Understanding ADHD: Symptoms, Impact, and Long-Term Outlook

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3 to 5 percent of American children. ADHD is a lifelong disorder that also affects adolescents and adults of all ages. Besides interfering with the ability to stay focused and pay attention to a task, ADHD causes difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity (overactivity).

Symptoms

• Symptoms include excessive talking; failure to listen to instructions; fidgeting with hands and feet; inability to organize oneself and one's work; leaving projects, chores and homework unfinished; and difficulty paying attention and responding to details. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in managing ADHD symptoms.

Types

• The three major types of ADHD are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive (six or more symptoms of both the other two types). Once diagnosis is established, altering negative feelings and turning damaging misperceptions into positive messages about oneself helps rebuild confidence.

Treatment

• Medication and behavior therapy combined with the patient's active involvement is an effective treatment plan. Educating oneself about ADHD and the way it impacts daily life can help turn life around and improve self-care.

Potential

• Children with ADHD disorder seldom outgrow it; however, with medication and behavior-changing therapies, they may adjust and learn to cope with ADHD as they mature. Adjustments in a person's daily life can help improve health and happiness.

Conclusion

• Successful results follow from proper diagnosis, education, structured support, psychotherapy and medication.