Contents
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized by a marked increase in energy levels, an inability to sit still for long periods of time, and an extremely short attention span. There are generally considered to be three different types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive, and combined type. Each category comes with its own list of potential symptoms that you might experience. Inattentive ADHD must have several of the following symptoms:- Cannot pay close attention to the details or makes careless mistakes on assigned tasks
- Difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities
- Does not appear to listen when spoken to
- Does not follow through on instructions or complete tasks
- Difficulty organizing tasks
- Dislikes tasks that require mental effort
- Frequently loses things
- Easily distracted
- Often forgets daily tasks
- Fidgets with objects or taps hands and feet
- Unable to remain seated
- Runs and climbs where it is not appropriate to do so
- Unable to play quietly
- Acts as if driven by a motor
- Talks too much or blurts out an answer before the question has finished
- Difficulty waiting for turns
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
Pursuing the Proper ADHD Treatment
Because it is such a pervasive problem in every aspect of your daily life, you must begin to pursue proper treatment. This starts with an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, there are no lab tests that can accurately determine whether you have ADHD. Instead, you must undergo a neuropsychological evaluation to determine whether it is indeed the cause of your struggles. Once an accurate diagnosis is received, you can begin to pursue treatment. There are two main types of treatment that are recognized for individuals who are diagnosed with ADHD: medication and therapy. Medications can be used under the guidance of a skilled doctor or psychiatrist who has experience working with ADHD patients. This can often bring great relief from the more distracting symptoms of the disorder, but it shouldn’t be used alone. Patients have a greater chance of forming new and healthier habits when they use this medication in conjunction with behavioral therapy. On the other hand, behavioral therapy helps to teach that there are positive rewards for performing the desired behaviors and consequences for other choices. It may also require the help of people within the patient’s family in order to be as effective as possible. But of course, the overall goal here is to help people with ADHD learn how to better organize their lives and take back control of their behavior.Why is a Neuropsychological Evaluation Important in Diagnosing ADHD ?
The most important reason to obtain a neuropsychological evaluation is to ensure that you are receiving an accurate diagnosis. This is the first step toward obtaining the proper treatment so that you or your loved one can begin to live a productive and successful life. Unfortunately, an accurate diagnosis can be difficult without a thorough evaluation that tests all of your cognitive functions. A psychological test for ADHD includes assessment if your intelligence, memory and attention, language, executive functioning, and even your personality. Each of these areas of cognition is incredibly important to help create a more accurate picture of your struggles with inattention and hyperactivity. They can help to pinpoint whether the issues are caused by an attention deficit disorder or whether there may be an underlying cause for your symptoms. Many other conditions can cause symptoms that very closely mirror those found in patients with ADHD. Take a look at this list of potential issues that could cause symptoms very similar to those found in patients with ADHD:- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Substance abuse problems
- Migraines
- Sensory integration issues
- Learning disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder