What is ADHD? How Do I Know If I Have ADHD?

Note. From ADHD [Photograph], by webartgallery, 2023, Deviant Art

(https://www.deviantart.com/webartgallery/art/ADHD-989559039). CC BY. 

Hello, Teens! In today's whirlwind of school, friends, and personal passions, understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is key. It's like having a superpower—sometimes it feels like it's on overdrive! But fear not, because we're here to guide you through it all.

In this blog post, we're taking a deep dive into the world of ADHD, sharing valuable insights and practical tips to help you thrive. From decoding what ADHD means for your daily life to discovering strategies for managing challenges and finding support, we've got your back every step of the way.

Join us on this journey as we explore ADHD through your eyes, offering tailored advice and resources just for you. Whether you're personally navigating ADHD or supporting a friend or family member, our goal is to arm you with the tools and knowledge to tackle ADHD with confidence and resilience. So, let's dive in and empower ourselves together!

What is ADHD?

You might already know that ADHD stands for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. People with ADHD have a hard time paying attention and sitting still. There are different types of ADHD. People with the hyperactive type move around a lot and might act before they think. People with the inattentive type have a hard time focusing but are less impulsive. Most people with ADHD are the combined type, which means they are a mix of both (Santrock et al., 2023).

How does ADHD affect your life? 

ADHD can affect your life in lots of ways, but most commonly it affects your social life, how you deal with emotions and how well you do in school. Other people might not like it if you interrupt them or appear to not be listening to what they are saying (McKay et al, 2023). Or you might not notice when a friend is feeling sad (Stern et al., 2020). It might be more challenging to get good grades in school, which requires a lot of attention and time management (Birchwood & Daley, 2012)

Symptoms of ADHD

You are diagnosed with combined type if you are under 17 and have had at least 6 symptoms from both of the following lists, for at least 6 months.

You are diagnosed with inattentive type if you are under 17 and have had 6 symptoms from the following list, but not enough for the hyperactive type, which is listed afterwards.

Inattentive Type:

·        Difficulty with fine detail; making a lot of careless mistakes. 

·        Difficulty paying attention for a long time.

·        Not being able to listen when people are talking to you.

·        Finding it hard to follow instructions.

·        Difficulties with organization or time management, like keeping a clean room and handing in assignments on time.

·        Often losing things.

·        Being easily distracted by your own thoughts or things going on around you.

·        Forgetting to do things you need to do.

You are diagnosed with the hyperactive type if you have at least 6 symptoms from the following list, for at least 6 months, but not enough from the previous list.

Hyperactive Type:

·        Having a hard time sitting still. May fidget, or tap fingers, while sitting.

·        Leaving your seat when you are not supposed to. 

·        Being extremely energetic. 

·        Not being able to enjoy relaxing activities.

·        Talking too much. 

·        Interrupting others or finishing their sentences for them.

·        Difficulty waiting for your turn.

·        Distracting others from things they are trying to do.

If you are 17, or older, you only need 5 symptoms from each list. A psychologist will also want to know if you were like this before you were 12, if you are like this at both school and at home, if you have any other psychological disorders (like schizophrenia, or anxiety), and if these issues are causing a lot of problems in your life.

Risk Factors

ADHD can affect anyone, but you are more likely to have it if someone else in your family already does, because it can be passed down through genes. People are more likely to have ADHD if they were born earlier than they should have, or if their mother smoked during pregnancy. While young, white males, from wealthier families are most frequently diagnosed, this is likely not a risk factor, but is due to these groups having more access to doctors that deal with ADHD. Many lower-income families can’t afford the extensive diagnosis process, which isn’t usually covered by health insurance. Remember, ADHD can affect anyone, regardless of background, but disparities in healthcare access may lead to certain groups being overrepresented in diagnoses (Purper-Ouakil et al., 2011; Schneider and Eisenberg, 2006)

Neural Basis

ADHD is usually caused by lower-than-normal levels of dopamine, a neurochemical that helps us feel happy and motivated. Dopamine is needed for parts of the brain, like the prefrontal cortex (which helps us to pay attention and think clearly), to function properly. Not having enough dopamine means those parts of the brain can’t work as they should (Liji, 2022), which explains why we see the symptoms we listed,

With this, we want you to know that some things might be harder for you, but at the same time, there are ways in which you can overcome these difficulties.

Treatment Options

With this, we want you to know that some things might be harder for you, but at the same time, there are ways in which you can overcome these difficulties. Telling a doctor what is going on might lead to them recommending:

• Medication

• Talk therapy

• More physical activity

• Eating healthier

• Finding ways to help you sleep better

Treatment options for ADHD usually involve a mix of medication and therapy, but as you can see there are also lifestyle changes you can make. In the end, what really matters is that you find which option works better for you and just keep doing it!

Closing 

As we wrap up, we want to say a big thank you for joining us on this journey into understanding ADHD. It's been a deep dive into a complex topic, but we hope it's shed some light on the challenges and strengths associated with ADHD.

To those of you who are living with ADHD, we want you to know that you're not alone. Your journey is unique, but there's a whole community out there ready to support you. Remember, you're more than your diagnosis—you're resilient, determined, and capable of great things.

For parents, teachers, and everyone else in a supporting role, your understanding and compassion make a world of difference. By creating spaces where individuals with ADHD can thrive, you're helping to build a more inclusive society.

Call to Action 

As we come to the end of our exploration, we invite you to take action and join us in making a difference for those affected by ADHD. Here's how you can get involved:

1. Educate yourself: Continue learning about ADHD and its impact on individuals and society. Stay informed about the latest research, advocacy efforts, and support resources available.

2. Advocate: Raise awareness about ADHD in your community, schools, and workplaces. Speak up for inclusive policies, accommodations, and support services for individuals with ADHD.

Together, let's work towards a world where individuals with ADHD are embraced for their unique strengths and contributions. Thank you for your commitment to making a difference. Here's to more understanding, empathy, and acceptance for all.

References list

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR (5th edition, text revision.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing. https://doi-org.libaccess.senecapolytechnic.ca/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

Birchwood, J., & Daley, D. (2012). Brief report: The impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms on academic performance in an adolescent community sample. Journal of Adolescence (London, England.), 35(1), 225–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.08.011

Liji, T. (2022, December 29). How does ADHD affect the brain? News Medical Life Sciences. https://www.news-medical.net/health/How-does-ADHD-Affect-the-Brain.aspx

McKay, E., Kirk, H., Martin, R., & Cornish, K. (2023). Social difficulties in adolescent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: social motivation, social anxiety and symptom severity as contributing factors. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 79(4), 1113–1129. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23462

Purper-Ouakil, D., Ramoz, N., Lepagnol-Bestel, A.-M., Gorwood, P., & Simonneau, M. (2011). Neurobiology of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatric Research, 69(5 Pt 2), 69R-76R. https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e318212b40f

Santrock, J. W, Mondloch, C. J., Chuang, S. S., & MacKenzie-Thompson, A. (2023). Essentials of lifespan development (2nd Canadian ed.) McGraw Hill. https://www.mheducation.ca/essentials-of-lifespan-development-9781264851966-can-group

Schneider, H., & Eisenberg, D. (2006). Who receives a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the United States elementary school population? Pediatrics, 117(4), 1401. https://link-gale-com.libaccess.senecapolytechnic.ca/apps/doc/A491335811/AONE?u=king56371&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=27b4714e

Stern, A., Agnew-Blais, J. C., Danese, A., Fisher, H. L., Matthews, T., Polanczyk, G. V., Wertz, J., & Arseneault, L. (2020). Associations between ADHD and emotional problems from childhood to young adulthood: a longitudinal genetically sensitive study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(11), 1234–1242. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13217

Webartgallery. (2023, October 21) ADHD. Deviant Art. https://www.deviantart.com/webartgallery/art/ADHD-989559039