What makes ADHD symptoms worse?

What makes ADHD symptoms worse?

Certain behaviors are expected depending on the age of a person. Because the brain doesn’t develop at the same rate in everyone, cognitive functions may be poor in some people and not in others. A child 10 years old, for example, might only have the abilities of a younger child 8 years old rather than his or her same age peers. Therefore, as you or your child get older, the problem is not that ADHD gets worse, it’s that the child’s abilities are not developing synchronized with age.

Although ADHD doesn’t get “worse,” the tasks expected of the person become more complicated with age and circumstances, such as increased demands in school, therefore, the problematic behaviors (such as completing things on time) become more problematic. For example, as the child may get a lower grade for turning in late work. Examples of other complications include:

• Undertaking new challenges without sufficient support: New and more complex challenges frequently arise in school. As a child advances in grade level, academic tasks become more complex, such as having to write lengthy reports or studying numerous chapters of a history book. Task complexity in reading, spelling, math and interacting with classmates pose problems to the child who has limited ability to meet demand. The student with ADHD may struggle even more without additional collateral support from parents and teachers.
• Often, children are punished for actions they cannot control: Children with ADHD may be criticized and punished by parents and teachers, they may be looked down on by peers because of their inability to finish tasks or remember their schoolwork, and some may not know how to play appropriately with their friends. Adults can be penalized by supervisors at their jobs for forgetting to do work and, at times, even by family members for failing to stay organized, or stay focused on tasks to completion.
• Additional problems with thinking, emotions and behaviors: Psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety are common in people with ADHD. Children are 62% more likely to have at least one disorder. Adults with ADHD are six times more likely to have a disorder. People with ADHD are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
• Stress: So many things can cause additional stress in the life of someone with ADHD. Examples include serious medical illnesses, domestic violence, divorce, loss of employment or the death of a friend or family member.
• No treatment: According to recent data, 17.5% of children ages four to 17 in the United States received no treatment — behavioral or pharmacological — for ADHD. Treatment is vital for managing ADHD symptoms.