How to Know if You Have ADHD?
Kids get fired up. It’s what they do and being hyper is often referred to as bouncing off the walls. No kid is actually ever doing that but being overly energetic at times is natural. Being like that often along with impulsivity and inattentiveness may mean the child has ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It’s surprisingly common in children but the disorder usually doesn’t show itself until the age of 9 or so. Most children with ADHD will be diagnosed before they’re 12, and parents may be asking how to know if you have ADHD. There are signs, and Strattera is a common ADHD treatment medication.
One of the biggest concerns for parents of children is that it will negatively affect their schoolwork, and that is a very real possibility for many of them. ADHD and school performance is a legitimate concern, and asides from the inattentiveness and being easily distracted another problem for kids with ADHD is that they are more inclined to take risks. It’s not hard to imagine all the different possibilities that could apply to both in class and out on the schoolyard too. However, it is also true that there are many children with ADHD who do just fine academically.
Speaking or acting impulsively can be part of how to know if you have ADHD. There can also be misperceptions related to ADHD, and sometimes people will see the child as being immature or irresponsible. Another thing parents can look for is having their son or daughter able to start chores assigned to them, but not complete them.
This same inability to complete tasks unless constantly supervised may be a sign of ADHD in children, and if a young person is unable to stop interrupting others when talking that may also be one. Let’s look deeper at more signs as it is important for family members to be familiar with how to know if you have ADHD.
Different for Girls
It is more common for boys to have ADHD than girls, and this is particularly true for the hyperactivity part of the equation. Generally, the inattentiveness and lack of focus is seen in children of either gender, but not having the same full slate of ADHD symptoms makes how to know if you have ADHD as a girl. Not too much to discuss about that except for the ‘bouncing off the walls’ part of it all the ADHD signs will be much the same for young females.
One thing to note though is that ADHD and connected mental disorders later in adolescence is a possibility too, including depression and girls are more likely to become depressed because of ADHD than boys. Although severe depression is more common for females of all ages, while teenage boys may be more prone to conduct disorder in adolescence as a result of ADHD. That’s a part of why it is important to start working with a child’s ADHD as early on as possible along with how to know if you have ADHD.
ADHD treatment medication will improve their mental focus and quell hyperactivity to an extent, but it won’t prevent the possibility of future mental health conditions related to the condition. Again, it’s important know how to know if you have ADHD, and to that the most common ADHD symptoms are:
- Being overly energetic, talkative, and outgoing
- Acting or speaking impulsively
- Talking overly spontaneously
- Being easily distracted
- Inability to pay attention or focus on tasks
- Dominating behavior when interacting with other children
Children with ADHD may also have language deficits with slow processing of information and responding slowly to question or inquiries. They may provide rambling answers or write more slowly than other children too. People with ADHD may have poor organizational skills too.
Into Adulthood
We’ve talked about what you might want to know with how to know if you have ADHD, and we need to keep in mind that ADHD can be something that stays with people as they get older and more licentious. If you’re an adult who believes they have ADHD and you’re not sure of it then you can take an ADHD test and the same ADHD medications that work for children will be good for adults too. That is depending on a doctor’s judgement of course, but many adults with ADHD respond better to amphetamine-based medications like Adderall that can’t be given to children for obvious reasons.
How do I know if I had ADHD? The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor or a mental health professional who is able to point you in the right direction.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
