What is ADHD?
May 29, 2023
6 min read
ADHD is a lot more than hyperactivity, fidgeting, and anxiety.
Written by Liana Jaiden De Luna
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — or as its better known ADHD — is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions affecting millions of children (and adults) worldwide. ADHD makes it difficult to get organized, focus, and plan ahead. It also makes people act impulsively as it makes it harder to regulate emotions.
ADHD is the result of differences in early neurodevelopment, that affect the wiring of the brain. The condition is usually diagnosed in childhood. If it goes untreated, ADHD leads to:
Trouble focusing in class or studying
Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
Emotional outbursts
A higher risk of anxiety, depression, or drug use
But the condition doesn’t go away after graduation. It can go untreated into adulthood, affecting work and relationships.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD affects around 3-5 percent of children. Boys are more than twice as likely to receive a diagnosis than girls. It isn't clear how much of this is biological, however.
Symptoms of ADHD can be noticed in children before the age of 6, but they can also develop later in life.
ADHD symptoms in students
The most noticeable symptoms of ADHD in students affect brain function. These are symptoms of inattention. They affect focus, attention, and concentration, key components of executive functioning. These symptoms include:
A tendency to get distracted
Difficulty staying on task
Difficulty organizing tasks
Careless mistakes
Difficulty finishing tasks
A short attention span
Zoning out or daydreaming
The behavioural symptoms, also called hyperactive-impulsive symptoms include:
Difficulty sitting still
Interrupting conversations
More risk-taking behaviours
Trouble waiting
Trouble regulating emotions
Difficulty maintaining social relationships
Symptoms and gender
Why are boys more likely to be diagnosed than girls and other marginalized genders? Boys have more hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ADHD, which are easy to spot and are more disruptive. This means that they might be more likely to be referred to a doctor in the first place.
However, symptoms in girls are less visible. They may be inattentive or daydreaming, and can develop anxiety. Fortunately, doctors have gotten better recently at diagnosing the condition in girls and women.
ADHD symptoms in adults
Contrary to popular belief, older children, adolescents, and adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD. At the moment, many of these age groups are under-diagnosed. Adults with ADHD might notice that they:
Lose or misplace things often
Have trouble planning or prioritizing different tasks
Struggle coping with stress
Struggle more at work compared to peers
Prone to anxiety or depression
Difficulty maintaining stable social and work relationships
How ADHD is Diagnosed?
ADHD is diagnosed by a doctor, psychiatrist, pediatrician, or neurologist using guidelines set out by the American Psychiatric Association. These criteria include:
Inattention. At least six symptoms of inattention for youth aged 16 or under. At least five symptoms for people over the age of 16. Someone must be experiencing these symptoms for at least six months. Examples include:
Making careless mistakes on tests and assignments.
Difficult focusing on games or tasks.
Trouble with time management or organization
Hyperactivity and impulsivity. At least six of these symptoms for youth aged 16 or under. At least five symptoms for people over the age of 16. Someone must be experiencing these symptoms for at least six months.
Fidgeting, tapping feet, trouble waiting your turn.
Difficulty maintaining social relationships.
Intruding into other conversations without waiting for your turn to speak.
ADHD is diagnosed when it is clear that the symptoms are affecting a person’s quality of life, relationships or work function.
Types of ADHD
There are three different kinds of ADHD which present with a different combination of symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD
This form of ADHD is diagnosed when the majority of symptoms are inattentive.
Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD
This form of ADHD is diagnosed when the symptoms are primarily hyperactive-impulsive.
Combined ADHD
This diagnosis is given to people who experience both types of symptoms.
Causes of ADHD
The exact causes of ADHD are not fully understood. Research has shown that genetic factors are likely the major cause with other environmental factors contributing.
Some environmental factors that contribute to the development of ADHD include:
Exposure to workplace or environmental toxins
Premature delivery and low-birth weight
Head trauma
Low-socioeconomic status
It's important to note that ADHD is a complex disorder, and its causes are not yet fully understood. While certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing ADHD, it is not always clear why some people develop the disorder while others do not. It is likely that the interplay of genetic and environmental factors are responsible.
Treatments for ADHD
ADHD is managed with a combination of medications, psychotherapy, and other accommodations.
Medications
A class of medications called stimulants is often prescribed for people with ADHD. By far the most common medication for this condition is called Ritalin (methylphenidate).
This drug is misused, especially in university settings. When students cram for exams, sometimes they might buy Ritalin without a prescription. However, it does not boost brain function for people without ADHD and may come with unpleasant side effects.
Therapy
Different types of therapy including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) help people with ADHD develop the skills they need to manage their symptoms.
Other accommodations
A combination of technological tools, such as scheduling apps, combined with other healthy habits like eating regular meals and exercising can also help.
How Resolvve Can Help
Resolvve provides you with quick and easy access to therapists who are specially trained in working with students and adults who have ADHD.
The therapists help you improve your emotional regulation skills, work on organization and attention skills, and help you integrate productivity apps to provide a boost to your executive functioning skills. Through a partnership with Psychotherapy Matters, Resolve can also help you see a psychiatrist who can diagnose the condition within six to eight weeks.
**Please note, this is article is not therapy or a replacement for it. Engaging with it does not constitute a therapeutic relationship of any kind with the writer. Please seek professional help if needed.**
