Overview
A mental illness often diagnosed in children and adolescents, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can continue into adulthood when it is not treated. In the United States alone, over six million children between the ages of 4 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, and about 4% to 5% of adults are affected.
A person with this disorder may have difficulty focusing on tasks or sustaining attention, have difficulty controlling behavior or be impulsive, and be hyperactive. Those with ADHD may suffer from inattentiveness, while others may experience hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. ADHD manifests as a combination of symptoms in the majority of people.
There's no exact test for ADHD, but making a diagnosis will likely contain:
- Medical exam to exclude other causes of symptoms
- Information gathering, including past and current medical conditions, medical histories of family and friends, and records of school attendance
- Interviews or questionnaires with family members, teachers, caregivers, babysitters, coaches, and others who know your child well
- ADHD criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association
- ADHD rating scales to help gather and evaluate information regarding your child
Diagnosing ADHD in young children
Even though ADHD symptoms can sometimes appear in preschoolers and young children, diagnosing the disorder in a very young child is difficult. That's because developmental issues such as language delays can also mimic ADHD symptoms in very young children.
As a result, young or preschool-age children who suspect they have ADHD are likely to need specialist evaluation, such as that provided by a psychologist or Psychiatrist in the Bronx, a speech pathologist, or a developmental pediatrician.
Other conditions that resemble ADHD
Medical conditions and their treatments may cause signs and symptoms similar to ADHD. Examples include:
- Learning or language problems
- Disorders of mood, such as anxiety or depression
- Disorders of seizure
- Problems with vision or hearing
- Spectrum disorder of autism
- Medications or medical conditions that affect thinking or behavior
- Sleep disorders
- Brain injury
Bottom line
It is essential to rule out other mental or medical conditions before diagnosing ADHD based on a pattern of symptoms. If you are also concerned about having the same problem, you can find your solution in Bronx, NY. Get the best treatment with the best.
Location: Psychiatrist Bronx NY 811 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10459, United States