Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition that can make it difficult for a person to concentrate and control their behavior. It usually arises in early childhood, but can affect some people their entire lives.
It can be difficult to estimate how common ADHD is in the community, in part because there are different approaches to defining what ADHD is and how to diagnose it. International studies based on one approach (as set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) suggest around 5% of children and 2.5% of adults in the world have ADHD. [1]
American Psychiatric Association (eds). (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). Washington D.C: American Psychiatric Publishing.
One of the challenges of diagnosing ADHD is that, as part of their normal behavior, all children show some of the behaviors described as symptoms of ADHD some of the time.
However, for children with ADHD, these behaviors occur more frequently, more severely and persist over time. They have a disruptive effect on many aspects of a child's life, including family relationships, how they play and interact with other children and their education.
There are three main symptoms associated with ADHD:
Not all children with ADHD show all three of these types of behaviors. The severity of behaviors varies between children, as well as over time in individual children as they grow and develop.
ADHD can cause inattentive behavior.
There is no single cause of ADHD and there is still a great deal of debate about how aspects such as genetics, environmental factors (for example, exposure to lead) and early social experiences may contribute to the development of the condition.
Related to genes, the body's units of inheritance or origin.
There are some medical conditions and circumstances in which ADHD symptoms may be more likely to occur. These can include:
An inherited condition caused by damage to the X chromosome. It causes intellectual disability and results in a range of physical and behavioral problems.
An inherited condition in which neurofibromas (benign tumors) form from the layer that encloses nerve fibers (sometimes called nerve fiber sheaths).
Because not all children show all three main symptoms of ADHD, it is classified into three subtypes:
Many children who are diagnosed with ADHD have some symptoms and mental health problems that carry on into adulthood and require treatment and management. Other people may not be diagnosed until they are adults, but will generally have had symptoms from childhood.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are similar to those displayed by children; however, they may cause different difficulties in adult life. For example, symptoms of inattentiveness may include forgetting appointments and erratic work habits. Impulsive behavior can be associated with issues such as trouble managing money, drug or alcohol abuse, or an increased tendency to commit traffic infringements.
As with children, while all adults can sometimes display some of the behaviors described as ADHD symptoms, for adults with ADHD they are more severe and form a pattern of ongoing behavior that has a disruptive effect on their lives.
Adults with ADHD can also tend to have a range of other mental health issues and conditions including poor self-confidence and low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other behavioral disorders. In adults it is important to differentiate ADHD from bipolar disorder as the treatment for the latter is different.
A mental health disorder that results in physical and psychological symptoms such as low mood, a feeling of hopelessness, poor concentration and motivation, disruptive sleep patterns and appetite changes. To be diagnosed with depression, these symptoms must be present most days for at least two weeks.
The behavior of consuming unhealthy levels of alcohol and/or using recreational drugs.
Assessment and diagnosis of ADHD must be performed by an experienced specialist clinician such as a pediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist. Your general practitioner can make an initial assessment, however, they will usually refer your child for further assessment if they suspect ADHD. Some general practitioners have special training in ADHD and can manage children with the condition.
For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms and behaviors need to occur on a long-term basis (a minimum of six months).
Assessment for ADHD is complex and can include:
In order for this assessment to be comprehensive, your specialist may ask to talk to other family members and teachers about your child's behavior. They may also ask to review information such as school reports, or for your child to be observed at home or school.
Guidelines and approaches to diagnosing ADHD are evolving. Particularly with children who have mild symptoms, there can be different approaches to diagnosing the condition. If you have any concerns or questions about how ADHD is diagnosed, or your child's diagnosis, you can discuss them with your specialist.
As with children, while a general practitioner can make an initial assessment, most adults will be referred to a specialist clinician, usually a psychiatrist, for full assessment and diagnosis.
A full medical assessment helps to determine whether there are any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. Your specialist will ask you about your symptoms and may also ask to speak with your partner or other family members.
ADHD is only diagnosed if the symptoms create a serious disruption to your life.
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions in children and infants.
A health professional who specializes in providing testing and counselling to children with mental health conditions.
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in children and babies.
A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
ADHD cannot be cured, but the goal of treatment is to help:
There are a variety of management options for dealing with ADHD and the treatment can be tailored for each child's specific circumstances and needs. Often a combination of approaches will be recommended in a management plan that may involve a range of healthcare professionals as well as the child's family and their school.
Children who are being managed for ADHD often require regular review appointments to monitor how they are responding to treatment and whether or not changes need to be made. Your specialist will discuss how often your child's management needs to be reviewed.
Controversy does exist around the use of medications to manage ADHD in children. Not all children with ADHD require medication and your specialist will discuss options with you to arrive at a management plan that is most suitable for your child.
It can be very challenging to care for a child with ADHD. Disruptive behaviors can cause stress for parents and other family members. Information, counselling and programs are available to support parents and carers, to help them to understand ADHD and learn techniques to reduce and better manage disruptive behavior.
Children with ADHD can have problems with low self-esteem and anxiety, as well as difficulty with relating to other children. Psychological treatments and counselling can help with these issues, as well as promoting skills for concentration.
Counselling programs can help with problems such as anxiety and low self-esteem.
Schools and teachers play a vital role in helping children to manage ADHD and learn and develop to their potential.
Educational management options include:
Training about ADHD is available for educators and you can work with your child's school to make sure that they are aware of your child's needs.
A supportive education plan is very important for children with ADHD.
Medications may be prescribed for children with ADHD, particularly those with more severe symptoms. Medications for ADHD are only prescribed under strict regulations and children who take them need to see their specialist regularly for review.
For very young children (those less than seven years of age), other management approaches will usually be tried first and medication used only if these have not been effective.
Psychostimulant medications such as methylphenidate and dexamphetamine sulfate, can be prescribed for ADHD. Although these medications are called psychostimulants, they can have a calming effect on children with ADHD.
Evidence has shown that for children, psychostimulants can help to:
This evidence is based on children taking medication for up to three years. There may be benefits associated with taking these medications long-term, but it has not yet been proven.
Atomoxetine is a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. This means that it affects a chemical messenger in the brain called noradrenaline, helping it to be more effective. This medication may be prescribed for children with ADHD if psychostimulants are not suitable or effective.
Atomoxetine can cause serious side effects and children taking this medication must be closely monitored by their specialist.
It has been proposed that a range of foods and food additives worsen ADHD symptoms, for example, because of food allergies. However, current evidence does not support eliminating or restricting foods from your child's diet in order to treat ADHD.
Children with ADHD have been shown to have lower-than-normal levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in their blood, particularly the omega-3 variety. Supplementation of the diet with fish oils rich in PUFAs has been trialed, but most trials have shown no or limited evidence of improvement of symptoms.
Nutrition is very important to children's healthy growth and development and restricting foods from your child's diet may mean they don't receive all the nutrients and energy they need. As part of managing ADHD, you can discuss your child's diet with your specialist or general practitioner.
A range of alternative therapies have been suggested for treating ADHD. In some cases, their use has been controversial and there is little evidence available regarding their effectiveness. Some of these therapies include acupuncture, meditation, chiropractic, vision training, homeopathy, massage, biofeedback and sensory integration therapies.
Treatment of adults is similar to children. Psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and dexamphetamine sulfate may be recommended. Medication will usually be combined with other approaches such as learning about ADHD and how to manage it, psychological therapy, counselling and support groups. Your management plan will also take into account any other medical conditions or mental health problems that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Medications for ADHD are only prescribed under strict regulations. People who take them need to see their doctors regularly for review. There is the potential for drug abuse in adults, particularly with amphetamine-like compounds.
A form of complementary therapy that involves fine sterilized needles being inserted into the skin at specific points to treat medical conditions.
A technique designed to help people monitor and control various automatic bodily functions, such as the heart rate and breathing. Electric sensors are used to monitor the body’s response during training with a therapist. It is often used as a relaxation therapy.
A hormone that is secreted by the adrenal glands and is released in response to stress to promote blood flow to muscles, increase heart rate and other activities. It is also used as a drug to increase blood pressure in people who are suffering from shock.
Relating to, arising in, or affecting the mind.
Therapy that is based on manipulation of joints to treat disorders of the skeleton and muscular system.
An alternative medicine used to treat a condition with highly diluted chemicals, to stimulate the body's own healing responses.
Common side effects of psychostimulant medications include:
Other less common side effects that have been reported include:
Psychostimulant medication can also cause increases in heart rate or blood pressure, although these are usually small and are monitored by your specialist.
Most of the side effects caused by stimulant medications can be reversed or managed. Letting your specialist know about them is an important part of managing ADHD.
ADHD can have a serious impact on many aspects of a person's life. It has been associated with:
There are a wide range of behavior and mental health disorders that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD. Part of the assessment procedure is to identify the pattern of symptoms and provide an accurate diagnosis, so that the most effective management can be recommended.
In some cases, a person with ADHD may also be diagnosed with another disorder. Children with ADHD are also frequently diagnosed with other behavioral disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder and learning problems, such as specific learning disorder.
Adults with ADHD are more likely than the general population to have a range of mental health problems including antisocial and personality disorders, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.
A mental health disorder that results in physical and psychological symptoms such as low mood, a feeling of hopelessness, poor concentration and motivation, disruptive sleep patterns and appetite changes. To be diagnosed with depression, these symptoms must be present most days for at least two weeks.
A disorder of processes within the brain that results in problems with learning and affects achievement and skills used daily. This can manifest in difficulties with reading, spelling, maths and sometimes organizing the spoken word.
The behavior of consuming unhealthy levels of alcohol and/or using recreational drugs.
Symptoms of ADHD can reduce as a child grows and develops, but many children who are diagnosed with ADHD have some symptoms that may impact on their lives and require treatment as adults.
Because the causes of ADHD are not yet fully understood, it is unclear how the condition can be prevented. Early assessment and treatment of symptoms may help to minimize disruption to your child's development and education.