ADHD

While ADHD can affect both children and adults, it is an illness primarily diagnosed in childhood, with the average age of a first-time diagnosis at 7 years old. The Center for Disease Control reports that 6.1 million children have been diagnosed with ADHD in the U.S. Here are some other trends: 

• Gender: Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. Adult men are also more likely to be diagnosed. 

• Race: From 2015-2016, ADHD was most prevalent among non-Hispanic Black children(12.8%) and non-Hispanic white children (12%).

Scientists are still doing work to understand the exact cause of ADHD. However, some risk factors can be: 

• Family history: Having blood relatives with ADHD or another mental health disorder

• Environment: Toxins, including lead, may play a role

• In utero: Mother’s who used drugs, alcohol, or smoked while pregnant

• Premature birth

Symptoms of ADHD can be broken down into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Inattention can look like: 

• Careless mistakes and lack of attention to details

• Trouble focusing

• Trouble listening

• Trouble following directions

• Difficulty with organization

• Aversion to activities that require focus (like homework)

• Easily distracted

• Misplacing items frequently

• Frequently forgetting to do tasks

Signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity can include: 

• Frequent fidgeting

• Difficult staying still or seated

• Trouble playing quietly

• Excessive talking

• Blurting out answers

• Difficulty waiting for their turn

• Frequently interrupting others

Primary Care Physician (or Pediatrician): Your general doctor can help diagnose and treat ADHD. They might also refer you to a psychiatrist. 

Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists specialize in treating mental health conditions, including ADHD.

Diagnosing ADHD can be difficult, especially in young children, since certain symptoms might overlap with typical development. Some symptoms can also appear like ADHD, when the true cause is some other physical or mental health factor. Your doctor will likely try to rule out other causes and collect as much behavioral information as possible, which may include interviews and questionnaires with teachers, relatives, caregivers, etc.

There are two main categories of prescription treatments for ADHD: stimulant medications and non-stimulant medications. Stimulant medications include: 

• Amphetamines: dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)

• Methylphenidates: methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, etc), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)

Non-stimulant medications include: 

• Atomoxetine (Strattera)

• Guanfacine (Intuniv)

• Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay)

Especially for children, there are some lifestyle techniques you can use to help with ADHD symptoms and consequences. Some tips include: 

• Maintaining a regular schedule

• Healthy habits such as regular sleep and a balanced diet

• Practice organization skills, such as keeping an activities notebook to organize homework

• Maintain a quiet study area that encourages focus during homework time