Adhd full form

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is one among the neurodevelopmental disorders which affect brain activity in such a way that the person is unable to concentrate, has trouble controlling sudden and spontaneous behaviors, and acts excessive, not able to sit in one place. ADHD is a disorder that cannot be cured, though the symptoms can be managed and improved as the age progresses with some therapies and counseling sessions. For a prompt diagnosis of this disorder, the symptoms must appear before the child turns 13 years, or the symptoms must last for 7 months or more and should have caused problems in at least two surroundings like school or at home or when among a group of people around. Diagnosis: The health professional will provide the child with complete health check-up, including a hearing and visual check to rule out that there is no other cause which is presenting the child with ADHD symptoms. After which the child will be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further evaluation. Most of the time the psychologist will question the parents regarding the daily curriculum of the child whether or when the child has behaved in an abnormal way or initially the psychologist gives a list to parents to ensure that they make note of the child’s daily activity for proper diagnosis of the condition. After gathering enough information, ADHD can be diagnosed if: • The child is not paying enough attention in school and has trouble doing his h...

Evaluation Approach Evaluation of adults presenting with ADHD symptoms typically requires at least two visits. As well as allowing for a thorough evaluation, two visits allows the clinician to assess motivation for follow up, persistence of symptoms and dysfunction, and likelihood for alternative diagnoses. The following components of a complete evaluation should be considered during both visits: • Review and corroboration of current symptoms and dysfunction • Determination of a childhood onset • Evaluation for comorbid and /or mimicking psychiatric problems, medical disorders or substance abuse. Diagnostic Criteria The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, outlines diagnostic criteria for making a diagnosis of ADHD in children and adults. For a formal diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity and/or inattention should meet the diagnostic criteria outlined in DSM-5 ( Differential Diagnosis The symptoms of ADHD are common in other mental health disorders and non-psychiatric conditions. An appropriate evaluation must consider whether the symptoms belong to ADHD, another mental health condition, another physical health condition, or if they represent more than one disorder. Other explanations for presenting symptoms should also be ruled out ( Screening and Assessment Tools The following scales have been developed to screen, evaluate and monitor adults with ADHD. Since rat...

Table of Contents • • • • Understanding the Disorder ADHD is a disorder that affects the brain’s ability to focus, organize information, and control behavior. It is typically diagnosed in children, but can also affect adults. The disorder is characterized by three main symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Inattention refers to a person’s inability to stay focused on a task for an extended period of time. People with ADHD may become easily distracted, have difficulty following instructions, and struggle to organize their thoughts and activities. Hyperactivity refers to excessive movement and restlessness. People with ADHD may fidget, squirm, or feel restless in situations where they are expected to sit still, such as in a classroom or during a meeting. Impulsivity refers to a person’s tendency to act without thinking through the consequences. People with ADHD may interrupt others, blurt out inappropriate comments, or engage in risky behaviors without considering the potential consequences. Symptoms of ADHD The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person, but generally fall into one of two categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Some common symptoms of ADHD include: • Difficulty paying attention to details and making careless mistakes • Difficulty organizing tasks and activities • Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort • Forgetfulness and losing things frequently • Difficulty following through on instructions and finishing ta...

Claire Eggleston, LMFT-Associate is a neurodivergent therapist and specializes in and centers on the lived experiences of autistic and ADHD young adults, many of whom are also in the queer and disability communities. She prioritizes social justice and intertwines community care into her everyday work with clients. The Connection Between Autism and ADHD As the statistics above indicate, people with ADHD are significantly more likely to be autistic compared to those who do not have ADHD, and vice versa. However, prior to 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders indicated that an individual could not meet the diagnostic criteria for both diagnoses. Despite this requirement, the Even though an autistic person is more likely to have ADHD than someone who is not autistic, and someone with ADHD is more likely to be autistic than someone who does not have ADHD, professionals often only assess for one diagnosis at a time. If you have one diagnosis, it may be beneficial to request testing for the other if you feel that your existing diagnosis does not fully describe your experience. Sometimes, autistic people with ADHD may have difficulty functioning in a world created for Most psychological evaluations for any diagnosis will include a diagnostic interview, during which they will ask several questions about history, symptoms, mental health, and traits that might be consistent with ADHD or autism. Since neurodevelopmental diagnoses like ADHD and autism occur fr...