Learning about ADHD

A simple explanation on Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder
 What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It
is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children
with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors
(may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of mental disorders that affect the

development of the nervous system, leading to abnormal brain function which may affect emotion, learning ability, self-control,

and memory. The effects of neurodevelopmental disorders tend to last for a person's
lifetime.
 Different severity levels of ADHD
Although there is not one specific test used to diagnose ADHD, there are a
variety of scales that have been designed to help mental health providers
assess the number and severity of symptoms a client is experiencing.

Healthcare providers can designate the severity of ADHD as “mild,” “moderate,” or

“severe” according to the DSM-5-TR criteria:

Mild: A few symptoms beyond the required

number for diagnosis are present that result
in minor impairment in social, school, or work
settings
Moderate: Symptoms or functional
impairment between “mild” and “severe” are
present
Severe: Many symptoms beyond the number
required to make a diagnosis are present;
 Different severity levels of ADHD

Although there is not one specific test used to diagnose ADHD, there are a
variety of scales that have been designed to help mental health providers
assess the number and severity of symptoms a client is experiencing.
 Causes and risk factors o
ADHD
Genetics
The exact causes of ADHD are not fully understood, but research suggests that a combination of genetic,
environmental, and neurological factors may contribute to its development. Here are some known causes
Brain development
and risk factors of ADHD:
Environmental factors
Genetics: ADHD tends to run in families. Studies suggest that genes may account for up to 70-80% of the
risk for developing ADHD.
Brain Premature
development: ADHDbirth has beenor low
linked birth in the structure and function of certain parts of
to differences
Traumatic brain injury
the brain that control attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Maternal
has been smoking
Environmental factors: Exposure to toxins such as lead and pesticides during pregnancy or early childhood
linked to an increased risk of ADHD.
Co-curring
Premature mental
birth or low birth health
weight: Children born prematurely or with a low birth weight may be at an
conditions
increased risk for ADHDTraumatic brain injury: A history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been linked to
an increased risk of ADHD.
1.
Sleeping
Maternal disorders
smoking, alcohol, and drug use during pregnancy: Substance use during pregnancy has been
linked to an increased risk of ADHD in children.
2. Nutrition
Co-occurring mentaland diet Other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and
health conditions:
bipolar disorder have been linked to an increased risk of ADHD.
3. Sleep disorders: Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, have been linked to an increased risk of ADHD.
4. Nutrition and diet: Some studies suggest that a diet high in sugar and processed foods may contribute
to ADHD symptoms.
5.
Co-occuring conditions with
ADHD

Anxiety disorders
Mood disorders
Learning disabilities
Substance use disorders
Sleep disorders
Tourette syndrome
Treatment Options For
ADHD
Medication
Behavioural therapy
Lifestyle changes
Support groups
Alternative and complementary therapies
 Behavioural Therapy
Behavioral therapy, also known as behavior modification, is a
common non-medication treatment option for ADHD. The goal of
behavioral therapy is to teach individuals with ADHD new skills and
strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their overall
functioning. Here are some common types of behavioral therapy
used in the treatment of ADHD:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Parent training
Social skills training
Classroom accommodations
 Medications for ADHD
Medications are often used in the treatment of
ADHD to help manage symptoms such as
impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.
Here are some common medications used to treat
ADHD:
Stimulant
Non-stimulants
Combination
therapy
 Alternative and complementary
treatments of ADHD
. Meditation
There are a number of alternative and complementary
treatments that are sometimes used to manage symptoms
of ADHD, although it is important to note that the evidence
supporting their effectiveness is often limited.
The following are some examples of alternative and
complementary treatments for ADHD :
Exercise
Mindfulness
Dietary
changes
Herbal
 ADHD in Adults
ADHD can have significant effects on adults in
several areas of life, including work,
relationships and daily functioning. Here are
some ways that ADHD can affect adults:
Work
Relationships
Daily functioning
Mental health
Substance abuse
 ADHD and Academic
Performance
ADHD can have a significant impact on academic
performance of students. Some of the ways that ADHD
can affect academic peformance include:
Inattention
Impulsivity
Hyperactivity
Poor
organization
Low motivation
 ADHD and
relationships
People with ADHD find it difficult to maintain a good social
relationship with people. It depends on the severity of their
symptoms, following are a few examples:
Communication
Impulsivity
Poor listening
Emotional regulation
Time management
Inattention
 ADHD and Employment
People with ADHD often find it difficult to do the same job
they are doing for a long time, due to which companies
tend not to hire people with ADHD. Here are a few
examples of how ADHD can affect the nature of the job
being done by the individual:
Difficulty with organization
Impulsivity
Inattention
Poor memory
Hyperactivity
 What type of ADHD do
you have?
A few statements will be shown, if you think these are
applicable, non applicable or in between for you, write down
your response using the code provided.

Write down:
A for yes
B for no
C for in between
Do you have a short attention span and get easily distracted?
Trouble sustaining attention in tasks
Do you easily forget things or tend to loose things?
Do you find it boring to do tasks that are boring and time-consuming?
Difficulty paying attention to something
Do you find it hard to listen to the person speaking and carry out instructions?
nknknk
Dod
Avoidance or dislike toward tasks that require
sustained
Mental effort
Difficulty organising tasks and activities
Difficulty listening when spoken directly
Difficulty following instructions or finishing tasks
Do you have a short attention span and get easily distracted?
Always fidgeting, squirming, tapping hands or feet
Do you easily forget things or tend to loose things?
Do you find it boring to do tasks that are boring and time-consuming?
etc
Do you find it hard to listen to the person speaking and carry out instructions?
nknknk
Dod
Difficulty remaining still
You talk excessively, you blurt out your answers and
you interrupt others while they are talking
You tend to act without thinking of the
consequences
You have difficulty engaging in quiet activities
You have difficulty in planning
Interpretations of
If your answers have the most number of A’s from the first set of questions then you have INATTENTIVE -
ADHD.
If your answers are mostly B’s from the first set of statements then you don’t have INATTENTIVE ADHD
If your answers are a mix of all the options then you have mix symptoms of INATTENTIVE ADHD.

your result