What is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. These symptoms significantly interfere with daily routines and the ability to function in multiple settings.
What are the common symptoms of ADHD?
- Trouble concentrating or becoming easily distracted
- Difficulty starting or completing tasks
- Difficulty planning and organizing
- Poor time management
- Frequently misplacing items or objects
- Making careless mistakes or forgetting details
- Frequent fidgeting or feeling restless
- Talking excessively
- Interrupting others when speaking
- Difficulty tolerating frustration or controlling anger
How is ADHD diagnosed?
ADHD is diagnosed when an individual experiences a combination of inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive symptoms that disrupt everyday life.
It is often diagnosed through a combination of self-reporting and professional evaluations. For children, poor school performance or teacher feedback is often the main indicator that a child might have ADHD. It is best to seek help from a psychiatrist, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, therapist, or other health care professional who has experience in behavioral health.
Open and honest communication with your physician or clinician is essential for an accurate diagnosis. Discussing your symptoms, including trouble concentrating, inability to sit still for short periods of time, difficulty with task initiation or completion, and consistently interrupting or inability to follow directions, can help your clinician understand the severity and nature of the condition.
What are other types of ADHD?
- People with predominantly inattentive presentation can experience poor concentration, become easily distracted, and are forgetful. They may also find it hard to start or complete tasks. This was previously referred to as attention deficit disorder (ADD).
- People with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation can experience fidgeting or restlessness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. They might feel as though they constantly need to be moving or talking and have trouble sitting still or quiet for long periods of time.
- People with combined presentation experience symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulse types.
What are common treatments for ADHD?
- Medication can be helpful for symptom management for most people with ADHD. Stimulants, like Adderall or Ritalin (methylphenidate), are often prescribed to treat hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms. A clinician can also prescribe non-stimulant medications, including Strattera (atomoxetine) or Intuniv (guanfacine). Your clinician can tailor a medication regimen to maintain stability and improve daily functioning.
- Therapy is tailored to the patient’s needs and can help build confidence by improving executive functioning, organizational skills, and self-awareness to manage ADHD symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can identify and challenge thoughts and behaviors to better manage symptoms at school, work, or home. Behavior management strategies like token reward systems and timeouts may help children better control ADHD symptoms. Additionally, social skills training can be helpful to children and adolescents in learning how to behave in different social situations by role-playing and discovering how their behavior affects others.
Some people with ADHD find that therapy alone can help reduce symptoms. Other people may require medication. Many people benefit from a combination of both medication and therapy.
