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ADHD

Is it hard for you to concentrate on tasks, at school, or even daily routines? Focus? Seems impossible? Fear not! It's time to learn more about your 'naughtiness'.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. 

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ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in children. This could lead to mood swings, depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, risk-taking, and conflicts with others.

 

It is a myth that all children diagnosed ADHD are offered drugs.

Boys are more likely to have ADHD than girls. It, therefore, is sometimes outlooked as naughtiness.

Causes of ADHD

While the exact cause of ADHD is not clear, research efforts continue. Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include the followings:

  • Genetics. ADHD tend to run in families

  • The environment.

  • Problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development. For instance, a brain injury or a brain disorder that may trigger impulses and emotions.

  • Poor nutrition, infections, smoking or substance abuse during pregnancy

  • Toxins that affect teens' brain development such as lead

Types of ADHD

There are 3 types of ADHD:

  1. Inattentive: when a person shows enough symptoms of inattention (or easy distractibility) but isn’t hyperactive or impulsive
     

  2. Hyperactive-impulsive: when a person has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity but not inattention
     

  3. Combined: when a person has symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

 Inattentive

  • having a short attention span and being easily distracted 

  • making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork 

  • being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming 

  • appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions 

  • constantly changing activity or task 

  • having difficulty organising tasks  

  • being unable to concentrate on tasks  

  • little or no sense of danger 

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Hyperactive-Impulsive

  • appearing forgetful or losing things 

  • constantly fidgeting

  • being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings 

  • excessive physical movement 

  • excessive talking 

  • being unable to wait their turn

  • acting without thinking 

  • interrupting conversations 

Signs & Signals
ADHD Treatment: Can it be cured or grown out of?

ADHD changes over time, but rarely outgrown. Though ADHD is chronic in nature, symptoms may certainly present in differing ways as a person moves through life stages. These symptoms may even diminish as that person grows older — for example, hyperactivity and fidgetiness may decrease with age. However, it is worth noting that ADHD may be experienced by adults and is not something that can be ignored.

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ADHD treatment can be broadly categorised into two main parts: medication and therapy.

Medication, medicines called stimulants, can help control hyperactive and impulsive behaviour and improve one's attention span. Non-stimulant medications are also required for children above the age of 6.
 

​Therapies, on the other hand, focus on changing the behaviours. This includes:

  • Special education that is specifically designed for children with ADHD to learn.

  • Behaviour modification to teach children to behave responsibly

  • Psychotherapy to teach them ways to handle their emotions, boosting self-esteem. This also helps their parents and friends to gain better understanding in ADHD and how to treat them with respect.

  • Social skills training to help them fit into social groups

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With proper treatment and careful attention, ADHD patients can overcome everyday challenges from academic performances to social events. Perhaps ADHD is still not fully treated. But they, indeed, live happy, full lives. So, don't be afraid to seek for supports and help!

ADHD = ADD?

You may have heard the terms “ADD” and “ADHD” and wondered what the difference is between them. Essentially, ADD and ADHD are versions of the same condition. However, ADD, or attention deficit disorder, is an outdated term. It was previously used to describe people who have problems paying attention but aren’t hyperactive. The type of ADHD called predominantly inattentive is now used in place of ADD.

ADHD v.s. Autism

Although ADHD and autism share many of the same symptoms – such as problems focusing – they are very different disorders. Autism spectrum disorders are a series of related developmental disorders that can affect language skills, behaviour  social interactions, and the ability to learn. ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder that impacts the way the brain grows and develops. And you can have both.

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ADHD

  • Executive functioning skills are impaired

  • Symptoms: problems focusing, prioritising, or holding back impulsive behaviours

  • Teens with ADHD dislike and tend to avoid things that may require concentration in general

  • May talk nonstop; they are more likely to interrupt the discussion, trying to monopolise the conversation.

  • Not bothered by orders

  • Dislike repetitive works

  • Affects 7 to 12% of the population; quite common

Autism

  • Communication skills are impaired

  • Symptoms: difficulty docipherhering body language, not talking turns speaking or averting eye contacts

  • Struggle to focus on things/events they don't like but can focus on things they enjoy

  • Have less social awareness of others around them: struggle to put ideas into words, express their opinions and feelings, even make eye contacts

  • Love order and repetition

  • Affects 0.5% of the population; less common

Dealing with ADHD

  • Accept your diagnosis.
    For any treatment to begin, one must fully accept your diagnosis to pave the road to the positive action. ADHD is not a death sentence. As Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist and clinical instructor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, said, “Acceptance does not mean that you love every aspect of something. It means that you recognise that it is what it is.” And always remember, don't be afraid or ashamed to get help!
     

  • Develop structure
    • Break tasks into manageable pieces
    • Simplify and organise. For instance, set alarms when you start losing track of time
    • Start simple: decide what to store or discard on your desktop
    • Use pill containers to remind yourself when to take the medicines
     

  • Develop neat habits
    • Regulate sleep patterns. Not getting enough sleep can exacerbate ADHD symptoms
    • Encourage out-loud thinking to freely express your ideas
    • Encourage exercise; exercising can help regulate your mood and rearrange your thoughts
    • Keep a planner and make it specific enough for you to follow. If the list goes on and on and on, ask yourself "What would make me feel great or relieved right now if that chore was removed from my list?
     

  • Learn to say 'no'
    People with ADHD tend to be people pleasers and have a tendency to take on too much. Therefore, it is extremely important to refuse and let go the stress

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