Previously known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that disrupts functioning or development. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, a brain condition, and one of the most common childhood disorders. Influenced by genetics and environmental factors, changes in the brain, including size and maturation, are implicated in the development of ADHD.
(Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock) Inattentive: A child with this type primarily experiences inattention and is easily distracted. This subtype is more common among females. Impulsive/hyperactive: This is the rarest form of ADHD.
A child with this type is impulsive and hyperactive but does not have difficulty paying attention. They may perform excessive movement inappropriate for the setting and take hasty actions without thinking. They also struggle to organize or complete tasks and may find it difficult to follow instructions or conversations.
They may also fidget or talk excessively. Combined: This is the most prevalent form of ADHD. A child with this type is both impulsive and hyperactive.
They also struggle with maintaining focus and are easily distracted. Symptoms in Children The Essential Guide to Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches Depression: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches Failure to pay attention to details or making careless mistakes at school Struggling to maintain focus during tasks or play Demonstrating an age-inappropriate brief attention span Not listening when spoken to directly Failure to follow through on instructions and not completing schoolwork or chores Experiencing difficulty in organizing tasks and activities Overlooking or missing details Avoiding or disliking tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork Exhibiting poor organizational and study skills for their age Frequently losing items such as homework and school supplies Being easily distracted Being forgetful Frequently shifting from one task to another without finishing any Appearing constantly in motion, without a clear purpose other than movement Being restless, fidgeting, or squirming in their seat Frequently leaving their seat when expected to stay seated Running around or climbing inappropriately Having difficulty playing or working quietly Talking excessively Interrupting or blurting out answers before questions are finished Having difficulty waiting for their turn Often interrupting or intruding on others in conversations or activities Frequently engaging in risky behavior, often without prior thought or consideration Getting upset easily Children with ADHD frequently encounter challenges in achieving independent functioning and may display behaviors that are younger than their peers. Additionally, many children with ADHD may experience mild delays in language, motor skills, or social development, which often occur alongside ADHD but are separate conditions.
Approximately 20 percent to 60 percent of children with ADHD experience learning disabilities that affect reading, math, or written language, often leading to academic difficulties such as poor grades. Around 60 percent of children throw temper tantrums, while most older children exhibit low tolerance for frustration. These difficulties can contribute to issues with self-esteem, depression, anxiety, or defiance toward authority by adolescents.
Many adolescents with ADHD also face challenges in relationships and may exhibit antisocial behaviors. Symptoms in Adults Difficulty concentrating: Individuals with ADHD can often focus well on activities they find enjoyable; however, they struggle to maintain focus on tasks perceived to be mundane, boring, or repetitive, regardless of their efforts. Hyperfocus: Hyperfocus is a tendency to become deeply immersed in stimulating and rewarding tasks to the extent that one becomes unaware of one’s surroundings.
Poor executive functioning. Persistent tardiness. Habit of procrastinating.
Restlessness. Mood swings. Weak self-discipline; prone to addiction.
Impatience. Challenges with maintaining relationships. Easily becoming flustered and stressed.
Low self-esteem and feelings of insecurity or underachievement. Difficulty maintaining motivation. Highly sensitive to criticism.
1. Genetics 2. Brain Abnormalities Differences have also been observed in the structural development and activity of the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, anterior cingulate cortex, and cerebellum.
Conditions such as brain injury from lack of oxygen, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injuries can also increase the risk of developing ADHD. 3. Environmental Factors Maternal smoking during pregnancy: However, new evidence is beginning to challenge this belief.
Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Premature birth. Low birth weight of less than 3 pounds (1,500 grams) Exposures to alcohol, tobacco, or possibly cocaine before birth.
Brain injury. Poor parental mental health: A 2024 meta-analysis found that maternal stress, anxiety, and depression, postpartum depression, and paternal depression had all been positively linked to ADHD in children. Exposure to toxins: Examples include lead, organophosphate pesticides , and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
A high-conflict home environment. Early childhood trauma: Most children with ADHD have not experienced early trauma, but some have suffered from violence, abuse, or neglect. Nutrient deficiency: A 2004 study involving 53 children with ADHD suggested that low iron levels may contribute to ADHD.
Deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D have also been reported. Sex: According to the NSCH, ADHD diagnosis is consistently more prevalent in boys than girls. Among adolescents, 13 percent of males and 4.
2 percent of females are affected. Among adults, 5.4 percent of males and 3.
2 percent of females are affected. Race: Among adults, the non-Hispanic white group had the highest prevalence of 5.4 percent compared to all other race and ethnicity groups.
Among adolescents, the non-Hispanic black group had the highest prevalence of 9.3 percent . Family history: ADHD often runs in families , with many parents of children with ADHD having had symptoms themselves during childhood.
The condition frequently appears in siblings. A 2017 study involving over 1.6 million young people—among whom nearly 32,000 were diagnosed with ADHD—found that siblings of those with ADHD are almost nine times more likely to have ADHD compared to siblings of people without the disorder.
Traumatic brain injuries. Toxin exposure before birth or in childhood. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): People with OSA often have trouble paying attention, with up to 95 percent of them experiencing this issue.
Among people with full ADHD, 20 percent to 30 percent also have OSA. As per a 2011 review of six interventional studies, OSA might make ADHD symptoms worse for some people who are diagnosed with ADHD, and treating OSA may help improve ADHD symptoms. Diagnosis in Children Be present frequently for at least six months Be more severe than what is typical for the individual’s developmental stage Occur in at least two different settings, such as home and school Be evident before the age of 12 Interfere with functioning at home, school, or work Diagnosis in Adults They typically exhibited several ADHD symptoms before age 12 As adults, they experience at least five persistent ADHD symptoms listed according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria Their ADHD symptoms are present in two or more settings and interfere with or reduce the quality of social, school, or work functioning Symptom Severity Mild: The disorder causes minor impairment in social, school, or work settings.
Moderate: Symptoms or functional impairments fall between “mild” and “severe.” Severe: There are numerous symptoms of ADHD, with several being particularly severe, resulting in significant impairment in social, school, or work settings. Parent-child conflict Other mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety Substance abuse Poor academic performance Frequent job-hopping Trouble with the law Suicide: According to a 2013 study , people with ADHD have a higher risk of dying by suicide compared to those without ADHD.
Difficulty with relationships, causing loneliness Increased car accidents Poor executive skills Low self-esteem Preschoolers: It is recommended that parents be provided with training in behavioral management before considering medication. Children aged 6 and above: Combining behavioral management with medication treatment is recommended. Adults: Medication is a key component in treating adults with ADHD.
1. Behavioral Management Counseling. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT may include goal-setting, modeling, and role-playing.
Structure and routines are crucial. Classroom behavior management: Classroom behaviors can be improved by controlling noise and visual stimulation, adjusting task length, introducing novelty, providing coaching, and ensuring teacher proximity. Incentives and token rewards: Incentives can reinforce and enhance behavior management.
Parent-child interaction therapy: This therapy involves both the parent and child, where the parent learns strategies to encourage positive behavior . Social skills training. 2.
Medication Psychostimulants: Also called stimulants, psychostimulants have a calming effect and are commonly used to treat ADHD. They may help individuals focus, concentrate, and manage impulses. Responses to these medications vary, and dosages depend on behavior severity and individual tolerance.
Examples include methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Atomoxetine is an SNRI shown to be effective in improving ADHD symptoms in adults. Another example is venlafaxine.
Others: When stimulants don’t work well or cause too many side effects, doctors sometimes use other types of medications, such as alpha-2 agonists (e.g., clonidine and guanfacine) and other psychoactive drugs.
However, these alternatives are generally less effective and are not usually the first choice for treatment. Tips for Parents Communicating regularly with the child’s teacher Establishing and following a consistent daily routine for homework, meals, and activities and notifying the child of any changes in advance Minimizing environmental distractions Providing a healthy diet rich in fiber and essential nutrients and excluding processed foods Ensuring adequate sleep Reinforcing the child’s positive behavior with praise and rewards Setting clear and consistent rules for the child Celebrating every success, whether big or small Breaking tasks into smaller steps Using visual reminders like lists, charts, or notes for schedules and tasks Taking time to listen to the child, as children with ADHD may struggle to express their thoughts and feelings Receiving parental skills training to develop skills (e.g.
, giving positive feedback) that will help the child Self-Help for Adults Exercise and eat healthy: Limit sugary items to help stabilize mood swings. Get enough sleep. Practice better time management: Set deadlines for all tasks, including small ones, and regularly use tools such as alarm clocks.
Work on your relationships. Create a supportive work environment: To enhance productivity, use tools such as lists, color coding, reminders, notes, and organized files. A positive mindset fosters self-perception and confidence.
It also encourages individuals to believe in their ability to manage ADHD effectively and learn new life skills. This belief can boost self-esteem and motivation, leading to active engagement in strategies to cope with ADHD and persistence through difficulties. 1.
Medicinal Herbs Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): Passionflower is native to the southeastern United States and Central and South America. It is used to treat anxiety and insomnia in some parts of the world. Scientists believe it works by increasing levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which reduces the activity of certain brain cells and promotes relaxation.
A 2005 study found that an eight-week trial with passionflower tablets yielded results similar to methylphenidate treatment, with no serious side effects recorded. French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster): Pycnogenol is an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine and contains phenolic acids, catechin, taxifolin, and procyanidins. A 2006 randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 61 children with ADHD showed that a four-week administration of Pycnogenol significantly reduced hyperactivity and improved attention, visual-motor coordination, and concentration in the participants.
Another 2006 RCT found that a one-month treatment with Pycnogenol improved attention in children with ADHD, reduced oxidative DNA damage, and normalized antioxidant levels. Ginseng (Panax ginseng): Ginseng has neuroprotective properties and has been found to improve ADHD symptoms. The results of a 2014 study suggested that Korean red ginseng extract could be an effective and safe alternative treatment for children with ADHD.
Saffron (Crocus sativus): A 2021 study found that combining methylphenidate with saffron was more effective in treating ADHD patients than using methylphenidate alone. Sweet almond (Prunus dulcis): The results of a 2019 study indicated that both methylphenidate and sweet almond syrup treatments were equally effective in reducing symptoms in children with ADHD. Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri): A study published in 2014 showed that bacopa, an Ayurvedic medicine also sometimes called Brahmi, could significantly improve ADHD symptoms.
2. Dietary Supplements L-theanine: A 2011 study found the amino acid L-theanine safe and effective in enhancing certain aspects of sleep quality in boys diagnosed with ADHD. A 2019 study involving five children with ADHD found that the combination of L-theanine and caffeine could improve attention span and reduce mind wandering.
Nutrients: Some patients with ADHD suffer from deficiencies in essential nutrients such as B vitamins , vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and iron . For these patients, supplementing these nutrients may improve their ADHD symptoms. For instance, a 2006 study found that a magnesium-vitamin B6 regimen significantly improved ADHD symptoms in 40 children.
A 2021 meta-analysis found that zinc supplementation could lead to a significant reduction of ADHD symptoms. Iron supplementation has also been found to be effective among ADHD patients with iron deficiency, but it is not the case with children without it. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): Evidence also suggests that among ADHD patients, there may be a problem with the brain’s ability to regulate itself properly due to a deficiency of the calming amino acid GABA .
Long-term use of one GABA supplement has been found to reduce hyperactivity and improve attention in adults with borderline to mild intellectual disability and coexisting ADHD. 3. Elimination Diets 4.
Yoga and Meditation 5. Interactive Metronome Training 6. Neurofeedback 7.
Green Outdoor Activities 8. Reduced Screen Time Following a balanced, whole-food diet. Getting regular and sufficient sleep.
Exercising regularly. Avoiding processed food: Certain food colors and additives have been linked to ADHD. Creating a structured environment and consistent routines.
Minimizing distractions and clutter. Avoiding exposure to toxins. Fostering a loving and supportive home environment for children (if you have them).
Treating medical conditions that may cause ADHD (e.g., iron deficiency).
.
