Let’s start answering the main question with giving the definition of ADHD. According to DSM-5, which is a handbook used by professionals to diagnose mental health disorders, “ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impairing levels of inattention, disorganization, and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.”There is no main cause for ADHD but there are some causes can be given such as genetics, environment, developmental problems. These different causes lead to one specific result. In brain, there are neurotransmitters that help us live through day. One of them is crucial for ADHD. Dopamine.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that works as ‘reward center’ of brain and responsible for memory, movement, motivation, mood, attention, sleep (2). In ADHD, the problem is the low dopamine level of the brain which leads to being inattentive, forgetful, clumsy, and more.In many journals, ADHD is written as a childhood disorder. Although it is true in a way but there is an important point that has been missed. Which is, ADHD not only affects people during childhood, but can also have a significant impact in adulthood. It defined as neurodevelopmental disorder which might be dark, but it means that ADHD will be with you until the end. However, you eventually learn to live with it. ‘Living with it’ phrase led us to another important topic.
“ADHD is not your character. ADHD is not Depression. ADHD is not Anxiety.”
ADHD is affecting 5% of adult population however, less than 20% of adults are currently diagnosed or under a treatment(1). Most of adults consider ADHD symptoms as their characteristic features like ‘I am lazy’ ‘I am ambivalent’ ‘I am clumsy’. These adjectives might be true for some people but if you have all of them plus inability to focus on one task or can not sit still like your friends than you want to check that out.According to a national survey, girls with ADHD are three times more likely get diagnose for a mood disorder (bipolar or depression) before diagnosed with ADHD. There might be few reasons for this such as ADHD in girls are more likely to be inattentive type compared the boys. This misdiagnosis can be persisted in adulthood too. ADHD in adults and ADHD in childhood might seem not similar but most of the time when a child with ADHD become adult their hyperactivity is internalized. This can be defined as ‘Masking’.
Masking behavior is simply hiding symptoms when you are with other people. In order to fit the standard adult behaviors many people with ADHD, also it can include other mental health disorders as well, hiding their symptoms and act like others. This situation may cause misdiagnose or not getting any diagnose or treatment.Even though ADHD has specific diagnose criteria, this disorder can be seen differently in each person. Therefore, we can say that treatment of this disorder differs from person to person.
