What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition characterized by impulsive behavior, inattention, and hyperactivity.

It’s usually diagnosed in childhood, but the symptoms of ADHD can continue to go unrecognized throughout adolescence and adulthood. Given this, it’s possible someone may not receive a diagnosis until they are an adult. With proper treatment, children and adults with ADHD can live successful, productive lives.

1. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive

People with this type of ADHD mostly struggle with hyperactivity and impulsiveness, though they may also have some symptoms of inattentiveness.

Impulsivity often takes the form of making important decisions and taking action without thinking through the consequences, especially when those actions might be harmful or detrimental and the resulting effects long-lasting.

Impulsivity is also marked by a desire for instant gratification. In social situations, an impulsive person might interrupt others to an extreme degree and be quick to grow impatient, frustrated, or angry.

2. Predominantly Inattentive

People with this presentation of ADHD predominantly experience symptoms of inattentiveness, though they may also have some problems with hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

3. Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive

People who have this presentation of ADHD have symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattentiveness.

The signs and symptoms of ADHD may differ based on the person’s age and presentation of the disorder.

According to Russell Barkley, PhD, a retired former clinical professor of psychiatry at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, ADHD symptoms arise in a set of mental abilities called the executive functions.

The executive functions encompass a range of processes in the brain, mostly in the frontal areas, that control and manage other brain activities that allow us to get work done — whether it’s creative or more routine, to set and achieve goals, and to take into consideration the potential consequences of our actions and regulate our behavior.

Symptoms of ADHD in children may include:

• Talking excessively
• Squirming and fidgeting
• Trouble sitting still
• Impatience
• Disruptiveness
• Difficulty waiting for a turn
• Daydreaming
• Difficulty following instructions
• Forgetfulness in daily activities
• Trouble focusing

In adults, ADHD symptoms may take the form of:

• Impulsiveness
• Frequent interrupting
• Restlessness
• Inability to concentrate
• Lack of organization and follow-through
• Difficulty meeting deadlines
• Frequent mood swings
• Difficulty coping with stress

Not all people with ADHD show the same circuits or changes in circuits, but certain brain differences are more common in people with ADHD than those without it.

Several factors may increase a child’s likelihood of developing ADHD.

Genetics

Environmental Exposure to Toxins and Chemicals

Although research has consistently shown a connection between lead exposure and ADHD, it’s important to note that it’s not the only cause of ADHD, nor does lead exposure guarantee that a child will develop ADHD.

Alcohol or Tobacco Use During Pregnancy

A number of studies has found associations between tobacco use during pregnancy and ADHD symptoms in children. But more recent research has questioned whether substance use directly causes ADHD.

Still, pregnant people should refrain from alcohol consumption and smoking because of other well-established risks, including premature birth, low birth weight, and fetal alcohol syndrome.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Premature Birth or Low Birth Weight

Diet and Behavioral Factors

While these factors may affect or exacerbate symptoms, research doesn’t support claims that they cause ADHD.

Although many people struggle at times with losing focus, getting distracted, and acting impulsively, these behaviors are more severe and more frequent for people who have ADHD. Without proper identification and treatment, these behaviors negatively affect their quality of life, whether it’s at work, school, or home.

Furthermore, many adults with ADHD don’t know they have it; they may only know that everyday tasks are challenging. Symptoms can change over time. Some people notice that their symptoms improve as they age, while others continue to struggle.

The process involves several steps, and your healthcare provider may perform a full medical exam, get a detailed medical history, and conduct interviews with family members to gather an in-depth personal history.

There’s no cure for ADHD, but a comprehensive treatment approach can help people manage their symptoms and thrive. ADHD treatment usually involves medication, certain behavioral strategies, and lifestyle changes intended to help with focus and organization.

The most common medications used to treat ADHD include stimulants, nonstimulants, and sometimes antidepressants.

People with ADHD may also benefit from counseling — especially behavioral therapy — to improve behaviors and social skills. Parents and other family members may participate in counseling to develop strategies to support their loved one with ADHD and navigate challenges.

Medication Options

Nonstimulant medications can be used for ADHD in people who haven’t had success with a form of stimulant medication or who can’t take stimulants.

ADHD medications are available in different formulations: short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. Some side effects of these drugs are suppressed appetite, difficulty sleeping, and irritability, according to Cleveland Clinic. A doctor can determine which medication for ADHD is best, describe possible side effects, and explain the pros and cons of medication treatment for ADHD in general.

Complementary and Integrative Therapies

Although there are many types of supplements and diets people have tried for ADHD, most don’t have enough scientific evidence for experts to recommend using them as a first line of treatment. Always check with your doctor before trying a new diet or supplement because it could interact with ADHD medications and cause unwanted side effects or other health problems.

• Megavitamins and mineral supplements
• Anti-motion-sickness medication (intended to treat the inner ear)
• Candida yeast infection treatment
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback (training intended to increase brain wave activity)
• Applied kinesiology (intended to realign bones in the skull)
• Decreasing sugar consumption
• Optometric vision training

Certain lifestyle changes and accommodations can help create a better environment for people with ADHD. These include:

• Routines and schedules
• Reorganization of your home or workspace
• Physical reminders of tasks at hand
• Removal of distractions

• During pregnancy, avoid any activities or substances that could harm the development of the fetus. Examples include alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs.
• Children should be protected from pollutants and toxins like lead paint or cigarette smoke.
• Although a direct link between screen time and ADHD has not been established, experts recommend limiting the amount of TV and video games in the first five years of life.

ADHD is a chronic condition. The long-term prognosis of ADHD and the way its symptoms present depends on whether a person is receiving treatment with medication, behavioral or talk therapy, or both.

• Poor self-esteem
• Accidents and injuries
• Substance abuse
• Delinquent or risky behavior
• Trouble interacting with peers and relationship difficulties

Children with ADHD may be more likely to have:

• Anxiety
• Bed-wetting
• Bipolar disorder
• Conduct disorder, a condition characterized by behaviors like lying, stealing, fighting, or bullying
• Depression
• Learning disabilities
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), a condition characterized by a pattern of hostile behavior toward authority figures
• Sleep disorders
• Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by nervous tics and repetitive mannerisms

• ADHD is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 4.4 percent of adults and 12 percent of children. The condition is characterized by impulsive behavior, inattention, and hyperactivity.
• The three main presentations of ADHD are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. Each is characterized by specific symptoms and experiences.
• There’s no ADHD test. Rather, diagnoses come as the result of examinations from medical professionals, who can provide medical intervention and behavioral therapy, as appropriate.