Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders among young people but can be a struggle for adults as well.
While many young people can be inattentive, distractible, and active, ADHD behaviors persist over time and can impact a person’s life.
ADHD is a common mental disorder that affects both children and adults.
It is a chronic disorder that impacts the everyday lives of many individuals, including academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning.
ADHD can lead to feelings of poor self-worth, sensitivity toward criticism, and increased self-criticism.
The way ADHD presents differs between adults and children:
Children with ADHD often have difficulties paying attention, have controlling impulses and are hyperactive.
This can lead to children struggling with low self-esteem, poor performance in school, and troubled relationships.
ADHD symptoms in children often begin before the age of 12 and can be noticeable as young as three years old.
Those with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but adults with ADHD can still deal with symptoms that deal with their day-to-day lives, such as impulsiveness, restlessness, and difficulty paying attention.
Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and to prioritize tasks.
The inability to control impulses can lead to impatience, mood swings, and outbursts of anger.
ADHD symptoms fall into two types of behavioral problems: Inattentiveness (difficulty focusing and concentrating) and hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
While many individuals with ADHD exhibit symptoms in both categories, some may only struggle with attention while others with hyperactivity.
Here are the symptoms of ADHD in each category:
ADHD affects up to 6% of Canadian adults and 7% of children – that’s around 1.8 million Canadians.
Here are some more facts about ADHD:
There is no single test used to assess and diagnose ADHD. Our experts at Insight Psychological diagnose ADHD based on symptoms and how they impact an individual’s daily functioning.
They also look at how long symptoms have been present i.e. more than six months.
Along with diagnostic guidelines, our ADHD psychologists may also use a range of rating scales to test and track ADHD symptoms.
ADHD is treated using methods such as behavioral therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and mindfulness therapy:
Our ADHD psychologists at Insight Psychological help individuals with ADHD change their behaviors and disruptive patterns by teaching healthy and effective coping techniques.
Therapy for ADHD focuses on learning organizational strategies and eliminating disruptive patterns that lead to academic and interpersonal difficulties.
If you believe you or your child would benefit from working with an ADHD psychologist near you, please contact our team at Insight Psychological or book your first appointment today.
