What is ADHD?
The College Psychiatrist’s Tips for Diagnosis and Treatment
ADHD….Most people have heard this acronym and use it casually to describe a multitude of mental health traits and issues that may be related to other diagnoses. Misconceptions aside, it is not something to be taken lightly and is a specific disorder that affects an estimated 11% of school-aged children and 4% of adults. ADHD stands for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a condition that encompasses difficulties with attention, increased activity, and impulsivity. While this disorder can be hard to navigate, there is hope. Learning the signs, seeking help from a medical professional and implementing a treatment plan catered to your needs can make ADHD manageable.
Families, no matter their make-up, are the center of most people’s lives, regardless of race or culture. Familial units are our first social learning experiences and play a pivotal role in our development. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder often runs in families and is believed to be hereditary.
Signs you might have ADHD:
If you notice you are struggling with tasks related to paying attention, take notice of struggles with the following: difficulty working quietly, making careless mistakes, being easily distracted, losing everyday items, forgetting obligations or homework, trouble completing work, listening and following multiple adult commands.
Hyperactivity can be prominent in actions and activities of daily living, where ordinary mundane tasks become difficult because of motions like, fidgeting, inability to stay seated, running or climbing excessively and always "on the go.”
Other telltale signs are related to impulsivity, which is the tendency to act without thinking for example, impatience, blurting out answers at inopportune moments or talking too much, resulting in interrupting or intruding on other’s time and responses.
Diagnosis
The gold standard for the diagnosis of ADHD is neuropsychological testing. A neuropsychological evaluation is a test to measure how well a person's brain is working. There are portions where abilities are tested and include reading, language usage, attention, learning, processing speed, reasoning, remembering, problem-solving, mood, personality and more. (Cleveland Clinic) While this is the gold standard, the diagnosis can also be made by your primary care doctor, a psychiatrist, or a qualified psychologist.
Misinterpretations
There are many misinterpretations of other signs that are related to ADHD, which are not valid. Examples such as, solely getting distracted by your phone, rapid shifts in mood, and difficulty understanding what you read may be cause for concern or a serious issue, they are not associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Consulting a provider will help make the distinction and possibly be an indicator of anxiety, depression and trauma. (Harvard Health)
If you notice these occurrences, a first-step resource, can be to see your primary care doctor (PCP). Your PCP will know about your medical history and may also be able to help provide guidance if symptoms of ADHD are present. They are capable of assisting with the next steps. A therapist or psychiatrist has a wealth of knowledge on this disorder and the methods of diagnosis. Many times, people seek out their own answers by researching online and taking preliminary quizzes to try and diagnose themselves. While these tools may be helpful to get an idea of what you’re dealing with, you should not rely on these tools alone. You might be missing a better treatment for your specific condition and symptoms.
Treatments for ADHD
There are many treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Standard treatments for ADHD includes behavior therapy, medications, and education services.(AACAP and APA) While these interventions will help manage the disorder, there is no complete cure.(Mayo Clinic) As parents, the more knowledgeable you are about your child’s challenges and how receptive to assistance you are, the more formidable these treatment options will be. Behavioral interventions that are focused on behavior modification, such as parent behavior-management training and school behavior-management programs, have also long been demonstrated to be effective. (Evans, SW)
We can help
The College Psychiatrist focuses on the individual and can assess a plan that fits your needs. If you are a young adult seeking help or a concerned parent looking for guidance on how to support your child there are options to fit! Seeking solutions to ADHD can be difficult, however, when you’re ready to make the brave decision to move forward, a brief initial consultation with TCP is a noninvasive, responsible first step. The complimentary consultation will give more information on how services work, what mental health concerns are at play and resources that will assist you while you decide on the treatment plan that’s best for you. You are not alone.
Sources
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/ADHD_Resource_Center/Home.aspx
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350895
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-common-problems-that-can-mimic-adhd-2018010913065
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4893-neuropsychological-testing-and-assessment