Health Problem
ADHD
By: Mayra Zavala
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is a long-term condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. Some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms. But they can learn strategies to be successful.
What are the different types of ADHD?
There are three different subtypes of ADHD including:
- Combined ADHD (the most common subtype), which involves symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity
- Inattentive ADHD (previously known as ADD), which is marked by impaired attention and concentration
- Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, which is marked by hyperactivity without inattentiveness
What are the symptoms?
There are three different categories of ADHD symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity. Other ADHD symptoms include:
- Inability to sustain attention on tasks or activities
- Difficulty finishing schoolwork or paperwork or performing tasks that require concentration
- Frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another
- Procrastination
- Disorganized work habits
- Forgetfulness in daily activities (for example, missing appointments, forgetting to bring lunch)
- Failure to complete tasks such as homework or chores
Distracted
This boy is playing with his pencil instead of doing his homework.
Distratcted
These two workers are distracted playing with their pencils instead of doing their job.
Fustrated
This boy is frustrated because he can't focus on his homework.
How can it be treated?
Treatment for ADHD has two important components which are psychotherapy interventions, and are for both the child and the parents or the adult with ADHD and medications. There is a significant amount of research demonstrating that medication alone won’t really help fix so many of the core issues a child or adult with ADHD has. So while medication may help with some immediate relief from some of the symptoms, the person with attention deficit disorder still often needs to learn the skills needed to be successful while living with the disorder.