What’s The Deal with ADHD?

Aug 22

Have you ever had one of the following experiences?

You send your child to put on socks and they come back with no socks on but having changed their pants?
Or perhaps your child seems to orbit around their dinner chair rather than sit calmly and eat.
Maybe personally you forget your coffee cup on the top of your car or lose your keys in your hand, or your desk is a perpetual mess?
Or you catch yourself unintentionally interrupting because you’re so excited about the ideas that come into your head.

If you’re chuckling with knowing laughter you might be familiar with ADHD. If you aren’t here’s an overview of what we’re talking about.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders diagnosed today. What was once divided as ADD and ADHD has now been combined into one umbrella diagnosis. About 5%of children and 2.5% of adults potentially have it (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is marked levels of increased inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.

Symptoms

Of course, having moments of inattention hyperactivity, impulsivity, or moments like the one above doesn’t automatically signify you have ADHD. To qualify for this diagnosis you must meet six of the following symptoms and be younger than 16 for inattentive classification. You or someone you know:

Make careless mistakes and or overlook details
Struggle to stay focused?

Don’t seem to be listening
Don’t follow directions
Has poor organizational skills
Avoids mentally engaging tasks
Forgets things

Often loses things
Is easily distracted
not be explained by another mental health diagnosis
To have a hyperactive distinction you or someone you know must have six or more of the following symptoms and be younger than 16

Fidgets
Has a hard time staying seated
Restless
Struggles to stay quiet
Likes to move

Interrupts other people
Doesn’t like to wait
Talks before others finish

Causes

There is no definitive cause. It is believed however to be linked to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. If an immediate family member has ADHD chances are increased for a child to have it. Or if the child is exposed to 1. Prematurity, 2. Alcohol or smoking in utero, 3. Childhood lead exposure, or 4. Head trauma. Again these aren’t direct links but possible contributing factors.

Treatments

There are two current modes of treatment for ADHD.

Stimulant medication is taken at a therapeutic dose after the age of 4
Behavioral modifications like:
Parent behavior management training
School Behavior training

Cultural Considerations

Some things to keep in mind when looking at ADHD across the globe. The meaning and significance of this disorder mean different things for different cultures. From that, behavior management and training are going to look different for different people. It’s important for training programs to adapt to what’s best for the family. (Thompson et al. 2017). The parent knows what’s best for their family. Do what’s best for you.

What can Family Members do?

If you have a family member with ADHD let’s validate it now. It can be stressful. It is definitely an exercise in patience. Some suggestions to help be part of the solution are:

Actively look for your family member’s strengths. Sometimes the struggles can eclipse the benefits but People with ADHD can be incredibly creative, spontaneous, and flexible among other things. Focusing on that can help keep a positive attitude.
Get trained. As mentioned above there are programs for families that teach how to manage negative behavioral tendencies.
Have a sense of humor. Although inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity can be frustrating during inappropriate moments, ADHD can provide some great opportunities to laugh. Look for those moments and take joy in your family member at those times.