What is ADHD?
ADHD, also known as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is very common among adolescents and adults. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the main symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Inattention is described as the inability to keep focus on a specific task for a long period of time. Hyperactivity is the usage of an disproportionately high energy level when compared to the present situation. Impulsivity refers to taking action without thinking. There are 3 types of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive Presentation, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation, and Combined Presentation.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
There are many symptoms that could lead to an ADHD diagnosis in children and adults. Children with ADHD have a higher tendency to forget or lose things, talk when they aren’t supposed to, squirm, and take unneeded risks. Adults with ADHD might fidget, have trouble following directions, or have trouble focusing on important tasks – often losing and forgetting things.
What are the causes of ADHD?
The causes of ADHD are still unknown, but the most important factors seem to be interlinked with a person’s genes. Brain injury, drugs during pregnancy, or environmental risk at an early age are some factors that may lead to ADHD as well.
What is the impact of ADHD on everyday life?
ADHD can affect a person’s attention span, self-esteem, and self-restraint. This makes it difficult for them to keep their temper and patience. People with ADHD may blame themselves occassionally for having ADHD, but it is important to remember that they are not at fault for having this disorder. If a person with ADHD is not being taken care of properly, they may develop: low self-esteem, self-destructive behavior, and/or depression.
What are the available treatments for ADHD?
If a person is diagnosed with ADHD, they could receive medical prescriptions and therapy. Developing healthy eating habits, workout habits, and sleep habits can positively impact a person’s health and help them deal with neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD.
Normalization of the usage of the term “ADHD”
Before the term ADHD was used to address the disorder, it was formerly called “ADD.” The use of “ADD” or “Attention-Deficit Disorder,” to address ADHD was utilized from 1980 to 1987. ADD doesn’t include the “H” in ADHD, which stands for hyperactivity. Several people still use the term ADD, because they believe that hyperactivity does not accurately describe them, or that they do not suffer from the symptom itself. In 1987, the term was changed to “Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” because research found that hyperactivity was one of the important factors of the condition. However, in 1994, the term was changed once again, to “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” The slash between “deficit” and “hyperactivity” was added to indicate that not every patient who is diagnosed with ADHD suffers from both of the two major symptoms (attention deficiency or hyperactivity); instead, it is possible that they only suffer from one of the two. Nowadays, although the term has been altered and adjusted throughout the years, ADHD is the official name for the disorder. The term has been “normalized” or adapted for people to use and research it more easily.
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Published January 22, 2022
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Edited by Anvita Chitrapu ~ Graphics created by Anushka
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