What is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a mental health condition that causes a variety of symptoms related to a patient’s concentration and behavior. ADHD is most often diagnosed in children but ADHD in adults can occur in both genders, especially if diagnosed and untreated during childhood.

ADHD affects a person’s ability to retain information, focus, and concentrate. Patients with ADHD often have issues with controlling their behavior and paying attention. The condition occurs in both genders, although women sometimes present with different symptoms than men.

Young women often go undiagnosed until early adulthood because they dismiss symptoms such as disorganization and poor attention, as something they are doing wrong instead of signs of an illness. There are three forms of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive or impulsive, and/or a combination.

These three primary characteristics or behaviors are examined in the diagnosis of ADHD (or ADHD test). Inattention refers to difficulty or inability to focus on a given task or event and/or a lack of attention to details. Hyperactivity refers to a state of being abnormally active. Lastly, impulsivity refers to a tendency for one to act without thinking, planning, or consideration of potential consequences. At Remedy, we can diagnose and provide an ADHD medication treatment plan.

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How Do the Forms of ADHD Differ?

There are many ADHD symptoms in children and ADHD symptoms in adults associated with the different forms of the disorder.  The symptoms listed below characterize the different diagnosis, but are not a complete list.

  • Patients diagnosed as predominantly inattentive often have trouble paying attention or listening when another person is speaking. These patients often have trouble focusing on one task and are easily distracted. As a result, they also often have trouble retaining or learning new information.
  • Patients who are diagnosed as predominantly hyperactive, present symptoms like fidgeting, not being able to sit still, talking all the time, interrupting, and may have trouble participating in quiet individual activities.
  • Behaviors associated with impulsive patients include regular interruptions, making inappropriate comments or words, impatience, and emotional outbursts without any limitations.

How Is ADHD Treated?

Following a thorough psychiatric evaluation, a Remedy psychiatric provider will create an individualized treatment plan for each patient with ADHD as every patient has a unique experience and specific needs to be addressed. The prescribed treatment plan will depend on the patient, the severity of the disorder, and how he or she is currently responding to therapy or medication.

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