In today’s day and age, more and more people are questioning whether or not they have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Social media platforms like TikTok are categorizing otherwise normal symptoms of daydreaming and inattention as ADHD symptoms. Nonetheless, it is true that the prevalence of ADHD is on the rise. As an article from Missouri Medicine notes, “National population surveys reflect an increase in the prevalence from 6.1% to 10.2% in the 20-year period from 1997 to 2016.”
If you are questioning whether your symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity fit the criteria for ADHD, it is important to understand what the condition entails as well as how and why it develops.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, “one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition is characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combination therein that interferes with a person’s development or ability to function normally in their daily life. Although ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, symptoms become more prevalent later in life, especially if the condition is left untreated.
Potential Underlying Causes
There are many researched causes of ADHD, some of which are genetic and some of which are environmental/ developmental. For example, a genetic factor that increases your risk of developing ADHD is whether you have a parent or other relative with ADHD. In addition, on the aforementioned web page, the CDC highlights the following other possible causes of ADHD:
- Brain injury
- Exposure to environmental risks during pregnancy or at a young age
- Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
- Premature delivery
- Low birth weight
Moreover, other researchers are addressing other potential factors that may lead to symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, one being sugar consumption.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) places symptoms of ADHD into two main categories: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. It is important to understand that it is normal to experience inattention and impulsivity from time to time. However, if you have ADHD, these symptoms will be more severe, appear more often, and impair your daily functioning to a greater degree.
Inattention
Symptoms of inattention are marked by a lack of focus, even when concentration is required. You may have ADHD if you are experiencing symptoms of inattention such as:
- An inability to concentrate during important tasks
- Overlooking or missing important details at work or school
- An inability to listen when being spoken to directly
- Experiencing difficulties in following through with tasks and instructions
- Avoiding lengthy or otherwise mentally challenging tasks
- Frequently losing important items needed for daily life
- Being easily forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity
Symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are marked by acting without thinking or experiencing obvious issues with self-control. You may have ADHD if you are experiencing symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity such as:
- Restlessness
- Frequent fidgeting while seated
- Talking excessively
- Being unable to complete tasks quietly
- Answering questions before the question is finished
- Having trouble waiting your turn
- Interrupting others during discussions
- Risk-taking behavior, such as substance abuse
ADHD and Co-occurring Disorders
Similar to other mental health disorders, ADHD often co-occurs with substance use disorder (SUD) and other mental health problems. If you have ADHD, you may turn to alcohol and other drugs in an attempt to self-medicate your symptoms. Additionally, the CDC highlights the following co-occurring disorders that often present with ADHD:
- Behavior or conduct problems
- Learning disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
Diagnosis and Treatment for ADHD at 12 South Recovery
As you are reading this, you may have confirmed the suspicions of your (or your loved one’s) potential symptoms of ADHD. If so, the first step to healing and recovery involves receiving a proper diagnosis. You can consider receiving a professional diagnosis from any accredited mental health facility, such as 12 South Recovery. At 12 South, we pride ourselves on providing accurate diagnoses to ensure that your treatment plan is as effective as possible.
Treatment Programs and Services
Once you have a diagnosis, we will craft an individualized treatment plan for you based on your unique needs and recovery goals. Moreover, we will screen you for additional mental health and substance abuse so that we can treat all of your symptoms in tandem. This will provide you with the best chance at lasting recovery from your symptoms.
It is vital to note that we value our client’s opinions throughout the entire treatment and recovery process. We want you to feel heard. Therefore, if you find that a specific type of therapy or other intervention isn’t working as you had hoped, we can alter your treatment plan accordingly.
Therapeutic Interventions for ADHD
At 12 South Recovery, we offer several outpatient treatment programs including partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and general outpatient programming. Within each program, we offer a wide range of therapeutic interventions. Some types of therapies that we offer to help ADHD include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapies
- Adventure therapy
- Family therapy
In addition, pharmacotherapy options are available, which can be especially helpful in minimizing the severity of symptoms of ADHD, especially during the beginning stages of treatment. Moreover, we offer dual-diagnosis treatment options if you are struggling with co-occurring substance abuse or another mental health disorder.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can cause severe impairments in your ability to function in daily life. If you or a loved one is exhibiting symptoms of ADHD, it is important to identify and utilize professional treatment to kickstart recovery. 12 South Recovery is an addiction and mental health treatment facility that offers several outpatient programs to help individuals manage distressing mental health and addictive symptoms. We provide an abundance of therapeutic opportunities for our clients to have the best chance of lasting healing and recovery. If you have ADHD, we have the means to treat it and help you manage your symptoms. To learn more, call (888) 830-8374.
