Author: Keeley Joyce

What is ADHD? 

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder frequently referred to as ADHD, is most commonly found in children. ADHD is a neurodevelopment disorder that generally gets detected in childhood although can sometimes go undetected until adulthood. Children usually display high energy and impatience, although if a child can never sit still, has extreme trouble paying attention, often demonstrates inappropriate behaviors they could be experiencing ADHD. A child with ADHD may frequently daydream, forget or lose things, squirm, or fidget. They often exhibit a hard time resisting temptations or getting along with peers.  

Adults who experience ADHD regularly have trouble being on time, are unable to stay organized and are forgetful. These difficulties can interfere with many areas in a person’s life from relationships through to career. Too often a person can have undetected ADHD. As a child, they may have been deemed as a “troublemaker” “class goof” or even “lazy.” As an adult, the symptoms now result in difficulty dealing with adult responsibilities such as bills, jobs, children, etc. Adults with undiagnosed ADHD may even have recurring incidents of accidents and reckless driving. Often undiagnosed ADHD can cause listening problems and inability to pay close attention to detail which can have an effect on relationships and success at work. Most people experience these symptoms with or without ADHD, but the severity of the symptoms is what differentiates the two.  

Types of ADHD 

There are three types of ADHD, whichever type of symptoms an individual exhibits or experiences more frequently determines which type they fall under.  

Predominantly inattentive presentation:  

The individual can become bored very easily and lose focus easily. They often find themselves getting sidetracked from what they intended to be doing. Individuals may have a hard time with task organization or the completion of tasks. lack of attention to details and instruction following or conversations can be noticed. Individuals with this presentation may even avoid tasks that involve mental effort. An example may be children not wanting to do homework or adults not wanting to fill out papers or other responsibilities. This individual may struggle with time management and losing items frequently.  

 Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation:   

Someone who finds it hard to sit still for long periods of time. For example, this person may not be able to sit in a classroom or at work without feeling agitated or wanting to fidget and get up. In children, this may appear by the child constantly jumping or climbing. In adults, this may look like the inability to wait in a grocery store line without extreme feelings of irritability. Impulsivity is noticed and frequent interruptions of others during inappropriate times. They may talk a lot and have trouble participating in activities that involve being quiet. Often due to impulsiveness this person may be prone to accidents and injuries, this type may act impulsively without thinking of consequences.  

Combined presentation:  

Both symptoms of the two above categories are equally present.  

What causes ADHD? 

Currently, there are no known causes of ADHD, although there is some research that provides to risk factors, 

which may include: 

Genetics: blood relatives who have ADHD 

Environmental Toxins (environmental lead) 

Maternal drug, alcohol, or smoking during pregnancy  

premature birth 

A popular assumption is that sugar can be attributed to the cause of ADHD although there is no evidence of this being proven.  

How is ADHD diagnosed?  

Professionals use Guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help diagnose ADHD. The DSM-5 provides a standard that is used in comparison to the individual to identify a correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Due to ADHD having effects on executive functioning cognitive tests may also be done to determine any deficits. Treatments Treatments

Treatment: