What Is ADHD? How Can I Cope?
Some people say ADHD is a superpower. Sure, ADHD makes one energetic, but let’s not forget that it is a mental disorder. It is, in fact, one of the most common behavioral disorders and can affect both children and adults.
So, what is ADHD?
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and it is a lifelong mental disease. It is a neurobiological, mental condition that makes a person hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive. Those three are the significant symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity from ADHD is a condition that makes a person abnormally and extremely active. There is a considerable increase in movement and aggressiveness. A hyperactive person tends to talk too much, fidget, moves continuously, and always wander.
Hyperactivity varies with age. It’s most noticeable in kids. Both children, teens, and hyperactive adults will most likely have trouble staying quiet and always on the go — hours of being hyperactive cause them to be restless after.
Impulsiveness
A person affected with ADHD finds it hard to manage impulsive behavior. From endless shopping for stuff, they don’t need, up to picking up a fight spontaneously. In short, a sign of impulsiveness is not good.
Impulsiveness can cause a person to be impatient, can’t wait to talk, blurts out inappropriate words, has trouble waiting for their turn to speak, and starts conversations in the wrong timing.
An impulsive person tends to move a lot. They can get risky, too, without thinking of the consequences of their action.
Inattentiveness
Inattentiveness in ADHD can be less troublesome but is still unpleasant. A predominantly inattentive person can be easily distracted and have trouble focusing. They quickly become bored and had difficulty learning new information. 
Inattentiveness cannot easily be detected. Not until the child goes to school and interacts with other people. Meanwhile, it’s easier to detect inattentiveness in adults as they navigate themselves in social situations. A person is also considered as inattentive when they find it hard to finish tasks and like to jump around activities. He lacks focus, is being forgetful, and careless (most likely to make mistakes).
These three symptoms may surface in childhood. It messes with the child’s normal behavior.
Causes of ADHD
Here are the causes of ADHD:
- Head Injuries – Any form of head injury can trigger ADHD.
- Genetics – Somebody from your family could have passed it to you. Inheritance is a major cause.
- Premature Birth – Premature babies are more likely to acquire ADHD
- Low Birth Weight – Research has found that there is an association of low birth weight and ADHD. Though the relation stands unclear.
- Alcohol and Nicotine – Exposure to alcohol and nicotine may increase the symptoms of ADHD.
- Exposure to drugs – exposure to substances may influence children’s neurological development and therefore has an impact on mental health.
Diagnosis
A medical professional that specializes in psychiatry can observe the patient’s behavior to diagnose if he or she has symptoms of ADHD. It is also possible that the doctor will have you take a medical exam to eliminate the causes.
ADHD Treatment
The excellent news is that there is a treatment for ADHD. The right combination of the following will help a person with ADHD function and reduce the symptoms:
Seek therapy – You need a doctor to diagnose you and give you the right medications.
Medicine – Speaking of medications, one way to combat the symptoms is to take Psychostimulants, non-stimulants, and anti-depressants.The drug used to treat ADHD is psychoactive. It means that it affects the chemicals in the brain. The rewire the brain so it can function normally.
Behavioral Therapy and Parenting Coaching – This is to treat kids and adults alike for their misbehavior better. In kids, sometimes, operating them with the right parenting can help tame their misdeed. Seeking a professional is also an option.
Alternative Treatments
Diet – A person with ADHD should remove caffeine and refined sugar from their diet.
Exercise – Regular exercise helps balance the chemicals in your brain that cause ADHD. Studies have shown that exercise helps people with ADHD improve their concentration.
The Bottom Line
ADHD is a lifelong mental disease. The symptoms of ADHD include Hyperactivity, Impulsiveness, and Inattentiveness. But the symptoms can be managed.
