ADHD: Does someone close to you have it?

We often generalize people and their abilities. At school, teachers expect every child to concentrate equally. But not every child or adult is wired the same way. Some have trouble focusing on regular activities.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood.

ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Every person finds it difficult to concentrate from time to time, but for people with ADHD, it is severe.

Symptoms of ADHD -

Behavioral: aggression, excitability, fidgeting, irritability, lack of restraint, or persistent repetition of words or actions.

Cognitive: absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, problems paying attention, or short attention span.

People with ADHD may find it hard to maintain or grow their social circle. Performance at school or work may be impacted, leading to a low quality of life.

It has been estimated that approximately 5% of children and adolescents are affected by it. In adults, ADHD is 2.58%, of the population, and of symptomatic adults 6.76%, That’s 139.84 million and 366.33 million affected adults in 2020 globally.

The cause of ADHD is unknown, but genetics plays an important role. Other factors may include brain injury, exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, premature delivery, and low birth weight.

Diagnosis - There is no specific test for ADHD. Hearing and vision tests are done to nullify other problems with ADHD-like symptoms. The history of parents, teachers, and the child is checked.

Doctors and psychologists get information about what and how many symptoms a person with suspected ADHD has, how long they've lasted, and how severe they are. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you should have several symptoms, not just one or two.

For most people, ADHD is best treated by a combination of behavior therapy and medication. Apart from that, less screen time, daily physical activity with good sleep, and healthy eating habits help to manage symptoms.