Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that affects people’s behavior. More specifically, it results in restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and acting on impulses.

It’s reported that around 8% of children and 2.5% of adults struggle with ADHD. ¹ Early onset is usually first noticed due to disruptions in school. However, ADHD sometimes goes unnoticed and untreated, resulting in adult ADHD.

Throughout this article, we’ll examine ADHD, its symptoms, and what treatment measures are available.

ADHD Defined

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition caused by abnormalities in the brain. People with the condition struggle with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While most diagnoses occur during childhood and teenage years, it can also occur in adulthood. ²

If you struggle with ADHD, you likely struggle with executive function. This is a set of mental skills revolving around three main areas: ³

• Working memory
• Cognitive flexibility (or flexible thinking)
• Inhibitory control (including self-control)

This can lead to problems in other areas of your life, including:

• Following directions
• Organization
• Managing your emotions

ADHD is often seen as laziness or a lack of willpower. ⁴ However, these are just myths. If you have the condition, chances are you try really hard to focus and not act on impulses.

If your child has ADHD, this is not something that goes away with age. In most cases, hyperactivity and impulsivity will decrease by the teenage years. However, trouble with focus will most likely continue into adulthood. This is especially true in those who go undiagnosed throughout childhood and adolescence. ⁵

No matter when you’re diagnosed, there are treatment options available. These will help to ease symptoms and make responsibilities (i.e. school and work) more manageable.

Is ADHD a Learning Disability?

Although ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, it is not classified as a learning disability. However, its symptoms can make learning more challenging. Additionally, some individuals with ADHD may also have learning disabilities.

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

The signs of ADHD most often revolve around the following three symptoms:

• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity
• Trouble focusing

Some will have all three symptoms to different degrees. Others will only experience one or two. Symptoms will change with time and some may go away with age. ⁶

ADHD symptoms are met with stereotypes of children always being in motion and acting out at home or in school. However, not everyone with ADHD will reveal these symptoms. Some only struggle with focus, a sign of attention-deficit disorder (ADD).

ADHD symptoms are usually divided into two types. These include:

Inattentive Symptoms

• Apparently not listening if spoken to directly
• Becoming distracted often and easily
• Difficulty following instructions
• Easily confused
• Frequent daydreamer
• Grows bored quickly
• Slowly processes information
• Stays away from tasks that require heavy mental thinking (i.e. homework)
• Trouble with learning new information

Hyperactive/Impulsive Symptoms

• Constantly talking (can’t wait to speak)
• Difficulty waiting for your turn
• Inability to do leisure activities
• Interrupts others
• Frequently fidgets
• Never seems to stop moving (always going)
• Plays and climbs where you’re not supposed to
• Unable to stay seated (noticeable in a classroom or workplace)

Types of ADHD

With these symptoms, there are three types of ADHD. These include:

Inattentive ADHD

If you have inattentive ADHD, you often feel distracted or preoccupied. Although you may occasionally display impulsive behavior or hyperactivity, these are not the primary characteristics of your condition. ⁷

Women are more likely to struggle with inattentive ADHD than men. However, it can appear across both genders and all ages.

The most effective treatment for inattentive type ADHD is behavioral therapy, also known as behavioral intervention. This approach can help you develop skills to function effectively in organizational settings like school and work. ⁸

Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD

If you have the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD, you likely experience symptoms of excessive activity and impulsiveness. Although you may also have some symptoms of inattention, they are not the primary aspect of your ADHD. ⁹

This is one of the more obvious signs of ADHD. It’s usually observed in classrooms where children cause disruptions. However, it may also be seen in a child acting out at home.

Combination Type

If you have combination-type ADHD, your symptoms include a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types. This type is most common in children, particularly those of preschool age. ¹⁰

What Causes ADHD?

Like other mental illnesses, researchers don’t 100% know what causes ADHD. However, they do have a few theories:

Genetics

If a close family member has ADHD (i.e. parent or sibling), you’re at a higher risk of developing the condition. In fact, ADHD shows higher heritability than other mental conditions, at 74%. In other words, 3 out of 4 children with ADHD are related to someone else with the disorder. ¹¹

Environmental Factors

There are a few theories on which environmental factors lead to ADHD. These include: ¹²

• Brain injury
• Consumption of alcohol or tobacco while pregnant
• Lead exposure (found in faulty plumbing or old pain)
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth

There’s a myth that large amounts of sugar worsen or cause ADHD symptoms. However, this has not been proven through research. ¹³

Brain Function and Structure

Research has found that ADHD leads to a reduction in the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This is a crucial building block for our brains, beginning as dopa, then converting into dopamine, and finally into norepinephrine. ¹⁴ Norepinephrine is responsible for:

• Breaking down fat
• Enhancing attention and focus during tasks
• Increasing heart rate and cardiac output
• Managing the sleep-wake cycle
• Raising blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Regulating emotions
• Storing memories

Other areas of the brain affected by ADHD include:

• Basal Ganglia – All information processed within the brain is initially sent to the basal ganglia before being relayed to its final destination. ADHD can cause a deficiency in the basal ganglia, leading to inattention and/or impulsivity. ¹⁵

• Frontal Cortex – A lack of norepinephrine in this area of the brain can result in difficulties with attention, organization, and/or executive functioning. ¹⁶

• Limbic System – Located deeper in the brain, this region is responsible for our emotions. Poor maintenance of the limbic system can result in inattention, restlessness, and/or emotional discomfort. ¹⁷

• Reticular Activating System (RAS) – This system plays a major role in relaying neurotransmitters among various brain pathways. A deficiency in the RAS can lead to struggles with inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity. ¹⁸

Can You Prevent ADHD?

While parents cannot guarantee to prevent ADHD, there are some steps they can do to minimize the risk for their children. These prevention measures should be taken during pregnancy and early childhood: ¹⁹

• Avoid drugs, alcohol, and smoking
• Eat nutritious foods and take prenatal vitamins
• Encourage active listening and open communication
• Give your child clear and consistent rules and attention
• Minimize screen time (especially in the first five years of life)
• Protect your child from pollutants and toxins (i.e. lead paint)
• Reward and praise good behavior
• Set routines for your child and stick to them
• Show affection

If you’d like to learn more about how to better parent children with ADHD, we invite you to check out our guide on ADHD Strategies for Kids.

Treatment for ADHD

ADHD treatment involves behavioral therapies, medication, or both. We’ve provided more information on each to give you a better idea of how these treatment measures work:

Medication

There are two types of medication used in ADHD: stimulants and nonstimulants.

The most common medications are central nervous system (CMS) stimulants. These help to increase certain brain chemicals, including dopamine and norepinephrine. ²⁰ Examples include:

• Amphetamine-based stimulants (Adderall)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

If stimulants are ineffective or lead to side effects, your doctor may suggest a non-stimulant medication. These also help to increase norepinephrine in the brain. ²¹ Examples include:

• Atomoxetine (Strattera)
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

While ADHD medication can be beneficial for symptoms, it can also result in side effects. The most common include: ²²

• Anxiety and depression
• Appetite changes
• Changes in mood, emotional processing, and behavior
• Headaches and dizziness
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Seizures
• Sleep disturbances (i.e. insomnia)

Therapy

When paired with medication, certain therapies have been found effective in the management of ADHD symptoms. These include:

• Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, will allow you or your child to understand their emotions and develop healthier coping mechanisms. ²³

• Behavioral Therapy will allow you or your child to learn how to monitor and manage behaviors. ²⁴

Natural Remedies

Some studies have shown that several remedies may help to improve ADHD symptoms. However, these are unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, you should consult a doctor before giving these to your child.

The most commonly used are: ²⁵

• Brahmi
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Ginseng
• Gotu Kola
• Green oats
• Herbal Tea
• Lion’s Mane mushrooms
• Pine Bark extract
• Saffron

If you’d like to learn more about a natural remedy treatment method, we invite you to check out our guide on Ayurvedic Herbs for ADHD.

Lifestyle Changes

There are a few measures you can take to minimize symptoms of ADHD, including:

• Being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day. ²⁶
• Eating a balanced and nutritious diet. ²⁷
• Getting plenty of sleep. ²⁸
• Limiting daily screen time (on phones, computers, and TV). ²⁹

Adult ADHD

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America reports over 60 percent of children with ADHD continue to exhibit symptoms into adulthood. While hyperactivity often decreases with age, inattentiveness, and impulsivity may persist for many individuals. Other symptoms adults may feel include: ³⁰

• Anger outbursts
• Anxiety
• Chronic boredom
• Depression
• Impulsiveness
• Interpersonal problems (relationships, families)
• Lateness/forgetfulness
• Low self-esteem and motivation
• Mood swings
• Poor organization skills
• Procrastination
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Trouble concentrating and controlling emotions

Therefore, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of treatment. Left untreated, ADHD in adults can significantly complicate various aspects of life.

References

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