ADHD: Symptoms to treatment, everything you need to know

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder that affects both children and adults. Due to social media, it has now become common in adults affecting their overall quality of life. 

This neurological condition affects around one in 20 adults in today’s fast-paced world. While its exact cause is not clear, it is believed to be linked to genes, brain structure and environmental factors. Here are the symptoms:   

Anxiety: The ADHD disturbs behaviour and often results in over-thinking. The person affected by the disorder also faces procrastination.

Chronic lateness and forgetfulness: In ADHD, adults often struggle to remember information, forget and lose pieces of stuff, and manage time. 

Lack of prioritizing & organizational skills: A person suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to organise things in daily life. The person also fails to define priorities and often falls for disagreements. 

Inattention: ADHD often makes it difficult for an individual to stay attentive. They often get easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or external stimuli. 

Hyperactivity: ADHD leads to hyperactivity where a person finds it difficult to stay seated for long durations. He or she often indulges in fidgeting or tapping hands and feet. The individual becomes restless and often interrupts others during conversations or activities. 

Diagnosis: Well, there are no specific diagnostic tests for ADHD, however, psychologists may use clinical interviews, questionnaires, and observations to determine if the individual has the symptoms.

Treatment: The treatment involves medications and behavioural therapy depending on the severity of the disorder. Psychostimulants and antidepressants are often prescribed to individuals suffering from the disorder.