Disorders and Treatments Guide: ADHD

By Maria Colenso

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological psychiatric disorder that causes chronic inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It affects roughly 4.4 million school-age children and an estimated 9 million American adults. The cause? Current research suggests our genetic makeup plays a role in the onset of ADHD, specifically in the development of the areas of the brain that regulate behavior, in addition to possible associations with fetal exposure to toxic substances and injury to the brain from trauma, stroke, tumor or disease.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of ADHD are different in children versus adults.

In children, there are three types of ADHD, characterized as follows:

Predominately Inattentive -- Children with this type of ADHD primarily exhibit symptoms of inattentiveness
Predominantly Hyperactive-impulsive -- Children with this type of ADHD primarily exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity
Combined -- Children with combined ADHD exhibit an equal number of symptoms -- six or more of each -- for inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

ADHD symptoms must begin by age 7 and include at least six of the following behaviors (at both home and school):

Inattentive behaviors:
- Difficulty following instructions
- Difficulty focusing on homework assignments or tasks
- Failure to complete homework assignments or tasks
- Forgetfulness
- Prone to easy distraction
- Lack of attention to detail, disorganized
- Misplaces things
Hyperactive and impulsive behaviors:
- Fidgets
- Excessive talking
- Interrupts
- Blurts out answers
- Difficulty waiting for a turn
- Difficulty playing quietly
- Difficulty staying seated
- Inappropriate climbing or running
- Always on the go

Two out of three children with ADHD will continue to have symptoms as adults. According to Mental Health America, an adult with ADHD may have:

Distractibility
Disorganization
Forgetfulness
Procrastination
Chronic lateness
Chronic boredom
Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
Mood swings
Restlessness
Employment problems
Substance abuse or addictions
Relationship problems

For more information, visit Mental Health America's factsheet about ADHD:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/ad/hd

Therapies

Treating the symptoms of ADHD is effective in most children, and may include a combination of prescription drugs (typically stimulant medications, although there are some non-stimulant ADHD medications), behavioral therapy (to teach coping methods) and family support (to build and maintain structure and understanding). Studies find that 90 percent of children respond well to drug therapy.

Children and adolescents with ADHD often also suffer from other mental conditions and illnesses, including, for example, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, learning disabilities and oppositional defiant disorder. Left untreated, adolescents and adults with ADHD also have higher rates of substance abuse. Treatment plans may also include psychotherapies and medications to address co-current disorders.

Resources