What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children that may last into adulthood. The condition is usually characterized by trouble paying attention, overly active behavior, or controlling impulsive behavior. ADHD can be a debilitating and chronic disorder. It can impact various aspects of an individual’s life, such as professional and academic achievements, daily functioning, and interpersonal relationships.
If the disorder is not treated timely, it may lead to poor social function, low self-esteem, increased self-criticism due to various criticisms throughout their lives, and sensitivity to criticism. ADHD is initially diagnosed in young children of school-going age and is more common in boys than girls. Girls show symptoms such as inactivity, whereas boys are more hyperactive. Research data shows that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects 8.4 percent of children and 2.5 percent of adults.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of ADHD?
Trouble behaving and focusing is normal in children. However, children suffering from ADHD grow beyond this behavior, and the symptoms can be very severe, causing difficulty at home, school, and with friends.
A few symptoms of ADHD are as follows:
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Too much talking.
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Daydreaming.
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Fridge and squirm.
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Difficulty getting along with people.
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Lose or forget things.
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Take unnecessary risks and make careless mistakes.
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A person has a hard time resisting temptation.
What Are the Causes of ADHD?
The actual cause of ADHD is still unknown, but researchers believe that the disorder occurs due to some genetic disorder.
In addition, some of the risk factors and causes of the disorder include:
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Use of tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy.
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Low birth weight.
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Brain injury.
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Premature delivery.
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Environmental risks, such as lead toxicity during pregnancy.
What Is the Role of Norepinephrine and Dopamine in ADHD?
Norepinephrine and dopamine are neurotransmitters that play an essential role in thinking and attention in ADHD. However, these are not the only neurotransmitters in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Both these neurochemicals increase focus and alertness in ADHD patients. These neurotransmitters are similar in chemical structure, except for the hydroxy group; dopamine is a precursor to norepinephrine synthesis in the brain.
Norepinephrine - It is made out of dopamine and is a part of the sympathetic nervous system. It helps people pay attention, stay awake, and think clearly. It also plays a vital role in the body’s “fight-or-flight” or acute stress response. Norepinephrine is responsible for increasing alertness, attention, and arousal. It also helps maintain blood pressure during stress by constricting blood vessels, affecting memory, sleep-wake cycle, and mood. Therefore, a norepinephrine deficiency prevents signals from reaching the brain and its parts, such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for functions like emotion regulation, attention, and impulse control. This leads to ADHD and other mental health disorders and conditions due to an imbalance or low levels of norepinephrine in the brain.
Dopamine - In addition to norepinephrine, dopamine is a vital brain chemical responsible for important functions of the body, such as memory, movement, motivation, sleep, arousal, lactation, learning, attention, and pleasure rewards. Dopamine is also called a “feel-good” hormone, which gives a sense of motivation and pleasure. Therefore, fluctuating dopamine levels in the brain can cause various mental health issues and neurological diseases. Too little dopamine can also lead to ADHD symptoms, such as trouble paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.
How Is ADHD Diagnosed?
The symptoms of ADHD start in the early life phase when a child is below 12 years of age, and they continue to become problematic into adulthood. There is no specific test that can diagnose this condition.
However, a diagnosis can be made in the following ways:
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The doctor conducts a physical examination of an individual to rule out the presence of symptoms and their possible causes. They may also ask a person about their past or present medical condition, family and personal history, and the history of their symptoms.
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Psychological testing, or an ADHD rating scale, is also used as a diagnostic tool to gather and evaluate information about the symptoms present.
How Is ADHD Treated?
The standard treatment for ADHD management in adults includes medication, psychological counseling, skills training, and education. These treatment options are more effective when used in combination. However, they can only manage the ADHD symptoms but cannot cure them permanently.
Medications: The most common medications prescribed for ADHD are stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. These stimulants balance the levels and boost the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). Other medications used for the treatment involve antidepressants, such as bupropion, and non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine. These can be used as an alternative to stimulants if a person cannot take stimulants, but they work slower than stimulants.
Psychological Counseling: It includes psychotherapy, which helps educate a person about the disorder and develop learning skills to succeed in life.
Psychotherapy helps in the following ways:
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It improves organizational skills and time management.
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Helps develop problem-solving skills.
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Improves the self-esteem of a person.
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It helps develop strategies for temper control.
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Helps manage impulsive behavior.
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Helps a person deal with past failures and setbacks.
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Teaches the person to develop or improve relationships with co-workers, family, and friends.
Psychotherapy is mainly of two types:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - This type of counseling session is structured to teach individuals specific skills to manage their behavior and help change their negative thinking patterns into a positive outlook. It helps people deal with life's challenges and addresses mental health issues.
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Marital Counseling and Family Therapy - This counseling session is for people living with ADHD to help them cope with stress. They are taught to communicate and develop problem-solving skills.
How Can Norepinephrine and Dopamine Levels Be Maintained In the Brain?
People can maintain dopamine and norepinephrine levels by engaging in activities or hobbies that make them happy and relaxed. These activities include meditation, massage, exercise, yoga, playing with pets, reading books, listening to good music, or cooking. In addition, eating healthy foods rich in protein and less saturated fat can also help maintain normal levels of these brain chemicals in ADHD patients.
Conclusion
ADHD is related to dopamine deficiency and norepinephrine, the brain neurotransmitters. It has been found that treating the underlying deficiency of these brain chemicals can help cure the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactive disorder or ADHD. Since the disorder develops in the very early stages of life, therefore it should be addressed to the healthcare provider in case any symptoms are witnessed in a person for timely intervention and management of the condition.
