With all the innovative technologies in the medical field today, there is still no test to trace and identify Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) easily without having the recent indications – and it can only be diagnosed when the symptoms have already shown on a person in a period exceeding six months. Furthermore, the disorder must have existed before a child reaches the age of 12 and in more than one situation.
The recognition of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) wholly relies on the types and characteristics of the symptoms and can either be diagnosed in one of ADHD’s three subcategories: Primarily Hyperactive, Primarily Inattentive, or Combined.
Diagnosis Of ADHD In Children
Some health treatment services are being offered to people with different mental health conditions where psychiatrists, pediatricians, and psychologists or therapists for children can step up and help people. Aside from that, healthcare providers must abide by the standard rules and guidelines that the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) or the American Academy of Pediatrics has set and published.
To diagnose children with their mental health condition, providers must consider the comparative analysis of a child’s behavior with other children’s behavior, use standardized and accepted scales to analyze the situation further or examine the past background of the child from school records and their parents’ perspectives. Although David Rettew, M.D. says that “ADHD remains a controversial diagnosis to a skeptical core of people who continue to question its biological validity.”
What are some of the symptoms that may indicate that a child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? It could include an unruly behavior of hyperactivity, attention seeking, impulsivity, hastiness, making mistakes due to negligence, unfocused and easily distracted, inconsistency, and starting tasks without finishing them.
In identifying ADHD in children, they must have a comprehensive physical checkup encompassing a hearing and vision check, and the Food and Drug Administration recently permitted using Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System, a type of screening that evaluates the beta and theta waves transmitted by the brain.
The kind of testing called the NEBA system is allowed for children between ages 6 to 17 years which is included in the psychological examination. This NEBA system enables medical practitioners to quickly identify ADHD in children as it shows a higher level of beta and theta waves in children of the said disorder.
A full medical history of the child must also be analyzed, as they might have other mental health issues that reflect the same characteristics as ADHD and lead to ADHD-related matters such as anxiety, depression, thyroid concerns, sleep problems, unexplained seizures, lead toxicity, and recent changes in life.
Diagnosing ADHD In Adults
Determining Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is already a challenge itself, and it would be much more difficult to diagnose it in adults, where it is only recognizable once a fellow family member has experienced it. Adults usually find medical treatments and help and realize that some of their mental conditions have played a role in ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, and other symptoms.
According to Samoon Ahmad M.D., “ADHD that persists from childhood and remains present in adulthood is less about hyperactivity and more about restlessness, impulsive behavior, and the inability to plan or manage things like time, finances, and even emotions.”
Except for common symptoms of ADHD like impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattention, some adults with the disorder can encounter more problems – anxiety, chronic and frequent forgetfulness, work and employment problems, low self-esteem and confidence, poor organizational abilities, irritable temper, task difficulties, and agitation. “Untreated ADHD can have catastrophic consequences for an adult’s career and relationships. In some cases, ADHD may manifest as another problem, such as depression or substance abuse,” Joel L. Young, M.D. points out.
Adults should be more responsible in managing their condition correctly, as an inappropriate approach can lead to social, academic, occupational, and social deterioration.