ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and it happens due to a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s attention and behaviour. People with ADHD tend to get distracted more easily and have difficulty focusing, listening well, or being patient.

 

Having ADHD affects a child’s performance at school and building relationships. Signs of ADHD start early in childhood, but some may not notice it until they are much older.

 

No matter when a person finds out about ADHD, there is a treatment to help them cope with the condition. In addition, having great support from parents, teachers and friends also help.

ADHD Signs And Treatment

 A person with ADHD may not have all the signs and symptoms. And even if someone has some of these signs, it does not mean they have ADHD. Here are some signs of ADHD in children and teenagers:

  • Get distracted easily

A person with ADHD disorder can have trouble focusing on a single task. They may start one project only to start another before completing the first one. Being distracted easily can lead to careless mistakes at school or work.

 

  • Are disorganized

Everyone misplaces their belongings on occasion. But with people with ADHD, this can be a common occurrence. Time mismanagement can lead to a lot of missed appointments and deadlines.

  • Have self-focused behaviour

A person with ADHD can fail to recognize what others need or want. They can have a hard time waiting.

 

  • Fidget a lot

Restlessness is a common sign of ADHD in children. Although fidgeting is a sign of anxiety in teenagers as well, someone who has ADHD might find it difficult to sit still without squirming or getting up often.

  • Heightened Emotionality

Studies show that people with ADHD may not reach the emotional maturity of a typical 21-year-old until their late 20s or 30s. Thus, their adolescence is an emotional roller-coaster. With ADHD, they might have frequent angry outbursts or overly dramatic scenes.

  • Fear of rejection

People with ADHD commonly have rejection-sensitive dysphoria. These high emotions can be triggered by rejection, teasing or criticism.

  • Daydreaming

A teen with ADHD may find that they lose themselves in daydreams for long periods.

  • Impulsivity

A person with ADHD tends to be more impulsive than others. Resisting temptation can be difficult and lead to dangerous decisions.

  • Difficulty following a conversation

Having ADHD can affect conversation skills. They might interrupt a lot, talk too much, leave mid-conversation, butt into other people’s conversations and appear not to listen at times- even when spoken to directly.

  • Procrastination

Procrastination is a by-product of a lack of focus, especially in things that require a long time. A person with ADHD may put off the work so long that they completely miss deadlines or start working only a few days before the deadline.

  • Trouble working quietly

People with ADHD can have trouble sitting and reading or working on a project alone.

  • Difficulty reading social cues

Teens with ADHD may not realize when they have interrupted or annoyed someone. It can make it challenging to make or keep friends.

 

You may notice these signs in yourself or your peers. If you do, talk to a parent, a teacher or another trusted adult about it.

How is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosed?

There is no specific or definitive test for ADHD. The diagnosing process takes several steps and involves gathering a lot of information from multiple sources. Doctors ask questions and listen; they know what signs to look for. They also perform an exam for other health issues that can cause your problems. A psychologist will be the expert to do this assessment.

What is the Treatment for ADHD?

Around 15 per cent of children with ADHD will still have symptoms at 25 years of age. And 65 per cent will have symptoms that affect their daily lives. In many cases, medicine is combined with behaviour therapy.

Medicine can make it easier for one to pay attention, slow down and be more patient.

Therapy can help you learn ways to improve your attention, deal with distractions, cope with feelings and get along with others.

It takes time, effort and patience to manage ADHD. With the right treatment and support, people can improve their attention and self-control, perform well in school and feel better about themselves.

Some things you can do to help yourself are:

Practice the skills you learn in therapy