Hey everyone. Today we will talk about the serious topic of ADHD. Have you ever wondered if you have ADHD? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This quiz will help you figure it out. First, however, tell us what the disorder is and what it is characterized by.
ADHD is an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. People with ADHD disorders often show a lack of persistence in the implementation of tasks requiring cognitive involvement, a tendency to move from one activity to another without completing any of them, and disorganized, poorly controlled, excessive activity. One type of ADHD is ADD (attention-deficit disorder), where hyperactivity does not occur, especially in adults.
Although it is one of the most studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, its cause is, for the most part, unknown. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2013, around 39 million people worldwide were affected by ADHD. When using the DSM-IV criteria, ADHD-related disorders are diagnosed in about 6–7% of children, while when using the ICD-10 criteria, this percentage is 1-2%. Similar results are recorded regardless of the region of the world, race, and culture, and depend mainly on the adopted methods of diagnosis. ADHD symptoms appear about three times more often in boys than in girls. The term ADHD includes both ADHD with and without the hyperactive disorder. Between 30% and 50% of people diagnosed with ADHD in childhood have some or all of the features of the syndrome also in adulthood, meaning that 2% to 5% of the entire adult population develops them. These disorders are often difficult to distinguish from many other diseases, as well as from high activity, however, within the developmental norm.
Strategies for the management of ADHD vary by country but typically include a combination of psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and drug therapy. For example, British recommendations advise pharmacological treatment as the first stage of therapy in children with severe symptoms. and in children with moderate symptoms, in whom psychotherapy does not bring the expected results. In Canada and the United States, a combination of medication and behavioral therapy is recommended for all patients except preschoolers. Both sets of recommendations advise against using stimulation therapy in the youngest. It brings effects, but there is no certainty as to its long-term effectiveness. Along with growing up and entering adulthood, many patients acquire the skills to cope with ailments, thanks to which they can partially or completely eliminate limitations resulting from ADHD.
There has been a lot of misunderstanding, conspiracy theories, and controversy around ADHD, its diagnosis, and treatment since the 1970s. They relate in particular to the causes of disorders and the effectiveness of pharmacological stimulation in the treatment of their symptoms. ADHD is considered a real health disorder by most health services, and scientists argue mainly about how to diagnose and treat it.
The exact causes of most ADHD cases are unknown. However, many factors have been identified that can contribute to or worsen ADHD, particularly genetic and environmental. In some cases, the appearance of ADHD symptoms is associated with previous damage to the central nervous system, in particular brain injuries or infections, as well as perinatal hypoxia or asphyxia.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is biological, which means that it does not result from educational mistakes or psychogenic factors. Some of the symptoms similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can occur in children brought up without systems of rules and consequences, but also in children who are physically, mentally, or sexually abused.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a group of disorders, possibly of genetic origin. In 2018, ADHD was rated as one of the best-researched disorders in terms of genetics. Studies on family members, twins, and epidemiological studies were included. However, the genes responsible for ADHD have not been clearly established. It causes symptoms from three groups impulsivity, hyperactivity, and attention deficit disorder. It is caused by imbalances between dopamine and noradrenaline systems in the central nervous system. Symptoms of hyperactivity can also appear as a result of damage to the central nervous system, hypoxia during childbirth, and in other symptomatic syndromes, for example in patients with a fragile X chromosome.
ADHD symptoms decrease over time. Nevertheless, according to researchers, 30 to 50% of children diagnosed with ADHD have at least some of its symptoms also in adulthood. Adults with ADHD without appropriate treatment usually lead a chaotic lifestyle and become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, addictions, or the inability to learn are also common. You can outgrow ADHD, but not its complications – so it is important to start appropriate treatment as early as possible to prevent its development.
Do you suspect you have ADHD? Are you familiar with the topic we’re talking about today? Answer the twenty questions in this quiz to learn more about the disorder and to see if you have symptoms that indicate it. Remember that a test result is not a diagnosis. Professional help should be sought from a specialist.
