

The individual therapy usually consists of weekly therapy sessions with a licensed therapist. The typical length of time a session can run is between 40 to 60 minutes. Each session will consist of a set of goals.

The Goals of DBT are as follows

To learn more about DBT please click here

Medications that may be given

There are 5 types of medications that are used to treat ADHD. Methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, dexamfetamine and guanfacine are the types of medications that can be given. they may help the individual with concentration issues and impulsiveness. Medications can be taken everyday while others can be taken just on school days. medication may not be a continuous need so having treatment breaks is recommend to assess whether or not medication is still needed.

Methylphenidate

This medication is the most common type that is given for ADHD. This type of medication is part of the stimulants group. It increases brain activity in the areas of controlling attention and behavior. This medication can be given to anyone except children under the age of 5. This medication comes in an immediate release, moderate release form. The most common brands of this medication are: Adhansia XR, Aptensio XR, Concerta, Cotempla, Cotempla XR-ODT, Jornay, Metadata CD, Metadata ER, Methylin, Methylin ER, Quilichew ER, Quillivant ER, Quillivant XR, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR.

lisdexamfetamine

This medication is also part of the stimulants group. it aims to concentration, focus and impulsiveness. This medication may be offered after six weeks of trying methylphenidate for teens and children that are over the age of 5. For adults, it can be offered as a first choice instead of methylphenidate. it comes in a capsule form. The most common of this type is Vyvanse.

dextroamphetamine

Dexamfetamine works the same way that lisdexamfetamine works. it can be offered to anyone except children under the age of 5. it comes in a tablet form and an oral solution. The most common of this type is Mydayis

Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine is different from the other ADHD medications. instead of a stimulant it is a SNRI (selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor), it aims to increase the amount of noradrenaline, which is a chemical in the brain which is responsible for the fight or flight response. it also helps to aid in impulse and concentration control. It can be offered to anyone except children under the age of 5 as long as methylphenidate is not an option. The most common of this type is Strattera.

Guanfacine

Guanfacine is a type of medication that helps the brain improve attention, as well as helps to reduce blood pressure. it can be offered to children and teens and should not be given to adults or children under the age of 5. it comes in tablet form. The most common type is Intuniv and Tenex.

You can find more information about these medications by clicking here. Just enter the name of the medication and it will bring up all the information you need to know.

Adhd can be a challenging disorder to live with as well as to raise a child who has ADHD. Adhd is definitely treatable and some symptoms may not be as apparent as the child grows older and into adulthood. If you would like some resources to help you find a therapist in your area or you would like a book that can help give you more insight please check out my resource page. And please if you feel this is an emergency please contact your local authorities, crisis hotline or mental health