Learn About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a problem caused by the presence of one or more of these findings:
- Not being able to focus
- Being overactive
- Not being able to control behavior
ADD; ADHD; Childhood hyperkinesis
ADHD often begins in childhood. But it may continue into the adult years. ADHD is diagnosed more often in boys than in girls.
It is not clear what causes ADHD. It may be linked to genes and home or social factors. Experts have found that the brains of children with ADHD are different from those of children without ADHD. Brain chemicals are also different.
ADHD symptoms fall into three groups:
- Not being able to focus (inattentiveness)
- Being extremely active (hyperactivity)
- Not being able to control behavior (impulsivity)
Some people with ADHD have mainly inattentive symptoms. Some have mainly hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. Others have a combination of these behaviors.
INATTENTIVE SYMPTOMS
- Doesn't pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Has problems focusing during tasks or play
- Doesn't listen when spoken to directly
- Doesn't follow through on instructions and doesn't finish schoolwork or chores
- Has problems organizing tasks and activities
- Avoids or doesn't like tasks that require mental effort (such as schoolwork)
- Often loses things, such as homework or toys
- Is easily distracted
- Is often forgetful
- Has trouble concentrating
HYPERACTIVITY SYMPTOMS
- Fidgets or squirms in seat
- Leaves their seat when they should stay in their seat
- Runs about or climbs when they shouldn't be doing so
- Has problems playing or working quietly
- Is often on the go, acts as if "driven by a motor"
- Talks all the time
IMPULSIVITY SYMPTOMS
- Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- Has problems awaiting their turn
- Interrupts or intrudes on others (butts into conversations or games)
Many of the above findings are present in children as they grow. For these problems to be diagnosed as ADHD, they must be out of the normal range for a person's age and development.
Treating ADHD is a partnership between your health care provider and the person with ADHD. If it's a child, parents and often teachers are involved. For treatment to work, it is important to:
- Set specific goals that are right for you or your child.
- Start medicine or talk therapy, or both.
- Follow-up regularly with your provider to check on goals, results, and any side effects of medicines.
If treatment does not seem to work, your provider will likely:
- Confirm the person has ADHD.
- Check for health problems that can cause similar symptoms.
- Make sure the treatment plan is being followed.
MEDICINES
Medicine combined with behavioral treatment often works best. Different ADHD medicines can be used alone or combined with each other. Your provider will decide which medicine is right, based on your child's symptoms and needs.
Psychostimulants (also known as stimulants) are the most commonly used medicines. Although these medicines are called stimulants, they actually have a calming effect on people with ADHD. Other medicines that are not stimulants are FDA approved for some people with ADHD. Ask your provider what is best for you.
Follow your provider's instructions about how to take ADHD medicine. Your provider needs to monitor if the medicine is working and if there are any problems with it. So, be sure to keep all appointments with your provider.
Some ADHD medicines have side effects. If you or your child has side effects, contact your provider right away. The dosage or medicine itself may need to be changed.
THERAPY
A common type of ADHD therapy is called behavioral therapy. It teaches children and parents healthy behaviors and how to manage disruptive behaviors. For mild ADHD, behavioral therapy alone (without medicine) may be effective.
Other tips to help a child with ADHD include:
- Talk regularly with your child's teacher.
- Keep a daily schedule, including regular times for homework, meals, and activities. Make changes to the schedule ahead of time and not at the last moment.
- Limit distractions in your child's environment.
- Make sure your child gets a healthy, varied diet, with plenty of fiber and basic nutrients.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Praise and reward good behavior.
- Provide clear and consistent rules for your child.
There is little proof that alternative treatments for ADHD such as herbs, supplements, and chiropractic treatments are helpful.
Lenard Adler is a Psychiatrist in New York, New York. Dr. Adler is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). His top area of expertise is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Daryl Efron practices in Melbourne, Australia. Mr. Efron is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). His top areas of expertise are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette Syndrome, Transient Tic Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Texas Health Family Care
Dr. Jeremy Everett has been caring for North Texans as a board-certified family medicine physician since 2010. He began his career as a staff physician at Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth. Dr. Everett has also served as an adjunct associate professor in the Family Medicine Department of Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and currently participates in a local family medicine interest group. Dr. Everett earned his medical degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. He completed his family medicine residency at Plaza Medical Center, serving as chief resident in his final year. Dr. Everett’s areas of special focus include primary care and emergency medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Family Practice and American Osteopathic Association. Dr. Everett is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). His top areas of expertise are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, and Familial Hypertension.
You can find help and support in dealing with ADHD at:
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) -- chadd.org
ADHD is a long-term condition. ADHD may lead to:
- Illegal drug use and alcohol misuse
- Not doing well in school
- Problems keeping a job
- Trouble with the law
One third to one half of children with ADHD have symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity as adults. Adults with ADHD are often able to control behavior and mask problems.
Contact your provider if you or your child's teachers suspect ADHD. You should also tell your provider about:
- Problems at home, school, and with peers
- Side effects of ADHD medicine
- Signs of depression
Summary: This project will study how fidgeting relates to cognitive and emotional functioning in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It will determine, in a laboratory setting, whether movement and access to a fidget device providing sensory and motor stimulation can improve cognitive and emotional regulation (including on physiological measures) in adult ADHD. The investigators wi...
Background: Impulsivity is acting 'without thinking.' Compulsivity is being overly inflexible. People vary in how impulsive or compulsive they are. Extreme versions of these behaviors play a role in mental disorders. Researchers want to study changes in the brain to learn more about these behaviors. Differences in genes may also play a role.
Published Date: May 04, 2024
Published By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Psychiatric Association. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.
Harstad EB. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 50.
Wilens TE, Prince JB, Stone M, Biederman J, Uchida M, Surman CBH. Pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. In: Stern TA, Wilens TE, Fava M, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 55.
Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents [published correction appears in Pediatrics. 2020 Mar;145(3):]. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. PMID: 31570648 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31570648/.