Overview
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly occurring childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. ADHD symptoms in kids begin in early childhood and then continue into adulthood. ADHD is a mental health condition that leads to unusual impulsive behaviors, trouble paying attention and hyperactivity. Individuals with ADHD may often experience problems staying focused on one task and also face problems managing their energy levels. ADHD can affect an individual’s ability to study, work and maintain relationships.
Prevalence of ADHD
- Around 129 million children and teenagers worldwide, aged between 5 and 19 years, are affected by ADHD.
- Studies have shown that more than 366 million adults globally have Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Studies have revealed that the prevalence of ADHD in men is higher than in women.
- Compared to women, men are about 3 times more likely to get diagnosed with ADHD.
ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosis
There are a wide range of symptoms that are associated with ADHD. These symptoms may differ in their intensity and type. The symptoms of ADHD may also differ depending on the gender and age of the patient. Individuals with ADHD may have symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is important to be aware of the ADHD symptom checklist to identify them.
Symptoms of ADHD in Children
Children may experience symptoms of any of the three types of ADHD. These symptoms of ADHD in Kids and ADHD symptoms in teens include,
Inattentive symptoms
- Being distracted easily
- Losing things
- Trouble finishing tasks
- Having a very short span of attention
- Trouble organizing their tasks
- Daydreaming
- Forgetting things easily
- Making careless mistakes
- Trouble paying or maintaining attention
- Poor listening skills
- Difficulty following instructions
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness symptoms
- Fidgeting constantly
- Unable to sit in one place or stay calm
- Talking excessively
- Acting on impulse without thinking
- Little or no sense of danger
- Moving excessively
- Unable to concentrate on their task
- Having trouble waiting for their turn
- Constantly interrupting others
Combined Symptoms
Individuals, especially children having combined ADHD, will experience symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity. In most cases, ADHD symptoms in kids are of a combined type.
Differences in ADHD Symptom Manifestation in Children and Adults
ADHD symptoms in Men, women and children may be different in their severity due to various factors like developmental stages, treatment given, gender and coping mechanisms. In most cases, ADHD symptoms in adults and children will be similar, causing difficulties in everyday life. The ADHD symptoms in women and men are difficult to define. While the symptoms of ADHD in kids and adults may be similar, their effect on them will vary.
Since ADHD is a developmental disorder, studies believe that an Adult cannot develop ADHD without having it in childhood. The severity of ADHD symptoms in adults is subtle when compared to children. The various ADHD symptoms in adult men and women include,
- Lack of attention to detail
- Poor organization skills
- Forgetfulness
- Getting distracted easily
- Finding it difficult to maintain or pay attention
- Difficulty in finishing activities or tasks
- Trouble following instructions
- Mood swings like irritation, impatience or becoming frustrated quickly
- Acting on impulse
- losing or misplacing things constantly
- Inability to deal with stress
- Feeling restlessness
- Interrupting other often
- Trouble staying quiet
- Procrastinating
- Trouble controlling anger
ADHD symptoms in women
As per studies, ADHD symptoms in women may include trouble paying attention. At the same time, men with ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Diagnosis of ADHD
Diagnosis of ADHD cannot be done using brain scans and blood tests; a doctor will ask the patient about their symptoms to assess the condition. This includes questions about the challenges faced every day and the behaviour of the patient in school, work, and at home. During the examination, the healthcare provider will also rule out the possibility of other mental health conditions such as anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, etc.
The DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD
The American Psychiatric Association’s clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD are an essential tool that helps diagnose ADHD in kids, teens and adults. This DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD also helps determine the type of ADHD being experienced. There are three types of ADHD, with symptoms predominately inattentive, symptoms predominately hyperactive-impulsive and combined symptoms.
Diagnosis of ADHD with Predominantly-Inattentive presentation
For individuals to be diagnosed with a predominantly inattentive type of ADHD, they should be experiencing at least five or more symptoms of this type for at least six months. Additionally, to be diagnosed with predominantly inattentive ADHD, the patient should also have less than five symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity type of ADHD.
Diagnosis of ADHD with Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
For individuals to be diagnosed with a predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD, they should be experiencing at least five or more symptoms of this type for at least six months. Additionally, to be diagnosed with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, the patient should also have less than five symptoms of inattention type of ADHD.
Diagnosis of ADHD Combined Type Presentation
For an individual to be diagnosed with the combined type of ADHD, they should be experiencing a balanced mix of symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity type.
Using the DSM-5 criteria, the doctor can also determine the severity of ADHD as:
Mild: The symptoms of ADHD are lesser and don’t majorly affect the daily life of the patient.
Moderate: The severity of the symptoms of ADHD being experienced falls between mild and severe.
Severe: In the case of severe ADHD, the patient experiences many symptoms of the condition, and their everyday life is also affected significantly.
Challenges in diagnosing ADHD in adults, especially in women
Diagnosing ADHD in women can be challenging due to various reasons. Certain stereotypes for women with ADHD, such as sex, behavior, and gender, may cause challenges in diagnosing ADHD in women. Additionally, women also have comorbidities along with ADHD, such as eating disorders and depression, which can make the diagnosis further challenging.
Treatment for ADHD
There is no cure for ADHD. Treatment approaches for ADHD involve a combination of various therapies. The various treatment approaches for ADHD include,
1. Neurofeedback Therapy
Neurofeedback therapy or neurofeedback training is a type of alternative therapy used for patients with ADHD. Neurofeedback therapy uses real-time EEG (electroencephalogram) data, helping patients train their brains to improve their focus function and help with impulses.
In neurofeedback therapy, electrodes are attached to the patient’s scalp. These electrodes help with reading the brain’s electrical activities. During the session, the patient will be able to see the wave patterns of their brain. The therapist will ask them to focus on a particular task and show the waves to them. This might help the patient understand their control of their brain activity and help them do it better.
Neurofeedback therapy appears to be a promising treatment for ADHD. As per the Journal, Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, certain studies have linked neurofeedback training to improved attention and impulse control in individuals with ADHD. Another study has revealed that patients who underwent neurofeedback therapy did not require any medications for ADHD.
2. Multimodal Treatment
Multimodal treatment approaches for ADHD treatment include a combination of medications, lifestyle modifications, cognitive behavioral therapy, Psychoeducation, parent training programs, and more.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that addresses an individual’s thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes, which affect how they act or feel. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals with ADHD by helping them find new techniques to approach and react to their everyday situations. Structured counselling in cognitive behavioral therapy teaches the patient specific ways to help them manage their behavior and convert negative thinking into positive ones. These approaches help the patient overcome or deal with the daily challenges they face in the workplace, schools, or with their relationships.
4. Impulse-Control Techniques
There are certain strategies and techniques through which individuals with ADHD can learn how to control their impulses. Some of these impulse control techniques include the following:
- Creating a structured routine
- Seek support from a professional
- Find ways to help yourself relax
- Practice mindfulness
- Take breaks to refresh and relax
- Break your big tasks
- Identify and remove your triggers
- Plan ahead
5. Talk therapy or psychotherapy
Talk therapy or psychotherapy is an effective way of addressing ADHD (hyperactivity disorder treatment). In talk therapy, a trained therapist, counsellor, or psychotherapist helps the patient by talking to them about their emotions, personal history, behaviors, thought patterns, habits, etc, to help them understand their condition and learn coping skills.
ADHD and Co-occurring Conditions
Certain studies have revealed that at least half of all individuals having ADHD also have a comorbid condition (a second condition). These comorbid conditions usually require separate treatment strategies. It is essential to understand the conditions and differentiate between their symptoms to provide a proper treatment plan to the patient. Some of the common comorbidities existing in individuals with ADHD may include the following,
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Language disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
Bipolar Disorder and ADHD
Bipolar disorder and ADHD are two conditions that are often diagnosed together in many patients. As per one study, it was revealed that kids and teenagers are about 40% more likely to get diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The main difference between ADHD and bipolar disorder is that ADHD is a chronic and ongoing condition. The mood changes in bipolar disorder, on the other hand, is episodic.
Symptoms of ADHD with bipolar disorders include:
- Changes in mood from calm to rage
- Changes in mood from a depressed state to a manic state
- Talking excessively
- Mood swings that come and go
- Difficulty relaxing
Anxiety and ADHD
What is the link between anxiety and ADHD?
Having anxiety makes it difficult to identify the symptoms of ADHD. This happens because the symptoms of ADHD and anxiety may overlap. While ADHD is an ongoing condition, anxiety is a feeling of anxiousness occurring occasionally. Anxiety is a mental health condition that lasts for long. While the patient may not be able to pinpoint the two conditions, people around them may be able to differentiate the two. In case of anxiety, the patient may find it difficult to concentrate only during situations that make them anxious. Meanwhile, in ADHD, the patient may have concentration issues at any point in time in any situation. In case both anxiety and ADHD coexist together, then the symptoms of both the conditions will also be extreme.
The symptoms of ADHD with anxiety may include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble paying attention
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Feeling restless or inability to relax
- Worrying constantly
- Panic attacks
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
Management Strategy for ADHD with Anxiety
To manage both ADHD and anxiety, the first step is to identify the conditions, as it can be challenging to diagnose these conditions. To get the right treatment for these two conditions, it is essential to be honest with your doctor. It is important to speak about the feelings and symptoms being experienced. Based on the diagnoses, your healthcare provider will help you find the right ways to manage these conditions. Certain lifestyle changes are also important to manage these conditions. These lifestyle changes to include in everyday life to cope better with ADHD and anxiety include the following:
- Make a proper schedule for your activities
- Learn about your triggers
- Get a proper sleep for 7-8 hours
- Eat mindfully
- Exercise regularly
- Practice meditation and relaxation techniques
- journal your thoughts and feelings
Managing ADHD in Daily Life
The various Time Management Tips for Adults include the following:
- Plan your day ahead
- Map out your time for set events like appointments, meal times
- Make a planner and keep notes of the things you have to do
- Break down bigger tasks into smaller mini-tasks with deadlines
- Use tools to manage your time, such as organizers and digital reminder systems
- Seek help from experts if required
Conclusion
ADHD can affect the everyday life of an individual. It is important for parents and teachers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ADHD in children and address them on time. For adults, it is essential to speak to a specialist to learn about various managing and coping techniques. Identifying which type of ADHD, you have is also essential for proper treatment. Multimodal treatment for ADHD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, neurofeedback therapy, counselling, lifestyle changes, and medications, may be used in the treatment of ADHD after a thorough diagnosis.
