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How to Understand ADHD

How to Understand ADHD

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Did you know that the average percentage rate of ADHD globally is 2.2% in children and adolescents below 18 years ranging between 0.1 and 8.1%? In adults between 18 and 44 years from various countries including the Middle East, America, Europe and Asia, the range averages at 2.8%. Although ADHD was perceived as a childhood disorder, it is now acknowledged to persist into adulthood. In the UAE and other countries, symptoms can vary in individuals based on age.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a chronic condition that affects your behavior. It starts in childhood and often progresses into adulthood. Individuals with ADHD have various persistent problems like trouble concentrating, restlessness, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity.

Some symptoms are noticeable at an early age and can become more noticeable if the individual's circumstances change, for instance, when he starts school. Although symptoms can grow less with age, some individuals never completely outgrow the condition. Most cases are diagnosed between 3 and 7 years, and others later in childhood. Sometimes, ADHD might not be diagnosed in childhood but later in adulthood.

Although symptoms improve with age, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD at a younger age continue to face problems. Treatment doesn’t cure this condition but it helps you deal with the symptoms.

Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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ADHD is usually diagnosed at an early age and children with this condition display the following symptoms;

Inattention

One of the most prevalent symptoms of ADHD is inattention. It is necessary to consult the best psychiatrists in Dubai if you notice your child exhibiting these behaviors;

·       Easily distracted

·       Making careless mistakes in schoolwork or failure to notice small details

·       Trouble organizing activities and tasks

·       Trouble focusing in play or tasks

·       Difficulty following instructions and failure to complete chores or schoolwork

·       Appear not to listen even when speaking to him directly

·       Disliking or avoiding tasks that require focusing or mental effort

·       Forgetting to do some chores/daily activities

·       Losing items required for activities or tasks.

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Hyperactivity and impulsivity include;

·       Too much talking

·       Tapping or fidgeting with his feet or hands or squirming on the seat

·       Difficulty waiting for his turn

·       Difficulty sitting still in situations like classrooms

·       Trouble playing or doing tasks quietly

·       Interrupting the questioner or blurting out answers

·       Interrupting other people’s conversations, activities, or games

·       Climbing or running around when it is inappropriate

·       Always on the go.

Symptoms in Adults

ADHD symptoms may vary as you get older, they include;

·       Anxiety

·       Forgetting things

·       Being late

·       Low self-esteem

·       Impulsiveness

·       Anger issues

·       Trouble staying organized

·       Problems at work

·       Substance misuse or addiction

·       Depression

·       Often bored

·       Easily frustrated

·       Procrastination

·       Mood swings

·       Trouble concentrating when reading

·       Relationship problems.

ADHD Causes

Although the cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not clear, some factors might contribute to this condition. These are;

Genes and Heredity

ADHD is a common childhood condition and tends to run in families. If you have ADHD, your child has a 1 in 4 chance of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is also likely that another family member like a sibling will develop ADHD. Signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in parents often goes unnoticed because it does not fit the stereotypical ADHD symptoms.

Differences in Brain Anatomy and Function

We continue to learn more and more about ADHD and brain development. Differences in the brain make it challenging for individuals with ADHD to focus on a task unless they are interested. Some parts of the brain are smaller, take longer to mature, or both in children with this condition.

However, this doesn’t mean that kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are not smart. It means that a part of their brains takes longer to develop; this happens in some parts of the brain’s self-management system. This includes the parts that help in emotional control and working memory. By early adulthood, these parts of the brain develop in size and are similar to adults without ADHD.

However, this doesn’t mean that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder goes away after teen years, but the symptoms may change as you get older. All parts of the brain need to work together to perform various tasks like reading, writing, or shifting focus. Different parts of your brain are connected by brain cells. In kids with ADHD, their brain cells are less efficient or take longer to develop.

Other Causes Include

·       Drinking, smoking, infections, poor nutrition, and substance abuse in pregnancy

·       A brain disorder or injury which makes it challenging to control emotions and impulses

·       Toxins like lead can affect the development of a child’s brain.

Complications Caused by ADHD

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder face various challenges like;

·       Poor self-esteem

·       Struggling in the classroom which can lead to failure

·       Trouble interacting or being accepted by adults or their peers

·       Increased injuries and accidents of all kinds

·       Increased risk of substance abuse.

Diagnosis

It can be challenging to diagnose ADHD, especially in children because one test cannot spot the condition. A physician will diagnose your child with ADHD, after discussing the symptoms with the child, teachers, and parent, and by observing the child’s behavior.

Physicians diagnose ADHD by considering the number of symptoms and how long they have prevailed. They also rule out other factors that may be causing these symptoms like daily life problems or health conditions. To confirm that an individual has ADHD, he takes various tests to check his psychological and neurological status.

The test includes;

·       A social and medical history of the child and family.

·       A neurological assessment and physical exam involve screenings of hearing, vision, motor, and verbal skills. More tests can be administered if hyperactivity is linked to another physical problem.

·       A scan; the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System, to measure beta and theta brain waves.

·       An evaluation of personality traits, aptitude, intelligence, or processing skills.

ADHD can make it difficult to live a normal life. Kids can have problems socializing and learning. However, many people with ADHD live happy healthy lives by getting the necessary treatment. If you think you or your child have ADHD, you can seek the best psychiatrists in Dubai for help.