What is ADHD?

ADHD is a brain disorder that affects how children focus, get along with others, and control their behavior. It is a condition that is mostly inherited.

Symptoms of ADHD can be mild, moderate or severe and they can last into adulthood. Treatment for ADHD can include medication, behavioral therapy and education or training.

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

The signs and symptoms of ADHD are diverse and often overlap with other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or learning disabilities. They can also be a result of other factors, such as hormone changes during menstruation or pregnancy.

In children, hyperactivity and impulsivity are common ADHD symptoms. This can look like fidgeting, running around or climbing when it’s not appropriate, or blurting out answers before questions are completed.

Alternatively, they might avoid activities they enjoy because they’re so restless. This might include refusing to participate in sports or playing games at school.

They might also struggle to focus when they’re listening, which may lead them to “zone out” during a college course or an important business meeting.

If these symptoms persist, they may need treatment. Medication can help boost levels of brain chemicals and improve attention. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD learn strategies for managing their symptoms.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of ADHD, it’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. The sooner you get a proper diagnosis, the better your chances of finding the right treatment.

Types of ADHD

There are several types of ADHD, each with different brain function issues and treatment protocols. Understanding the types of ADHD can help you create targeted strategies to overcome the unique challenges that arise with this disorder.

The most common type of ADHD is a combined presentation, which features impulsive and hyperactive behavior along with inattentive symptoms. In this type of ADHD, you typically have six or more symptoms in each symptom domain.

For example, if you have inattentive type ADHD, you can often lose track of important things, like returning phone calls, paying bills, or keeping appointments. This can make it difficult to focus on other activities, which can result in frustration, anxiety, and poor performance.

Another type of ADHD is a predominantly impulsive/hyperactive type, which can involve excessive movement. This can include fidgeting, bouncing off the wall, or interrupting teachers mid-sentence.

These behaviors are more common in children, but they can also occur in adults. Some people with this type of ADHD also have problems with concentrating.

Other symptoms of ADHD can affect a person’s life in more subtle ways, such as difficulty managing emotions or focusing on tasks. These can lead to depression, anxiety, and difficulties at work or school.

Causes of ADHD

Despite the fact that scientists don’t understand exactly what causes ADHD, research has shown many factors that may contribute to its development. Those include genetics, the environment or problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development.

For example, studies have found that children with ADHD have frontal lobes that develop at a slower rate than their peers’. This makes it more difficult for them to plan and understand cause-and-effect, change habits, learn from mistakes and read social cues.

Kids with ADHD also often struggle to focus on tasks that aren’t rewarding or interesting. They’re also prone to hyperfocus, which means that they get so involved in tasks that are stimulating and rewarding that they can’t focus on other things.

Because of the many comorbidities that can be associated with ADHD, it’s important to discuss other health issues with your doctor. These conditions can affect how well you control your ADHD symptoms and, in turn, how well you function in daily life. Other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are common in those with ADHD. Medications for these disorders and their treatment can help manage ADHD symptoms, as can behavioral therapy. If you’re considering medication, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

Children and adults are diagnosed with ADHD after a doctor, psychiatrist, paediatrician or psychologist makes a detailed assessment of the patient’s symptoms. The specialist needs to identify the presence or absence of six or more of the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity listed in diagnostic criteria for children with ADHD (the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition).

Children may also have other conditions that look similar to ADHD, such as learning disabilities, intellectual disability, mood disorders or personality disorders. If the evaluator suspects these are causing the child’s symptoms, he or she will conduct testing to find out.

The provider can also ask the patient to recall their childhood symptoms, and they will need to see old school records or talk to parents and teachers. To make a diagnosis, the patient must have had these symptoms for at least six months and they must significantly interfere with functioning in at least two areas of life.

Once a diagnosis is made, treatment can include medicine, therapy and other strategies. Behavior modification can help a person with ADHD learn how to control their impulses and act in ways that are less risky for others. It can also teach the person how to cope with their emotions.

Treatsments for ADHD

ADHD is a treatable condition, and many people with the disorder benefit from medicines, behavioral therapies and counseling. A doctor can prescribe stimulant medication, atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine (Kapvay) or guanfacine (Intuniv).

Stimulants help improve focus and reduce symptoms of ADHD. They may also be used to help manage mood lability, impulsivity and other negative effects of ADHD.

They usually take a few weeks to start working, and the health care team will monitor bodily reactions to ensure that they’re safe. Side effects of ADHD medications can include upset stomach, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth and changes in blood pressure or heart rate.

Some children and adolescents who take stimulants may have minor growth delays, but this is rare. Tics, which are sudden and repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking or throat clearing, are also a common side effect.

If tics or other problems with focus and concentration persist despite treatment, your doctor may consider changing the medicine to another type. If mood lability and other negative effects of ADHD continue, a mental-health professional can recommend antidepressants.

Psychotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for ADHD in adults. It can help patients learn how to cope with their symptoms and change their negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It can also address the symptoms of ADHD that affect relationships with family and authority figures. It can also help people with ADHD who are dealing with a coexisting condition such as depression or anxiety.

ADHD in Adults

Adults with ADHD often have difficulty in their jobs and in their relationships. They may have trouble staying organized and completing tasks on time, and they can easily forget important appointments or miss their medications.

People with ADHD are also at risk for health problems, including obesity and substance abuse. They may also have mood and anxiety disorders or suffer from poor self-esteem.

In addition, adults with ADHD can be more agreeable and empathetic than people without the disorder. This helps them relate better with others and can increase their productivity and job satisfaction.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults can be mild, moderate or severe. In mild cases, symptoms don’t interfere with work or social life, but in moderate and severe cases, they cause noticeable disruptions.

If you are an adult with ADHD and have symptoms that are affecting your work or your relationships, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you find treatment options and support.

In addition to medication, some people with ADHD benefit from psychotherapy. This is often referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches strategies to manage attention, concentration and organization challenges. It can also help adults learn to control impulsive behaviors and gain confidence in their abilities.

ADHD Medication

ADHD medications are aimed at increasing the level of chemicals in your brain, dopamine and norepinephrine. They help you focus, concentrate and get tasks done.

Most people take them once or twice a day, depending on the medicine. They come in short-acting formulas that start working in less than an hour and long-acting formulas that stay in your body for up to 12 hours.

The most common medication for ADHD is a stimulant. These are typically amphetamines and methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin or Concerta.

Stimulants are safe when used under the watchful eye of a health care provider, and many people have no problems with them. Some, however, have problems with side effects like drowsiness and trouble sleeping.

These side effects are usually temporary, and they can be easily corrected by changing the timing or switching to a longer-acting drug. Some non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine, can cause a drop in heart rate and blood pressure that can lead to fainting and dizziness.

If your or your child’s symptoms are severe, it may be necessary to try different medications and doses until a combination is found that works. This can take time, and your or your child’s healthcare provider will be observing your body and making adjustments as needed.

Dr.Ned Hallowell explains the depth of ADHD misconceptions as a way to help people manage and own their ADHD diagnosis.

Check out the Distraction Podcast with host Dr. Hallowell.
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Although prescription stimulants are often highly effective in reducing ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults, problems of non-medical misuse and abuse of prescription stimulants among adolescents, college students, and adults have become evident in recent years. Some students who need to get a lot of work done want the perceived benefits of stimulant medications. Friends, acquaintances, or even strangers will often ask other students who have a prescription to sell them their medication. In other cases, other students may steal medication from a student with ADHD. During this live webinar, you will learn what professionals, parents, and college students can do to prevent misuse, abuse, and diversion.

Dr. Kevin Antshel is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University. He is also the Director of Clinical Training in the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University. His research focuses on developmental psychopathology with specific emphasis on attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan.

Sponsored by: Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC
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