What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a behavioral condition that makes focusing on everyday requests and routines challenging.
Someone with ADHD…
“I don’t think inside the box. I don’t think outside the box either. I don’t even know where the box is.”
People with ADHD typically have trouble getting organized, staying focused, making realistic plans and thinking before acting. They may be fidgety, noisy and unable to adapt to changing situations.
Children with ADHD can be defiant, socially inept, aggressive and overly active. Many may also struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school.
It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. However, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms.
There are several types of ADHD:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
It is hard for the children to organize or finish a task, hard to pay attention to details, or have difficulty following instructions or conversations. Frequently, they are easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation:
Children may fidget and talk a lot. It is hard for them to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. Adolescents may feel restless and have 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. Children with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.
Combined Presentation:
Symptoms of the above two types are present in the person at the same time.
Risk Factors
Researchers are not sure what causes ADHD. Like many other illnesses, several factors can contribute to ADHD, such as:
Genes
Cigarette smoking, alcohol use, or drug use during pregnancy
Exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy
Exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead, at a young age
Low birth weight
Brain injuries
Prematurity
Autism
Other mental illnesses
ADHD is more common in males than females, and females with ADHD are more likely to have problems primarily with inattention. Other conditions, such as learning disabilities, anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, depression, and substance abuse, are common in people with ADHD.
Symptoms
A child with ADHD might experience the following symptoms:
Daydream a lot
Forget or lose things a lot
Squirm or fidget
Talk too much
May interrupt a lot
Make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks
Have a hard time resisting temptation
Have trouble taking turns
Have difficulty getting along with others
Have a lot of injuries
Have troubles following through
Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. However, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms.
Diagnosis
Inattention:
Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:
Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
Is often easily distracted
Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity:
Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:
Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
Often talks excessively.
Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
Often has trouble waiting their turn.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
In addition, the following conditions must be met:
Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
Several symptoms are present in two or more settings, (such as at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality disorder). The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.