What is Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

ADHD is a behavioral disorder characterized by an ongoing pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity that impairs functioning.

From time to time, many children have difficulty staying still, waiting their turn, not listening, or fidgeting. Here and there, adults may struggle with staying organized, meeting deadlines, staying on task, or feeling restless. For those with ADHD, however, symptoms are severe, occur much more frequently, interfere with their daily life and relationships, and often result in personal distress and low self-esteem. Children with ADHD may feel different and be outcasted by peers and adults that become annoyed or frustrated with their behavior. The child’s behavior is not the mark of defiance or a lack of comprehension but stems from very real neurological differences in the brain that make the person with ADHD think and experience the world differently.

Is ADHD a serious condition?

ADHD is considered a chronic and debilitating disorder, negatively impacting many areas of the person’s life, including:

• Academic success

• Professional achievement

• Interpersonal relationships

• Daily functioning 

What are the consequences of untreated ADHD?

Untreated ADHD may lead to:

• Poor social functioning

• Sensitivity towards criticism

• Increased self-criticism

• Poor self-esteem

Untreated ADHD has been linked to:

• Unemployment

• Financial problems

• Frequent car accidents

• Abuse of alcohol and drugs

• Disciplinary problems at school

• Trouble with the law

• Problematic relationships

• Poor physical and mental health

What are ADHD symptoms?

Inattention

• Problems sustaining focus during activities and conversations

• Easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or happenings

• Forgetful in following through with activities, like appointments, chores, or errands

• Avoidant of tasks that require ongoing mental effort

• Problems managing time, organizing activities, completing tasks in order, and meeting deadlines

• Difficulty following through with instructions or finishing work

• Frequently loses belongings and materials, like homework

• Careless mistakes and overlooks important details

• Doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to directly

  
  

Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

• Interrupts others or intrudes on conversations and activities

• Answers questions before they are fully asked and finishes other people’s sentences

• Difficulty waiting their turn

• Low frustration tolerance, short temper, and mood swings

• Talks excessively and may dominate conversation

• Difficulty playing or engaging in hobbies quietly

• Fidgets or squirms

• Children: runs or climbs at inappropriate times or leaves their seat when staying seated is expected

• Adults: restlessness and impatience

• Constantly in motion or on the go

What are the three types of ADHD?

• Inattentive Type

• Hyperactive/impulsive Type

• Combined Type

Those with ADHD may experience the inattentive symptoms only (Inattentive Type), experience the hyperactive-impulsive symptoms only (Hyperactive Type), or experience both the inattentive symptoms and the hyperactive-impulsive symptoms (Combined Type). The Combined Type is the most commonly diagnosed, and the Hyperactive Type is the least commonly diagnosed.

Does ADHD present differently in girls and women than in boys and men?

ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in boys than in girls, which may be due to the differences in how the symptoms present. Boys tend to present with more behavioral problems and externalizing symptoms that may be more noticeable to others, especially as children. Girls tend to present with more inattention and symptoms, like excessive talking, that may be less noticeable or less disruptive. Girls often receive a diagnosis later in life, when compared to boys, and may be underdiagnosed.

How common is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most common mental conditions in children. It’s estimated that 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD.

What causes ADHD?

Research shows that ADHD runs in families and growing evidence suggests that genetics contribute to its development. Anatomical differences have been found in the brains of children with ADHD showing reduced grey and white brain matter and different brain region activation during some tasks. Environmental factors have been connected to the presence of ADHD in children, like low birth weight, premature birth, extreme stress during pregnancy, and exposure to alcohol, smoking, or lead during pregnancy.

When is ADHD Diagnosed?

While ADHD can be diagnosed at any age, this disorder begins in childhood and is often first identified in school when the condition leads to disruption in the classroom or academic problems. Symptoms may present as early as age 3 and must be present before the person is age 12.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

A thorough evaluation from a medical or mental health professional is necessary to diagnose ADHD. Symptoms must be chronic, impair the individual’s functioning, and have caused problems in more than one setting (not just at home, for example). Symptoms may have been mistaken for emotional difficulties or disciplinary problems and may have been missed for those individuals presenting with less visible, externalized symptoms. Symptom presentation may change over time with hyperactivity more visible in young children and inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity at the forefront in teens and adults.

Is ADHD treatable?

Although it’s not curable, ADHD is treated by lessening and managing the symptoms, increasing support, understanding, and acceptance of the condition, and improving functioning and outcomes.

How is ADHD treated?

Treatment for ADHD treatment typically uses a combination of therapy and medication.

How does therapy help ADHD?

Therapy for ADHD often includes psychological education about the disorder, developing strategies to manage symptoms, and addressing the negative emotional impact that may have developed as a result of the disorder.  Before diagnosis, the individual and family may experience frustration, anger, blame, and shame related to ADHD’s impact on the person’s life. The emotion-focused tasks in therapy may include:

• Normalizing the individual’s experience

• Challenging beliefs that the person is defective, to blame, or lacks willpower

• Building positive self-esteem and self-acceptance

• Helping the family understand ADHD and adopt new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating to one another

Therapy often includes behavior management strategies, in which the individual learns to:

• Monitor their own behavior with rewards given for desired behavior

• Minimize distractions

• Adopt organization techniques

• Build routine and structure into their lives

• Learn social skills for listening and patience

• Access their support system  

When should I seek help for ADHD?

If you or your loved one experiences inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms that disrupt life, make it difficult to function at home, work, or school, or result in unstable, problematic relationships, you should consider seeking help from a healthcare provider.

How do I find treatment for ADHD?

At The Resilience Center of Houston, we will match you with a therapist skilled in treating ADHD to get you the tools and support you need. ADHD does not have to get in the way of you finding success and living a healthy and happy life. Find help today and request an appointment with a licensed therapist near you. Virtual and in-person appointments are available for our Houston ADHD therapy, treatment and therapists in the greater Houston area.

Greater Houston Counseling Locations

• Willowbrook

• The Woodlands

• Pearland

• Midtown