Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes symptoms that begin in early childhood.
Though ADHD is often diagnosed in children, it may not be identified until adulthood.
Additionally, two-thirds of children have ADHD throughout their adult lives.
Verywell / Laura Porter
People with ADHD have difficulty at school and work and struggle to make friends and build personal relationships.
Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder depend on the bang out.
Children and adults may have one of three types: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined.
Diagnosis
An ADHD evaluation explores your medical history and behavioral and emotional challenges.
Healthcare providers will ask parents, teachers, and caregivers about children’s problems.
They will also talk with the child or use age-appropriate techniques to learn about their thoughts and feelings.
They may increase during times of stress or one symptom may improve while another takes its place.
ADHD symptoms also tend to change as a child gets older.
Causes
ADHD’s causes are still being studied.
However, research suggests that genetic alterations and environmental factors work together to affect brain growth.
Dozens of gene variations are associated with ADHD.
For example, the following do not cause ADHD:
Some of these issues may worsen ADHD symptoms.
Others can cause similar symptoms.
But they don’t contribute to ADHD.
Hyperactivity tends to decrease while inattentive symptoms increase.
However, instead of disappearing, hyperactivity symptoms may change.
For example, the physical behavior of fidgeting in children appears as internal nervousness in adults.
Many adults still have a hard time regulating their emotions, a common problem with ADHD.
Forgetfulness may also become more noticeable.
Some adults find ways to compensate for symptoms like disorganization and distractibility.
Others develop such stress that they turn to alcohol and drugs.
Sex Differences in ADHD
There are several differences inADHD in boys and girls.
In childhood, boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.
By adulthood, the numbers even out, and women are diagnosed just as frequently as men.
Females are typically diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, while hyperactive/impulsive ADHD is more common in males.
Girls are more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
By comparison, boys are often referred for an evaluation because of behavioral problems.
Treatment
ADHD is typically treated with behavioral therapy, medication, or both.
ADHD Medication
There are two types ofADHD medications: stimulant and non-stimulant.
Using evidence-based lifestyle changes to maximize sleep can help ADHD symptoms.
Some evidence-based measures to improve sleep include using melatonin supplements, weighted blankets, and light therapy.
Potentially Harmful ADHD Treatments
Before trying an alternative treatment for ADHD, talk to your healthcare provider.
Some can interfere with prescribed treatment for ADHD and some can even be harmful.
Then, the experts learned that the same condition caused hyperactive and impulsive symptoms.
As a result, they changed the name to ADHD.
Coping
Living with a child or adolescent who has ADHD can come with unique challenges.
As a parent, its essential to learn about ways to help your child manage their ADHD.
It’s also important to get support for yourself if needed.
you’ve got the option to learn more about parenting tips onhelpguide.org.
Therapy focuses on teaching you and your child practical tips and techniques for managing ADHD and improving daily life.
The three types of ADHD include inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined.
While the cause of ADHD is not known, genetics and environmental factors both play a role.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD will vary depending on the punch in and can change over time.
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