Children or adults diagnosed with ADHD often have trouble concentrating and controlling impulsive behavior. They may be seen daydreaming, being forgetful, and displaying fidgeting behavior, which imposes struggles in their daily lives, whether at home, school, or with friends.
Symptoms
Children or adults diagnosed with ADHD often display inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity patterns.
Inattention symptoms may be presented in several ways:
- Often fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or other activities.
- Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace.
- Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
- Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
- Is often easily distracted
- Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity symptoms may be presented in several ways:
- Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet.
- Often leaves their seat in situations when they're expected to remain seated.
- Often runs about or climbs in situations that are not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
- Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
- Is often "on the go," acting as if "driven by a motor".
- Often talks excessively.
- Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
- Often has trouble waiting their turn.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
Types:
ADHD symptoms are often displayed in one of three types:
A predominantly inattentive presentation, where the individual mainly displays symptoms related to inattention.
A predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, where the individual mostly displays symptoms related to hyperactivity and impulsivity.
A combined presentation, where symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity are similarly exhibited.
Prevalence
According to the NIMH, the worldwide lifetime prevalence of ADHD was 5.3% for adults in 2020, and the prevalence of children diagnosed with ADHD in 2020 was 7.6%.
Prognosis
Research has indicated mixed results for the prognosis of ADHD without any treatment, however; when treatment is efficiently implemented, whether medications and therapy or only therapy, ADHD can be successfully managed. Clients diagnosed with ADHD are seen to overcome their challenges and thrive in many aspects of their lives regardless of their challenges. While ADHD is a lifelong disorder that cannot be cured, with appropriate treatment plans, symptoms can be handled to prevent them from affecting performance in life.
When to seek help
While it is common for most disorders to be presented in various degrees of severity, it is preferable to seek treatment when clients notice their symptoms negatively affecting their performance in several areas of life, such as their social life, education, work performance, and so on. Since ADHD may be present during childhood, parents should also take note of their children's behavior and be aware of any possible struggles or symptoms of ADHD in order to seek treatment as soon as they notice any difficulties mentioned in this article.
Treatment
Treatments for ADHD range from medications to behavioral therapy.
One of the first stages of seeking treatment is psychoeducation, as being aware of the symptoms is an important start to understanding how to deal with them. Psychoeducation is important for parents and caretakers, and those diagnosed with ADHD. It's important for caretakers to learn how to effectively respond to symptoms to move forward with the treatments.
Whether behavior therapy, training, cognitive behavioral therapy, or social skills training are used, it is always preferable to involve those diagnosed with ADHD as well as other people around them (such as caretakers, partners, parents, or teachers) as it's essential for both parties to understand the goals that they are trying to reach and support each other to reach these set goals.
Medications may help to manage symptoms of ADHD as well as make their daily lives easier and struggle less from the difficulties their symptoms pose. When discussing medications, caregivers and healthcare providers should discuss if they deem them necessary while taking into account their benefits and adverse side effects.
