Understanding ADHD

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD is a real disorder. ADHD is a psychiatric behavioral disorder that affects children, adolescents, and adults. The brain uses various chemicals to help send messages across the nervous system. An imbalance of these chemical messengers may result in the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.

ADHD shows itself as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than what one sees in one's peers.

Only a trained health care provider can accurately diagnose ADHD.

Understanding ADHD symptoms

Many people with ADHD have both inattentive and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. But some people may display more hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, while others may display more inattentive symptoms.

People with at least 6 of the inattentive symptoms and at least 6 of the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms are considered to have combined-type ADHD.

For a diagnosis to be made, ADHD symptoms:

  • Must be present in at least 2 life settings, for example, at home, at school, or at work
  • Must cause significant impairment in functioning at school, work, or in social settings
  • Some symptoms that caused impairment were present before age 7
  • Symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder
  • 6 or more inattentive and/or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to an extent that is not consistent with one's peers

For the inattentive type

At least 6 of the following symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to an extent that is not consistent with one's peers:

  • Careless mistakes/lack of attention to details
  • Lack of sustained attention
  • Poor listener
  • Failure to follow through on tasks
  • Poor organization
  • Avoiding tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • Losing things
  • Easily distracted
  • Forgetful in daily activities

For the hyperactive/impulsive type

At least 6 of the following symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to an extent that is not consistent with one's peers:

  • Fidgeting/squirming
  • Leaving seat
  • Inappropriate running/climbing
  • Difficulty with quiet activities
  • "On the go"
  • Excessive talking
  • Blurting out answers
  • Can't wait turn
  • Intrusive

ADHD is not just a childhood disorder

ADHD can affect children, teens, and adults. In fact, ADHD is estimated to affect more than 15 million Americans. In 2007, an estimated 9.5% of school-aged children were reported by their parents to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. The disorder is estimated to affect 4.4% of US adults based on a survey of 3,199 adults aged 18 to 44. By applying this percentage to the full US population aged 18 and over, about 10 million adults are estimated to have ADHD.

ADHD symptoms may impact adults differently than children or teens

ADHD symptoms in adults may look different from those in children or teens — more subtle and less noticeable, although they are just as important to identify.

ADHD Symptom Children with ADHD Teens with ADHD Adults with ADHD
Inattention Children may be easily distracted, have difficulty following instructions or completing schoolwork, and have trouble listening. Teens may lose things such as homework and schoolwork, make careless mistakes and fail to complete tasks. Adults may put things off until the last minute, fail to follow through on commitments, have difficulty sustaining attention to reading or paperwork.
Hyperactivity Children may climb or run excessively and have trouble remaining seated. Teens may have difficulty engaging in quiet, sedentary activities, fidget with hands or feet and feel restless. Adults may feel restless and impatient, like they're always "on the go," always need to be busy after work or on vacation.
Impulsivity Children may find it hard to wait their turn when playing with friends, or may blurt out answers in school. Teens may be impatient, frequently interrupt or intrude on others to the point of causing difficulties in social and academic settings. Adults may interrupt others in class or at work, have difficulty waiting one's turn, finish others' sentences during conversations.

This is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained health care professional can accurately diagnose ADHD. Talk to the doctor to discuss your ADHD symptoms.

See the ADHD Doctor Discussion Guide
 

Save money on your Vyvanse prescription* plus get a FREE Information Kit*Restrictions may apply.

Learn more 

How do I talk with my doctor about ADHD? Start with the ADHD Doctor Discussion Guide.

Learn more   

Patient Assistance and Support Program

Learn more   

INDICATION

Vyvanse is a prescription medicine for the treatment of ADHD in children ages 6 to 17 and adults. Vyvanse should be used as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)

Vyvanse has a risk of abuse or dependence. Keep in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or sharing Vyvanse may harm others and is illegal. Vyvanse is a stimulant. Misuse of stimulants may cause sudden death and serious heart problems.

  • Do not take Vyvanse if you or your child:

is taking or has taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI is sensitive to, allergic to, or had a reaction to other stimulant medicines

  • Some people have had the following problems when taking stimulant medicines, such as Vyvanse:

Heart-related problems including: sudden death in people who have heart problems or heart defects stroke and heart attack in adults increased blood pressure and heart rate

Tell your doctor if you or your child has any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Call your doctor right away if you or your child has any sign of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Vyvanse.

Mental (psychiatric) problems including: Children, Teenagers, and Adults new or worse behavior and thought problems new or worse bipolar illness new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility

Children and Teenagers new psychotic symptoms such as: hearing voices believing things that are not true being suspicious new manic symptoms

Tell your doctor about any mental problems you or your child has, or about a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression. Call your doctor right away if you or your child has any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems while taking Vyvanse, especially:
seeing or hearing things that are not real believing things that are not real being suspicious

  • Vyvanse may cause serious side effects, including:
    • slowing of growth (height and weight) in children. Your child should have his or her height and weight checked often while taking Vyvanse. The doctor may stop treatment if a problem is found during these check-ups.
    • seizures, mainly in people with a history of seizures
    • eyesight changes or blurred vision
    • worsening of sudden, repeated movements or sounds (tics) and Tourette’s syndrome in people who already have these problems
  • The most common side effects reported in studies of Vyvanse were:
    • anxiety
    • decreased appetite
    • diarrhea
    • dizziness
    • dry mouth
    • irritability
    • loss of appetite
    • nausea
    • trouble sleeping
    • upper stomach pain
    • vomiting
    • weight loss

This is not a complete summary of safety information. For additional safety information for Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), please click here for Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Warning about Potential for Abuse, and discuss with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.