Do I Have ADHD?

Staying focused, staying on-task, and getting things done are challenges for most individuals in the world. Facing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) brings these challenges to a much higher difficulty level. What is often thought to be a disorder amongst adolescents, ADHD is quite prevalent in adults. An estimated 4.4% of adults in the United States struggle with ADHD.

What Is ADHD?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. These symptoms make daily mundane tasks challenging to accomplish. The effects of ADHD can disrupt an individual’s work life as well as their home and personal life. ADHD starts in the early adolescent years and continues through adulthood.

The symptoms of adult ADHD are not at apparent as ADHD in children or teens due to the level of hyperactivity often decreasing with age. However, impulsive behavior, low attention span, and restlessness persist in adults facing ADHD.

The Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

There are three main categories of symptoms recognized in ADHD. These include inattention, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity. Age and gender can result in different effects of ADHD. However, the aforementioned categories are consistent throughout ADHD cases in adults.

Inattention

With ADHD comes the inability to stay focused and on-task. Individuals facing ADHD may struggle to pay attention and maintain organization in their daily lives and routines. This inattention can lead to being easily distracted, missing important details, and avoiding tasks or responsibilities requiring extra attention.

Inattention in ADHD can also result in the following:

• Losing important objects or items
• Constant starting and not finishing tasks due to bouncing around from one thing to another quickly
• Missing appointments and other obligations from forgetfulness

Impulsive Behavior

Jumping into things without careful consideration or acting rashly without thinking them through is another symptom of ADHD. Impulsivity involves a person’s lack of self-control in situations that require thought.

An individual with ADHD may find it challenging to do the following:

• Waiting until another person has finished speaking to respond to them
• Making important decisions without proper thought or care
• Waiting for their turn in line

These symptoms of ADHD can result in risky decisions that can drastically impact the individual’s future.

Hyperactivity

The inability to sit still, be calm, and focus is considered to be hyperactivity. An individual with ADHD may experience constant fidgeting, squirming, excessive talking, and restlessness. In adolescents, these symptoms are more evident. However, adults with ADHD still face these issues even though they can appear different from those of children.

Sitting still for any period of time is often difficult for individuals facing ADHD. This can be particularly challenging for people sitting through a college course, working at a desk job, or participating in a meeting.

Staying On-Task

Strict schedules and reminders can help improve an individual’s everyday life. Scheduling can come in the form of a physical daily, weekly, and monthly planner or an in-depth scheduling app on the phone. Having responsibilities and tasks written down can help individuals stay on track and manage their ADHD successfully.

Additionally, setting reminders on the phone can help people with ADHD keep up with what needs to be done when it needs to be done. Studies have found that sticking to a regular routine can help improve the symptoms of ADHD.

Treatment for ADHD

Having a facility that is trustworthy and taking positive steps at home can lead individuals to a happy and organized life of productivity and progress. Treatment for ADHD is widely accepted and proven successful for adults who face the challenges presented by the disorder.

Medication

Medication is the primary factor involved in treating ADHD. There are several medications available that are broken into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulants. Finding which medication is right for each individual is part of any treatment plan for ADHD.

According to the NIMH, stimulants work “by increasing the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which play essential roles in thinking and attention.” However, stimulants do have the potential for abuse and can have side effects.

Non-stimulants are also medication options for those struggling with ADHD. These medications take longer to work but also improve ADHD symptoms. Non-stimulants are typically prescribed in the following scenarios:

• Side effects from stimulants were bothersome
• Someone in recovery from SUD is not comfortable taking a stimulant medication
• A stimulant medication was not effective
• In combination with stimulants to more effectively treat symptoms

Therapy

Another beneficial treatment method for the improvement of ADHD symptoms is therapy. Therapy cannot treat the disorder alone. However, studies have shown that therapy can have a positive effect on the treatment process of ADHD.

Finding Healing From ADHD

Individuals don’t have to let ADHD take them on a chaotic roller coaster of unfinished tasks, missed appointments, and disorganization. They can control the next steps they take in efficiently managing and controlling their ADHD today, tomorrow, and for the rest of their life. Choose happiness. Choose you.

The chaos that comes with ADHD can be challenging to navigate. Day-to-day activities become a chore, and making progress can be a struggle. Here at Alter Behavioral Health, we understand how difficult these challenges are and take a unique and fully-rounded approach to treating ADHD. You can put an end to the chaotic struggles that ADHD brings with our all-encompassing scope of treatment built for people just like you. You are in control, and you can take back the reins of your life today by calling us at (866) 691-4386. Let tomorrow and every day after be a day full of progress and activity that you can’t wait to dive into.