ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)

Overview

ADHD has three main patterns: mostly inattentive (trouble focusing and staying organized), mostly hyperactive-impulsive (fidgety, restless, acting without thinking), or combined.

Everyone gets distracted sometimes. With ADHD, the symptoms are stronger, last at least 6 months, show up in more than one place (like home and school or work), and get in the way of daily life.

Symptoms

Symptoms differ by person and age.

• Easily distracted or can't pay attention
• Restless, fidgety, or acting without thinking
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Losing things and forgetting tasks

Less common

• Talking a lot or interrupting
• Trouble waiting a turn
• Trouble finishing tasks
• Problems at school, work, or in relationships

Look up a symptom: Brain fog or trouble concentrating · Easily distracted or can't pay attention · Memory problems · Restless, fidgety, or acting without thinking

When to get medical care

Causes

ADHD runs strongly in families. Being born early or at a low weight, and exposure to alcohol, tobacco, or lead before birth or early in life can raise the risk. It isn't caused by bad parenting or too much sugar.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
• It can run in families. Tell your doctor if a parent, brother, or sister has it.

Who is more likely to get it

• Family history
• Premature birth or low birth weight
• Exposure to lead or to alcohol or smoking in pregnancy

Possible complications

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Learning disabilities

Diagnosis

There's no single test. A healthcare professional gathers information from several sources.

Questions you may be asked

• When symptoms started and where they show up
• Reports from parents, teachers, or partners
• Sleep, mood, and learning problems

The exam

They'll do a physical exam and check vision and hearing in children.

Tests

Common tools:

• Rating scales: Questionnaires filled out by the person, family, and teachers.
• Screening for other conditions: Like anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, or sleep problems.

Treatment

Treatment works best when it combines approaches.

Self-care

• Keep a routine for sleep, meals, homework, and work
• Use lists, timers, and reminders
• Break tasks into small steps
• Get regular exercise and enough sleep
• Limit screens before bed

Medicines

Medicines can greatly improve focus and self-control.

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

For children under 6, parent training in behavior management comes first. School supports, like a 504 plan or IEP, can help. Adults benefit from coaching and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Prevention

ADHD can't always be prevented, but you can lower some risks:

• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs during pregnancy
• Protect children from lead

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a psychiatrist (for medicine) and a psychologist or licensed therapist (for talk therapy).

Living with it

• Keep a regular sleep, meal, and activity routine.
• Tell one trusted person how you're doing, and plan who to call on hard days.
• Limit alcohol and drugs. They often make symptoms worse.
• In a crisis, call or text 988 any time.
• Long-term illness can affect mood. Tell your doctor if you feel down or anxious.

Support groups and helplines

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Free support groups and a helpline (1-800-950-6264) for people and families.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 any time for free, private support in a crisis.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people can keep working or going to school.
• Ask about changes that help, like extra breaks or a flexible schedule. Workers may be covered by the ADA. Students may get a 504 plan.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may let you take unpaid time off for treatment without losing your job.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Girls and women: Are more often the inattentive type and may be missed.
• Adults: May have trouble with time, organization, and restlessness rather than obvious hyperactivity.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Many mental health medicines are used safely in pregnancy. Stopping suddenly can cause a relapse.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Mood problems can start during or after pregnancy. Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

For caregivers

• Listen without judging, and let them know you care.
• Encourage treatment, but don't force it unless they're in danger.
• If they talk about suicide, call or text 988 with them.
• Take breaks and ask for help. Caregivers need care too.

Outlook

With treatment and support, most people with ADHD do well in school, work, and relationships.

Myths and facts

Getting ready for your visit

Bring notes from more than one setting.

What to bring

• Report cards or teacher notes
• Examples of problems

Questions to ask

• Could this be ADHD or something else?
• Should we try therapy, medicine, or both?
• What school supports are available?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)