ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Is It?

If you think you or your child may have ADHD, an important first step is talking with a doctor or another healthcare professional as soon as possible. They can help determine if ADHD is a factor for you or your child. If you or your child has ADHD, you’re more likely to have depression as well. In one study from 2020, around 50 percent of adolescents had major depression or an anxiety disorder compared with 35 percent of those who did not have ADHD. Other research suggests that up to 53.3 percent of adults with ADHD may also have depression. The type of ADHD you or your child has will determine the treatment method.

Adult ADHD: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

They’ll also do a physical exam to check for other health problems. To make a diagnosis, a doctor will assess any symptoms you or your child has had over the previous 6 months. Although inattention is less of a concern with this type of ADHD, people with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may still find it difficult to focus on tasks. To make ADHD diagnoses more consistent, the APA has grouped the condition into three categories, or types. These types are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactivity-impulsive, and a combination of both.

But spotting it early, plus having a good treatment and education plan, can help you or your child with ADHD manage symptoms. Behavior and conduct problems are more common among children with ADHD than those without the condition. These disorders can arise when a person does not feel understood by those around them.

What should I know about ADHD treatment?

Two other medicines — guanfacine and clonidine — also have shown some benefit for ADHD symptoms, but they have weaker effects than stimulants. Another potential problem, which strictly speaking is not a side effect, is that stimulants can find their way to people other than the person being treated for ADHD. Called diversion, it is fairly common among adolescents and young adults. The drugs are most often taken to improve academic performance. In most children with ADHD, symptoms begin before age 12 and last through adolescence.

Signs and symptoms

It’s a brain disorder that affects how you pay attention, sit still, and control your behavior. It happens in children and teens and can continue into adulthood. ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children.

Connect with NIMH

NIMH offers expert-reviewed information on mental disorders and a range of topics. Children need 9 to 13 hours of sleep each night, teens need 8 to 10 hours, and adults need 7 to 9 hours. Getting enough sleep is important to manage ADHD symptoms, as they can get worse when you are sleep deprived.

It’s also often genetic, which is not the same for coping mechanisms. There is some evidence that omega-3s in fish oil can improve symptoms of ADHD. But they don’t work as well as prescription medications, and they take a long time to have any effect. It’s important to eat a nutritious diet to keep your and your child’s brain and body healthy. Maintaining steady blood sugar levels is especially important.

A coach provides practical support for day-to-day living such as organization, time management, and completing tasks. Your doctor can provide more guidance on ways to manage your ADHD symptoms. These challenges can make it hard for a child to cope at school. Getting help early is essential in trying to minimize the effect of these challenges. Treatment is available for people who face these challenges. Experts recommend starting treatment early and making sure the treatment fits the needs of the person and their family.

Directed attention is the ability to focus on something you don’t find very interesting. According to data from Truveta, a health care analytics company, ADHD diagnoses in people older than 30 have been on the rise since 2021. From January 2021 to October 2024, the adhd and alcohol: how they’re linked plus interactions risk factors rate increased by approximately 61% in adults ages 30 to 44 and 64% in those 45 to 64.

• They’ll also rule out other things that may be causing the symptoms, such as mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
• No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
• They’ll also do a physical exam to check for other health problems.
• NIMH supports research at universities, medical centers, and other institutions via grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

Some of these conditions result from the challenges of living with ADHD. This article uses the terms “male” and “female” and “boy” and girl” to refer to a person’s sex at birth, but that may not align with the person’s gender identity. Your doctor can better help you understand how your specific circumstances will translate into diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

• We’re also supporting research on treatments, services, and interventions for people with ADHD and their families.
• Researchers are looking at these treatment approaches separately and together and comparing their effectiveness for different ADHD symptoms.
• The antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) is helpful in some cases.
• The only way to find out if you have ADHD is to see a professional trained in diagnosing the condition.
• They work by a different chemical mechanism than stimulants.

Treating ADHD in children involves a combination of therapies. Many people with ADHD enjoy fulfilling and successful lives. Some even express appreciation for the benefits of the condition.

And many adults with ADHD also have at least one other mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. If you think you have symptoms of ADHD, talk to a healthcare provider. They’ll walk you through the steps of getting a diagnosis as an adult.