ADHD
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (previously known as attention deficit disorder or ADD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by core symptoms of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is thought to be the most common childhood mental health disorder, with estimates of its prevalence in children ranging from 5 to 11 percent. ADHD in adulthood is thought to be less common, with approximately 2 to 5 percent of adults diagnosed.
ADHD symptoms can interfere with work, school, household tasks, and relationships, and managing the disorder can be a challenge for both children and adults. Fortunately, there are treatments that have been shown to be effective, and anyone affected by ADHD can learn coping skills to work around struggles and harness their talents—as many successful individuals with ADHD have already done.
What does ADHD look like?
Some children and adults with ADHD find it difficult to concentrate on tasks at school or work and may daydream frequently. Children with ADHD may become disruptive, defiant, or have trouble getting along with parents, peers, or teachers. Children who struggle with hyperactivity and impulsivity, in particular, often have behavioral challenges that can be difficult for adults to manage.
Adults, on the other hand, may be more likely to report feeling restless or fidgety; if they struggle with impulsivity, they may make rash decisions that adversely affect their life. For both children and adults, executive functioning (planning, emotional regulation, and decision-making) is often affected as well. Many children and adults display either hyperactive or inattentive symptoms of ADHD, but it’s also possible for both sets of symptoms to exist together, in what is typically called combined type ADHD.
Is ADHD real?
Most psychiatrists and psychologists agree that ADHD is real. It runs in families (suggesting genetic roots) and neurological evidence has found it to be associated with alterations in brain growth and development. ADHD is also clearly linked to academic, work, and relationship problems—and responds to treatment—suggesting that it has clinical validity. But whether the disorder is overdiagnosed and overtreated—or whether it reflects a set of evolved traits that have become less adaptive in today’s world—is widely debated.
What causes ADHD?
Like many other mental health disorders, the causes of ADHD remain under investigation. Genes are theorized to play a key role, as are environmental influences such as exposure to toxins in the womb and early traumatic experiences. Since ADHD is a behavioral disorder, expectations of appropriate behavior, particularly in children, likely influence diagnoses in some cases.
How is ADHD treated?
Experts have debated whether treatment for ADHD should be primarily behavioral (therapy, attention training, increased play, greater structure) or pharmacological. Several large studies have concluded that a combination of both may be most effective.
Mental Breakdowns
A mental breakdown is a term used to describe an event in which someone undergoes a sudden and severe bout of depression, anxiety, or stress. It can be triggered by any number of things: the death of a loved one, harassment at work, unemployment, or something else. Mental breakdowns are usually short-lived and can be treated with therapy and/or medication.
The symptoms can vary from person to person, but they all have one thing in common: they are overwhelming and difficult to cope with. Fortunately, there are treatments for these problems, and people who experience them should not feel hopeless or alone.
What Is a Mental Breakdown?
A mental breakdown is a term used to describe when someone experiences some sort of mental health crisis, like depression or anxiety. This can lead to a person having thoughts that they don't feel are their own and even suicidal ideation. It's important for people who have never experienced this type of crisis before not to be alarmed if a loved one reveals these symptoms as it doesn't necessarily mean they want to die.
It is important to note that the terms “mental breakdown” or “nervous breakdowns” are not medically accredited. However, these are commonly used descriptions for a group of symptoms some individuals may experience.
A mental breakdown is not something to be ashamed of. It's just one person trying to cope with the day-to-day stresses and anxieties that are simply too much for them.
It can happen at any time in your life, but it most often occurs during periods of high stress, such as when you're juggling school work and extracurricular activities or if you have recently experienced major losses like a death in the family or divorce.
A mental breakdown is not dangerous by default; however, there are some warning signs that should cause concern:
Suicidal thoughts
Feeling hopeless all the time
Constant feelings of worthlessness
What Are the Symptoms of a Mental Breakdown?
A mental breakdown is a time when someone's coping abilities have been pushed to the limit and they are unable to continue providing for their emotional needs. A person might start breaking down mentally after experiencing intense or traumatic events such as abuse, neglect, divorce, natural disasters, or being in an accident.
If you notice that your loved one has any of these symptoms, it's important to help them get professional treatment right away:
Feeling like life isn't worth living: This symptom is referred to as anhedonia, and it can be a terrifying experience.
Inability to sleep well at night: For example, if you have insomnia or simply cannot sleep at night because your mind won't shut off.
Sudden lack of appetite: It is common for people under great stress to forget to eat or simply not have any desire for food.
Unusual outbursts of anger: This is one of the most common symptoms of mental breakdowns and may also include paranoia, or even violence.
Lack of concentration: This also includes short-term memory struggles.
Feeling depressed or anxious for no apparent reason: This includes random crying
Remember that the term “mental breakdown” or “nervous breakdown” doesn't refer to one single mental health condition. This means the help of a behavioral health professional is necessary to identify which condition is the root cause of an individual’s symptoms. Once the causes of the symptoms have been properly diagnosed, individual treatment and recovery plans can be started.
