What is ADHD - Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

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One of the most well-known neurodevelopmental disorders that affects children, teens, and adults is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD.

When individuals notice that they have a pattern of inattention, impulsivity, restlessness, time management, or emotional regulation problems, they may start searching for information on “What is ADHD” or “What is ADHD disorder”. ADHD is not a lack of intelligence, laziness, or poor discipline. A true disorder characterized by chronic attention-deficit/hyperactivity and/or impulsivity that disrupts functioning or development in one or more areas of life, learning, work, or relationships.

We are aware that ADHD can manifest in many different ways at Athena Behavioral Health. Others may be hyperactive or disorganized, forgetful, procrastinate, or be mentally restless and unorganized. Creating a foundation of understanding, proper ADHD diagnosis, and using individualized treatment can help those with ADHD manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a developmental condition that impacts the brain's ability to focus, control impulses, regulate activity, and perform executive functions. Executive functions are skills that involve planning, organizing, initiating, and carrying out activities, managing time and emotions, etc. Impulsivity/hyperactivity and inattention are chronic characteristics of ADHD, and some people may have only one or the other, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

The condition is usually diagnosed during childhood, but it doesn't necessarily go away as people get older. Many adults still have symptoms, particularly when taking on more work, relationships, or home duties. Some adults had symptoms in childhood, but were never diagnosed.

Common ADHD Symptoms

The symptoms of ADHD generally comprise hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention in three distinct categories. The symptoms should be persistent and developmentally appropriate and interfere with functioning in at least two areas of life to support a diagnosis.

Inattention symptoms include:

Avoiding tasks that need sustained mental effort, poor organization, avoiding to follow instructions, losing things often, being easily distracted, forgetting daily tasks, and difficulty staying focused, making careless mistakes. This may manifest in the form of unfinished homework, missed deadlines, clutter, missed appointments, or being unable to follow the conversation.

Hyperactivity symptoms include:

Fidgeting constantly, inability to sit still, talking excessively, or feeling internally tight, or needing to join in during quiet times. Hyperactivity in children can manifest as running around, climbing, or leaving the chair a lot. In adults, it can be more about the inner tension or constant need to be busy.

Symptoms of impulsivity include:

Talking over others, yelling answers, not being able to wait his/her turn, impulsive buying, risky decisions, emotional outbursts, or acting without thinking. The symptoms of ADHD may impact relationships, academics, work efficiency, and family structure.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADD) in Children

Children are likely to exhibit symptoms of ADHD at school, at home, or in structured activities. They might have trouble sitting in class, forgetting homework assignments, misplacing school items, talking over others, or not following multi-step directions. Some kids are “busy,” others look dreamy and distracted, or are unable to finish tasks.

There are common symptoms/signs of ADHD in kids, which involve difficulties with paying attention, talking too much, waiting for turns, daydreaming, making careless mistakes, emotional meltdowns, and impulsiveness. Symptoms/signs of ADHD in kids may include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, and diagnosis typically involves taking information from parents, teachers, and health care providers.

Remember, at times, all children can be hyperactive or inattentive. Symptoms that occur frequently, persist over time, and affect school, behavior, and/or relationships and routines are considered indicative of ADHD.

Adult ADHD Symptoms

Symptoms of ADHD may be more difficult to identify in adults because adults typically learn to cope over time. The adults may appear restless, think fast, become chronically disorganized, struggle with time management, not know how to prioritize, procrastinate, not cope well with frustration, have mood swings, or have difficulty finishing tasks. Some of the symptoms of ADHD in adults include impulsiveness, lack of planning, difficulty focusing, disorganization, inability to multitask, and inability to deal with stress.

Some common symptoms of ADHD in adults can be missing deadlines, forgetting bills, being late for work often, not being able to keep up with daily tasks, interrupting conversations, changing jobs often, or feeling overwhelmed by day-to-day tasks. Some adults have also been suffering from anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, or burnout for years because they have just been trying to “try harder” without knowing why.

ADHD Symptoms in Women

ADHD symptoms in women may not present with symptoms that are as disruptive as those seen in males, and therefore may be under-recognized. More inattentive symptoms are noted in many girls and women than hyperactive ones. They can be perceived as being withdrawn, overwhelmed, sensitive, disorganized, forgetful, or always exhausted from hiding their symptoms.

Women with ADHD might have difficulty managing their time, emotions, household, or work deadlines, as well as academic workload, parenting duties, or relationship tensions. Some women may not be diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood due to symptoms that are misinterpreted as anxiety, depression, or a personality trait. A careful evaluation can help clarify ADHD as a disorder from other mental health disorders and determine if there are other co-occurring disorders.

What Causes ADHD?

There is no single cause for ADHD. Studies have found that ADHD is associated with abnormalities in brain structure, genetics, and the environment. Families tend to have a history of ADHD, and genes might be a factor. There are genetic and brain development differences that are strongly linked to ADHD, and children with ADHD frequently have a parent or sibling with the condition.

Some factors that might contribute are family history, premature birth, low birth weight, prenatal exposure to some substances, brain injury, and early developmental factors. But ADHD is not a result of watching too much TV, bad parenting, sugar consumption, or lack of discipline. These can impact behaviour and/or attention in certain contexts, but do not account for the condition.

ADHD Diagnosis

Only trained mental health and/or medical professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD. There is no blood test or brain scan that can diagnose ADHD. Instead, a detailed clinical interview, symptom checklists, developmental history, school or work history, family input if pertinent, and screening for other conditions are typically required for diagnosis.

Experts also examine how symptoms started, if they are present in more than one place, and if they cause a significant disruption. The NICE guidance focuses on recognizing, diagnosing and managing ADHD in children, young people and adults and fosters structured assessment and care planning.

As part of the assessment process, the evaluation of ADHD at Athena Behavioral Health may also include an investigation of possible conditions that can overlap with symptoms of ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, sleep disorders, trauma, learning disabilities, and more.

ADHD Treatment Options

Treatment helps lessen the symptoms of ADHD, makes activities easier for you to do, and can help you maintain healthy routines but it does not “cure” ADHD. 

Common treatment options include medication, therapy, psychoeducation, behavioral strategies, parent training for children, academic/ workplace accommodations, lifestyle changes, and skills coaching. Treatment for adults usually involves medications, education, skills training and psychological counseling, and a variety of treatments may be beneficial.

Common ADHD treatment approaches include:

Medication: Stimulant and non-stimulant drugs can help to improve attention, impulse control and hyperactivity. It is advisable to consult with a healthcare practitioner to assess benefits, risks, dosage and side effects.

Therapy and counselling: CBT, emotional regulation exercises, and supportive counselling can aid people in managing procrastination, low self-esteem, anxiety, stress, and relationship issues.

Behavioral strategies: Structured routines, reminders, planning, visual schedules, reward systems, and environmental changes can be helpful for both children and adults.

Parent education and family education are effective for children in several ways, including enhanced communication, consistency, and behaviour management.

Lifestyle support: Regular sleep, exercise, nutrition, minimizing distractions, and mindfulness may promote overall symptom management.

When Should You Seek Help?

Seeing a professional for support for ADHD signs and symptoms can be beneficial if they are impacting school performance, work productivity, relationships, emotional well-being, or daily life responsibilities. You don't have to wait until life becomes too difficult. An early assessment can help determine what is going on and what the appropriate treatment should be.

Athena Behavioral Health offers caring mental health services for people and families with ADHD symptoms, adult ADHD symptoms, ADHD symptoms in women, and ADHD symptoms in kids. By providing proper care, individuals suffering from ADHD can develop some practical skills, boost their self-confidence, and live a good life. "Curious about how ADHD manifests differently in adults vs children? Learn more by reading our detailed blog on ADHD in adults vs. children, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions!

Disclaimer- This blog is not meant to provide a diagnosis or treatment and should not take the place of professional diagnosis or treatment. If you need individual support, please talk to a qualified mental health professional at Athena Behavioral Health on + 91 9289086193.