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Millions of children and adults struggle with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which can make performing many basic, daily tasks a chore. Read on to find out how we can help.
Attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, and behavior. Symptoms often appear in early childhood, typically before age 12. However, some people aren’t diagnosed until adulthood, even though symptoms were present earlier.
If you or someone you love struggles with ADHD, Evie Lawson, FNP-C, MSN, RN, and her nationwide telehealth services at Horseshoe Healthcare can help.
As many as 7 million children and 15.5 million adults have been diagnosed with ADHD in America, and many more deal with it without diagnosis or treatment. If you’re among that number, this blog provides a look at the problems you may be struggling with every day and how we can help.
ADHD basics
While neurological issues and genetics are commonly associated with how the condition develops, the actual cause of ADHD isn’t clearly understood. Research suggests that differences in brain structure, neural pathways, and dopamine regulation may contribute to ADHD.
The primary types of ADHD — inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined — provide a consistent way to diagnose a condition that presents in a variety of ways and can be confusing to diagnose otherwise.
Signs include difficulty paying attention, forgetfulness, inability to complete tasks, being easily distracted, trouble staying still, interrupting others while they are talking, excessive talking, organizational problems, and frequent loss of items.
The effects of ADHD on everyday life
While the symptoms already mentioned happen frequently, there are other ways ADHD affects life, including:
Compulsive eating
Because ADHD affects impulse control and reward pathways, many people find themselves overeating or eating impulsively.
Anxiety
Anxiety that doesn’t fade over time is typical of anxiety disorders, and it often shows up in people with ADHD as well.
Substance misuse
Impulse‑control challenges and sensation‑seeking can increase the risk of misusing alcohol or drugs.
Chronic stress
ADHD can raise daily stress levels, and long‑term stress may contribute to muscle tension, pain, digestive issues, and other physical symptoms.
Problems sleeping
People with ADHD often struggle with sleep, including issues like snoring, restless legs, sleep apnea, or a disrupted circadian rhythm — all of which can make rest harder to achieve.
Staying employed
Attention, focus, and organization are essential to most jobs, and ADHD makes all of these seemingly basic functions more difficult to manage, especially if they’re undiagnosed.
Financial issues
Impulsivity can lead to overspending, and organizational challenges may make managing bills or budgeting more difficult.
How we can help
If you show a number of the signs mentioned above and haven’t been diagnosed with ADHD, now’s the time to make an appointment to do so. To help you cope with many of the daily challenges this neurodevelopmental condition can bring, we can use a combination of treatments.
Medication can help reduce core symptoms, while talk therapy, behavioral strategies, and lifestyle changes address many of the other challenges ADHD can create.
To find the right balance to help you or a loved one get control of life with ADHD, call us or book an appointment online with Horseshoe Healthcare today.