Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders among children. Often the symptoms develop during childhood and continue throughout adulthood. In fact, with ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms determine the type of neurodevelopmental disorder. Since it is a complicated condition, patients and family members should be well aware of the common signs, treatments, and disease management to improve long-term outlook. Here is a comprehensive overview.

Most common signs of ADHD
ADHD signs and symptoms vary depending on the patient’s gender and age. Signs observed among young children will not necessarily be the same as those observed among adults.

Inattention
Reduced attention to detail, not listening intently in an active conversation, not following up on assigned tasks, experiencing trouble organizing activities, reluctance to complete important tasks, losing possessions, and easily getting distracted are all the major signs of inattention linked to ADHD. Diagnoses are confirmed when these symptoms last six months or longer during the initial development stages.

Hyperactivity and impulsive behavior
Behavioral changes will become more evident after the initial development of the disorder. Children and adults struggle with sitting still in one place, often fighting the urge to do something. This is quite evident with tapping hands or feet, fidgeting excessively, and visibly being nervous or in a state of discomfort. Impulsively getting up and wandering around, not being patient, over-enthusiastic responses, excessive talking, and constantly being in a state of readiness are all obvious signs of hyperactivity.

Developmental signs among children and teenagers
Children are already quite active by nature, and with ADHD, they can experience trouble focusing on the most basic tasks, struggle with minimal attention span, and can get easily distracted. They might constantly need to move around or fidget with one thing. In addition, young children will become excessively vocal and may feel the need to interrupt others unnecessarily, causing chaos. Teenagers experience similar signs of chaotic behavioral changes that ultimately lead to trouble navigating some of the most basic aspects of daily life. This can impact their social communication, strain relationships in the family, and even affect memory to some extent.

Notable behavioral ADHD signs among adults
Men and women who are diagnosed with ADHD at a later stage after its prevalence was first confirmed also develop similar symptoms. However, the intensity and behavioral impact will differ significantly from what is observed among toddlers, young children, and teenagers. Adults may struggle with low self-esteem, which affects their confidence to go about the daily office and personal work. Adults pursuing higher education will find it difficult to focus in class and complete coursework. They find it challenging to pass courses since their preparation may fall short of required course credits. Low confidence and bad decision-making can also strain family and social relationships. Attention deficit also increases the risk of physical injury while performing regular tasks. Women will also struggle with myriad behavioral problems triggered by hormonal changes.

Treatment options
Treatments for children and adults will differ mainly depending on the severity of the disorder. Doctors usually suggest a combination of prescriptions and behavioral therapy to improve quality of life.

Prescriptions for symptom management
Jornay PM® is one of the common oral prescriptions suggested for young children that can be given at night to overcome ADHD symptoms the following day. It belongs to a class of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that are recommended for patients six years and above. Doctors may also prescribe Concerta®, a similar extended-release CNS stimulant that activates at night and prevents symptoms from flaring up during the day. Dyanavel®XR is another delayed action oral stimulant suggested for ADHD treatment for patients six years and above. Also, there are non-stimulant prescriptions available that manage symptoms for a longer duration. However, research studies are indicative of the fact that most patients respond well to CNS stimulants, especially younger children suffering from active symptoms.

Behavioral therapy and support
Psychotherapy is one of the most widely suggested therapies for managing ADHD symptoms. Any form of therapy, in fact, will nurture and condition patients to overcome and cope with many of the persistent symptoms. Psychotherapy also helps overcome problems faced by interacting with peers and family members. Cognitive and Behavioral therapy alternatively trains patients to monitor abrupt changes in daily interaction or responses. Observing these changes enables one to implement new strategies while interacting with others. These strategies can be reinforced with a rewards system to enforce positive feedback. In addition, both children and adults can explore skills, conditioning, and training techniques to better respond and react in an uncomfortable situations. Doctors also advise joining support groups and exploring options for counseling to prevent ADHD from becoming a major hindrance to daily routine. Support groups help patients understand it is possible to live a normal life with proper ADHD symptoms management.

Foods to eat and avoid with ADHD
Changes in daily nutrition can help better manage ADHD. Fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants & anti-inflammatory compounds and whole grains rich in fiber are all healthy foods to include daily. Essential minerals include vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, probiotics, and B vitamins also help boost immunity and improve cognitive function. In addition to this, lean meats rich in proteins, nuts, and seeds with essential vitamin E, eggs, and oily fish with essential omega 3 fatty acids can all help slow down disease progression.

It is also important to exclude a number of foods and beverages that can have a negative impact on mood and overall well-being. Foods that contain excess amounts of additives, preservatives, and any coloring can have a negative impact on ADHD disease progression. Sugary sweets, artificial sweeteners, and beverages like flavored sodas that contain processed sugar can all adversely impact hyperactivity symptoms generally observed among children and teenagers. Even lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance can trigger food sensitivities that aggravate discomforts linked to ADHD.