ADHD Basics

ADHD is defined as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. Do you feel that you have struggled throughout your life with poor concentration, inattention, impulsivity, or getting organized? Have you wondered whether you might have attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Our society has become more aware of ADHD as a condition that affects adults as well as children, and there are many adults who struggle with this disorder. At the same time, other life stressors or mental health conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Some of the Signs of ADHD are :

  • Inattention means a person wanders off task, lacks persistence, has difficulty sustaining focus, and is disorganized; these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.
  • Hyperactivity means a person moves about excessively when it is not appropriate, and/or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks. In adults, it may appear as extreme restlessness or wearing others out with their activity.
  • Impulsivity means hasty actions that occur in the moment without a person thinking first; or a desire for immediate rewards or inability to delay gratification. Impulsive actions may have high potential for harm. An impulsive person may be socially intrusive and interrupt others excessively or make important decisions without considering the long-term consequences.

Consider getting an evaluation from a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in diagnosing ADHD. Getting an evaluation can help you find the right answer to your struggles and identify the treatment you need to feel better.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help an adult with ADHD to become more aware of the deficit in attention and concentration and can provide the skills for improving organization and efficiency in daily tasks. It can also address feelings of low self-esteem and help adults with ADHD gain confidence, as well as control impulsive and risky behaviors. A professional counselor or therapist can also help an adult with ADHD learn how to organize his or her life and break large tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps.

Reference : https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/could-i-have-adhd/index.shtml

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15 Comments Add yours

  1. joliesattic says:

    ADD or ADHD which are similar share some traits, but it is not that simple. My son’s symptoms sometimes causes his mind to race at such a pace that he becomes immobilized and unable to move forward because he doesn’t know where to start first. Too much is being processed in his brain which then can trigger depression, because in his mind, there’s so much he want to achieve and do and when he stagnates he is overwhelmed with feeling of inadequacy. We never put him on Rytalin during his formative years as it was a new drug at the time. Instead, we limited his projects without surrounding distractions. It was very difficult. As an adult he chose to go on a medication that is not Rytalin and is now functioning rather well and holding down a job. I have never been on medication, but I’ve pretty much outgrown it, other than the fact that as I’ve mentioned in one of my blog posts that watching me do housework could be quite challenging as I do a little here then there until it’s all done. My son’s IQ is over 140, which is a shame that this disability tends to hold him back.

    Like

    1. Garima says:

      Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the outlook for most children who receive treatment for ADHD is encouraging. ADHD continues into adulthood in most cases. However, by developing their strengths, structuring their environments, and using medication when needed, adults with ADHD can lead very productive lives. In some careers, having a high-energy behavior pattern can be an asset.
      There is no scientific evidence that the following methods work and they are not recommended. But here they are nonetheless :
      – Megavitamins and mineral supplements
      – Anti–motion-sickness medication (to treat the inner ear)
      – Treatment for candida yeast infection
      – EEG biofeedback (training to increase brain-wave activity)
      – Applied kinesiology (realigning bones in the skull)
      -Reducing sugar consumption
      – Optometric vision training (asserts that faulty eye movement and sensitivities cause the behavior problems)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. joliesattic says:

        Hmmmm, I’d never heard of those other than the sugar reduction. There were some that said giving them coffee reverses that high energy, hyperness that is common. I never tried it for that.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Garima says:

        Ah coffee may be a stimulant. A few cups of coffee throughout the day can make a real difference. Some studies have found that caffeine can boost concentration for people with ADHD. Since it’s a stimulant drug, it mimics some of the effects of stronger stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as amphetamine medications.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. joliesattic says:

        That’s what I’d heard.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Gonzov krik iz getribe autizma says:

        Photography and instrument playing. I suffer from this all my life. It works. It combines the halfs of the brain in the fast decission making process. The other thing is however dumb it sounds water deprivation. Not to damage your health but it slows down the brain. ADHD is not being unable to focus. It is focusing at everything around you at once.Also not eating substancial meals while performing important tasks. It works for me. I don’t know why but it does. It’s about slowing yourself to a brain menagable pace.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. GS says:

        An ADHD mind has lower levels of dopamine – the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, attention, working memory, and focus. Music activates both sides of the brain, engaging your entire brain so the activated “muscles” can work together and even perhaps become stronger.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Gonzov krik iz getribe autizma says:

        Dopamine has no direct link with ADHD. It’s the way neuroteansmitters work. The way they are binded at birth. It’s not a precise diagnoss. It includes wide aray if dissorders all bunched into one. Simething like authism. It’s there but it isn’t as such.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Jordan G Kobos says:

    Oh totally I am adhd plus add to the max, even when I am sitting I am going.

    I just have sooo much energy in me its unreal hence my constant use of drugs and alcohol as sedatives to calm me down but not down too much so that I am useless.

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    1. Garima says:

      Grounding is a technique that helps us reorient to the here-and-now, to bring us into the present. They are a useful technique if you ever feel overwhelmed, intensely anxious, or dissociated from your environment. The “54321 game” is a common sensory awareness grounding exercise that many find a helpful tool to relax or get through difficult moments.
      PROCEDURE
      1. Describe 5 things you see in the room.
      2. Name 4 things you can feel (“my feet on the floor” or “the air in my nose”)
      3. Name 3 things you hear right now (“traffic outside”)
      4. Name 2 things you can smell right now (or 2 smells you like)
      5. Name 1 good things about yourself

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jordan G Kobos says:

        Thanks! it worked.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Garima says:

        Woahhhhhhhh

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Manoj Mehra says:

    I have zero concentration level. I can’t concentrate on anything and it affects my work and efficiency. While doing anything, random thoughts keep coming to my mind. Physically I remain in this world while mentally I keep wandering in some other world.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Garima says:

      Meditation and grounding exercise will help. Also remember improving focus is a gradual process. I wish it was a switch on off but isn’t.

      Like

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