Dr. Edwin H. Cook Jr., MD

When diagnosing ADHD, it is important to rule out other issues that may be causing the symptoms. Seizure disorders, hearing loss, anxiety, and domestic problems are some examples of problems that can cause behaviors similar to those seen with ADHD.

Treatment can include stimulant medications, behavioral therapy to teach patients ways to navigate their world and control symptoms better, and accommodations at school or work. A structured environment (with lots of organization and well-defined rules) seems to help most kids with ADHD function at their best.

ADHD is mainly thought of as a disorder that affects children, but symptoms can last into adulthood for a third to half of those diagnosed. In adults, ADHD has similar symptoms as when it is seen in children: impulsive behavior, difficulty maintaining focus, being easily distracted, or a tendency to fidget. These symptoms can cause problems in a patient's careers and relationships. Additionally, adults with ADHD are at increased risk for substance abuse. Medications can be an important part of treatment for adults, as well as stress reduction techniques and organization skills training. Specialized ADHD coaches can help adults with ADHD manage their symptoms and succeed in all areas of their life.

Episodes may be a mixture of both manic and depressive symptoms. In such an episode, individuals with bipolar disorder may feel sad, empty, and hopeless but have a high level of energy at the same time. Sometimes, changes in mood are less dramatic. For example, individuals may feel happy and think everything is fine, but people around them may notice their mood changes. Episodes like this are called hypomania. If an individual is hypomanic and does not receive proper treatment, their condition will likely worsen.

Generally considered a lifetime illness, the disorder begins in the late teen or early adult years. Bipolar disorder has no known cause, but research has shown that it tends to run in families. To diagnose it, a psychiatrist carefully assesses an individual's moods and behavior patterns. They may also be asked to keep a daily record of their moods and other factors that can help with diagnosis and determining the right course of therapy. Counseling is a typical form of treatment, as is a group of medications that can control symptoms, called antipsychotics.

OCD frequently revolves around themes such as the fear of contracting germs or the fear of death. Common obsessions include:

• Fear of getting contaminated by people or the environment
• Extreme concern with order or precision
• Fear of death or behaviors perceived as risky
• Fear of accidents, disasters, and traumatic incidents

These obsessions and compulsions often contribute to anxiety, depression, and recurring emotions of fear and disgust. People with OCD cannot "turn off" their patterns of thought or behavior, and thus must continually grapple with urges to behave or think in a certain way, as well as the emotions associated with these urges. Some OCD patients describe their entire life as revolving around their obsessions and compulsions and this can result in their missing out on important school and social activities, travel, and family time. The impact of OCD is extensive and can even make daily activities like drinking, reading, sleeping, and eating extremely difficult.

The obsessions manifest in compulsive behaviors that can have negative implications on one's life. Some examples of compulsive behaviors include, among others:

• Excessive hand washing or showering
• Constant reordering or arranging of items
• Refusal to fly, drive, or participate in other activities
• Refusal to leave one's residence

Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects adults, adolescents, and children. OCD has been observed in children as young as five or six years of age, usually through sensitivity issues, obsessions about dirt or germs, or repeated doubts. The cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is unknown. However, a person's likelihood of developing the condition may be increased by a number of variables such as family history, stressful life events, and pre-existing mental health disorders.

OCD is diagnosed based on a patients' reported symptoms. For example, a pediatrician or child psychiatrist may ask children (or their parents) how often they wash their hands or experience behavioral urges. Psychiatrists will evaluate patients for other symptoms and may instruct patients to describe their mental processes, thought patterns, and previous traumatic experiences.

While there is no cure for OCD, treatment can greatly improve patients' functioning in daily routines and activities. A common treatment for OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps patients identify negative patterns of thought and behavior and learn how to adjust them. Aversion therapy may also help those who have a fear of germs or contamination by forcing them to confront their fear and slowly overcome it. Many patients also benefit from counseling to address the anxiety, stress, and trauma that may accompany OCD. Other treatments for OCD include oral medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, which are antidepressants) to normalize levels of a brain chemical called serotonin, which may improve OCD symptoms. Medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) can help alleviate OCD-related behavioral urges, anxiety, and depression. Many OCD patients also find OCD support groups helpful to learn new coping strategies, to socialize, and to verbalize their emotions and experiences.

It is important to note that while OCD is a common mental health disorder, it is not a personality trait. The term "OCD" is sometimes used to informally describe someone having a tendency towards organization or orderliness. This usage is pervasive but inappropriate - OCD is a severe, life-altering condition. Some people with OCD who successfully manage their symptoms find that they may benefit from other traits that may be associated with OCD, such as high attention to detail and precision.