ADHD is one of the most common
neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.
It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood.
Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling
impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will
be), or be overly active.
Signs and Symptoms
It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time
or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these
behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty
at school, at home, or with friends.
A child with ADHD might:
daydream a lot
forget or lose things a lot
squirm or fidget
talk too much
make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks
have a hard time resisting temptation
have trouble taking turns
have difficulty getting along with others
Types
There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which types of
symptoms are strongest in the individual:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: It is hard for the
individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or
to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily
distracted or forgets details of daily routines.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The person
fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or
while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb
constantly. The individual feels restless and has trouble with
impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot,
grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard
for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with
impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.
Combined Presentation: Symptoms of the above two types are
equally present in the person.
Because symptoms can change over time, the presentation may change
over time as well.
Causes of ADHD
Scientists are studying cause(s) and risk factors in an effort to find better
ways to manage and reduce the chances of a person having ADHD. The
cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research
shows that genetics plays an important role. Recent studies of twins link
genes with ADHD. 1
In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and
risk factors including:
Brain injury
Exposure to environmental (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a
young age
Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
Premature delivery
Low birth weight
Research does not support the popularly held views that ADHD is caused
by eating too much sugar, watching too much television, parenting, or
social and environmental factors such as poverty or family chaos. Of
course, many things, including these, might make symptoms worse,
especially in certain people. But the evidence is not strong enough to
conclude that they are the main causes of ADHD.
Diagnosis
Deciding if a child has ADHD is a process with several steps. There is no
single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, like anxiety,
depression, sleep problems, and certain types of learning disabilities, can
have similar symptoms. One step of the process involves having a medical
exam, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with
symptoms like ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD usually includes a checklist for
rating ADHD symptoms and taking a history of the child from parents,
teachers, and sometimes, the child.
Treatments
In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior
therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age)
with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is
recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried.
What works best can depend on the child and family. Good treatment
plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if
needed, along the way.
Managing Symptoms: Staying Healthy
Being healthy is important for all children and can be especially important
for children with ADHD. In addition to behavioral therapy and medication,
having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier for your child to deal with
ADHD symptoms. Here are some healthy behaviors that may help:
Developing healthy eating habits such as eating plenty of fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources
Participating in daily physical activity based on age
Limiting the amount of daily screen time from TVs, computers,
phones, and other electronics
Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age
ADHD in Adults
ADHD can last into adulthood. Some adults have ADHD but have never
been diagnosed. The symptoms can cause difficulty at work, at home, or
with relationships. Symptoms may look different at older ages, for
example, hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness. Symptoms
can become more severe when the demands of adulthood increase. For
more information about diagnosis and treatment throughout the lifespan,
please visit the websites of the National Resource Center on ADHDexternal
icon and the National Institutes of Mental Healthexternal icon.
