About Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What it is

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Neurodevelopmental means having to do with the way the brain grows and develops.A

ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

Types

There are three different ways ADHD presents itself, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual at the time of diagnosis:

• Predominantly inattentive presentation
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation
• Combined presentation (a combination of inattentive and hyper-impulsive symptoms)

Signs and symptoms

It is normal to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms can continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

Causes

Scientists are studying possible causes and risk factors in an effort to find better ways to manage and reduce the chances of a person having ADHD. The causes and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD.1

In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including:

• Brain injury
• Exposure to environmental risks (for example, lead) during pregnancy or at a young age
• Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
• Premature delivery
• Low birth weight

Diagnosis

ADHD in children

Deciding if someone has ADHD is a process with several steps. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms. One step of the process involves having a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with symptoms like ADHD.

Diagnosing ADHD usually includes a checklist for rating ADHD symptoms and taking a history of the child from parents, teachers, and sometimes, the child.

ADHD in adults

ADHD can last into adulthood. Some adults have ADHD but have never been diagnosed. The symptoms can cause difficulty at work, at home, or with relationships. Symptoms may look different at older ages, for example, hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness. Symptoms can become more severe when the demands of adulthood increase.

For more information about ADHD diagnosis and treatment in adults, please visit the websites of the National Institutes of Mental Health.

Treatment and managing symptoms

In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. What works best can depend on the child and family. Effective treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if needed, along the way.

Managing symptoms: Staying healthy

Being healthy is important for everyone and can be especially important for people with ADHD. In addition to behavioral therapy and medication, having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier to deal with ADHD symptoms. Here are some healthy behaviors that may help:

• Developing healthy eating habits such as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources
• Participating in daily physical activity based on age
• Limiting the amount of daily screen time from TVs, computers, phones, and other electronics
• Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age

What CDC is doing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program of CHADD–Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Their website has links to information for people with ADHD and their families.

The NRC operates a call center (1-866-200-8098) with trained staff to answer questions about ADHD.

Need help?

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Get information and support from the National Resource Center on ADHD.

Resources and tools

To get help with concerns about ADHD, talk with your child's healthcare provider. Primary healthcare providers may diagnose ADHD or may provide a referral to a mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Children can be seen by a specialist such as a child psychologist, child psychiatrist, or developmental pediatrician. You can also contact a local early intervention program for a free or low-cost evaluation (children under age 3) or school system for a free evaluation (children 3 years or older).

For more information on services for children with special needs, visit the Center for Parent Information and Resources. To find the Parent Center near you, you can visit this website.

ADHD materials and multimedia

October is ADHD Awareness Month. The goal of ADHD Awareness Month is to correct misunderstandings about ADHD and highlight the shared experiences of the ADHD community. Help CDC raise ADHD awareness, encourage inclusion, and connect people to support services. Get more information at ADHD Awareness.