ADHD Diagnosis Newcastle
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Newcastle, a harbour city in the Australian state of New South Wales, is a great place to start a family. The city has various relaxing areas to live in, displaying a friendly style of living.
However, Newcastle is no stranger to childhood disorders. One of the most common childhood disorders in Australia is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing has even reported that 11% of Australian children and adolescents fulfilled the criteria for ADHD.
Definition of ADHD
ADHD is a biologically based neurological condition that affects people's behaviour. Unlike other health issues where people have obvious physical, intellectual, motor, or sensory impairments, the handicap simultaneously works as with the symptoms. People with ADHD have severe impairment on inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity across various settings.
When the condition persists, people will experience difficulties in their daily activities. They may perform poorly in any task, develop low self-esteem, and have trouble learning and social adapting. Other mental and physical health-related adverse conditions such as sleep and anxiety disorder will also surface.
Symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD are noticeable at an early age, especially when the child experiences a change in setting like the first time going to school. They become fully diagnosed by the age of 6 to 12 years old.
With the inattentive type of ADHD, people struggle to pay attention or stay focused for long periods. They are easily distracted, not paying any attention to details. They have short-span memory and difficulty in following directions and staying organised. They often lose personal items such as keys or books. People with this lack of focus are prone to daydreaming and incomplete work.
On the other hand, symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity are the second type of ADHD. They appear to be on the go and act before they think. These people have lots of energy and run around in inappropriate situations. Waiting is unbearable for them. They squirm, tap, and fidget as they wait. They intrude and interrupt others constantly.
The symptoms of ADHD can range from mild to severe, affecting performance at school, work, and social situations. These symptoms usually improve with age, but many adults diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.
ADHD Diagnosis
Children go through many phases where they're restless or inattentive. Their hyperactivity or inactivity doesn't necessarily mean that they have ADHD.
However, it is better to raise concerns early and diagnose if the child has the condition or not. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the symptoms to be observed for an ADHD diagnosis. Individuals must also meet the criteria for ADHD such as:
Displaying several signs of ADHD before the age of 12
Having symptoms in more than one setting
Showing clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with their functioning at school, work, or in social situations
Having symptoms not explained by another condition
Diagnosis of ADHD has standardised rating scales determining the classification of the disorder. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and comparison between the behaviour of individuals suspected with ADHD and other people of their age helps identify the severity and type of ADHD.
Professionals also perform physical exams like vision screening, hearing screening, electroencephalogram (EEG) to determine the complete medical history of potential people with ADHD. They also cheque if there may be other reasons for the unusual behaviours from the screening.
Early diagnosis means better manageable life for potential cases. Newcastle residents should pay attention to the symptoms as early as they appear and forget their reservation to have a diagnosis. Early intervention is better than any medication.
Healthcare providers and other health organisations like Positive Moods offers services for behavioural intervention.
Treatment of ADHD
ADHD incurs severe costs for the individual and the society they are within. It has more burden than other mental disabilities or illnesses since the condition becomes tightly tied to one's behaviour. However, ADHD is easily treatable.
Early intervention means more benefits for the people with ADHD and those around them. They may still have successful and fulfilling lives despite the condition after early diagnosis and immediate handling of symptoms.
ADHD has no definite cure, but it may be managed with appropriate educational support, advice, and support for parents and affected children, alongside medicine, if necessary. The type of treatment chosen depends on the child's symptoms and needs.
Professionals usually advise adults with still severe ADHD symptoms to take medications. They prescribe stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall and non-stimulant medications like Strattera and Intuniv.
In addition, a behavioural intervention plan helps parents and caretakers to teach kids adaptive behaviour skills and reduce off-task and inattentive behaviours. It includes behaviour modification, parent training, social skills training, and school interventions.
Challenges with ADHD
People with ADHD live with handicaps of behavioural issues that disturb their performance in activities and relationships. The impulsive, fearless, and chaotic behaviours typical of ADHD make everyday activities exhausting and stressful. It is also challenging for those who share space with them.
But it's important to remember that ADHD is not a condition easily handled.
People with ADHD control and manage their behavioural issues with time, but some daily problems may rise until then. Depending on the type of ADHD and what age the person is, they will experience difficulty focusing.
These people will get on the nerves of others by their unusual behaviours, especially with how they easily daydream and blurt sensitive topics. Some may have severe issues with relationships or social interaction.
It is also not smooth sailing after being diagnosed and getting help from professionals on how to handle the condition. ADHD has no poof cure. It requires continuous handling of symptoms. Monitoring and evaluating ADHD is a necessity to lower the symptoms from worsening.
In addition, some individuals lack awareness and understanding of ADHD, its diagnosis, and treatment by primary care providers. There is the unwillingness to seek out help because of the black stigma that mental and behavioural issues have in society. Some can't afford the high cost of diagnostic tests and individualised treatment plans.
For more details, may call Positive Moods on 1300 001 470, email at ndis@positivemoods.com.au, or fill in the contact form on https://www.positivemoods.com.au/contactus.