Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders affecting kids and adults. So what is ADHD, and what are the symptoms? Below, we talk about the mental health disorder and what it might look like for different people.
What is ADHD?
An estimated 8.4% of kids and around 2.5% of adults may have ADHD.
Often, we first see school-aged children with the symptoms that lead to a diagnosis because of disruptions in class or problems completing assignments. The condition is more common in boys than girls.
- Diagnosis can be challenging because many of the symptoms are common in children in general.
- The difference that differentiates ADHD is that hyperactivity and inattention can be beyond normal expectations in the age group.
- The symptoms can also lead to problems in functionality at not only school and home and be distressing for the child experiencing them. For example, a child or teen might make careless mistakes that affect their grades.
- Sometimes an attention deficit disorder can occur alongside other mood disorders and anxiety disorders.
Researchers don’t know the particular causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder yet, although genetics and family history are likely contributors. An estimated ¾ of kids with the mental health condition have a relative who also has it. Being born prematurely, brain injuries, and extreme stress during pregnancy can also contribute.
The symptoms of hyperactivity, when they occur, can almost always be noticeable by the age of seven. They’re often apparent in children as young as preschool age. The inattentive symptoms or attention-deficit symptoms tend to be evident later when a child should behave in a certain way in elementary school.
Sometimes, impulsive symptoms or inattentive presentations might not be noticed until later– perhaps in the teen years.
What Are the Types of ADHD?
There are three types of ADHD.
- Combined type—this is the most common type of the behavior disorder. The combined presentation subtype includes impulsive, hyperactive behaviors, distractibility, and inattention as core symptoms and diagnostic criteria.
- Impulsive/hyperactive type—the least common type includes impulsive behaviors and hyperactive behaviors, but not inattention and distractibility.
- Distractable and inattentive type- with this type of behavior disorder, symptoms are primarily related to inattention and distractibility, but not hyperactivity in daily activities.
What Are the Symptoms of ADHD?
The common symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder fall into three categories: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
Inattention symptoms can include:
- Having a short attention span and problems sustaining attention
- Challenges listening to other people
- Inattention to details
- Easily distracted
- Being forgetful
- Poor organizational skills
- Lack of study skills on par with their age group
Impulsivity symptoms can be:
- Frequently interrupting other people
- Difficulty waiting their turn
- Blurting out answers
- Risk-taking or acting without thinking
Symptoms of hyperactivity include:
- Being in constant motion with no real goal besides being active
- Problems staying seated during expected times
- Fidgeting excessively
- Talking a lot
- Problems doing quiet activities
- Not able to stay on task
It is important to remember that the symptoms can occur in kids and teens without a diagnosable disorder.
How Symptoms Differ in Women vs. Men
In females, including children and adult women, the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder can differ between males and females. Boys are also more likely to receive a diagnosis early on than girls, likely because it’s a condition that we associate more with affecting males.
ADHD in women tends to include symptoms that are related more to inattention. For example, signs in female patients might consist of problems with listening, focusing, and paying attention to details. For men, the symptoms tend to be more impulsive or hyperactive.
Health care professionals much less diagnose adult ADHD in women because of these sex differences.
ADHD Treatment Options
There are treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and your child’s care provider or team of providers will be able to find a plan that works for your child and your family. It can take some trial and error to get the right combination.
Some of the factors the treatment provider or team might think about include the severity of symptoms, your child’s age, medical history, overall health, and expectations for treating the condition. Your preferences and input are also important.
ADHD treatment can include one or a combination of the following:
Psychostimulant Medicines
Psychostimulant medicines can help balance out the brain chemicals that play a role in impulse control and maintaining attention. These medicines stimulate the brain to focus better and reduce the symptoms of ADHD.
Medications that may be part of treatment include:
- Methylphenidate (brand names Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Methylin)
- Dextroamphetamine (available as brand names like Dexedrine and Dextrostat)
- Amphetamine salts (Adderal)
- Atomoxetine (Strattera)
- Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
There are traditional stimulants that are immediate release, and they work quickly and last for around one to four hours. Also available are longer-acting medicines, affecting the person taking them 8 to 9 hours.
Stimulant medications do have side effects, which have to be carefully monitored. Side effects can include insomnia, reduced appetite, stomach pains, and headaches.
There’s also rebound activation that can occur. Rebound activation is when stimulant effects wear off, and impulsive or hyperactive behaviors increase for a period of time.
Your doctor may be able to talk with you about non-stimulant medications that are effective treatments for symptoms and can improve the quality of life for your child or teen.
Psychosocial Treatments
When you’re the parent of a child with a behavioral disorder, it creates challenges and can be difficult for the entire family unit. You might take behavior management classes that will help you figure out how to guide your child in the best way.
Teachers might also learn behavior management skills they’ll employ in the classroom.
Social skills training might be part of psychosocial treatments, as can working to find strategies to deal with environmental factors that could worsen symptoms in children or teens.
Behavioral Therapy with Mental Health Professionals
People with symptoms, whether adults or children, that make it hard for them to succeed in daily life often benefit from behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help teach skills to control symptoms and manage tasks.
The goal of participating in behavioral therapy is to help someone learn how to replace negative behaviors with more positive ones. Therapy can teach problem-solving skills and skills like organization and focus as part of comprehensive treatment plans for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Behavioral therapy on its own can help the symptoms of ADHD, or help along with medication.
If a child receives behavioral therapy, their parent or family is often involved. Families will work collaboratively with the therapist to create goals. Therapists can help families implement behavioral therapy strategies at home and school.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, behavioral and cognitive therapies effectively reduce symptoms of ADHD in children. For adults, cognitive behavioral therapy is effective.
When a child or teen is working with a therapist, they’ll have milestones that they work to meet so that you’ll have a better idea of how well the strategies are working. If your child or teen isn’t making progress, their therapist might change their system or approach.
Untreated ADHD, especially in teens, can lead to complications and a higher likelihood of substance misuse or co-existing conditions.
Getting Treatment for ADHD in Southern California
ADHD is a mental and behavioral health disorder. It’s often diagnosed in childhood but affects teens and adults. The symptoms may get better as someone gets older.
If you’d like to learn more about ADHD treatment and how it could help your teen, please call (866) 476-2823, and a member of the Story Wellness team will provide information about treatment options in Orange County, CA.
