ADHD

The symptoms of ADHD in children can show up differently than in adults. In fact, among children, ADHD often appears differently in girls vs. boys.

For example, girls with ADHD may appear to have exaggerated emotional responses, seem withdrawn or struggle in friendships. A girl may also appear to daydream in class and struggle to remember what she is asked to do. Girls with ADHD might also be overly talkative.

ADHD in boys, however, can appear to be more stereotypical of what many know ADHD to be. Boys may fidget, struggle to sit still, and lack concentration. But not all boys with ADHD display all of these symptoms.

Three Types of ADHD

There are three major types of ADHD:

• Predominantly inattentive: This is when most of a person’s symptoms fall under the inability to pay attention.
• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive: These symptoms are most prevalent when a person can’t sit still and struggles to wait his or her turn, and makes rash decisions.
• Combined: This is a mixture of the first two, which includes some inattentiveness (but not always) and some hyperactivity (but not always).

Adults with ADHD 

Adults with ADHD show signals of inattentiveness in different ways. First, they may struggle to finish tasks before they start new ones. Adults can also be disorganized, restless, edgy, and forgetful. Keep in mind that these symptoms would describe these adults most of the time rather than occasionally.

In fact, one of the characteristics that may signify it’s time to see a developmental-behavioral psychologist or other professional counselor who specializes in ADHD is this: Do the symptoms that you or your loved one have persist in any environment? For example, if your husband is disorganized in every area of life — such as work, home, car, and even struggles to know how to be organized — then that may be one signal of ADHD. But it would also be combined with some of the other symptoms in adults, such as forgetfulness, inattentiveness, fidgeting tendencies, etc.

It’s easy to misdiagnose conditions, so never try to pinpoint someone else’s (or your own) symptoms. You should see a qualified doctor when the symptoms are disrupting your everyday life, causing strain on your relationships, or are the catalyst for a child’s disruptiveness in school or struggle with schoolwork.

There are several qualified professionals who can diagnose ADHD. These include:

• Physicians: Psychiatrists, pediatricians, and neurologists
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Nurse practitioners
• Other licensed counselors or therapists

When a child, teen, or adult who hasn’t been diagnosed with ADHD finds out he or she will need to be evaluated, it can feel scary. Your child may feel that there are expectations on him or that she needs to pass a certain kind of test.

The primary way that you can help your child or teen (or yourself) is to remain calm and make sure he/she knows that there is no pressure and no grade.

In fact, there is no single test that diagnoses ADHD. Determining if someone has it can be complex. A licensed professional must first rule out other reasons for the symptoms. Mental health issues such as anxiety or depression can mimic some of the ADHD symptoms. There are also learning disorders that share some common symptoms with ADHD.

A doctor needs to be able to diagnose the primary cause of symptoms because ADHD can also co-exist with other issues. Parents and teachers can provide thorough symptomatic lists for a child, and adults may be asked to get feedback from others who know them well or from those who work with them.

In both children and adults, checklists are used to discuss patient history and symptoms. If you are looking for a licensed professional who can help you discern if you or someone you love has ADHD, we can help. At California Christian Counseling, we have many trained counselors who can walk you through the process.

ADHD is a condition that is neurodevelopmental. This means that it is caused by differences in the development of the nervous system. While many children develop ADHD before the age of 7, it’s not always evident at that age. Children usually need to face more difficult situations in social and academic settings before the symptoms are noticeable.

Research hasn’t shown a single cause for ADHD, but many studies show that it runs in families. Other risk factors that researchers are studying include low birth weight, traumatic brain injury, premature delivery, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, and exposure to lead at an early age.

Several indicators show that adults with ADHD may struggle more with mental health issues, relationships and consistent employment. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for a person’s long-term health.

There are some who would say that ADHD is caused by growing up in a chaotic home environment. However, there is no research to support this. ADHD is also not caused by food additives, watching too much television, or eating excessive amounts of sugar.

Next Steps for Treating ADHD

To find out if you or a loved one has ADHD, contact one of the professional counselors at California Christian Counseling today. We would be happy to help you get an accurate diagnosis based on your symptoms. We will work with you and any other members of your medical team to develop a treatment plan that will meet your needs or the needs of your affected family member.