What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by excessive attention deficit and hyperactive behavior that is persistent and developmentally inappropriate. It affects about one in 10 school-age children in the United States, with boys more likely to be affected than girls. It is estimated that 3-4% of adults have ADHD and in many cases can persist into adulthood. In some cases, ADHD is not diagnosed or recognized until the person is an adult. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but the person suffering from ADHD will continue to struggle with impulsiveness, restlessness, and difficulty paying attention. ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and occur in children as young as 3 and as young as 10. They can affect school performance, self-esteem, mood, attention and social relationships, as well as behavior. Before you make a diagnosis, your child’s doctor must evaluate the child against several criteria to make the diagnosis.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness that impairs functioning and development. Many are diagnosed with ADHD before symptoms become apparent in early development and academic work.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD affects more than 1.5 million children in the United States. Fewer than 20 percent of adults with ADHD are diagnosed and treated, and only about a quarter of those adults seek help, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ADHD in adults has become one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States.


Fortunately, there are several medications and types of behavioral therapy to help children and adults with ADHD. ADHD treatment for adults includes a variety of mental illnesses associated with it, such as anxiety, depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. Scientific evidence suggests that ADHD is transmitted genetically in many cases and that certain neurotransmitters that help the brain regulate behavior may also be responsible. ADHD could be just the tip of the iceberg, and other mental health problems are emerging. 

Please always remember that self-diagnosing is not the way to know what could be wrong with you mentally or physically, Visiting a qualified doctor is the best way to start the healing process, so if you are suffering from any of the previously mentioned symptoms or you know someone who suffers from them kindly advise them to see a specialist.

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