Identifying And Managing ADHD

Many parents worry their child will develop a mental health disorder or physical health condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder seen in children, though it often lasts well into adulthood for many people. Read on to learn more about identifying and managing the risk factors associated with ADHD.

What is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

The American Psychological Association defines attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by traits related to impulsive behaviors, inattentive symptoms, and for some people, hyperactivity. People with ADHD tend to experience difficulties with organization, focus, thinking before acting and making realistic plans. Behaviors may include being fidgety or noisy, an inability to adapt to changing social and environmental factors, aggression, defiance, and social ineptitude. 

The subtypes

• Predominantly Inattentive

• Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive

• Combined

Common ADHD symptoms

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the symptoms of hyperactivity are almost always evident by age seven when they are present. Other symptoms may not become apparent until elementary school. Though the symptoms can vary by person and presentation, here are some of the typical core ADHD characteristics:

• May or may not include hyperactivity and related behaviors

• Trouble paying attention or focusing

• Short attention span

• Difficulty controlling impulsivity

• Problems with follow-through and disorganization

• Frequent careless mistakes

• Easily distractable

• Often takes unnecessary risks

• Challenges with taking turns

• Extreme restlessness, often presenting as fidgeting and squirming

• Tendency to lose or forget things

• Trouble resisting temptation

Changing the language around ADD

According to researchers at the Child Mind Institute, a national resource center dedicated to children’s mental health, mental health professionals no longer use the diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADD). Knowledge of the condition has evolved, and now it is called ADHD, either with or without the hyperactivity element. 

What causes attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

Although ADHD is one of the most well-researched areas of childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders, the exact cause of the disorder remains unknown. ADHD occurs for various reasons and certain people may be at increased ADHD risk based on certain known risk factors. 

Genetics

According to a recent study, there is a significant association between genetics and risk factors for ADHD. Research indicates that ADHD may be an inheritable condition with up to an 80% chance of developing when someone has a close blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with the disorder. However, some researchers place that chance around 22%, leaving the meta-analysis open for debate to explain the enormous range. 

Some researchers have suggested that “While molecular genetic approaches have identified a range of potential candidate genes, it is now clear that the genetics of ADHD are characterized by a number of genes, each of which makes a small but significant contribution to the overall risk.”

Chemical and environmental influences

Researchers consider exposure to environmental toxins as another ADHD risk factor. Lead is often found in the paint and pipes in older buildings and has been known to cause or contribute to numerous health issues. Exposure to lead or other heavy metals, dangerous synthetic compounds like pesticides, and prenatal alcohol, substance, caffeine, or tobacco use during the gestational age may also be contributing factors. For example, excessive exposure to maternal smoking may lead to ADHD, learning disabilities, or other psychiatric disorders later in life.

Food and nutritional deficiencies

Nutrition is vital for human survival, and if a person has a deficiency in something they need, it can have long-lasting effects, particularly during infancy and early childhood. Scientific studies have found an association between ADHD and nutrient deficiencies such as folate, zinc, iron, omega-3s, and copper. Certain food additives, such as sodium benzoate and various food dyes, are also being explored as potential risk factors for ADHD. 

Brain injury

A study from the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders found that even mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can increase the risk of developing ADHD. The study found that TBI effects can extend years after the original injury, with 62% of children more likely to have ADHD as late as six years after their TBI. In comparison, only 15% of children without TBIs in the study developed ADHD. 

Lifestyle

While lifestyle factors aren’t likely to cause ADHD, they may contribute to an individual’s overall likelihood of developing the disorder. Screen time, such as television, phones, video games, and other electronic media, has been shown to impact ADHD rates. Excessive screen time online can also lead to a potential internet addiction, which comes with behavioral concerns of its own. 

Recognizing signs and symptoms in females

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition), global rates for ADHD are between 3% and 7%, with the male-to-female ratio as high as nine to one in clinical samples. 

While science doesn’t have an explanation for why boys more frequently receive a diagnosis of ADHD compared to females, a 2013 study suggests that the disorder often presents differently in females, leading it to be consistently under-identified and undiagnosed. 

How you can reduce your child’s ADHD risk

While research doesn’t support the idea that ADHD can be caused by overeating sugar, parenting struggles, watching too much television, poverty, or chaos in the home, according to the CDC, such elements may be contributing factors when combined with genetics. Such aspects may also make symptoms worse for some people. 

• During pregnancy, avoid alcohol, tobacco, and substance use. 

• Prevent exposure to pollutants and toxins during pregnancy and childhood.

• Limit screen time and encourage a variety of activities to support overall growth and wellness. 

• Provide a balanced diet with a limited intake of processed foods. 

Identifying typical behavior vs. ADHD in children

Most children are inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive at some point. However, if your child exhibits difficulties in these areas at home and school, along with frequent behavioral issues, you may want to speak to your healthcare provider or a child psychiatrist to learn more about the diagnosis process for ADHD. After a medical evaluation to rule out any other potential causes, you may be referred to a specialist to receive a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. 

How you can help your child manage symptoms

The Child Mind Institute suggests parent training therapy, which can help reduce many of the behavioral issues often seen in children with ADHD. Parent-child interaction therapy can also help build and maintain a strong bond between you and your child. Positive reinforcement can encourage healthy behaviors, and working with a therapist can help your child develop an array of practical coping skills to manage stress and behaviors while learning healthy ways to identify and express their emotions. 

Treatment for ADHD typically involves behavior therapy and medication, with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending that children under age six not be given ADHD medication. As children age, cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapy varieties may also be added to the treatment plan to help develop emotional control, intelligence, and literacy, which can help your child recognize, process, and express their emotions in healthy ways. 

According to the CDC, as many as six in 10 children with ADHD have another mental health disorder, such as

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Behavior or conduct problems like oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder

• Learning disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Tourette’s syndrome

• Other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders

Adult symptoms

ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood for many people, which can create unstable relationships, low self-esteem, and difficulties in work or school performance due to focus troubles. Adult ADHD may affect as much as 4.4% of the American population between 18 and 44. Adults may also have comorbid conditions alongside ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

How therapy can help manage ADHD symptoms

If you are concerned about how ADHD may affect your family, you may consider speaking to a licensed therapist. Therapy can teach parenting, communication, and coping skills while offering professional support and guidance. When you are more balanced and emotionally stable, you may find it easier to live a healthy lifestyle and handle any symptoms or behaviors your child may exhibit. Many parents find it hard to find time for in-person therapy treatments. If that’s the case for you, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be a viable alternative worth considering. 

Parenting interventions like online therapy are an effective alternative to in-person treatments. Recent studies show online therapy can be a viable, convenient therapy method with many benefits, such as reduced costs, shortened wait times, and the convenience of receiving treatment from home—on your schedule.