ADHD 101
ADHD facts
This quick refresher course on the basics of ADHD will help you prepare for your physician appointment or for a conversation with a loved one about ADHD.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric behavioral disorder that shows itself as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that is more frequent and
severe than is typically seen in one’s peers. Only a trained health care provider can accurately diagnose ADHD.
To be properly diagnosed with ADHD, a person needs to demonstrate:
- At least 6 of 9 symptoms of inattention and/or at least 6 of 9 symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is more frequent and severe than one’s peers.
Inattention
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school, schoolwork, work, or other activities
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention during tasks or play activities
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (eg, toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
- Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Is often forgetful in daily activities
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Hyperactivity
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
- Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
- Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
- Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
- Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
- Often talks excessively
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Impulsivity
- Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- Often has difficulty awaiting turn
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (eg, butts into conversations or games)
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- Some symptoms were present before 7 years of age
- Some impairment from the symptoms is present in 2 or more settings (eg, at school or work and at home)
- Clear evidence of significant impairment in functioning at school, work or social settings
- Symptoms cannot be better explained by another psychiatric disorder
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but scientist think the disorder may be related to one or more of the following factors:
- Neurotransmitter function—ADHD is thought to be caused by an imbalance of 2 neurotransmitters, dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Scientists think that these chemicals play an important role in the ability to focus and pay attention to tasks
- Genetics—Research strongly 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 from pregnancy, delivery, or infancy, may contribute to ADHD
