The signs, symptoms, and effects of ADHD can look different for each person impacted. Learning about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the first steps toward healing.

Understanding ADHD

Learn about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and impulsivity. ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders usually begin to manifest during early childhood, and ADHD is commonly discussed in terms of children and adolescents, but adults can also be afflicted with this condition.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), the criteria for an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD include experiencing at least five of the symptoms in the inattention and/or the hyperactivity and impulsivity categories below for at least six months, with these symptoms occurring persistently and being severe enough to negatively impact one’s social, academic, and/or occupational activities:

Inattention

Failing to pay attention details and/or making careless mistakes
Having difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or leisure activities
Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly
Failing to follow through on tasks, instructions, or other responsibilities
Having difficulty staying organized
Avoiding or being reluctant to engage in activities that require sustained mental effort
Losing paperwork, mobile phones, and other necessary items
Being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts and other non-relevant stimuli
Forgetting to complete daily responsibilities such as paying bills, maintaining appointments, or returning calls or emails

Hyperactivity and impulsivity

Fidgeting or squirming when sitting still is required
Leaving one’s seat when remaining seated is required (such as in a class or meeting)
Feeling restless
Being incapable of quietly engaging in leisure activities
Being constantly “on the go” or otherwise difficult to keep up with
Talking excessively
Interrupting questions, completing others sentences, and/or being incapable of waiting to take one’s turn in conversation
Having difficulty waiting in line
Interrupting or intruding on conversations or activities, taking over projects, or using the property of others without asking or receiving permission

Certain medications have proved to be effective at helping to control the symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, especially when incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that also features a variety of therapeutic activities that deal with the ADHD, identify the presence of any co-occurring disorders, and address the negative impact that these issues may have already inflicted on the afflicted individual’s life.

Statistics

ADHD statistics

Experts have estimated that about 5 percent of adolescents and about 2.5 percent of adults meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. About 62% of adults with ADHD are male, and about 38% of adults with ADHD are female. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), it is estimated that less than one of every five adults with ADHD has been diagnosed or received treatment for this condition.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for ADHD

The following are among the variety of genetic and environmental factors that are believed to influence the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder:

Genetic: Having a first-degree biological relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has ADHD increases the likelihood that an individual will also develop this disorder. Researchers have identified certain genes that appear to be associated with ADHD, but no direct cause-effect relationship has been established.

Environmental: Having an extremely low birthrate increases a person’s likelihood of developing ADHD by as much as 300%. Being exposed to alcohol in utero also increases a person’s risk for ADHD, as does being abused, neglected, or exposed to lead during childhood. Experts believe that nutritional deficiencies and exposure to certain other environmental toxins may put a person at increased risk for ADHD, but a definitive cause-effect relationship has yet to be established.

Risk Factors: