This information is not intended to make a diagnosis or take the place of treatment by a health care professional.
Understanding ADHD
- What is ADHD?
- What causes ADHD?
- What parts of the brain are thought to be involved in ADHD?
- What are the symptoms of ADHD?
- How is ADHD diagnosed?
- Symptoms may impact adults differently than they do children and teens
- What ADHD is not
Managing ADHD
- What an ADHD management plan may include
- Who might be included on an ADHD management team?
- Who might be included on an ADHD support team?
- How are medications used to manage ADHD?
- What is behavior therapy?
- How can an ADHD coach help?
- After my support team and management plan are in place, are there strategies for staying on track?
- How can I talk with people about my ADHD?
- What can I do right now to begin managing my ADHD?
Glossary
Understanding ADHD
1. What is ADHD?
• ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder.
• ADHD is characterized as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that occurs more often and is more severe than is usually seen in one’s peers.
• Only a trained health care provider can accurately diagnose ADHD.
• People with ADHD may have difficulty sustaining attention, may be hyperactive or restless, and may act impulsively.
• These symptoms of ADHD occur in more than one setting, such as at work, at school, or in social settings.
• ADHD starts in childhood, but can continue through adolescence and into adulthood.
• In the United States, 9.5%* of children and 4.4%† of adults are affected by ADHD.
* Based on a 2007 survey of school-aged children (ages 4-17 years) who were reported by their parents to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD.
† Based on a survey of US adults ages 18-44 years.
2. What causes ADHD?
The exact origin of ADHD is unknown, but researchers believe the disorder may be caused by one or more of the following factors:
Brain chemistry
ADHD is thought to be caused by an imbalance of two chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, in the brain. Researchers think that these chemicals might play an important role in ADHD.
Genetics
Research suggests that ADHD tends to run in families. However, this does not mean that all children in a family will have the disorder
Environment
Certain external factors, such as smoking during pregnancy or complications during pregnancy, delivery, or infancy, may contribute to ADHD.
3. What parts of the brain are thought to be involved in ADHD?
We do not know exactly why people develop ADHD. It may be related to problems with a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. The picture below shows the different parts of the prefrontal cortex that control attention, behavior, and judgment. Certain regions of the prefrontal cortex may not function properly in people with ADHD.
4. What are the symptoms of ADHD?
There are three core symptoms of ADHD:
• Difficulty paying attention
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity
5. How is ADHD diagnosed?
There is no simple test for ADHD. However, there is a standardized way that ADHD is diagnosed.
To determine if you have ADHD, a health care professional may:
• Ask about your symptoms (current and past), including severity, duration, and how they affect your life, school, or work performance
• Ask if you have a family history of ADHD or other psychiatric conditions
• Ask if you have a history of mental-health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder) to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms
• Review your school records to find out about symptoms you may have had as a child
• Ask your spouse/partner or family members about your current and past symptoms
• Perform a physical exam and ask about general health status to rule out other possible medical causes for your symptoms
ADHD may be diagnosed in adults, adolescents, and children aged 4 or older. To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have all of the following:
✔ At least six inattentive and/or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms from the lists below
✔ Symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and be to a degree that is not consistent with developmental level
✔ Some symptoms since before age 7
✔ Symptoms in at least two settings (eg, home and school, or home and work)
✔ Symptoms that greatly interfere with school, work, family, or social interactions
✔ Symptoms that are not better explained by another cause
These are not the only criteria that may be used to diagnose ADHD. Diagnosis should be based on a complete history and evaluation by the health care provider. And, remember; only a trained health care provider can accurately diagnose ADHD.
|
Inattentive Symptoms |
Hyperactive and Impulsive Symptoms |
|
Careless mistakes/poor attention to details |
Fidgeting/squirming |
|
Unable to pay continuous attention |
Unable to stay seated |
|
Poor listening skills |
Running/climbing; feelings of restlessness |
|
Unable to follow through on tasks |
Trouble with quiet activities |
|
Poor organization |
Needing to be “on the go” |
|
Staying away from tasks that require sustained mental effort |
Talking too much |
|
Losing items needed for tasks or activities |
Blurting out answers |
|
Getting easily distracted |
Trouble taking turns |
|
Being forgetful in daily activities |
Interrupting or intruding on others |
It is important to distinguish ADHD from other disorders.
• A number of mental health disorders may have some of the same symptoms of ADHD.
• It is important to determine if your symptoms are caused by ADHD or another mental health disorder.
• The first step of diagnosis may be to rule out other medical disorders that have symptoms similar to ADHD. Your doctor may want to be sure that you have ADHD and not something that has similar symptoms to ADHD.
• If you have any other medical conditions, it is important to speak with your doctor and the other specialists on your health care team to make sure you get the right management for all concerns.
6. Symptoms may impact adults differently than they do children and teens
People of different ages can show the same symptoms in different ways. Below are a few examples of how adults may experience ADHD symptoms.
Adults
• Inattention/concentration problems
• Disorganized and fails to plan ahead
• Difficulty initiating and completing projects
• Shifts activities prematurely
• Misjudges available time
• Forgetful, loses things
• Makes impulsive decisions
• Has difficulties at work
• Problems with social interactions
Having some of these symptoms does not mean that you have ADHD. It is important to see a qualified health care professional, such as a physician or psychologist, who can properly diagnose ADHD.
7. What ADHD is not
ADHD is not a myth.
It is a neurobehavioral disorder that can be managed.
ADHD is not only a “kid’s disease.”
About 4% of adults in the US have ADHD.
ADHD is not about intelligence or motivation.
However, work and social interactions can be challenging when it is hard to pay attention, stay organized, and behave appropriately.
Symptoms of ADHD can affect a person at school or work, but ADHD is not classified as a learning disorder.
ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, bad teachers, or by anything you have done.
ADHD is not just an “excuse.”
People with ADHD have real challenges.
A person does not have ADHD simply because they become distracted or engage in impulsive behavior.
Although most people are distracted or impulsive once in a while, this does not mean they have ADHD. Only a trained health care provider can tell if you have ADHD.
Managing ADHD
1. What an ADHD management plan may include
Your management plan for ADHD may include one or more of the following:
- Behavior or Cognitive Therapy
- Medication
- Coaching
- Support Groups
- Workplace Support
- Educational Programs
2. Who might be included on an ADHD management team?
ADHD management often involves a team approach—a group of health care professionals each providing a different type of therapy. These professionals may include medical and mental health professionals (eg, family doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, counselors), social workers, and coaches.
In order to get the advice and information you need, you should feel comfortable with the members of your management team. When choosing team members, think about factors such as their past experience with ADHD, their management methods, and how well they communicate. Also, for the health care professionals on your team, check which insurance plans they accept.
3. Who might be included on an ADHD support team?
- You
- Your spouse or partner
- Friends and other family members
- Support groups
4. How are medications used to manage ADHD?
• Several medications have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ADHD and have been shown to help improve symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
• Medicine may not be right for everyone. Talk with your doctor to determine if medication is appropriate to manage your ADHD symptoms.
• Although medication is not a cure, it is thought to help the areas of the brain that control attention and behavior to work more normally.
• Your doctor can work with you to find out which ADHD medication works best for you.
• It may take time to find the right medication (or combination of medications) and dose level.
• As with all medications, ADHD medications must be used properly.
• If your doctor prescribes medication as part of the management plan, it is important that it is taken exactly as prescribed.
5. What is behavior therapy?
Behavior therapy, or behavior modification, is often part of an ADHD management plan. Behavior therapy can help to increase positive behaviors and decrease the frequency of negative behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that occur with ADHD.
Not everyone with ADHD requires behavior therapy, but it can provide important benefits:
• Behavior therapy can give you a better understanding of ADHD and how it affects your daily life. Behavior therapy can help you figure out which behaviors and areas of your life you want to change. You can also learn how to make these changes.
• Behavior therapy can give you strategies to help you finish tasks and be more organized, persistent, and productive.
6. How can an ADHD coach help?
A professional ADHD coach can help you learn skills and strategies to help manage daily tasks. Coaches can help you get past obstacles and reach your goals.
An ADHD coach learns about a person’s strengths and weaknesses, and gives advice on how to:
• Get more organized
• Complete work assignments and other tasks
• Improve social skills
• Reduce impulsive behaviors
• Develop coping strategies
7. After my support team and management plan are in place, are there strategies for staying on track?
Following are some strategies that can help you stay on track:
Schedule appointments with health care professionals.
Schedule regular follow-up appointments with your health care team so that they can:
• Track your progress
• Update your management plan, if necessary
• Answer questions
• Provide information on additional resources and support organizations
Organize your schedule.
Make regular use of planners, logs, watches, timers, apps, and computer reminders to help organize your schedule, track progress and establish and maintain a routine for completing tasks.
Set realistic goals.
Set goals for yourself that are specific, realistic, and measurable.
Join a support group.
See the list of resources starting on page 23 for more information on finding a support group in your area.
8. How can I talk with people about my ADHD?
Whether or not to tell people about your ADHD is a personal decision.
Before discussing your ADHD, think about the following:
• To build close relationships, you need to share; however, you also need to be able to trust. Although you may want to share your ADHD story with someone, be sure you can trust that person to respect you and the information you share.
• When you tell people about your ADHD, be prepared to educate them, answer their questions, and debunk myths. Speak from your own experience, or suggest articles, websites, or books. Written information is useful for people who are interested in learning about ADHD. It is also useful for those who have negative or outdated views about it.
9. What can I do right now to begin managing my ADHD?
After you have been diagnosed with ADHD, think about some of these important next steps:
- Work with your health care team to develop a management plan.
- Learn as much as you can about ADHD.
- Talk to your family and/or spouse/partner about your ADHD.
- Find an ADHD coach.
Glossary
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)
A neurobehavioral disorder that is characterized as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that occurs more often and is more severe than is usually seen in one’s peers.
ADHD Coach
A professional trained to help individuals with ADHD get past obstacles and reach their goals.
Behavior Therapy
A management program that teaches people how to replace negative behaviors with positive behaviors.
Hyperactive
Behavior characterized by a higher-than-normal activity level.
Impulsivity
Behavior characterized by sudden action, without thinking about the consequences.
Inattention
Behavior characterized by lack of attention.
Neurobehavioral
Related to the relationship between the nervous system and behavior.
Neurologist
A medical professional trained to diagnose and manage brain disorders.
Neurotransmitter
A brain chemical used to send signals within the nervous system.
Prefrontal Cortex
Part of the brain that plays a role in controlling attention, behavior, and judgment.
Psychologist
A health care professional trained in the study of behavior.
* Content developed as an educational service by Shire US Inc.