Read Our Privacy Policy. Back to ADHD. ADHD also affects many adults. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention not being able to keep focus , hyperactivity excess movement that is not fitting to the setting and impulsivity hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought.
An estimated 8. It is more common among boys than girls. Many ADHD symptoms, such as high activity levels, difficulty remaining still for long periods of time and limited attention spans, are common to young children in general. A diagnosis is based on the symptoms that have occurred over the past six months. Inattentive type — six or five for people over 17 years of the following symptoms occur frequently:.
There is no lab test to diagnose ADHD. Diagnosis involves gathering information from parents, teachers and others, filling out checklists and having a medical evaluation including vision and hearing screening to rule out other medical problems. The symptoms are not the result of person being defiant or hostile or unable to understand a task or instructions.
Scientists have not yet identified the specific causes of ADHD. There is evidence that genetics contribute to ADHD. For example, three out of four children with ADHD have a relative with the disorder. Other factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD include being born prematurely, brain injury and the mother smoking, using alcohol or having extreme stress during pregnancy. Behavioral therapy and medication can improve the symptoms of ADHD.
Studies have found that a combination of behavioral therapy and medication works best for most people, particularly those with moderate to severe ADHD.
Behavioral therapy focuses on managing the symptoms of ADHD. For children, treatment usually consists of teaching parents and teachers how to provide positive feedback for desired behaviors and consequences for negative ones. Although behavioral therapy requires careful coordination, it can help children learn how to control their behavior and make good choices.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and from behavioral strategies that improve structure and organization. ADHD, combined type. This, the most common type of ADHD, is characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors as well as inattention and distractibility.
This, the least common type of ADHD, is characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors without inattention and distractibility. ADHD, inattentive and distractible type. This type of ADHD is characterized predominately by inattention and distractibility without hyperactivity. ADHD is one of the most researched areas in child and adolescent mental health. However, the precise cause of the disorder is still unknown. Available evidence suggests that ADHD is genetic. It is a brain-based biological disorder.
Low levels of dopamine a brain chemical , which is a neurotransmitter a type of brain chemical , are found in children with ADHD. Brain imaging studies using PET scanners positron emission tomography; a form of brain imaging that makes it possible to observe the human brain at work show that brain metabolism in children with ADHD is lower in the areas of the brain that control attention, social judgment, and movement.
Boys are 2 to 3 times more likely to have ADHD of the hyperactive or combined type than girls. ADHD is commonly found in brothers and sisters within the same family. Most families seek help when their child's symptoms begin to interfere with learning and adjustment to the expectations of school and age-appropriate activities. The following are the most common symptoms of ADHD. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. The 3 categories of symptoms of ADHD include the following:.
The symptoms of ADHD may resemble other medical conditions or behavior problems. Keep in mind that many of these symptoms may occur in children and teens who do not have ADHD. A key element in diagnosis is that the symptoms must significantly impair adaptive functioning in both home and school environments.
Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder of childhood. A pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or a qualified mental health professional usually identifies ADHD in children.
Treatment typically involves medications and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcome. The primary features of ADHD include inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior.
ADHD symptoms start before age 12, and in some children, they're noticeable as early as 3 years of age. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and they may continue into adulthood. ADHD occurs more often in males than in females, and behaviors can be different in boys and girls. For example, boys may be more hyperactive and girls may tend to be quietly inattentive.
Most healthy children are inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive at one time or another. It's typical for preschoolers to have short attention spans and be unable to stick with one activity for long. Even in older children and teenagers, attention span often depends on the level of interest. The same is true of hyperactivity. Young children are naturally energetic — they often are still full of energy long after they've worn their parents out.
In addition, some children just naturally have a higher activity level than others do. Children should never be classified as having ADHD just because they're different from their friends or siblings. Children who have problems in school but get along well at home or with friends are likely struggling with something other than ADHD.
The same is true of children who are hyperactive or inattentive at home, but whose schoolwork and friendships remain unaffected. If you're concerned that your child shows signs of ADHD , see your pediatrician or family doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatric neurologist, but it's important to have a medical evaluation first to check for other possible causes of your child's difficulties.
While the exact cause of ADHD is not clear, research efforts continue. Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include genetics, the environment or problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development.
Although sugar is a popular suspect in causing hyperactivity, there's no reliable proof of this. Many issues in childhood can lead to difficulty sustaining attention, but that's not the same as ADHD. ADHD can make life difficult for children. Children with ADHD :. ADHD doesn't cause other psychological or developmental problems. However, children with ADHD are more likely than others to also have conditions such as:.
To help reduce your child's risk of ADHD :. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
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