Discovering the Symptoms for ADHD

One can be hyperactive, with a lot of energy and possibly lacking the ability to concentrate fully on something without having ADHD. Taking this into consideration, it becomes even harder to diagnose ADHD properly. What do physicians judge as being or not being ADD?

Since each one of us can be hyperactive at times and have difficulty concentrating, a correct diagnosis of the disorder requires that this tendency repeats itself regularly over a course of time.

ADHD Signs And Symptoms

There are also some age-related guidelines for determining what is normal behavior. For instance, this type of hyperactive and erratic behavior has to become evident after seven years of age and last for say, six months.

The behavior also needs to point out deficiencies in two major areas of one's life such as the behavior in school and the academic performance, at home, living inside the community or when on the playground. The disorder may even impair friendships from being formed but the diagnosis must be made after a careful assessment of many factors. For instance, a child may seem overly active but perform very well in school, thus making it difficult to be diagnosed with ADD.

What Are Symptoms Of ADHD?

Before diagnosing ADHD in an individual, an ADHD Specialist needs to consider a number of factors such as whether the behavior appears to be excessive and impulsive. Is it observable in the long term or simply erratic and spontaneous. If it is pervasive, then something might be going on.

. It is also important to note whether the behavior is specific to a certain place, say the playground or whether it continues in the other environments as well. These patterns of behavior are very useful in answering some questions relating to the ADD disorder and diagnosis.

Making a Diagnosis

Some parents usually recognize hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention in their child even before the time comes for the child to enter school. While the child may not be willing to concentrate on doing a certain task or watch TV shows, he or she may become unruly and will try to dissipate their energy somewhere else. Since children at this age are innately full or energy and wanting to do as many things as they can, it is very difficult to distinguish between what is specific to the age and what pertains to the disorder.

This is why is it advisable to obtain the opinion of an experienced physician and see whether the child's hyperactivity is normal or not. A pediatrician should also be consulted for an opinion, in addition to a psychologist or psychiatrist who can combine their observations together in order to make a holistic overview over what is happening with your child.

ADHD can best be observed by parents or staff at school so that symptoms that may remain unnoticed by medical professionals will be provided by the persons relating closer to the child.

Bearing in mind that the difference between a child suffering from ADHD and a child not suffering from it can be most easily observed in school, it is thus best to observe the behavior of a child at school. This environment where the child needs to perform academically as well as interact with children of all ages around requires self control, attention and social skills that the child needs to develop from an early age.

Therefore, even if teachers are sometimes unable to recognize any suspicious symptoms in a child's behavior, one can largely distinguish between a child that is quiet and able to cooperate from one that is inattentive and unruly.

Finding an ADHD Specialist

If ADD is indeed suspected, then one needs to go to several sources to confirm his or her predictions. This assures that the diagnosis is established by professionally trained individuals who have dealt in the past with this disorder.

Psychologists or child psychiatrists can provide an accurate diagnosis to a suspecting parent since they normally deal with behavioral issues. Also, behavioral neurologists can also form an educated opinion whether a child is suffering from ADD or not. Parents could even consider paying a visit even to child social workers, who work closely with children.

For one thing, the parents with a child suspect of having ADD need to visit the child's pediatrician for an initial, introductory opinion. This specialist, if uncertain about making an ADHD diagnosis, can refer the parents to visit a health specialist to ask for a second opinion.

Agencies at a regional level also provide assistance for parents needing medical help. In addition to this there are also volunteer organizations who can ensure that the child receives a proper treatment, before putting the label of a diagnosis first.

For instance, psychiatrists are able to provide holistic services to a family in that they can counsel, prescribe medication and look for patterns of ADHD in a child, all at the same time. A psychologist would counsel the parents and look for ADD, but he or she could not give out any medication.

A pediatrician on the other hand can prescribe medication, diagnose ADD but there is no counseling provided. Neurologists, do not counsel parents but they diagnose ADD and also prescribe medication for it.

Lastly, social workers lack the authority to prescribe medication to a patient but they can diagnose ADD and provide moral support to the individuals involved.

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