What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a lifelong, neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the brain’s executive function, specifically when it comes to things like memory, attention, and organization.

There are three types of ADHD

  • Inattentive: Characterized by inattention, this type of ADHD makes it difficult to do things like focus, stay on task, stay organized, or keep track of important things. This form of ADHD is often referred to simply as ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder.
  • Hyperactive-impulsive: As the name suggests, this type of ADHD comes with more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. This may include things like fidgeting, talking excessively, interrupting, or difficulty waiting for one’s turn.
  • Combined: This is the most common form of ADHD, and means a person shows signs of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive behavior.

Although ADHD can feel debilitating at times, receiving ADHD treatment in Reno, NV, can help both children and adults manage symptoms and go on to lead fulfilling lives.

ADHD in Children

Children with ADHD often are excessively active and impulsive, and may struggle to pay attention, which can affect how they function academically and socially. They may have difficulty following instructions, completing tasks, or sitting still for extended periods, as well as struggle with staying organized and managing their time, all of which can affect their performance in school. Many of these symptoms are things all children experience, but when symptoms consistently show up in multiple settings, or begin to affect a child’s ability to function or maintain relationships, they may be signs of ADHD.

ADHD in Adults

Adults with ADHD experience similar symptoms, but they may present differently. Symptoms may be subtler, such as forgetfulness, distractibility, or difficulty completing tasks. These symptoms may affect an adult’s ability to maintain relationships or employment. However, many adults develop coping mechanisms, such as being highly organized or working in extremely stimulating environments, which can make diagnosing adults challenging.

If you or your child experiences any of these ADHD symptoms on a regular basis, it may be time to schedule an ADHD assessment in Reno, NV.

ADHD vs. Hyperactivity

The “hyperactivity” part of ADHD is one of the easiest symptoms to recognize, especially in children. When a child is hyperactive, they may fidget a lot, move around when they are expected to stay seated in one place, run or climb when it is inappropriate to do so, struggle to play or engage with more leisurely activities, talk excessively, have difficulty waiting their turn, or interrupt or intrude on others.

However, if hyperactivity is the only symptom a child exudes, they may not have ADHD. If their behavior is limited to specific situations, for example, in school, they may instead be dealing with anxiety or not feeling challenged by their work. If your child is otherwise thriving, like they still are able to get good grades, they likely don’t have ADHD.

ADHD-specific hyperactivity is part of a pattern and occurs in at least two settings. If your child shows hyperactive symptoms at school and at home, then it may be a symptom of ADHD.

Hyperactivity and ADHD can be difficult to differentiate or diagnose in adults, because many adults develop coping mechanisms. But if you as an adult often find yourself fidgeting in multiple settings or circumstances, or you find yourself interrupting others or struggling to relax, you may have ADHD.

How ADHD Can Interfere with Your Life

Children with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle socially and academically. Academically, children may experience difficulty with time management and organization can lead to tardiness and missed deadlines. They also may find that they can easily excel in some subjects while others are more challenging.

Socially, children with ADHD can have a hard time regulating their emotions, leading to outbursts, mood swings, and trouble navigating social situations. The propensity to interrupt others or lack of attention can also make it a challenge for children with ADHD to build and maintain relationships, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Both of these struggles can lead to children experiencing feelings of depression.

For adults, although the symptoms may be subtler and slightly different in a workplace or in adult relationships, many of the experiences are the same. Similar to children with ADHD, adults with ADHD may struggle with time management and organization, causing them to miss deadlines and fail to meet employer expectations. Socially, adults with ADHD may have trouble regulating their emotions. They can also be forgetful or inattentive, which can be damaging to both friendships and romantic relationships.

In adults, unmanaged ADHD symptoms can also affect other health factors and areas of life, such as sleep, substance abuse, chronic stress, and more. Left untreated, ADHD in adults can be extremely damaging to both physical and mental health.

Help for ADHD

If you or your child is struggling with ADHD symptoms, there is hope. Receiving a diagnosis and then treatment for ADHD can put both children and adults on the path to success with therapy, medication, or a combination of both.