The Ultimate Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is commonly referred to as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD. Individuals with this disorder are often diagnosed early on in childhood as ADD/ADHD makes it difficult for individuals to "inhibit their spontaneous responses" (helpguide.org), i.e. control their speech, movement, and attentiveness.

Usually signs of this disease appear as early as age seven. However, it is easy to confuse the signs of ADHD/ADD with the signs of what we as a society construe as normal behavior for a young child, so it is important for you to consult a professional if you are concerned your child may have problems with ADD/ADHD. Luckily, there are many treatment possibilities for people with ADHD, including everything from medications to lifestyle changes. The following links should provide you with the information you need to manage this condition.

Statistics (as compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

1. As of 2006, 4.5 million children of the ages 5-17 were diagnosed with ADHD.
2. An estimated 3%-7% of school-aged children suffer from ADD or ADHD.
3. Boys (9.5%) are much more likely than girls (5.9%) to be diagnosed with ADHD in their lifetime.
4. Individuals of a Caucasian background growing up with insurance are much more likely to be diagnosed.
5. Cases of ADHD are much more likely in a household where the highest level of education is high school, as opposed to a household where the highest level of education is either above or below high school.
6. Prevalence also varied heavily by state, from a low in Colorado (5%) to a high in Alabama (11.1%).
7. In 2003, 2.5 million children were receiving treatment for ADHD, which is roughly 56% of the diagnosed population.
8. Between the ages of 9-12 years old is when medication treatment is highest for ADHD.
9. Currently, Arkansas has the highest percentage of youth in the United States receiving ADHD medication (6.5%).
10. Parents of children with ADHD report that their children are 10% more likely to receive difficulty with peers.

Back To Top

Positive Effects of ADHD (as found by Help Guide) :

Creativity: Children and adults with ADD or ADHD tend to be wonderfully creative and imaginative. They can become fantastic problem solvers, are often always thinking up new ideas, and can oftentimes notice what others cannot.

Flexibility: Individuals with ADD or ADHD are always thinking of several things at once, so they are generally very flexible people as they don't set one idea.

Enthusiasm and Spontaneity: Individuals with ADD and ADHD have minds that are working a mile a minute. As a result, they are often jumping at the bit to be active and expel their curiosity.

Energy and Drive: Kids and adults with ADD and ADHD, when motivated, can work harder and faster than most other individuals. Further, most individuals with these conditions excel immensely at interactive and hands-on activities.

Back To Top

Myths of ADHD (as found by Montana State University):

Myth 1: Only very hyperactive people have ADHD.
False. While hyperactive individuals may be the first ones to be diagnosed, numerous children and adults who have problems with attention do not exhibit hyperattention. Therefore, it is important to look for other symptoms.

Myth 2: ADHD is just for kids.
False. Many children do learn to control their disorder to the best of their ability, but according to the CDC's National Resource Center on ADHD, this disorder commonly continues into adulthood.

Myth 3: People with ADHD are being difficult on purpose.
Remember: people with this disorder may be trying their best to sit still and listen, but they simply need greater stimuli. Especially with children, it is important to keep in mind that these kids are not trying to deliberately disrupt the environment.

Myth 4: People with ADHD can't pay attention.
While there will be certain tasks that individuals with ADHD have a more difficult time with, individuals with ADHD find many things highly engaging, especially interactive and high energy activities.

Myth 5: Medication is always the answer.
Each case of ADHD is different and if you choose to use medication, it is important to make sure that it is part of a larger treatment plan.

Back To Top

Symptoms of ADHD (as provided by the National Institute of Mental Health)

•  Inattention: This may exhibit itself by being easily distracted, missing details, commonly forgetting things, and often switching activities. Further, individuals with ADHD frequently can't focus on one thing, become easily bored, have problems with organization, seem to daydream a lot, and can't follow seemingly easy instructions.

•  Hyperactivity: Hyperactivity may be presented by constant fidgeting and squirming, nonstop talking, constantly touching and playing with things, trouble sitting or standing for long periods of time, and have an inherent dislike for quiet tasks.

•  Impulsivity: This may show itself through constant impatience, frequently making inappropriate comments, a difficultly in waiting for a turn, and interrupting activities and conversations.

Back To Top

ADHD General Resources

Attention Deficit Disorder : This site lists articles that have been recently written about ADD and ADHD. There is also a section exclusively for parents who are concerned their children may be suffering from ADD, as well as a directory of doctors and general information on ADD/ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association : The Attention Deficit Disorder Association is the world's leading adult ADHD association. They aim to provide resources and information on ADHD, as well as promote awareness, host conferences and events, and even raise money for further research on ADHD.

Born to Explore : Born to Explore focuses on the positive sides of ADD and ADHD. It offers alternative views on how to view this disorder, as well as alternative styles of dealing with it. The site also has a list of recommended books and links.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : The CDC has an extensive section on ADHD that includes popular links, what to do after diagnosis, compelling statistics, free materials, signs and symptoms, treatment options, what research is currently being conducted, links to other websites, and other concerns and conditions.

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder : CHADD is a nonprofit organization that provides education, advocacy, and support for individuals with AD/HD. They publish information both on the Web and in print updating individuals on current medical research and treatment options, as well as providing information on the disorders.

Google Health : Google Health goes over the symptoms, treatment possibilities, causes, tests and diagnoses, prognosis, prevention tactics, and when you should contact a doctor when dealing with ADHD.

Mayo Clinic : The Mayo Clinic has definitions of ADHD, symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, how to prepare for your appointment, treatments and drugs, lifestyle and home remedies, alternative medicine, coping and support, prevention and even separate sections for kids and adults.

Medline Plus : Medline Plus lists the causes of ADHD, symptoms, exams and tests commonly used, recommended treatments, outlook, possible complications, and when a person should contact a medical professional.

National Institute of Mental Health : NIMH has a great section on ADHD that includes definitions of the condition, symptoms, causes, information on the diagnoses process, medications, psychotherapy, what conditions frequently coexist with ADHD, how parents can work with a child's school, and what current efforts are underway to improve ADHD.

WebMD : WebMD has an extensive section on ADHD that goes over the symptoms in children, the symptoms in adults, and what causes ADHD (including a section on genetics). After this initial section, you can search by ADHD in teens, children, and adults, as well as many other useful ADHD sections.

Back To Top

Resources for Parents with Kids with ADD/ADHD

ADD ADHD Advances : ADD ADHD Advances is produced by two medical doctors. They offer treatment ideas and home remedies to parents whose children are suffering from these disorders.

ADD/ADHD in Children : HelpGuide.org has a great section on ADD/ADHD in Children. They cover what ADD/ADHD is, common myths about the two disorders, signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD, positive effects of ADD and ADHD in children, and how to help your child with his or her ADD and ADHD.

ADHD Help : ADHD Help has a weekly newsletter, blog articles, ADHD cartoons, quick tips, frequently asked questions, one minute parenting tips, videos, and a plethora of other useful and interactive information.

ADHD: What Parents Should Know : This site, produced by FamilyDoctor.org, covers information on ADHD, what parents should do if they suspect their child has ADHD, and what parents can do to help their child deal with this disorder (tips include making schedules, establishing simply house rules, reward good behavior, etc…)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) : This is a fantastic PDF file on ADHD. It breaks things down easily and concisely, but manages to offer very clear information. The document is 24 pages long, but covers all major questions and would be a fantastic read for any parent whose child is struggling with this disorder.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Parent's Guide to ADHD : Published by Montana State University, this article goes over causes of ADHD, myths, how to help your child, finding the right resources, and additional resources you might be interested in.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities : The NICHCY has a great section on ADD/ADHD that covers what the disorders are, how common they are, what are the signs, how parents can recognize if their children have it, how parents should expect this to affect their children's' schooling, as well as tips for parents and teachers.

Teens Health—ADHD : Teens Health has a section on ADHD that can be translated into Spanish. It covers the symptoms and signs of ADHD, medications, how to help your teen get along with his or her teachers, how to help with homework, and treatment options.

Troubled Teen Information : The site Troubled Teen Information has a section on teens with ADHD. It offers tips for parents, places to seek out more information, and symptoms of ADHD.

Back To Top

Universities on ADHD

New York University Lagone Medical Center : This university website has a ADHD self report symptoms checklist with 18 questions and an ASRS adult self report screener. This can be a great first step for any adults that suspect themselves of having ADHD.

University of Maryland Medical Center : University of Maryland Medical Center goes over the causes, risk factors, and diagnoses, other disorders associated with ADHD, complications, treatment, medications, behavioral management, and other alternative treatments for ADHD.

University of Michigan Health System : The University of Michigan's section goes over the definition of ADHD, how ADHD is different from other learning disabilities, how common it is, causes, treatment, diagnoses, how schools can help you and your child, medications, alternative treatments, and how to prepare for college with ADHD.

University of Washington : University of Washington has a good section on ADHD that includes sections on signs to look for, examining the cause, structural signs, treatment, controversy, how to combine therapies, coping strategies, and references. The site's page is targeted towards children and parents.

Back To Top

ADHD Treatment Options

ADHD Treatments : Published by ADHDNews.com, this section goes over different pharmacological treatments, alternative ADHD treatments for ADHD, medications, drug side effects, how diet can affect ADHD, and natural herbs.

ADHD Treatment Guidelines : About.com has a fantastic section on how to properly treat ADHD. It goes over different recommended treatments and medications and offers links to other related articles.

American Academy of Pediatrics : This section of American Academy of Pediatrics covers information on the proper medication regiments for children. This is a great read for parents who are concerned about giving their children medication at an early age.

Attention Deficit Disorder Meetup Groups : This site lists group therapy ADD/ADHD sessions all around the world. Simply find a dot on the map that is close to your area. Currently there are 73 participating cities in four different countries, for a total of 98 different groups around the world.

Behavioral Treatment for ADHD: An Overview : Written by David Rabiner, Ph.D., this article covers the behavioral and habitual changes a family or individual can make to deal with ADHD.

Learning Disabilities Association of America : This nonprofit organization goes over medications used to commonly treat the disease and what age groups are generally given each medication. The site also has links and advice that offer further information on treatment.

Nutrition as an ADHD Alternative Treatment : This is an article on the site Mental Health Matters that goes over ways to change your diet and improve the symptoms of ADHD. For anybody interested in natural remedies, this is a great way to control ADHD symptoms.

Back To Top