Common AD/HD Questions

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Interesting Fact:  According to the CDC, children diagnosed with ADHD are nearly twice as likely to suffer non-fatal injuries (4.5%) than a healthy child (2.5%).

Interesting Fact:  Notable people with ADHD include Will Smith, Michael Phelps, Britney Spears, Solange Knowles and Justin Timberlake.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder that affects 3%-5% of school aged children with some experts claiming the number to be as high as 8%-10%. Studies also show that boys are three times more likely than girls to have it. The three most common traits that children with ADHD present are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. While these are common issues with many children, those that suffer from ADHD will display these behaviors to a greater extent, in different settings, and over longer periods of time.

How does ADHD affect the brain?

Little is known about how the differences in the brain of people positively evaluated with the disorder compared those that don't have it.  Some studies have found that certain parts of the brain are smaller than they should be. There is some evidence that there are chemical imbalances that could also be a contributor to ADHD. Researchers have also found some correlation between mothers that smoke while pregnant and their children being more likely to have it.

How do you get ADHD?

It's unclear how a person ends up with the disorder. Experts continue to study the brain to try and learn more about its origins in people. Three of the more common contributors are that it can be passed down genetically, changes or alterations to the brain, and issues in the brain such as chemical imbalances.

Can adults have ADHD?

Adults can have ADHD, but it's disputed as to how common it is and how strongly the symptoms will present in adults. It is widely believed to be less prevalent in adults than it is in kids. However, it is unclear if adults have simply learned to overcome the symptoms to function better or if people actually outgrow the condition as they get older.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

There is not a specific medical test that can definitively say if a person suffers from Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder or not. Consequently, a thorough evaluation based on the criteria in the DSM-V must be completed to determine if a person suffers from ADHD and how severely it affects them.  Some pediatricians or primary care physicians are capable of administering the evaluation, but it is not uncommon to be referred to some sort of expert such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or neurologist to get a more accurate diagnosis. During the evaluation the first step is usually to remove other factors that could be causing behaviors that could lead to a misdiagnosis. Some physical limitations such as poor vision or hearing can cause many of the same behaviors. Likewise, emotional issues such as low self-esteem or extreme stress can cause kids to act different than most children their age. 

How does ADHD medication work?

Medications can be used for treatment, but many experts suggest to use them after other avenues have been tried.  The most common form of medication are stimulants. While this could seem counterproductive to treat a hyperactivity disorder, the stimulants are able to activate certain parts of the brain that control impulses. Other types of medications used for treatment are non-stimulants and antidepressants.