Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesADHD in AdultsCo-Existing ConditionsTreatmentADD vs. ADHDCoping TipsNext in ADHD GuideADHD Criteria for Diagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Causes
ADHD in Adults
Co-Existing Conditions
Treatment
ADD vs. ADHD
Coping Tips
Next in ADHD Guide
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes symptoms that begin in early childhood. Though ADHD is often diagnosed between the ages of four and seven, it may not be recognized until the teen or adult years.Symptoms like difficulty paying attention, disorganization, and needing to stay active are severe enough to interfere with success at school, work, and home.
ADHD affects 11% of children and 6% of adults, but treatment can dramatically improve their lives.Personalized care plans ease symptoms and teach the coping skills needed to manage ADHD and achieve a thriving life.
Verywell / Laura Porter
ADHD Symptoms
Though ADHD is often diagnosed in children, it may not be identified until adulthood. Additionally, two-thirds of children have ADHD throughout their adult lives.
Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder depend on the type. Children and adults may have one of three types: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined.
Inattentive ADHD
People with inattentive ADHD may:
Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type may:
Combined ADHD
You may have combined ADHD if you meet the diagnostic criteria for both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types.
When to Consult a Healthcare ProviderThe first step is recognizing ADHD symptoms in your child or yourself. Then, consult a healthcare provider when ADHD behaviors and emotions disrupt daily life, affect functioning at school or work, or cause stress in the family.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
The first step is recognizing ADHD symptoms in your child or yourself. Then, consult a healthcare provider when ADHD behaviors and emotions disrupt daily life, affect functioning at school or work, or cause stress in the family.
An ADHD evaluation explores your medical history and behavioral and emotional challenges. Healthcare providers will ask parents, teachers, and caregivers about children’s problems. They will also talk with the child or use age-appropriate techniques to learn about their thoughts and feelings.
Your healthcare provider may diagnose ADHD if your symptoms meet the criteria listed in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). These are the broad guidelines:
Children and teens younger than 17 must meet at least six, and adults aged 17 and older must meet at least five of the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive criteria.
Inattentive ADHD Criteria
You or your child may meet the inattentive criteria if you:
Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD Criteria
You or your child meet the criteria for hyperactive-impulsive ADHD if you:
Symptoms Can ChangeSymptoms in children and adults can change over time. They may increase during times of stress or one symptom may improve while another takes its place. ADHD symptoms also tend to change as a child gets older.
Symptoms Can Change
Symptoms in children and adults can change over time. They may increase during times of stress or one symptom may improve while another takes its place. ADHD symptoms also tend to change as a child gets older.
ADHD’s causes are still being studied. However, research suggests that genetic alterations and environmental factors work together to affect brain growth.
Dozens of gene variations are associated with ADHD. Environmental risk factors that may contribute to ADHD include:
Myths
There are many myths about the potential causes of ADHD that have been proven false. For example, the following do not cause ADHD:
Some of these issues may worsen ADHD symptoms. Others can cause similar symptoms. But they don’t contribute to ADHD.
Though adults meet the same diagnostic criteria as children, ADHD symptoms may change as they get older. Hyperactivity tends to decrease while inattentive symptoms increase.
However, instead of disappearing, hyperactivity symptoms may change. For example, the physical behavior of fidgeting in children appears as internal nervousness in adults.
Many adults still have a hard time regulating their emotions, a common problem with ADHD. As a result, they’re quick to anger or have emotional reactions that are out of proportion for the circumstances. Forgetfulness may also become more noticeable.
Adults with ADHD may frequently change (or lose) jobs, often because they’re unhappy with their career or not achieving success. Some adults find ways to compensate for symptoms like disorganization and distractibility. Others develop such stress that they turn to alcohol and drugs.
About 17%–22% of adults seeking help for other mental health conditions learn they have ADHD.Most feel relieved to know there’s a reason for their self-defeating behaviors and that treatments exist to help them overcome their challenges.
Sex Differences in ADHDThere are several differences inADHD in boys and girls. In childhood, boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. By adulthood, the numbers even out, and women are diagnosed just as frequently as men.Females are typically diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, while hyperactive/impulsive ADHD is more common in males. Girls are more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. By comparison, boys are often referred for an evaluation because of behavioral problems.
Sex Differences in ADHD
There are several differences inADHD in boys and girls. In childhood, boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. By adulthood, the numbers even out, and women are diagnosed just as frequently as men.Females are typically diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, while hyperactive/impulsive ADHD is more common in males. Girls are more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. By comparison, boys are often referred for an evaluation because of behavioral problems.
There are several differences inADHD in boys and girls. In childhood, boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. By adulthood, the numbers even out, and women are diagnosed just as frequently as men.
Females are typically diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, while hyperactive/impulsive ADHD is more common in males. Girls are more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. By comparison, boys are often referred for an evaluation because of behavioral problems.
People with ADHD often have co-existing conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression,anxiety,oppositional defiant disorder (ODD),Tourette syndrome, and learning disorders.More than half of people with ADHD have another mental health condition.Adults with ADHD may have bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), to name a few.
ADHD is typically treated with behavioral therapy, medication, or both. For children ages 4 and 5 years old, the first line of treatment is usually behavior-based with parental involvement before medication is tried.
ADHD Medication
There are two types ofADHD medications: stimulant and non-stimulant. Stimulant medications are available in short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting forms:
Most common side effects of medications for ADHD are mild; some subside after the medication has been taken for a while. If side effects are not short-lived, the prescribing physician may lower the dosage or possibly prescribe a different drug.
Side effects of stimulant ADHD medication include:
Less common side effects of stimulant medications may include:
Lifestyle Changes
There are several lifestyle behaviors that can have a positive impact on ADHD symptoms:
Limit screen time: Researchers are learning more about how screen time affects ADHD. There is new evidence that excessive screen time in young children changes the brain, making screen time a risk factor for developing ADHD.For those living with ADHD, limiting use of screens can help improve symptoms of ADHD.
Increase physical activity: Increasing the amount of physical activity can help improve symptoms of ADHD, including inattention, executive functioning, and reduced hyperactivity.
Improve sleep: Trouble sleeping can be a symptom of ADHD itself, or a side effect of certain medications to treat ADHD. Using evidence-based lifestyle changes to maximize sleep can help ADHD symptoms.
Some evidence-based measures to improve sleep include using melatonin supplements, weighted blankets, and light therapy.
Eat well: Eating nutritious meals on a regular schedule can help you manage symptoms of ADHD.Meal planning and meal prepping can help ensure you have nutritious foods at the ready.
Although more research is needed, some small studies show that ensuring adequate levels of Vitamin D, iron, zinc, and polyunsaturated fat may help reduce symptoms of ADHD.
Work on time management: Managing time can be a challenge for some people with ADHD, but it’s an important skill. Studies show students with ADHD work longer and harder than their peers.Thus, it is important to find a good time management system with a behavioral health care provider.
Behavioral Therapy
There are several behavioral treatment modalities recommended for ADHD, including:
Alternative and Complementary Treatments
There are many alternative and complementary treatments that tout effectiveness for treating ADHD. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns many of these have been proven neither safe nor effective.Check with your healthcare provider prior to beginning any new therapy.
Examples of alternative or complementary treatments for ADHD include:
Some alternative treatments have research that backs their effectiveness when used as part of amultimodalapproach, which is a treatment that combines several treatment modalities.
Potentially Harmful ADHD TreatmentsBefore trying an alternative treatment for ADHD, talk to your healthcare provider. Some can interfere with prescribed treatment for ADHD and some can even be harmful. Among them:Megavitamins, which have been linked to liver damageHerbal supplements, which have limited supporting evidence and may cause side effectsHighlyrestricted diets, which have a low success rate and may negatively impact nutritional needsAnti-motion sickness medications, which have limited supporting evidence
Potentially Harmful ADHD Treatments
Before trying an alternative treatment for ADHD, talk to your healthcare provider. Some can interfere with prescribed treatment for ADHD and some can even be harmful. Among them:Megavitamins, which have been linked to liver damageHerbal supplements, which have limited supporting evidence and may cause side effectsHighlyrestricted diets, which have a low success rate and may negatively impact nutritional needsAnti-motion sickness medications, which have limited supporting evidence
Before trying an alternative treatment for ADHD, talk to your healthcare provider. Some can interfere with prescribed treatment for ADHD and some can even be harmful. Among them:
ADD, short forattention-deficit disorder, is a term that is outdated.When the condition was first named, only the inattentive symptoms were recognized. Then, the experts learned that the same condition caused hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. As a result, they changed the name to ADHD.
Coping
Living with a child or adolescent who has ADHD can come with unique challenges. As a parent, it’s essential to learn about ways to help your child manage their ADHD. It’s also important to get support for yourself if needed. You can learn more about parenting tips onhelpguide.org.
Seeking professional help for you and your child as soon as possible can help you feel supported and better understand the unique challenges and strengths that having ADHD comes with. Therapy focuses on teaching you and your child practical tips and techniques for managing ADHD and improving daily life.
A few coping tips include the following:
Summary
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can impact children, teens, and adults. The three types of ADHD include inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. While the cause of ADHD is not known, genetics and environmental factors both play a role.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD will vary depending on the type and can change over time. ADHD is diagnosed based on criteria found in the DSM-5 and treatment will vary depending on the individual’s specific needs.
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