Understanding the Symptoms of ADHD

Understanding the Symptoms of ADHD

ADHD is a developmental disorder that is diagnosed in early childhood. It is often seen in children around age 5 or 6 and can last into adolescence and adulthood in about 50 percent of cases. It is the most common psychiatric disorder in children and the most studied. In the United States, approximately 5 to 7 percent of children are diagnosed with ADHD. However, scientists are still unsure of exactly what causes ADHD, but are honing in on a combination of genetic and environmental triggers.

Symptoms of ADHD

As is indicated by the name, hyperactivity is one of the most significant symptoms of ADHD. Hyperactivity can include restlessness, the inability to focus and impulsiveness. Other symptoms include being bored with a task after a few minutes, lack of organizational skills, nonstop talking, trouble sitting still during quiet tasks, easily confused, difficulty following instructions, ignoring other speakers and impatience. Delays in normal development, such as speech and motor skills, may also be a symptom. Anger and frustration issues are also common in children with ADHD.

Social skills often suffer in children with ADHD and they are less likely to form lasting friendships and more likely to struggle with social rejection. Because many children and teens with ADHD encounter negative social interaction, many develop issues with anxiety, depression, anger management, learning disabilities and substance abuse problems. Parents who may notice similar symptoms should educate themselves on what to look for with ADHD so that they can schedule early intervention to minimize any negative impacts.

ADHD and Other Conditions

ADHD is often diagnosed along with other conditions, and research demonstrates that children with ADHD are at a greater risk of developing these other conditions. Common conditions associated with ADHD include:

  • Oppositional defiant disorder (which occurs approximately 50 percent of all ADHD cases) is when children demonstrate antisocial behaviors like tantrums, deceit, aggression and defiance to authority.
  • Anxiety (from social anxiety to separation anxiety) is extremely common in children and teens with ADHD.
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (also known as OCD) shares many symptoms with ADHD and can occur along with the condition.
  • Sleep disorders (inability to get to sleep or stay asleep) occur in higher numbers in an ADHD population than in those not affected, however there may be links to this being a side effect of common ADHD medication.
  • Learning disabilities affect up to 30 percent of children with ADHD and might include speech and language impediments which can hinder standard academic performance.

Treating the Symptoms of ADHD

Doctors are finding some success in treating the symptoms of ADHD using a combination of medicine and behavioral therapy. Using just one of the treatments alone won’t do much to help the child with ADHD to overcome the negative aspects of the symptoms.

Medications are a key part of ADHD treatments and they are primarily stimulants. Ritalin and Addreall are some of the more common and they have few side effects. There are a range of different medicines used to treat ADHD symptoms and because children manifest the symptoms differently, it can take a little bit of trial and error to find the right medical combination to ultimately arrive at the best treatment for the children. While scientists don’t exactly understand why stimulants help people do better when they have ADHD, the theory is that the medicine corrects some of the neuropathways. ADHD medicine helps to control hyperactivity and improve focus.

Therapy, particularly early intervention psychotherapy, seems to give children with ADHD a better set of tools to deal with their challenges. Children can get help exploring many ways to effectively manage their behavior and do better with challenges socially and academically. Therapy gives them the tools they need to handle their emotions, cope with problems, reign in aggression, and improve their quality of life. Children will also receive in-depth coaching on social skills that they need to integrate better with family and peers.

Understanding ADHD

Researchers continue to look at the possible causes of ADHD as well as learning more about the symptoms in order to better treat it. In the meantime, understanding the symptoms of ADHD can help parents, teachers, friends and associates gain a better understanding of how to best help a child with ADHD and give better support to the parents and family of the child.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

25 Feb, 2014

Recent Posts

Understanding Teen Sexuality and How to Parent It

Understanding Teen Sexuality and How to Parent It

Adolescence is a transformative time with sexuality emerging as a natural part of development. However, navigating this new aspect of life can be complex for both teens and their parents. In this post, we'll delve into understanding teen sexuality and exploring...

Strategies for Parents Needing Help to Manage Teenage Rebellion

Strategies for Parents Needing Help to Manage Teenage Rebellion

Parenting teenagers is challenging under the best of circumstances, but dealing with acts of defiance and rebellion can take both an emotional and physical toll on parents. The turbulent phase of adolescence brings unpredictable mood swings, risk-taking behaviors, and...

My Teen is Using Drugs, What Do I Do?

My Teen is Using Drugs, What Do I Do?

Discovering your teenager is using drugs can feel like the bottom has dropped out of your world. As parents, we pour our hearts into nurturing and guiding our children, envisioning bright futures full of promise and potential. But learning they are caught in the grips...

How Parents Can Cope With Reactive Attachment Disorder in Teens

How Parents Can Cope With Reactive Attachment Disorder in Teens

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) can create a heartbreaking reality for parents - a teenager who seems perpetually detached, distrustful, or even hostile. To understand this struggle, we must examine the intricacies of attachment disorders and their impact on a...

7 Strategies to Help Teens With ADHD

7 Strategies to Help Teens With ADHD

If your teen has a neurodevelopmental disorder like ADHD, helping them to grow into healthy functioning, happy adults can feel like an uphill battle. However, if you come prepared and follow the right strategies, you can help your teen to thrive through their...

Needing Help For Teen? How Help Your Teen Now Supports Parents

Needing Help For Teen? How Help Your Teen Now Supports Parents

No one quite understands how tumultuous the teen years can be more than the teens themselves and their parents. Still, there are organizations parents can turn to when they’re at an impasse and aren’t sure where to turn next. For instance, our team at Help Your Teen...

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *