Do you experience times when someone around you behaves strangely? Or, do you ever feel that he or she has an energy that appears to be different from others around? Do some peoples’ behavioral patterns sometimes, leave you in a fix? Ever came across someone who finds it difficult to concentrate or focus well? Have you ever thought about ADHD neurological disorder?
Are you in terms of someone who has these issues? If yes, then, there are chances that this person has ADHD.
It is time that we address the question of what is ADHD neurological disorder.
ADHD Definition: What is ADHD Neurological Disorder?
A neurological disorder that affects a part of the human brain is known as ADHD. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This disorder makes it difficult for a person to concentrate and focus on something.
ADHD is a problem related to brain development. It is a kind of dysregulation of the brain, which leads to hyperactivity and abnormal behavior. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a medical condition that can impact a person’s self-control and stability.
Various ADHD neuroscience experts have researched about the biological significance behind ADHD. This has perhaps, been helpful for deciding the ADHD diagnostic criteria and treatment.
It is a common neurological disorder, with over 10 million cases reported every year in India. As per the reports, ADHD had an impact on around 10% of children and 5% of adults in the USA. The American Psychiatric Association notes that ADHD can hit both adults and children.
Click here to know more about ADHD neurological disorder.
Following that, I would like to talk about the history of ADHD.
ADHD Neurological Disorder History
The term ADHD came into being in the year 1902. Sir George Still, a British physician, describes it as a situation where children are abnormal in their proper controls. He studied that even though they could not control their behavior, they were intelligent.
In the year 1936, doctors began to recognize the benefits of Benzedrine. It is a medicine that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
In the year 1955, the FDA gave a green signal to Ritalin. It was a psychostimulant. Ritalin is used to treat ADHD, even in the present day scenario.
ADHD was initially known as a hyperkinetic impulse disorder. In the year 1980, it came to be known as attention deficit disorder. They introduced a bifurcation, which was as follows.
- ADD with hyperactivity
- ADD without hyperactivity
In the year 1987, further studies of the signs and symptoms of the disease took place. A combination of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity did not justify just one type of ADHD. So, ADHD neurological disorder was divided into three types, which are as follows.
- Combination type ADHD
- Inattentive type ADHD
- Hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD
By the 1990s, the doctors were capable of performing a better diagnosis of ADHD. The parents were also able to recognize the symptoms. By this time, more children were developing the disorder.
Scientists are still performing studies to identify the causes of ADHD. They believe that a strong genetic correlation exists. The aim of researchers is to find better and effective treatments and the still hidden cause of ADHD.
Knowing history is okay. But, it is more important to understand what causes ADHD. Right?
Let us proceed with what are the potential causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Causes of ADHD Neurological Disorder
ADHD is a disorder that affects how a person’s brain cooks the information that it receives. In turn, it has an impact on how that person behaves. Numerous researches and studies say that genetic formation, nutrition, and nervous development contribute to causing ADHD in a person. However, the exact ADHD cause is unknown.
Several factors that might influence this condition are as follows.
- Nutrition
- Genes
- Exposure to neurotoxins
- Alcohol consumption and smoking during pregnancy
Children who face traumatic brain injury may develop this disorder. Birth before the due date may cause ADHD in a child as he grows old. The possibility of developing ADHD is higher in the case of identical twins than others. If your parents, siblings, or close relatives have ADHD, then you are at a higher risk of developing the disorder.
So, these are the causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Time for us to jot down the symptoms of ADHD has come.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD is a chronic disorder that does not only affect children but also adults. Not only the emotions and behavior, but ADHD also has an impact on a person’s learning abilities.
The symptoms of ADHD are of three different types. They are as follows.
Inattention
Lack of concentration, along with easy distraction, are symptoms of ADHD, which signify inattention. An interruptive nature can also be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Inattention is a trait in girls when it comes to ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Finding it difficult to slow down and calm are signs of ADHD in a person. If someone finds it difficult to stay still and stable at a place, take it as a warning sign of ADHD. Such hyperactive symptoms are present more in boys than girls.
Impulsivity
Frustration, anger, risk-taking tendency, and integrativeness are signifiers of ADHD in a person.
So, these are the symptoms that need to be taken note of when a person is suspected of having ADHD.
It is also essential to know about several ignored features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Features of ADHD Neurological Disorder
Several overlooked features of ADHD are to be discussed in this part of the article. These features actually define ADHD and help us know a lot more about the disorder.
Some of the features of ADHD which are worth noticing are as follows.
Interest-Based Nervous System
People with inattentive ADHD do not entirely lack attention. But, they seem to react over things that interest them. It is a case of lack of consistent care, not complete inattention.
People with this disorder appear hyper-focused. So much that they may lose the sense of time when they are completely into something. This hyper-focus is not a result of some obligation.
But, it comes into being with immense interest, liking, or a state of emergency for a particular activity. The nervous system of people with ADHD is more interest-driven than being priority-based.
Emotional Hyperarousal
Visible hyperactivity is not a necessary thing in people with ADHD. Sometimes. A sense of being restless from within is a more likely option. The person finding it difficult to relax and be at peace is a possible one. Low self-esteem and lack of confidence are possible traits of a person with ADHD.
Sensitivity is a common thing for people with ADHD. They seem to be over happy or over-sensitive to criticism than anyone else. Being self-ashamed is yet another common thing for people with ADHD. It can be said that they lack a sense of emotional management.
Sensitive to Rejection
People who have ADHD find it difficult to deal with rejection. Low self-esteem can be a cause for this. These people can’t deal with criticism, mockery, or when they are teased by someone. Such people often don’t describe themselves or their emotions well.
The reason can be that they are afraid to be vulnerable in front of others. Another one could be their fear of rejection. Fear of being rejected has affected them so much that they find it easier to not express themselves at all.
Now, we know about the distinct features of ADHD neurological disorder.
It is time that we talk about the types of ADHD based on different characteristics.
Types of ADHD Neurological Disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has three different types, as per the various characteristics that they have. The three types of ADHD are as follows.
Inattentive Type ADHD
People who have inattentive type ADHD often miss out on details. Distraction is one of its most significant weaknesses. They find it difficult to focus on one thing at a time. Daydreaming is another one of their shortcomings. This hampers their movement and speed.
People with inattentive type ADHD find it difficult to follow directions. Inattentive type ADHD hits more girls than boys.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ADHD
Hyperactivity and impulsivity characterize this type of ADHD. Lack of attention is yet another symptom of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. People with this type of ADHD are often seen as restless and uncomfortable. Their incredible energy always gets them going.
Lack of patience and abrupt answers are a trait of people with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. Making other peoples’ lives difficult is very easy for people with this type of ADHD. You might find it challenging to sit peacefully with them.
Combination Type ADHD
People with combination type ADHD do not possess any different symptoms. Their symptoms are a combination of the symptoms of both the other types of ADHD. Lack of attention and impulsiveness can be there in people without ADHD too. But, the severity of these conditions is more in people with this disorder.
The behavior of people with combination ADHD can disrupt public gatherings and social events easily. However, it is so unintentional from their end. One of the symptoms of combination ADHD in preschool children is hyperactivity. The National Institute of Mental Health states that most children with ADHD have the combination type of the disorder.
Now, we are aware of the types of ADHD as per the different symptoms. It is time that we talk about how it differs in children and adults.
ADHD in Children
One of the most common causes of ADHD in children is exposure to toxins. Consumption of alcohol or smoking by the mother during pregnancy can also lead to ADHD in the child. Complications at the time of pregnancy may also lead to ADHD.
Some of the symptoms of ADHD in children are as follows.
- Lack of attention
- Constant motion
- Leaving tasks incomplete
- Difficulty in staying quiet
- Easy distraction
- Excessive talking
- Difficulty in remembering or learning things
The symptoms of ADHD in children usually appear around seven years of age. Various other symptoms are indicative of ADHD in a child.
ADHD in Adults
Not only children but even adults can complicate social gatherings and events with their strange behavior. Yes, you heard it right! Almost 4% of ADHD cases in the USA are that of adults.
Some symptoms of ADHD worth looking for in adults are as follows.
- Lack of judgment
- Poor decision-making power
- Bad memory
- Lack of initiative
- Performing repetitive and tedious tasks
- Nervousness
- Lack of confidence
- Impatience
These are the various symptoms that make an adult eligible to undergo the ADHD diagnostic process.
Looking at these symptoms, you must be thinking, “can ADHD go away?” Right?
For proper treatment, one needs adequate diagnosis. Let us discuss the diagnostic process of ADHD.
ADHD Neurological Disorder Diagnosis
A person is eligible to undergo the ADHD diagnostic process if he shows at least 6 of the 9 significant ADHD symptoms. The doctors usually cancel the possibilities that a person has anxiety or depression. This is because of the fade similarity of symptoms.
The ADHD diagnostic process involves the evaluation of a person’s behavior by the doctors. A person’s behavioral disruption for around six months, along with a pattern of hyperactivity and inattention are symbolic of ADHD. The symptoms are that of ADHD only when they hamper the everyday life of a person. Not otherwise!
ADHD symptoms in a person may change and vary with time and age. This makes it important for adults to keep a check on themselves.
Now, we shall move ahead with the treatment options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD Treatment Options
The diagnosis of ADHD in a person gives rise to the need for a proper treatment to deal with the same. An appropriate ADHD treatment will help in the management of ADHD symptoms in a better way.
Therapy and medication are ways of treating and dealing with ADHD symptoms in a better manner. Let us discuss these in detail.
Therapy
There are two therapies for dealing with ADHD. One for the people who have it. And the other one for the parents of children with ADHD.
ADHD Behavioural Therapy
One of the most effective therapeutic ways of dealing with ADHD is ADHD behavioral therapy. It helps in replacing odd behavior with new ones. ADHD behavioral therapy helps people become more self-aware. This way, they find it easier to express themselves more openly.
Children with ADHD who are under six years of age can deal with the disorder with the therapy without medications.
Behavioural Pattern Training
Professionals advise the parents of children with ADHD to get behavioral pattern training. Such training will help the parents to understand their children better. Not only this, but it will also add new skills in them so that they can deal with the disorder in a better way.
Medication
Apart from therapy, there is another option available for dealing with ADHD neurological disorder. That way is medication.
There are two forms of medication available for dealing with ADHD neurological disorder. They are as follows.
Stimulants
Around 70% of children who use stimulants to treat ADHD symptoms experience improvement faster than those who don’t. Doctors prescribe this form of medicine more than any other way of dealing with ADHD.
Non-Stimulants
This form of medication does not have that strong an impact on the symptoms. However, their effect remains on the consumer for around 24 hours.
The doctors advise adult ADHD patients to use non-stimulants while they continue with the therapy sessions. Children, more than six years of age, may also reap the benefits of this combination.
Now, we have a lot of information about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is time that we address and boosts some of the myths which revolve around the same.
Mystifying Some ADHD Myths
Some of the myths about ADHD which need to receive clear air are as follows.
Bad Parenting can Cause ADHD.
A child’s strange behavior is often thought of as a result of bad parenting. They forget that it can be a symptom of ADHD too.
People who have ADHD are Given Names as Lazy.
People with ADHD are usually thought to be lazy. Their lack of interest, focus, and concentration due to a medical condition are misled to be something else.
ADHD Hits Only the Men
Sheer myth! Girls are not expected to show strange behavior and hyperactivity to a level that can match the boys. This leads people to think that girls cannot have ADHD.
It is time that we start believing in what is real. Leave these myths behind and get your facts right.
Conclusion
ADHD is a common neurological disorder. It can have an impact on a person’s behavior. No matter if that person is a male or female, young or adult. ADHD can hamper a person’s ability to learn.
The symptoms of ADHD may vary from person to person. Men and women tend to have different ADHD signs and symptoms. They also change as the person grows old. It is essential to keep a check even if you see a slight possibility of ADHD in a person. Ignoring the warning signs can have a toll on the way a person will live his life.
A proper diagnosis followed by effective treatment is what will leave the most positive impact in such a situation.
Be open and mindful in a situation where you are dealing with a person who has ADHD. And you will see that the situation is improving.
We hope that this article was fruitful and knowledgeable for our readers.
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