Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is one of the most common psychological issues among which affects the efficiency of your brain. It is a mental disorder that can impact children, adults, and women. The most common ADHD symptoms tend to show up in early childhood, but they can persist to adulthood, and sometimes only show up in adulthood.
ADHD is a chronic disease, that means it is not curable, but symptoms are treatable with medications and certain therapies. There are millions of children, around 1 in 10 kids in the United States, diagnosed with this disorder. Take some time to learn the facts and reach out to a local ADHD psychiatrist near me if you or your children are showing these signs.
It is considered a chronic and disabling disorder that affects the patient in certain stages of their life, including academics and professional performance, relationships, and daily routines. Individuals may struggle with low self-esteem, sensitivity towards criticism, and increased self-criticism.
Types of ADHD
There are four types of ADHD that health professionals diagnose in children and adults:
- Inattentive: In this condition patients feel difficulty in focusing, completing tasks, and staying organized. They may get few or no hyperactivity signs in this condition.
- Hyperactive-impulsive: They feel anxious in every situation and can’t sit still or don’t have quiet time. You may experience extra energy and be more talkative. You often interrupt conversations with others and show less attention.
- Combined presentation: In this condition, individuals experience both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
- Unspecified presentation: The symptoms they have are severe but unmatched with the right criteria of ADHD types. Psychiatrists called this unspecified ADHD.
Mental health professionals also use the terms “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” for this disorder to understand its effectiveness in your daily life.A visit to a mental health clinic can help determine the specific type and intensity of the condition.
What Causes ADHD?
This is a genetic disorder. Children born with defective genes that are responsible for abnormal brain development (neurodivergence). The main responsible genes of this disorder can pass from biological parents to their children.
Researchers find that the frontal lobe of the brain of the ones suffering from ADHD, is wired in such a way that makes it harder to use directed attention. Directed attention is the ability or a state of activeness towards an object or activity that attracts our interest. Sometimes it is activated when things are boring and repetitive but are necessary to do.
On the other hand, the patient is using automotive attention on something interesting. It shows hyperfocus ability and doing something for hours on end without getting bored. They might use hyperfocus to become a good version of hobbies, games, and future goals.
Risk Factors
Some ADHD specialists suggest that people have genes that make them potentially inherit ADHD from their parents. But on the other hand, ADHD can be acquired due to non-conducive environmental factors as well.
- During fetal development, they are exposed to toxins, like tobacco, alcohol, or lead.
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- High Screen Time in Early Childhood
- Poor Nutrition During Pregnancy
- Sleep Disorders
- Prenatal Stress
Is it Really ADHD or Anxiety?
Delay in most diagnoses occurs due to symptoms being missed or when the ADHD-inattentive type is mistakenly identified as anxiety. Inattentive type and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) both have similar symptoms, and there is a good chance that these may be misdiagnosed.
Another misdiagnosis is when GAD is diagnosed; the person may have secondary anxiety due to ADHD. In secondary anxiety symptoms, a person works ten times harder than everyone else to get work done. Secondary anxiety is different from primary anxiety.
Misdiagnosis can lead to severe conditions due to delays in proper care and treatment. A comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional is mandatory. Visit both clinics for ADHD disorder and anxiety disorder so that a proper treatment can be started promptly.
Factors That Overlap in ADHD and Anxiety
There are many coinciding symptoms and experiences similar to one diagnosis to be missed. Following are some overlapping symptoms:
Inattention
The brain may be hyperfocused on excessive worry or fear signals rather than other signals and cues. Attention dysregulation is the key factor of ADHD. Such intentions are useless and consume your energy in baseless productivity. You may be unable to regulate your focus.
Sleep Issues
Sleep issues are present mostly in ADHD patients, and anxiety can also interfere with sleep. Most people struggling with GAD have insomnia and nightmares. Circadian rhythm sleep disorder, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and sleep-disordered sleep are present mostly in 25-50% of patients with ADHD. Nightmares and insomnia are common in children with ADHD, and 70% have sleep disorders.
Intrusive Thoughts
Involuntary thoughts are common in anxiety disorder and ADHD patients also. Involuntary ideas and images can be distracting. It is hard to scatter and suppress these thoughts. When you are unable to complete your task, it may cause stress and mental fatigue.
Digestion Problems
This problem is also common between anxiety and ADHD disorder with mood disorder. Chronic stress can disrupt gut functioning and may cause bloating, nausea, and IBS. These ongoing symptoms not only disturb the stomach but also reduce physical health.
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) Dominant
ADHD patients are more prone to SNS-dominant conditions. They spend more time in the excited part than the “rest and digest” part of the SNS (parasympathetic). Anxiety mostly keeps the body in a dominant parasympathetic state.
Low Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,
Both anxiety and ADHD have low GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. GABA is responsible for sensory information management and choosing an appropriate behavioral reflex. When the GABA-glutamate cycle is off, this can lead to a hyperactivation state within the CNS.
Restlessness, Agitation, and Irritability
These are common in both disorders and related to GABA and the CNS. These emotional things are closely associated with the CNS. When GABA lowers his activity, the CNS starts regulating sensory inputs that lead to tension.
Distractibility
Both disorders have difficulty with concentration. Anxiety patients may worry about these anxious thoughts and may not be able to take further action against these thoughts. ADHD patients may suffer from these distractibility symptoms even in a calm state.
Treatment
An ADHD treatment plan usually comprises both medication and therapy intervention. In preschool children, parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and school management training are required for behavior changes.
According to professional prescriptions, psychostimulants (amphetamines and methylphenidate) are the first-line of medical treatments for the treatment of ADHD (Pliszka, 2007). For preschool child patients, amphetamines are FDA-approved medications. Methylphenidate is helpful if behavioral interventions prove insufficient rather than amphetamines. Alpha agonists (clonidine and guanfacine) and the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, atomoxetine, are also FDA-approved medicines for this condition.
Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release) is taken at night and starts its action in the morning. Xelystrym (dextroamphetamine), which is an amphetamine patch, and Qelbree (viloxazine) are non-stimulants. Some medicines are listed below:
- Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride),
- Dyanavel (amphetamine extended-release oral suspension),
- Mydayis (mixed salts amphetamine product),
- Cotempla (methylphenidate extended-release orally disintegrating tablets).
Many children and families can treat their mental health clinic with these options of medicine. The selectiveness depends on the efficiency and tolerability of the medication. The main goal of the patient and ADHD psychiatrist is to improve the symptoms and restore normal life.
Understanding the root cause and similarities of this complex mental health condition can help individuals seek treatment at the right time. If you or your child exhibit signs of ADHD, consult the psychiatrist near you early. So, early treatment medication and changes in lifestyle can improve overall well-being.
