What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a mental health and learning disorder that negatively affects a person’s ability to focus on and carry out tasks, along with making them hyperactive and prone to acting impulsively. If a person has ADHD it usually becomes apparent during their childhood, although up until recently it has been common for these individuals to not have their disorder diagnosed until they are in adulthood. ADHD can be very problematic for personal and professional development, as well as for learning and interpersonal development in youth.

What Causes ADHD?

There are different possibilities for what causes ADHD, and in some instances people who have the disorder may have more than one or even all of them contributing to their mental health in this way. Firstly, people can be born with a genetic predisposition for having ADHD. If a parent or predecessor in your family has ADHD then you have a greater chance of developing it. People with a mother who smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs during her pregnancy are also known to be more at risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Premature birth can also be a factor, or exposure to environmental toxins in early childhood. ADHD affects either gender equally, and there is no prevalence seen in any particular race or ethnicity. 

ADHD Symptoms

The list of potential ADHD symptoms is a long one, and a person with this disorder may have any number of them as well as some being much more pronounced than others. These symptoms include problems focusing on tasks, being easily distracted or having attention drawn away easily, trouble multitasking, impulsiveness, disorganization and problems prioritizing, poor time management skills, excessive activity or restlessness, poor planning, low frustration tolerance, frequent mood swings, problems following through with plans, having a strong temper, and trouble coping with stress.

ADHD also often comes with coexisting conditions like mood and anxiety disorders (examples being depression, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), psychiatric disorders, and learning disabilities. 

ADHD Treatment

The standard approach to ADHD treatment is to have the person start on a course of medication with ones like Ritalin and Adderall. While these ones are the most common, a doctor may feel that non-stimulant ones like Strattera or Intuniv are a better fit for the individual based on their observations and responses to existing treatment. Psychotherapy is often a part of ADHD treatment too, especially for adults with the disorder. For some people it may also be helpful to make changes to their work or learning environments, and to optimize sleep.