Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder also known as ADHD is one the most common mental health disorders affecting childrens and often adults.
ADHD is considered a chronic disorder and known to impact the individuals in many aspects of their life including academic and professional achievements, relationships, and daily functioning. ADHD can lead to poor self esteem and social function in children when not appropriately treated. In other hand, adults with ADHD may experience poor self worth, sensitive toward criticism, and increased self criticism possibly stemming from higher levels of criticism throughout life.
Do you think you have ADHD?
There are three types of ADHD:
- Predominantly inattentive presentation.
- Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation.
- Combined presentation.
Inattentive type
Inattentive refers to challenges with staying on task, focusing, and organization. The following symptoms of this type of ADHD mostly occurs in individuals who are 17 years old or older:
- Doesn’t pay close attention to details and make careless mistakes in job or school activities.
- Has problems staying focused on tasks or activities, such as during lectures, conversations or long reading.
- Doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to. (i.e., seems to be somewhere else.)
- Does not follow through on instructions and doesn’t complete schoolworks, chores or job duties. (May starts the task but quickly loses focus.)
- Has problems organizing tasks and works. (Does not manage time well.)
- Avoids or dislikes tasks that need sustained mental effort.
- Gets easily distracted.
- Forget daily tasks.
There are more symptoms for this type of ADHD but for instance these are enough. If you have these symptoms, you probably have inattentive ADHD and you must start treating yourself.
Hyperactive type
Hyperactivity is refers to excessive movements, excessive energy, not sitting still and being talkative. The following symptoms occurs in individuals older than 17 years old:
- Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirm in the seat.
- Not able to stay seated in the classroom or at work.
- Runs or climbs where it’s inappropriate.
- Unable to play or do leisure activities quietly.
- Has difficulty waiting for his turn in a line.
- Interrupts or intrudes others.
Hyperactivity ADHD is not that bad, but sometimes it can cause a lot of problems and misunderstandings in different environments, so if you think you have this type of ADHD, get on the way to cure it.
Combined type
This type of ADHD is diagnosed when both criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive/impulse types are met.
ADHD is typically diagnosed by mental health providers or primary care providers. A psychiatric evaluation will include a description of symptoms from the patient and caregivers, completion of scales and questionnaires by patient, caregivers and teachers, complete psychiatric and medical history, family history, and information regarding education, environment, and upbringing. It may also include a referral for medical evaluation to rule out other medical conditions.
It is important to note that several conditions can mimic ADHD such as learning disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, substance use, head injuries, thyroid conditions, and use of some medications such as steroids (Austerman, 2015). ADHD may also co-exist with other mental health conditions, such as oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, anxiety disorders, and learning disorders (Austerman, 2015). Thus, a full psychiatric evaluation is very important. There are no specific blood tests or routine imaging for ADHD diagnosis. Sometimes, patients may be referred for additional psychological testing (such as neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing) or may undergo computer-based tests to assess the severity of symptoms.
