Professional help for anxiety is sometimes needed, especially is the person is suffering from severe anxiety symptoms. Anxiety help can come in the form of therapy, medication, lifestyle changes and alternative or natural anxiety treatments.

Psychological and psychiatric help for anxiety can be received from professionals like:

• Doctors – a family doctor or a specialist like a psychiatrist
• Therapists – typically a psychologist or a licensed counselor

One way to find a referral to an anxiety treatment specialist is by calling your county psychological association or county medical society for a psychiatrist. When choosing a professional for anxiety help, it's important that you feel comfortable with them and they be properly trained and experienced in the treatment of anxiety. Some other considerations when choosing a professional includes:

• The format of treatment, including the involvement of partners and family in treatment
• The cost of treatment and insurance coverage

Others also may be able to provide help with anxiety or help with lifestyle changes that can reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Examples might be a nutritionist or those in an anxiety support group. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America provides a list of local support groups on its website. You might also check with your county mental health agency to see if they know of other anxiety support groups in your community. Family, friends, community organizations and faith groups can also provide help with anxiety.

How to Help Someone with Anxiety

Anxiety symptoms can be challenging for the individual with anxiety and those around them. Often education and forms of treatment are needed for loved ones as well, particularly when the anxiety is severe. As a loved one, you have the opportunity to help someone with anxiety in several ways, including:

• Getting educated about anxiety
• Participating in therapy or a support group
• Positively supporting new, healthy behaviors and beliefs
• No getting discouraged if treatment doesn't help right away
• Helping to set realistic treatment goals
• Asking the person with anxiety how to help

As a loved one, it's also important to maintain your own support system as helping someone with anxiety can be draining on you too.

Anxiety Help Tips

Anxiety treatment can seem daunting, but with effort and persistence, the vast majority of people experience relief. It's important to remember, anxiety help doesn't take effect overnight. Sometimes several treatments must be tried before the right one is found for you. Also, stress can bring about an increase of symptoms but this doesn't mean the treatment isn't working. Look for things to get better in the long-term and not just in the moment, as there is no instant cure for anxiety.

Keep in mind these anxiety help tips:

• Get professional help when needed – you don't have to fight anxiety alone
• Maintain a support system – including family, friends, professionals, support groups and others
• Create healthy habits – exercise, diet and sleep are all important
• Reduce or eliminate drug use – including alcohol and caffeine
• Take deep breaths and count to ten – remember severe anxiety symptoms will pass with time
• Learn about anxiety – learn about anxiety and what triggers anxiety symptoms in you
• Use relaxation techniques – deep breathing, meditation and yoga can all help anxiety

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Anxiety and heart attacks are often linked in a person's mind because of the belief that an anxiety attack is, really, a heart attack. This is partly because the symptoms of anxiety and heart attacks are so similar. Symptoms common during a heart attack and anxiety include:

• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Dizziness, vertigo
• Feelings of unreality
• Numbness of hands and feet
• Sweating
• Fainting
• Trembling

Worse yet, people having symptoms of acute severe anxiety often believe they are dying, as anxiety typically causes uncontrollable fear.

The Difference between Anxiety and a Heart Attack

However, while acute anxiety is frightening, it poses no immediate medical danger whereas a heart attack requires medical attention. In many cases, medical attention is sought for a panic attack as the sufferer believes it is a heart attack. The fact the symptoms have stemmed from anxiety may be missed by medical personnel.

Telling the difference between a heart attack and anxiety can be challenging for patients. Likely, a patient will have to discuss with their doctor which symptoms are those of a heart attack and should be treated as an emergency, while all other symptoms should be considered anxiety.

Anxiety and Fear of a Heart Attack

Whether the patient has had a previous heart attack or not, some people with anxiety are terrified of having a heart attack. This fear can make people believe that anxiety symptoms are a heart attack, even when they clearly are not. This fear may also make panic attacks more likely as the person may obsess about the fear of a heart attack.

Anxiety expert, Reid Wilson, PhD, author of Don't Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks, offers this advice to those with anxiety that fear a heart attack:¹

Their first goal is to respond to their typical anxiety or panic symptoms as anxiety or panic. Their position should be to say, 'I want to recover from panic disorder strongly enough that I am willing to have a heart attack and miss it.' That is how they will confront their need to be 100 percent certain.

Can Anxiety Cause a Heart Attack?

All that being said, there is some research suggesting those with anxiety are at increased risk for heart attack or heart disease. In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, anxious, middle-aged men of good health were 30% - 40% more likely to suffer a heart attack than less anxious men.² People under 50 with panic disorder may also have an increased risk of heart attack.

It is not known if anxiety causes a heart attack or if there are other factors at play, but getting control over the symptoms of anxiety may reduce the risk of heart problems.

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Can Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?

Some people have been told, or have the concern, that worrying or anxiety causes high blood pressure. Many people believe there is a link between anxiety and blood pressure due to how they feel during acute anxiety. A rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing and other anxiety symptoms can convince people they have high blood pressure. However, research indicates that anxiety itself does not cause high blood pressure outside of acute anxiety episodes.

Anxiety Attacks and High Blood Pressure

Long-term high blood pressure is known as hypertension. People with hypertension have elevated blood pressure at all times. Anxiety, though, only causes high blood pressure spikes during acute attacks of anxiety.

While this doesn't constitute hypertension, anxiety-induced blood pressure increases can damage blood vessels, heart, and kidneys if the blood pressure spikes are frequent enough. If anxiety is causing blood pressure spikes daily, damage is a concern. This is one of the reasons it's important to seek professional help to keep anxiety symptoms under control.¹

It's also important to remember that frequent anxiety episodes are more likely to cause other unhealthy lifestyle habits such as:

• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Overeating

These unhealthy lifestyle habits can contribute to hypertension.

If you suffer from anxiety attacks, learn where to get anxiety help and treatment for anxiety attacks.

High Blood Pressure from Anxiety Medication

Unfortunately, some of the medication people with anxiety take, such as antidepressants, can cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure from anxiety medication is associated with:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other drugs that alter serotonin
• Tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to cause more severe hypertension and cause hypertension more frequently than SSRIs and other serotonin modifying medications.²

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What causes anxiety in one person may not cause anxious feelings in another. A variety of external, environmental, genetic, and brain chemistry factors contribute to a person's propensity to experience anxiety symptoms. Experiencing anxiety during a divorce, before a public performance, or giving a speech is normal, but some people tend to feel anxious about these events and other challenges more intensely than the typical person. Some even have anxiety attacks. Experts believe that these people may have a genetic predisposition toward anxiety, or perhaps have learned to feel anxious from a parent or other caregiver.

Of course, there's also those "nervous nellies" who are simply prone to worry. Maybe you know someone who likes to talk about and worry about the worst possible outcomes. This person's life isn't adversely affected by his or her focus on the macabre or doom and gloom – they simply seem to get some sort of enjoyment out of it. While environmental and other factors may contribute to the behavior of nervous nellies, these people tend to view anxiety, and talking about worries, in the same way those who enjoy gossiping view participating in talking about others flaws and activities -- enjoyable.

Environmental Factors as an Anxiety Cause

Environmental factors represent a major cause of anxiety for everyone – not just those prone to worry. Several environmental challenges and experiences contribute to anxiety:

• Death of a loved one
• Divorce
• Physical or emotional abuse
• Work stresses
• School stresses
• Stress surrounding financial burdens and money
• Natural disaster
• Public performance
• Giving a speech
• Fear of illness
• Stress in a personal friendship or family relationship
• Marriage
• Birth of a baby

Medical Factors as an Anxiety Cause

Certain medical conditions and the stress associated with them have long been a known anxiety cause. Some medical conditions that may cause anxiety include:

• Serious medical problem or illness
• Medication side effects
• Medical illness symptoms (some physical illnesses include anxiety as a symptom)
• Lack of oxygen caused by a medical condition, such as emphysema or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism).

Substance Abuse as an Anxiety Cause

Illicit drug use represents a major cause of anxiety. Using cocaine or illegal amphetamines can cause anxious feelings as can withdrawal from certain prescription drugs like benzodiazepines, oxycodone, barbiturates, and others.

Anxiety and Genetics

Strong evidence exists linking anxiety and genetics. In other words, children with at least one anxious parent, or another first degree relative with anxiety, tend to develop an inclination for it as well. Some studies indicate that people with abnormal levels of certain brain neurotransmitters may have a higher tendency to experience anxiety. When the neurotransmitter levels are not normal, the brain may react inappropriately at times, causing anxiety.

Become Familiar With What Causes Anxiety in You

The first step to controlling fear and worry is learning what causes anxiety in you specifically. Even if genetics predisposes you to feel anxious, external and environmental factors, such as medical conditions, substance abuse, or divorce and financial problems, can exacerbate your anxiety. Once you know what triggers your anxiety, you can then take steps to face it and stop it from having a negative impact on your life. Here's more information on the treatment of anxiety and where to find help for anxiety.

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Everyone knows what it feels like to experience a rush of anxiety symptoms. Your stomach twists and turns and sweat begins to bead on your forehead before getting in front of your entire management team to give a presentation. Or you begin to tremble before approaching your boss to ask for a promotion or raise. Almost everyone has felt the icy fingers of fear creeping up his or her spine when caught in a dark parking lot or street after dark.

Recognizing Signs of Anxiety

Recognizing signs of anxiety before your nervousness and other symptoms of anxiety get out of hand can help you reduce their intensity. (in-depth info on anxiety attacks starts here) Typically, anxiety symptoms can fit into one of two categories: physical symptoms and emotional symptoms.

Physical symptoms of anxiety include physical reactions to the stress that others could notice. Emotional anxiety symptoms would include reactions to stress or a challenging situation that people on the outside usually cannot detect.

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety:

• Nausea or dizziness
• Frequent need to urinate
• Diarrhea not caused by illness
• Trembling
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Muscle tension

(Is there a link between anxiety and high blood pressure? What's the relationship between anxiety and heart attacks? Learn more.)

Emotional Anxiety Symptoms:

• Feelings of dread
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Feeling tense and jittery
• Anticipating the worst outcome
• Over-alertness for signs of danger
• Feelings of apprehension
• Feeling as if your mind has gone blank

For some, the level of anxiety escalates to the point where they have an anxiety attack. Here's information on anxiety attack treatment.

How Can You Reduce Anxiety Symptoms?

One way to treat anxiety is to face your worries and apprehension associated with upcoming challenges in advance to reduce anxiety symptoms. Perhaps your boss asked you to deliver a speech to a large group of prospects or executives in two weeks – or you have a doctor visit scheduled several days from now at which your doctor will order specific lab tests because of symptoms you've been having. You may not feel anxious about the event yet, so this is the perfect time to face the nervousness and fears that you know will come as the big date approaches.

Keep a worry journal. Think about an upcoming event that you know will stir up anxious feelings and negative thoughts. Write down any negative thoughts, worries, and fears that crop up as a result of thinking about the event. Include your fears about what could go wrong, worst outcomes, and physical symptoms that occur just prior to challenges that result in anxiety for you. Writing feelings and worries down is harder work than simply thinking about them. As you write them down, these negative thought patterns lose some of their power to control you.

Set aside a worry time. Look over your daily schedule and pick two 10 to 15 minute worry periods for each day. Make it the same time each day. For example, you can set aside 10 minutes each morning at 7:00 a.m. and 10 minutes each afternoon at 3:00 p.m. – whatever works best for you, but keep to the same worry schedule everyday and strictly monitor the time allowed to worry. During this time, you can focus on your fears and worries without trying to "fix" them.

The rest of the day, however, must be worry free. If you feel anxious during the day, or if negative thoughts invade, record them in a notebook and put off thinking about them until your next worry period.

Accept the uncertainties of life. Worrying about all the things that could go wrong (or right, for that matter) in life doesn't make life any more predictable. Learn to enjoy the here and now – the good things going on in your life right now. Learning to accept uncertainty will help you overcome many of your anxiety symptoms.

Read about other anxiety self-help methods and natural anxiety cures.

Fear – The Root Symptom of Anxiety

Fear, a very common symptom of anxiety, dissipates and loses its power when faced head-on. The other signs of anxiety, listed above will follow suit when addressed prior to your upcoming challenges or stress-inducing event. Anxiety symptoms, although not pleasant, are normal provided they're short-lived and don't overwhelm you to the point of preventing you from engaging in daily activities.

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What is anxiety? The term anxiety refers to feelings of worry, nervousness, apprehension, or fear commonly experienced by people when faced with something they view as challenging – a test, speaking in public, performing in public, a job interview, divorce, layoff, or any number of other stress-inducing events.

Sometimes anxiety is characterized by vague, unsettling feelings of nervousness and apprehension, often with the person having no idea what he or she is anxious about.

An Anxiety Definition From the Medical Community

According to the anxiety definition in Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions, anxiety is the anticipation of impending danger and dread accompanied by restlessness, tension, rapid heartbeat, and rapid breathing that may or may not be associated with a certain event or situation.

While technically accurate, this anxiety definition fails to explain that anxiety is a normal, and possibly life-saving, reaction to danger. Imagine that you're walking down the street, alone at night. A couple of the street light bulbs need replacing, causing darkness to overtake the normally well-lit area. Suddenly you hear footsteps behind you – rapid footsteps getting closer by the second. Your heart begins to pound, your mind races with impulses about what to do – run or fight. In this case, your anxiety may save your life. Of course, the person running up behind you may be out for a late evening jog and pose no threat to you. But it's your body's fight or flight reaction to the sound of footsteps that could save your life if the runner meant you harm.

A less extreme example could involve a final exam or important project at work. As your anxiety builds around the test or project, it could cause you to work harder on the project or focus more on studying for the exam. In these and many other situations, anxiety is a good and normal thing. If you never felt anxious about doing well on your tests or having your project well received by the boss, you may not go very far in school or work. Further, if you took no heed to footsteps hurtling toward you on a lonely, dark street, you may not live to see another day – or at the very least – you may end up mugged and robbed of valuables.

What Is Anxiety, Really?

So, to understand the answer to the question, "What Is Anxiety?" you must understand that it's a normal, and beneficial, reaction to stress. Anxiety is an adaptive way to cope with the various stressors and challenges in the world. It's short-lived and doesn't have a dramatic effect on your life. However, when anxious feelings, like worry and fear, begin to interfere with daily life on a regular basis, seem unreasonable and excessive, or have no apparent association with any external stimuli or stresses, it can become an anxiety disorder and that's a whole other story.

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The most effective ADHD treatment strategy involves a combination of pharmacological and behavior modification therapies. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines on ADD treatment recommends this multi-modal approach. The success of this, or any ADHD treatment protocol, depends on an accurate ADD diagnosis and a clear understanding of the child's primary ADHD symptoms and associated behaviors.

ADHD Treatments – An Overview

Education of the parent and child about ADHD and the ADHD treatment strategy is imperative for long-term treatment success. Parents must then communicate with their child's school personnel about ADHD and their child's ADD treatment. Parents, clinical personnel, and school staff must work as a team to support the child and his unique needs to ensure treatment success and behavior modification achievement.

Pharmacological ADHD Treatment

Physicians most commonly prescribe an amphetamine or other stimulant medication as part of ADHD treatment strategy. Although using stimulant medications for a condition associated with hyperactivity might seem strange, these drugs actually calm the child with ADHD, increasing focus and reducing impulsive behavior. These ADHD medications come in various forms, such as a skin patch, pill, capsule, and liquid. Manufacturers produce some of these medications in long-lasting, fast acting, or extended release formulations.

When physicians tell parents that they will prescribe an amphetamine for their child, they often express concerns about drug dependence; however, studies have shown that these drugs do not cause dependence when used properly.

Therapeutic Behavior Modification ADHD Treatment

The AAP guidelines encourage, but do not mandate, the adjunct use of behavior modification therapy for ADHD treatment in both adults and children. Children with the condition often have comorbid conditions, such as general anxiety disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behavioral therapy can treat some aspects of these conditions, enhancing the success of the pharmacological aspect of treatment.

Ongoing Treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder

Stimulant medications, such as amphetamine or methylphenidate continue to provide benefit when used as a treatment for attention deficit disorder in children and teens. Parents need not worry that the use of stimulant drugs will increase the risk that their child will abuse drugs later. Actually, studies have indicated that children and teens with the ADHD that used stimulant drugs as treatment for attention deficit disorder were less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol later.

Final ADHD Treatment Considerations

One key element in effective ADHD treatment involves parents helping their children and teens implement the skills and behavior modification tools provided to them by the behavioral therapist. The level of involvement required is hard work, but it will pay off in the long run.

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Do you suspect your child may have ADD or ADHD but don't know where to go for ADD help? Only a health care professional, trained in evaluating children for ADHD, can evaluate and diagnose your child. Why? It is normal for children to have trouble sitting still in situations they find boring. In school, they may talk excessively, fidget, squirm, and fail to complete homework assignments on many occasions. A qualified clinical professional can determine if your child's problems with focus, attention, and appropriate social behavior are normal, due to ADHD symptoms, or caused by other neurological and psychological conditions.

Pediatrician – The First Step Toward ADHD Help

Take the first step toward ADHD help by talking to a physician. Many parents first talk to their child's pediatrician about their concerns. Describe your child's behavior to his pediatrician. By asking a few questions, the doctor can determine if ADHD could be the cause. He will look for other factors that could cause the undesirable behavior; things such as divorce, a death in the family, or other major life changes can temporarily cause your child to exhibit undesirable behaviors that mimic behaviors associated with ADD/ADHD. The doctor will also conduct a thorough physical exam to ensure your child does not have other diseases or mental health disorders that could cause negative behavior.

Some pediatricians treat children with ADHD in their offices, others refer them to a mental health professional, such as a pediatric psychiatrist, who provides the ADD, ADHD help.

Teachers – The Next Step Toward ADD Help

Take the next step toward ADD help for your child by discussing the disorder with his teachers. Your pediatrician or pediatric mental health professional may have already talked to your child's teachers about his behavior during the process. Tell the teachers that your child's health care provider confirmed the ADHD diagnosis. Report any prescribed ADHD medications your child takes to the teachers and school nurse. You may want to speak to the school guidance counselor as well to ensure your child has all the possible support he needs.

Cooperation – The Final Step Toward ADHD Help

Take the final step toward ADHD help for your child by teaming up with your child's doctor, teachers, and other family members. Work together to create goals and come up with practical ways to reach those goals. Parents can help their child by helping him create lists of tasks and homework assignments. He can check off each item as he completes it. This will build confidence and self-esteem. Designate a certain space and time for homework. Sit with your child during homework time to answer questions, offer help, and praise him for work well done.

Get help for ADHD. Your child deserves to have all the tools he needs to succeed in school, socially, and his adult professional life. Talk to your pediatrician or family doctor today.

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Parents who suspect their child may have ADHD (take the ADD Quiz), commonly referred to as ADD, need to make an appointment with an experienced health care professional who knows how to diagnose ADHD. This chronic disorder affects millions of children, teens, and adults; left untreated, it keeps people from reaching their full life potential.

An Accurate Diagnosis for ADHD is Critical

Choose the health care professional who will perform the ADHD assessment on your child carefully. An inexperienced physician or mental health professional can mistake symptoms of other disorders for the signs and symptoms of ADHD. Several other conditions have symptoms similar to some of those associated with ADD.

At least 10 fairly common medical conditions have similar symptoms to ADHD, including Asperger's Syndrome (now called high-functioning autism in the DSM-V), hearing deficits, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency anemia, lead poisoning, mild mental retardation, nutritional deficiencies and allergies, mild epilepsy, and sensory disorders. All of these conditions require treatments that are different than those for ADHD. It is important that your child has a correct diagnosis so he or she can get the necessary help.

The ADHD Assessment

Pediatricians, psychiatrists, and child psychologists use the American Academy of Pediatrics standard guidelines for assessing whether a child has ADHD. Mental health professionals may also use the DSM-V, published by the American Psychiatric Association, in diagnosing ADHD. Read the simplified list of criteria below to determine if your child needs an evaluation by a professional:

Inattention (Six or more symptoms present for 6 months or more)

• Consistently disorganized
• Problems organizing activities
• Cannot focus or pay attention to tasks or instruction
• Forgetful
• Frequently loses personal items (arrives at class unprepared, loses toys and tools)
• Begins tasks or assignments, but frequently does not follow through and leaves them uncompleted
• Appears not to listen, even when directly addressed
• Makes careless mistakes in school work, professional work, and other activities
• Avoids taking on tasks that require sustained mental effort for long periods

Hyperactivity-impulsivity (Six or more symptoms present for 6 months or more)

• Talks excessively at home, in class, at work, and other places
• Has difficulty remaining seated in situations where sitting still is expected
• Children may move about a room, climb, or run where inappropriate to do so - teens and adults feel restless
• Cannot sit still when seated and frequently squirms, fidgets, or moves around
• Difficulty playing quietly (children) or quietly engaging in leisure activities (teens and adults)
• Seems constantly moving and driven, as if by a motor
• Impatient and has trouble waiting for his or her turn
• Interrupts others' conversations or games
• Blurts out answers to questions before the speaker has completed the question

If your child exhibits six or more of the symptoms on either or both of these lists, you should consider having a professional evaluate your child for ADHD.

The physician or mental health professional (see Where to Get ADD Help) will also collect information on your child's behavior and symptoms from you and other family members, schools, and other caregivers. He or she will also compare your child's behavior to that of other same-aged children. Once completed, the doctor will determine whether or not to give an ADD diagnosis to your child or if the issues stem from something else.

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Signs and symptoms of ADHD, frequently referred to as ADD, typically present prior to seven years of age and sometimes in children as young as two or three years old. ADHD, short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects millions of children from all socio-economic backgrounds and the ADHD symptoms frequently continue into adulthood.

ADHD Symptoms in Children

The signs of ADHD differ depending on the type of ADHD the person has. The DSM-V lists four sub-types of the disorder: predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, predominantly inattentive, combined, and inattentive presentation type.

Those with the inattentive type ADHD have difficulty concentrating on tasks requiring focused mental energy. They appear to daydream and not listen, even when someone speaks directly to them. The ADHD symptoms associated with this type of the disorder are relatively subtle, causing health care professionals to under-diagnose people in this group.

Hyperactive/impulsive behavior and the classroom disruptions that go with it tend to result in earlier interventions for children in this group. Children in this group tend to blurt out answers without waiting their turn, interrupt conversations and activities of others, and act upon impulse without proper forethought. These children know and can recite proper social behavior, but do not follow what they know in practice.

People with the combined type of ADHD consistently exhibit signs and symptoms common in the other sub-types. They may have trouble sitting still and fidget constantly for a block of time and then they seem to settle down and remain still and attentive. Teachers and parents mistakenly think that these children are listening and processing information during these periods of apparent calmness. In reality, they are zoning out and daydreaming, frequently without even realizing it.

People with the inattentive presentation type of ADHD must meet the criteria for inattentive type ADHD, but have no more than two of the 12 symptoms in the list for the hyperactive-impulsivity type of the disorder. Also, the symptoms must have been present for at least six months.

ADHD Symptoms in Adults

Research shows that 30% to 70 % of children showing signs of ADHD still struggle with the symptoms of ADHD as adults. In other words, a significant number of people do not outgrow this chronic disorder. Typically, adults with ADHD do not show outward signs of hyperactivity. By adulthood, many have developed coping skills that help attenuate the hyperactivity associated with ADHD or they choose professions that do not require long periods of focused thought processes and concentration. Adults with ADHD become distracted at work, do not pre-plan activities, do not organize personal spaces well, and others may describe them as moody. They may seek impulsive thrills and make rash, impulsive decisions, which hinder their professional and personal development.

Everyone Has Some ADHD Symptoms

Everyone experiences periods of inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. Major life changes can temporarily bring on the common signs and symptoms of ADHD. Young children, teens, and adults alike are affected by major events, such as divorce, moving away from family and friends, and other common stressors. Parents, teachers, and even physicians can mistake symptoms from other disorders for those of ADHD. Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and others can elicit behaviors in children and adults that look like ADHD. It is important that a qualified health care practitioner evaluate the person to determine the cause of the symptoms.

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