Understanding ADHD: Types, Symptoms, And Diagnostic Process

Before diving into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it's essential to learn about it. Check out this blog to learn about ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects multiple people worldwide. ADHD can persist into adulthood while it is commonly associated with children. It’s essential to understand ADHD, its types, symptoms, and diagnostic process for effective management and support.

In this blog, we’re discussing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as what it is, its symptoms, types, and diagnostic process.

Advertisement :

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Before delving into ADHD, it’s essential to understand it. Below is the definition of ADHD).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition that affects a person’s behavior and can impact various areas of life. It is a long-term brain condition that causes executive dysfunction, affecting a person's behavior.

On the other hand, ADHD is a common neurobehavioral condition of childhood that affects people's behavior and contributes to troubled relationships, difficulty, and low self-esteem at school or work. To understand better, start a search online.

Types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

There are three subtypes of ADHD. Take a look at the types of ADHD.

Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (ADHD-PI)

ADHD-PI is a subtype of ADHD. It is characterized by primarily displaying inattention symptoms. Some individuals may struggle with focusing, organizing tasks, and following instructions, yet they might not display significant hyperactivity or impulsiveness.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation (ADHD-PHI)

ADHD-PHI is the second type of ADHD. It is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity without significant inattention symptoms. Some individuals may have trouble with restlessness, impulsiveness, and interrupting others.

Combined Presentation (ADHD-C)

ADHD-C is the most common type of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It allows individuals to experience a mix of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms. Generally, ADHD-C often presents many challenges in different areas of life.

Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

Healthcare professionals typically recognize ADHD conditions in individuals by a combination of symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD can be categorized into inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Inattention symptoms:

Inattention symptoms are responsible for ADHD condition in multiple people across the globe. These symptoms may involve difficulty focusing, staying on task, or being organized. These can make careless mistakes, including:

• Making careless mistakes in schoolwork
• Appearing forgetful or losing things
• Appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions in schools or homes
• Being unable to stick to tasks or activities that are tedious or time-consuming

Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms:

Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms are also responsible for ADHD condition in multiple people worldwide. These may involve excessive movement or restlessness and fidgeting, such as talking excessively and impulsively interrupting others, tapping feet or hands, acting without thinking, having difficulty with self-control, and impulsive decision-making without considering consequences.

The Diagnostic Process of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

Healthcare professionals evaluate the diagnostic process of ADHD. Here are the key steps involved:

Clinical Assessment

Clinical assessment is the first step in the diagnostic process of ADHD. The diagnostic process of ADHD starts with a clinical assessment, which should be conducted by a healthcare professional. The clinical assessment involves discussing the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and other underlying conditions that may be responsible for ADHD symptoms.

Observations and Behavior Rating Scales

Observations and Behavior Rating Scales are the second step in the diagnostic process of ADHD. Many healthcare professionals diagnose by observationing patient’s behavior in various settings (e.g., home, school, work). They also collect valuable insights into patient’s behavior rating scales from parents, teachers, or employers to diagnose.

Criteria from Diagnostic Manuals

It is the third step in diagnosing ADHD. To be diagnosed with this condition, patients must satisfy specific criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Patients are diagnosed with ADHD by meeting specific criteria in the DSM-5. DSM-5 includes the presence of many symptoms for a specified duration and their impact on daily life.

Rule Out Other Conditions

The fourth step for diagnosing ADHD is to rule out other conditions. Healthcare professionals may also rule out other conditions of patients. These conditions may include depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, or sensory processing disorders. They evaluate a patient's conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms.

Multimodal Assessment

Multimodal Assessment is the fifth step for diagnosing ADHD. It is an approach that combines information from different sources, such as behavior rating scales, neuropsychological testing, and interviews. This step is about making an accurate diagnosis of ADHD.

Collaboration

Collaboration may also play a crucial role in diagnosing ADHD. Collaborating among educators, healthcare professionals, and family members for a thorough assessment can be helpful for ADHD diagnosis. Input from teachers and parents may also be useful for diagnosing ADHD in children.

Continuous Monitoring

After diagnosing ADHD in patients, it’s essential to continuously monitor their symptoms and treatment response so that healthcare professionals can make necessary adjustments to the management plan.

In a Nutshell:

It's essential to understand Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its symptoms, types, and the diagnostic process for effectively managing this condition. ADHD is a complex and diverse condition that affects millions of people across the globe. Everyone always seeks complete guidance from healthcare professionals and makes a strong support system to significantly improve the quality of their lives with ADHD.

It is just a guide to ADHD. It’s recommended to check all factors of ADHD before making a decision. To learn more about ADHD, make a search today.

Sources:

Types of ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)