Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Definition

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how the brain functions and is frequently diagnosed during childhood. Other types of neurodevelopmental disorders include:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Cerebral palsy
• Learning disorders
• Neurodevelopmental motor disorders

How Common is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most common mental conditions in children. Over 120 million children and more than 360 million adults worldwide have received a diagnosis of ADHD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 11% of U.S. children between the ages of 2 and 17 have received an ADHD diagnosis and 7.2% of children have received an ADHD diagnosis worldwide.

Males are diagnosed with ADHD twice as often as females. This is because males present with more prominent symptoms, which makes it easier to diagnose than in females. More women have the inattentive form of ADHD than men. Whereas more men are diagnosed with the hyperactive-impulsive type.

Are there different types of ADHD?

Symptoms of ADHD can change as a child gets older and not every child with ADHD will have the same challenges. A person could have one of the following presentations.

1. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation

• Individuals with this type of presentation will usually get distracted, have a hard time concentrating, and staying organized.
• Some other behaviors include having trouble finishing tasks, following directions, getting bored easily, processing things more slowly, and forgetting things easily.

2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation

• Individuals with this type of presentation are more energetic and have symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
• They may want to talk more, fidget, play, interrupt, and tend to be impatient.

3. Combined Presentation

• If you have a combined presentation, it means that your symptoms overlap with both types of presentations.
• Symptoms can change over time, but most people experience some degree of both inattentive and impulsive behavior.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Common symptoms of ADHD include:

• Trouble paying attention.
• Lack of impulse control.
• Difficulty following instructions.
• Fidgeting.
• Talking a lot.
• Hard time sharing or taking turns.
• Trouble focusing on tasks.
• Trouble coping with stressors.
• Difficulty controlling strong emotions.

What Causes ADHD?

There is no clear cause of ADHD, but some factors may include:

• Genetics
• Infections during pregnancy.
• Low birth weight or pre-term birth.

Diagnosis and Treatment

How is ADHD diagnosed?

No one test can confirm if an individual has ADHD, especially since other challenges like anxiety or difficulty sleeping can present similarly.

Here are a few steps that can help you identify a possible ADHD diagnosis, along with a licensed and qualified provider:

• Observe your child and take note of their behaviors.
• Partner with teachers or friends who see your child in other environments so that they can keep an eye out for certain behaviors that might signal ADHD.
• Set an appointment with your child’s doctor to discuss your concerns.
• From there the doctor can provide advice on next steps and can compare your child’s symptoms with a screening survey.

How do you treat ADHD?

ADHD is usually best managed with behavioral therapy and medication. It is not a condition that is cured but rather managed.

Treatment plans vary from child to child as some treatments may work better than others for each child and their family.

For example, depending on a child’s age, it could be most beneficial for the parents to receive training on how to handle and manage their child’s behavior. On the other hand, you and your child’s doctor may feel it is best for them to try behavioral therapy along with medication.

There are many treatment options to manage ADHD, but it often requires trying one route, observing, and adjusting treatment until you feel that your child’s symptoms have improved.

Prevention

Can ADHD be prevented?

While ADHD cannot completely be prevented, there are steps that can help reduce the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis in your child.

• Maintain healthy habits during pregnancy such a maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
• Avoid exposure to environmental toxins such as mold, smoke, alcohol, and other environmental pollutants.
• Ensure that your immunization is up to date, particularly the rubella vaccine. Congenital rubella can cause significant developmental delay and symptoms similar to ADHD.
• If you notice symptoms in your child, talk to your doctor right away so that you can have a plan in place to help manage their symptoms.

Living with ADHD

There are many ways to manage ADHD symptoms. Finding tools that work for you, or your child is key.

• Take notes during therapy.
• Talk to your doctor about the right medication or treatment plan.
• Utilize calendars and lists to stay organized.
• Communicate with your physician about how you are feeling and any changes in your symptoms.
• Take it one step at a time. There is no need to overwhelm yourself with multiple tasks. Making a list and crossing items off one at a time can help you get your tasks done efficiently.
• Understand your symptoms and what works and doesn’t work in helping you achieve your daily goals.
• Practice self-compassion. Many people have ADHD and struggle to find the right treatment plan and/or tools to manage it. You are not alone.
• Reach out for help. If you are struggling with your symptoms reach out to your physician or a mental health professional.

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help you find the care that is right for you or your loved one. To find a doctor near you visit our provider page where you can filter by various specialties.