Johner Images/Getty Images
Struggling to pay attention is one of the symptoms you are likely to have with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The condition affects both children and adults, making it hard to sit still for extended periods. Farmers Branch ADHD specialist Venkata Vallury opines that ADHD has symptoms you are likely to confuse with conditions like anxiety and depression, making it difficult to diagnose. However, you should suspect yourself when the people close to you complain of your forgetfulness or lack of attention.
Is ADHD inherent?
You cannot make your child overcome ADHD symptoms by concentrating harder or paying attention to what is happening in their immediate environments. Experts believe that ADHD patients have different brain structures than individuals without the disorder. Medical researches indicate that a decrease in grey matter volume (that helps with speech and decision making) and dopamine levels in the brain contribute significantly to the development of ADHD.
Additionally, you are likely to have the mental condition if it runs in your family. Sometimes your child’s positive ADHD diagnosis might be your first clue of the disease.
What types of ADHD are you likely to have?
A significant percentage of children may exhibit ADHD symptoms as adults. The good news is, the symptoms may minimize or become less aggressive as you age. However, failure to contact your doctor for professional help can negatively impact several aspects of your life. For instance, issues like difficulty managing time, impatience and forgetfulness may affect most of your social relationships. Knowing the type of ADHD you have helps your doctor know how to handle the case. ADHD is in three categories:
- Predominantly inattentive
Though the loss of focus is a primary symptom when you have the condition, you are likely to have extreme difficulty following simple instructions, concentrating and finishing tasks. Unfortunately, predominantly inattentive ADHD might be challenging to diagnose in children because they show no tendency to disrupt lessons.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
You have a higher chance of having impulsive and hyperactive characteristics when you have this type of ADHD. Therefore, you might have issues like fidgeting and interrupting people’s speeches. Though inattention is less common when you have ADHD, you might still find it impossible to focus on your tasks.
- Combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive
Unfortunately, this ADHD type is the most common in individuals with mental disorders. You will likely showcase symptoms of both hyperactive and impulsive types. The signs may include above normal energy levels, impulsiveness and inability to pay attention.
What are the available ADHD treatment options?
There is a wide range of treatment options your doctor may recommend to help relieve your ADHD symptoms and the medical expert might need to combine several approaches to give you the best results. The options include:
- Behavior therapy
- Education and training
- Medication
- ADHD coaching
ADHD is a common mental condition likely to affect your child. Failure to get treatment, you or your child may advance with the illness into adulthood. Though most of your symptoms may resolve with age, there is no guarantee that you will be free from the disease. Talk to your doctor when you suspect you have the mental illness for professional help to help you manage the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
