ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder of self-control. ADHD describes a group of problems with attention span, activity level and impulse control. ADHD is a disorder in brain development or brain functioning and often has a hereditary basis. An individual can sometimes develop ADHD symptoms from a brain injury.

The symptoms of ADHD affect children and adults of all ages and are treated effectively with medication, psychotherapy (primarily social skills training), and coaching (academic for students, career coaching for adults). Sometimes medication is sufficient.

There used to be a distinction between ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD. ADD is now included in the diagnosis of ADHD and there are 3 different subtypes: 1) ADHD, Predominately Inattentive Type; 2) ADHD, Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type; and 3) ADHD, Combined Type.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW

In comparison to children without ADHD, children with ADHD can have increased problems in school including grade retention, suspension and expulsion, special education services, and school drop-out. Individuals with ADHD are also at greater risk for accidental injury and driving accidents. Adults with ADHD may be underachievers at work and have difficulty working independently. Boys have ADHD more often than girls.

ADHD is occasionally misdiagnosed. At The Center for ADHD, at Birmingham Maple Clinic, we see many people who believe (or have been told) they have ADHD. There are many reasons people have difficulty paying attention and/or following through with tasks besides ADHD, which is why a thorough evaluation is always needed before a diagnosis can be given. In addition to ADHD, evaluations are designed to explore all other possible causes for the patient's symptoms.

When ADHD really is the problem an individual treatment plan is developed. The Center for ADHD offers an array of services to meet the needs of the individual plan. These include psychiatric evaluation for medication, psychological testing, individual and/or family therapy, psycho-educational/lecture-format seminars for parents of children with ADHD, seminars for adults with ADHD, educational tutoring, and academic or career coaching. For more information on the psycho-educational seminars, please see Groups and Events.

For more information visit the National Institute of Mental Health.