What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a common brain condition. It affects kids and adults, making it hard for them to focus, stay organized, and control their actions. People with ADHD can be really inattentive, very active, or both.
How Common is ADHD?
About 11% of kids and 5% of adults in the U.S. have ADHD. It’s not just about behavior or learning problems. ADHD is about how the brain develops and works, affecting thoughts and actions more deeply than just misbehavior.
Signs and Diagnosis of ADHD
ADHD shows up as trouble focusing, not finishing tasks, acting without thinking, and strong emotions. Each person’s experience with ADHD is different. Diagnosing it, especially in girls and adults, takes a careful look at how someone acts in different places like home and school, following a guide called the DSM-V.
Causes of ADHD
Experts believe ADHD is mostly genetic but are still exploring other causes. It’s not caused by eating too much sugar or spending too much time on screens. Brain scans show that people with ADHD have brains that work differently.
Treating ADHD
Treating ADHD usually involves medicine, therapy, and changing some daily habits. Medicines like Ritalin or Adderall help with focus. Everyone’s treatment is a bit different, and finding the right plan might take some time.
Living with ADHD
ADHD can be tough, but with the right help, people with ADHD can have successful and happy lives. If you think you or someone you know might have ADHD, it’s important to talk to a doctor or therapist. They can help find the best way to manage it.
“Our research shows that ADHD is much more than a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s a significant public health issue…In evaluating the health consequences of ADHD over time, we found that ADHD adversely affects every aspect of quality of life and longevity. This is due to the inherent deficiencies in self-regulation associated with ADHD that lead to poor self-care and impulsive, high-risk behavior. The findings are sobering, but also encouraging, as ADHD is the most treatable mental health disorder in psychiatry.”
RUSSEL A. BARKLEY PHD
Sources
1 “Data & Statistics.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ed. Center for Disease Control. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.
2 Association, American Psychiatric, ed. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. Washington: American Psychiatric, 2014.
3 Thapar, Anita, and Evangelia Stergiakouli. “An Overview on the Genetics of ADHD.” Xin li xue bao. Acta psychologica Sinica (Aug. 2008) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854824/
4 Philip J. Landrigan, Jordan Slutsky. Are Learning Disabilities Linked to Environmental Factors? Learning Disabilities Worldwide. https://www.ldworldwide.org/environmental-toxins
5 Dovey, Dana. “Doctors May Soon Be Able To Diagnose ADHD With An MRI Scan.” Medical Daily. IBT Media Inc., 30 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.6 Barkley, R. A., & Fischer, M. (2018). Hyperactive Child Syndrome and Estimated Life Expectancy at Young Adult Follow-Up: The Role of ADHD Persistence and Other Potential Predictors. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(9), 907–923. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054718816164
6 Barkley, R. A., & Fischer, M. (2018). Hyperactive Child Syndrome and Estimated Life Expectancy at Young Adult Follow-Up: The Role of ADHD Persistence and Other Potential Predictors. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(9), 907–923. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054718816164