ADHD (A Guide + PDF Resources)
By
OptimistMinds
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this article, we will look at ADHD in detail. This article also contains resources for further learning on ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Do you have trouble paying attention? Do you feel compelled to move all the time, even when you know you shouldn’t? Do you catch yourself interrupting others on a routine basis? If these problems persist and have an adverse effect on your everyday life, it may be an indication of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is a condition in which a person’s ability to pay attention and regulate impulsive impulses is impaired. He or she also may be restless and energetic all of the time.
ADHD isn’t only a childhood disorder. Although ADHD symptoms appear in childhood, they can persist into adolescence and adulthood. Even though hyperactivity usually improves as a kid grows older, inattention, disorganisation, and poor impulse control are common difficulties that persist into adulthood.
Causes of ADHD
The causes of ADHD are being researched at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and other institutions. According to current studies, ADHD may be caused by interactions among genetic and non-genetic or environmental factors. ADHD, like many other conditions, can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetic factors
- Smoking, alcohol consumption, or use of drugs during pregnancy
- Being exposed to toxic substances such as high levels of lead at an early age
- Low birth weight
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
3 Main Symptoms of ADHD
People with ADHD experience three distinct types of symptoms on a constant basis:
- Difficulty paying attention (inattention)
- Being overactive (hyperactivity)
- Acting without thinking (impulsivity)
Detailed List of Symptoms
- Make thoughtless blunders in schoolwork, at workplace, or in other activities by overlooking or missing information.
- Have trouble staying focused on tasks such as conversations, lectures, or prolonged reading?
- When spoken to directly, they appear to be not listening
- Fail to carry out instructions, complete schoolwork, housework, or workplace responsibilities, or begin tasks but rapidly lose attention and become easily distracted.
- Have issues with task and activity organisation, such as completing duties in a timely manner, keeping supplies and possessions organised, keeping work organised, time management, and meeting deadlines
- Avoid or detest jobs that involve persistent brain power, such as schoolwork or homework, or drafting reports, filling out forms, or reading long papers for teenagers and older adults.
- Lose items such as classroom supplies, pens, notebooks, tools, wallets, keys, documents, glasses, and mobile phones that are required for work or activities.
- Irrelevant ideas or stimuli might quickly distract them.
- Daily life activities such as housework, chores, answering calls, and remembering appointments are forgotten or missed.
ADHD Treatment
While there is no cure for ADHD, there are treatments that can help in reducing symptoms and enhance performance. Medication, education or training, psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments are typically used to treat ADHD.
Side Note: I have tried and tested various products and services to help with my anxiety and depression. See my top recommendations here, as well as a full list of all products and services our team has tested for various mental health conditions and general wellness.
Medication
Stimulants
Although it may seem strange to treat ADHD with a stimulant, it has been shown to be successful. Stimulants, according to several studies, are beneficial because they increase the brain chemical dopamine, which is vital for thinking and concentration.
Non-stimulants
These drugs take longer to function than stimulants, but they can help a person with ADHD enhance concentration, attentiveness, and impulsivity.
Antidepressants
Although antidepressants have not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD, they are occasionally used to treat people with the disorder.
Therapy
When therapy is added to an ADHD treatment plan, patients and their families may be able to better cope with daily obstacles. People with ADHD and their families can benefit from adding behavioural therapy, counselling, and practical support to their daily lives.
Children And Teenagers
For kids and teens with ADHD, parents and teachers can use tools including following a routine and a timetable, organising everyday objects, using homework and notebook organisers, and providing positive feedback or prizes when standards are met to assist children and teenagers with ADHD stay organised and follow instructions.
Adults
A qualified mental health specialist or therapist can assist an adult with ADHD in learning how to organise his or her life using skills such as making schedules and breaking huge tasks task into manageable, more achievable ones.
Education
To realise their highest potential and flourish, children and adults with ADHD require direction and support from their parents, family, and teachers. Parents of children with ADHD can learn about the disorder and how it impacts their family from mental health specialists. They can also aid in the development of new skills, behaviours, and ways of relating between the child and his or her caregivers.
Following may prove to be be useful in education and training:
- Support groups
- Parenting skills training
- Stress management techniques
Do children outgrow ADHD?
Several children are likely to grow out of ADHD, while others continue to have issues well into puberty and even beyond. At the age of 18, almost two out of every five youngsters with ADHD are still having problems.
The basic symptoms of ADHD, such as concentration deficits, may resolve as children get older, but behavioural issues like disobedience or aggressiveness may worsen if children do not receive treatment.
Particularly, boys who are hyperactive and aggressive, are shown to be disliked among their peers, according to studies. As a result, it is critical that children are given assistance as soon as possible in order to avoid acquiring other behavioral problems.
It’s crucial to remember that 30-40% of children with ADHD grow up to be successful adults, and this number can be enhanced with the right support. Children with ADHD, on the other hand, who become antisocial or confrontational at school since they don’t “fit in,” are more likely to get into problems as adults.
Parents and teachers can play a critical role in providing support to children instead of blaming and shaming them.
The Role of Parents
When you’re the parent of a kid with ADHD, you have a critical role in assisting your child in regaining power over their behaviour. But first and foremost, you must understand that ADHD is really not your fault and that you are not a “terrible parent.”
You can discover some effective strategies to communicate, play, and engage with your child that have been demonstrated to enhance attention and behaviour in children.
ADHD PDF Resources
All About ADHD
- ADHD
- About ADHD
- All About ADHD
- Attention-Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Fact Sheet
- Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): THE BASICS
Diagnosis And Management of ADHD
For Children And Students
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children & Adolescents
- TEACHING AND MANAGING STUDENTS WITH (Systems, strategies solutions)
- IDENTIFYING AND TREATING ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER: A RESOURCE FOR SCHOOL AND HOME
- Medical treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and children’s academic performance
For Adults
- UNDERSTANDING ADHD IN ADULTS (Information for adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD)
BetterHelp: A Better Alternative
Those who are seeking therapy online may also be interested in BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers plenty of formats of therapy, ranging from live chats, live audio sessions and live video sessions. In addition, unlimited messaging through texting, audio messages and even video messages are available here.
BetterHelp also offers couples therapy and therapy for teenagers in its platform. Furthermore, group sessions can also be found in this platform, covering more than twenty different topics related to mental health and mental illness. The pricing of BetterHelp is also pretty cost-effective, especially considering the fact that the platform offers financial aid to most users.
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at ADHD in detail. This article also contains resources for further learning on ADHD.
Frequently Asked Questions: ADHD (A Guide + PDF)
What are the 4 types of ADHD?
Types of ADHD:
Inattentive
Hyperactive
Impulsive
Combined
What is ADHD exactly?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental illness which impacts how you pay attention, sit still, and regulate your behaviour. It affects children and teenagers, and it can last throughout adulthood. In youngsters, ADHD is the most usually diagnosed mental condition.
What is the main cause of ADHD?
ADHD, like many other conditions, can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Genetic factors
Smoking, alcohol consumption, or use of drugs during pregnancy
Being exposed to toxic substances such as high levels of lead at an early age
Low birth weight
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Does ADHD affect sleep?
People with ADHD are more likely to have shorter sleep times, trouble falling asleep and remaining asleep, and a higher chance of developing a sleep disorders starting around puberty. Nightmares are frequent in children with ADHD, particularly those who suffer from sleeplessness or insomnia.
Why is it so hard to wake up with ADHD?
We understand from experience and research that motivation, arousal, and alertness issues are at the heart of ADHD. Many people with ADHD have trouble developing a sleep pattern that is “in alignment” with the rest of the world — their circadian rhythms are awry, according to science.
What do adults with ADHD struggle with?
Adults with ADHD can have trouble focusing and prioritising, which can lead to missed deadlines and postponed meetings or social commitments. The difficulty to regulate impulses can manifest itself in a variety of ways, from impatience when standing in line or driving in traffic to sudden mood changes and angry outbursts. Impulsivity is one of the signs of adult ADHD.
What triggers ADHD?
Stress, lack of sleep, certain foods and additives, overstimulation, and technology are all common triggers. You should make the required lifestyle changes to help monitor episodes once you understand what causes your ADHD symptoms.
What are coping skills for ADHD?
Regular mindfulness meditation can allow you to better resist distractions, reduce impulsivity, enhance your attention, and give you greater control over your emotions, in addition to lowering stress. Because hyperactive symptoms can make meditation difficult for some individuals with ADHD, it’s a good idea to start gradually.
What do students with ADHD struggle with?
ADHD can make it difficult for a kid to concentrate, pay attention, listen, or put out effort in schooling. ADHD can also cause a student to be fidgety, restless, speak excessively, or disturb the classroom. Children with ADHD may also have learning difficulties, causing them to struggle in school.
References
All About ADHD
Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Basics
Experience the Freedom of Managing Your ADHD
