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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a very common neurodevelopmental disorder, and many of us have probably heard of it multiple times throughout our lives, know someone who is diagnosed with it, or even have it ourselves. This blog will help us to better understand the three categories of ADHD, the symptoms that may show up in those who have ADHD, and treatments and ways to manage symptoms of ADHD.
The three categories of ADHD include: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyper-active impulsive, and combined.
Predominantly inattentive presentation means a person gets distracted easily. With predominantly inattentive presentation, “it is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations” [1].
Predominantly hyper-active impulsive presentation is when a person has a lot of trouble being able to stay still. “The person fidgets and talks a lot. [...] The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others” [1].
Lastly, combined presentation is, as it sounds, a combination of inattentive and hyper-active impulsive presentations.
So, different symptoms of ADHD will show up depending on what category a person falls under, but common symptoms include [1]:
● Daydreaming
● Forgetting or losing things
● Squirming or fidgeting
● Talking a lot
● Making careless mistakes or taking unnecessary risks
● Struggling to resist temptation
● Struggling to get along with others
Although common to those who have ADHD, some of these symptoms can also show up in those who don’t have ADHD, so it is important for those who are concerned about their children or themselves to get a proper diagnosis from a medical professional to assess symptoms.
As for treatments, “ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication” [1]. Behavior therapy is more so geared toward children to help with ADHD in early years, but medication can continue into adulthood. Along with these treatments, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help manage ADHD symptoms. Having a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, limiting screen time (easier for kids, but harder for adults, especially if being on the computer is a big part of their job), and getting the right amount of sleep every night are ways to help manage symptoms of ADHD [1].
If you’re concerned about your child or even yourself showing symptoms of ADHD, schedule a consultation with a doctor to get assessed for ADHD. Whether or not you or your child get diagnosed with ADHD, it’s better to have a more definite answer so you can proceed with the correct treatment or lifestyle changes.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 9). What is ADHD? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 5, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html
Contributors:
Author: Lauryn Agron
Editor: Shandrix Ferrer
Health scientists: Abdullah Alharbi and Abhinav Kumarakururaj
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