Learn More About ADHD

This disorder used to be called Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD

• Persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and is more severe than is typically observed in individuals at comparable level of development
• Some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms must have been present before seven years of age
• Some impairment from the symptoms must be present in at least two settings
• There must be clear evidence of interference with developmentally appropriate social, academic or occupational functioning
• The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorders and is not better accounted for by another mental disorder

Three Subtypes:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominantly Inattentive Type: This subtype is used if six (or more) symptoms of inattention (but fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity) have persisted for at least six months.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: This subtype should be used if six (or more) symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity (but fewer than six of inattention) have persisted for at least six months.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Combined Type: This subtype should be used if six (or more) symptoms of inattention and six (or more) symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least six months.

Diagnostic Criteria for the three subtypes of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and is more severe than is typically observed in individuals at comparable level of development

Individual must meet criteria for either (1) or (2):

(1) Six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level 4

• often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work or other activities
• often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activity
• often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
• often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
• often looses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books or tools)
• is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• is often forgetful in daily activities

(2) Six (or more) of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

• often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
• often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
• often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
• often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
• is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
• often talks excessively
• often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• often has difficulty awaiting turn
• often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
• Some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms must have been present before age 7 years.
• Some impairment from the symptoms is present in at least two settings (e.g., at school [or work] and at home).

There must be clear evidence of interference with developmentally appropriate social, academic or occupational functioning.

The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorders and is not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

To others, those with ADHD seem aloof, forgetful, hyper, socially inappropriate, intentionally not trying, disorganized, and more. This is usually made worse by the fact that people with ADHD have the ability to hyper-focus on activities that they like. Hyper-focusing is when they block out all external noises and focus so intently on an activity that it seems like they are ignoring the rest of the world. To those who don't have ADHD, this makes it look like ADHD people can focus when they want to. Truth is, hyper-focusing is a trait of ADHD and is a normal part of the diagnosis.

Having ADHD is like living life without a filter. Imaging that we have a filter in our brains, like the filter in an air purifier. The filter catches unwanted particles and lets through the particles of healthy air that are desired. Without that filter, the bad air and the good air would pass through without any separation between which ones are good and which are bad.

People with ADHD don't have this filter, so every thought that occurs in their minds pops into their consciousness and they have no choice but to acknowledge it. The rest of the world however, is never aware of most of the “dirty particles” because their minds filter out the unwanted particles before they even get to your conscious mind.

This means that having ADHD can be frustrating as their minds are never quiet and they are always bombarded with new thoughts, new information and new feelings. It can be exhausting, overwhelming, and frustrating. For this reason, having ADHD can cause people to feel very sensitive and emotional. For an ADHD sufferer to reduce the constant stream of unwanted thoughts, they usually seclude themselves from the world or get most of their work accomplished alone, or late at night once the rest of the world has calmed down.

ADHD is a neurological disorder, which means that we are born with it. It is caused by a lack of certain neurotransmitters in our brains. This means that there is a lack of a chemical necessary to keep all of the parts of the brain functioning properly. In the case of ADHD, the part of the brain that filters out unwanted information is not working properly.

It is strongly recommended that treatment of ADHD be with a combination of medication and talk therapy. Medications called stimulants are one of the first lines of treatment for this disorder, and can help reduce many symptoms. However, a consistent relationship with a therapist can help ensure more positive results. With ADHD it is very important to learn coping skills for ADHD as well as coping skills for life. Learning to cope with a constant stream of thoughts, and learning to reduce impulsivity are also very important.

While the medication for ADHD reduces symptoms on a daily basis, there is no cure for ADHD.

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