A pocket full of shift

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, known simply as ADHD, is a brain-based biological condition wherein a person, especially children, has an excess of energy. The two most obvious and recognizable symptoms of ADHD are having an irresistible urge to fidget and being easily distracted by things. “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a well-known affliction that is characterized by difficulties in impulse control, hyperactivity, and a reduced ability to concentrate for extended periods of time”
Samoon Ahmad, M.D. explains.

Although it is a lifelong condition, there are ways in which ADHD can be managed, given the right mindset.

ADHD is real

People are divided when it comes to the existence of ADHD. There are those who say that there is no such thing as ADHD and that it is only a bundle of different symptoms of over 20 conditions, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and OCD, among others.

However, ADHD is not a new condition, as its discovery dates as far back as 1763, when Scottish physician Sir Arthur Crichton was able to note that some of his patients had trouble focusing on things. He also noted the fidgeting of these patients and their agitation. Joel L. Young, M.D. points out, “Evidence of ADHD exists at least as far back as the 18th century. Like much else, it’s only been in recent years that doctors have truly understood the condition. Some adults are reluctant to accept that which they can’t see or test with a single test. That doesn’t make ADHD any less real.”

In the U.S. alone, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that one in 11 children are diagnosed with ADHD, a steep rise of 42% in the numbers between 2003 and 2014. This a big problem for parents because of their fear of their children needing drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall to suppress symptoms of ADHD. “The vast majority of medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants,” Adi Jaffe, Ph.D., says. “Since the source of the problem is under-activity in the prefrontal cortex, the medication gets this part of the brain to rev up its activity and do a better job of focusing, switching attention, and controlling other important brain areas.”

These powerful stimulant drugs, although considered safe, do have negative side effects. Some of these side effects include paranoia, weight loss, appetite loss, insomnia, and, in very rare cases, heart damage.

Despite this, an estimated 6.1% of the American population aged 4 to 17 is taking these ADHD drugs as of 2011, as compared to only 4.8% in 2007. The statistics merely prove that ADHD is real and that there are people addressing the condition with the use of certain drugs.

All Gas, No Breaks

Modern science has allowed us to have scans of the brain, which clearly show a difference in when the brains of the people diagnosed with ADHD are scanned. Many scientists today believe that ADHD is a result of a malfunction in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, wherein the “executive functions” such as self-control, planning, and inhibition are processed.

The regions of this brain act as its filter, regulating things such as impulse control, attention, motivation, awareness of time, thinking before acting, and being resistant to distractions. The difference with those diagnosed with ADHD is that this filter in the brain is too permeable, therefore giving the person too much energy to do different things while finding it difficult to stop.

However, having ADHD should not be a problem. There are numerous ways in which ADHD can be managed. Medication, such as the administering of stimulant drugs, can help balance the chemicals in the brain, making the person able to focus more and control his/her actions.

Therapy is another option wherein social skills training plays a role in teaching people with ADHD to act appropriately in social situations. Having a support group can also help to remind you that there is no need to be anxious when diagnosed with ADHD.

Source: mladiinfo.eu

Imagine yourself sitting in a room with your colleagues and the meeting isn’t halfway through but you keep on fidgeting on your seat and having difficulty concentrating on the tasks that you have at hand? You decide to go out of the office and take a long way home. Passing by the park, you decide to take a seat on the bench and maybe just clear your mind and your senses in an attempt to bring back your focus on things.

Pay attention to signs

Retracing your life mementos, it has always been like this; in your childhood days, it may not have been so apparent when your teacher scolded you more often than she did your seatmate because you were not listening to her because you were busy squirming on your seat or doodling some characters where your notes should have been. “The reason ADHD is so commonly diagnosed when school starts is because until school starts, there are not too many demands on children. In the remote past, of course, there were no schools at all, so there were unusually distractible kids, but there was no disorder,” Michael Karson, Ph.D., J.D. explains.

Adolescent and college years came, somehow tried to overcome the odds by joining sports that involve physical skills just to channel that overflowing energy in you but again you had a problem in trying to focus on the instructions being called out by the coach causing the whole team to lose the game. 

On your first day at work, you tried so hard to sit at your desk and finish the task, you finally succeeded for a couple of days, but soon your office mates find it unbearable to concentrate doing some tasks with you around as you keep on standing and walking into different directions while talking about that much-delayed project at hand.

Now, it looked clearer that something was not the usual in your behavior. It seems like your life is like a huge puzzle that you are trying to fit in, and when you are near completion, everything seems to look bland and gray, causing you to lose interest in what you are doing, and you then find yourself fleeting once more and searching for another thing that can spike up your interest and keep you glued for the moment.

Source: rd.com

Genes and those in between

The big question then comes to mind: was I born this way already? What could have caused it? Is it acquired? Before we launch our missiles directed to unending worry, let me sum it up for you.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects approximately 4.1% of the adult population and mostly affects men compared to their female counterparts. It affects children from 3 to 6 years old but can persist through adulthood.

It is brought about by genetics, exposure to chemicals such as high lead-containing paints, and environmental toxins in the perinatal phase. Cigarette smoking, alcoholism, and drug use, especially during pregnancy, play a major role in the development of ADHD.

Slowly but surely

Diagnosing a child or an adult with ADHD is one of the most difficult challenges that a clinician may face. There are no diagnostic tests or a single test that can help us arrive at that diagnosis. Results are mainly based on the statement or observation of the primary caretaker of the child or in cases of adults, recounting of events of the previous years can help make a concrete diagnosis. Lest we have to rule out any emotional disturbances prior to making the diagnosis. 

For adults, this disorder can manifest in a person as one who has low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and difficulty in learning and communicating with colleagues. The bright side of it is that most of the individuals affected outgrow this difficulty and are able to carry on their work with utmost excellence.

“One take-home message might be that it is possible that different underlying mechanisms may cause similar symptoms in children and adults,” Eugene Rubin, M.D., Ph.D. wrote.

Seek Help

Children diagnosed with ADHD can have a hard time in concentrating on schoolwork and even participating in sports. Adept communication with the faculty and the parents can help devise a plan on how to minimize the effects of the disorder while helping the child learn on his own, this is especially true for children with concentration problems only and when they do not have any aggressive episodes.

Source: lifescript.com

Once the diagnosis is made, there are treatment modalities available, such as the use of psychostimulant drugs and psychotherapy. There are also drugs that help control inattentiveness and behavioral symptoms, such as clonidine (this drug has found its use in the treatment of hypertension), antidepressant drugs, and anti-anxiety drugs, alone or in combination. 

Psychotherapy is also especially helpful for adults and individuals who experience negative symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and restlessness.

Conclusion

Seeking professional help is not too late to determine if you have ADHD or not. Although this is most commonly diagnosed in children, teens and adults may also have late diagnosis and treatment until they feel that the symptoms are already taking a big change in their lives. Scott Shapiro, M.D. points out that “When you treat ADHD, the person begins to acquire the ability to achieve their goals, improve relationships, meet deadlines, remember to pick up the children, avoid accidents on the road, remember their tickets before driving to the airport and feel a lot more competent, confident and happy.”

Most of the time, ADHD is associated with halfway doing things, losing focus, and procrastination.  Many individuals don’t realize that many individuals with ADHD are perfectionists.   This can be a great quality to have in certain situations.  However, there are other situations in which perfectionism can get in the way of everyday life.   Perfectionism goes beyond doing the best you can do a job right.  Perfectionism means that you become extremely anxious over even the most minute details of a project.  This results in it taking longer to complete tasks on time.  The good news is that there are ways that you can combat perfectionism when you have ADHD.  Here are some things that you should know.

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