ADHD: Overview and More (original) (raw)

Getting Support for ADHD

Frequently Asked Questions

• The exact causes of ADHD are not known but experts believe there are a number of factors at play. Genetics are thought to play a significant role in causing ADHD, but environmental factors also contribute and often interact with genetic predispositions. Factors that can increase the risk of ADHD include certain illnesses such as meningitis, exposure to toxins such as lead, and nutrition deficiencies or substance use during pregnancy.
• There is no simple lab test or questionnaire that can determine if a person has ADHD. Mental health professionals conduct an evaluation and can use a variety of tools including IQ tests, interviews, measures of attention, rating scales, and other assessments to evaluate symptoms and determine if they meet the criteria for diagnosis.
• ADHD is classified as a mental illness, but can also be described as a neurotype. It is important to recognize that mental illness is a broad term that refers to any type of condition that impacts a person's thoughts, moods, or behaviors. Because the three primary symptoms of ADHD—inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—all impact these areas, ADHD is considered a form of mental illness.
• There is a strong genetic component to ADHD. Estimates suggest that the genetic heritability of the condition is over 70%. However, having a genetic predisposition does not necessarily mean that you will develop ADHD. Research has found that there are several genes that play a role and it is the interaction of these genes along with environmental influences that may cause the disorder.
• ADHD may be considered a disability according to the guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if you have impairments that limit one or more major life activities (such as work or school). There must be a record of this impairment or others must be able to perceive these challenges. This means some people who have ADHD may request accommodations at work or school.
• ADHD has gone through several name changes over the years and one of these former names was attention deficit disorder (ADD). While the term no longer represents an official diagnosis, it is still sometimes used to describe the inattentive presentation of the condition without hyperactivity.

Key Terms

• Neurobehavioral Disorder
  Neurobehavioral disorders are a group of conditions that involve behavioral issues that accompany brain-related conditions or injuries. ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders to affect children. Other examples include autism spectrum disorder and traumatic brain injury.
• Behavior Therapy
  Behavior therapy utilizes techniques such as conditioning and reinforcement to teach desired behaviors and eliminate unwanted ones. For children with ADHD, this approach can often help improve behavior and self-control. Techniques used in behavior therapy include praising or rewarding good behavior and allowing people to experience the logical consequences of negative behaviors.
• Impulsive Behavior
  Impulsive behaviors are those that are unplanned, risky, premature, and sometimes inappropriate for the situation. Such behaviors can seem unpredictable and, because they are not well-conceived, can lead to poor outcomes. Impulsivity is a trait of ADHD that is often caused by a lack of focus and difficulties with controlling behavior.
• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
  This presentation of ADHD is characterized by inconsistencies with attention and focus. Symptoms include having trouble focusing and/or paying attention to details, difficulty organizing tasks, being easily distracted, difficulty following instructions, frequently forgetting or misplacing things, avoiding activities that require sustained focus, and trouble following what others are saying.
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
  This presentation of ADHD is marked by hyperactive and impulsive behaviors without the traits of inattention. Characteristics often include moving frequently, squirming, fidgeting, and talking excessively. People with this presentation struggle to stay seated, move on to new tasks without completing previous ones, interrupt others, and blurt out things impulsively.
• Combined Presentation
  In this presentation of ADHD, people exhibit traits of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Characteristics include trouble focusing on tasks, fidgeting, talking excessively, and saying things impulsively. Children and adults may be diagnosed with a combined presentation if they experience six or more traits of inattention and six or more traits of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Explore Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

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1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data and Statistics About ADHD.
2. Zasler ND, Martelli MF, Jacobs HE. Neurobehavioral disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2013;110:377-88. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52901-5.00032-0
3. Cleveland Clinic. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Inattentive type in adults. Updated September 25, 2019.
4. Magnus W, Nazir S, Anilkumar AC, et al. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Updated June 29, 2020.