ADHD: Understanding the Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Introduction to ADHD

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) primarily affects a person's ability to pay attention, control impulsive behaviors, and regulate hyperactivity.
• ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, but its symptoms can persist into adolescence and adulthood.

Causative Factors

• Lower level of activity in the brain's attention and activity control centers may be associated with ADHD.
• ADHD frequently runs in families, with a 1 in 4 chance of having a parent with ADHD.
• Prematurity, prenatal exposures (e.g., alcohol or nicotine), and toxins (e.g., lead) may increase the risk of developing ADHD.

Signs and Symptoms

• Children with ADHD may:
  • Daydream a lot
  • Forget or lose things often
  • Squirm or fidget
  • Talk too much
  • Make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks
  • Have a hard time resisting temptation
  • Have trouble taking turns
  • Have difficulty getting along with others
• Adults with ADHD may experience:
  • Impulsiveness
  • Disorganization and problems prioritizing
  • Poor time management skills
  • Trouble focusing on a task
  • Excessive activity or restlessness
  • Hot temper
  • Frequent mood swings
  • Low frustration tolerance

Subtypes of ADHD

• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: difficulty organizing or finishing tasks, paying attention to details, or following instructions.
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: fidgeting, talking too much, feeling restless, and having trouble with impulsivity.
• Combined Presentation: symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.

Diagnosis

• ADHD cannot be diagnosed with a physical test, such as a blood test or X-ray.
• Diagnosis is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria.
• Signs and symptoms start early in life, typically before age 12, and continue into adulthood.
• Diagnosis may involve a physical exam, information gathering, and ADHD rating scales or psychological tests.

Treatment

• Combination of therapy, medication, and education/support.
• For preschool-age children, behavioral strategies, such as parent management training and school intervention, are recommended.
• Psychostimulants (amphetamines and methylphenidate) are first-line pharmacological treatments for ADHD.

Behavior Therapy

• Provided by a mental health professional.
• Examples of therapy include:
  • Behavior therapy
  • Social skills training
  • Parenting skills training
  • Psychotherapy
  • Family therapy

eTNS System

• USFDA-approved medical device to treat children with ADHD who are 7-12 years old and not taking ADHD prescription medicine.
• Device generates low-level electrical stimulation to areas of the brain related to attention, emotion, and behavior.

Learn about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, its effects on attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, and its causes, including brain anatomy and function.