# Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Everything You Need To Know About ADHD

- Link: https://thegoodmental.com/strategies/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-everything-you-need-to-know-about-adhd/
- Published: 2021-10-26T00:59:48+00:00
- Author: Melinda Gordon

 

Did you know that according to the National Center for Health Statistics (2019),
8.8% of children in the United States aged 3-17 years old are diagnosed with ADHD
and that this percentage is constantly increasing all throughout the years? This
increase in diagnosis means that people are becoming aware of ADHD but it seems 
like the ‘awareness’ is still a work in progress as evidenced by the prevailing 
stigma, labeling, and discrimination among people with ADHD. We put an end to the
stigma by increasing awareness. People with ADHD are more than just ‘trouble-makers’
and ‘class clowns’ and their behavior is completely unintentional.

### What is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

It is common for children to get easily distracted and highly active in classrooms
but when this hyperactivity and inattentiveness becomes unusual, frequent, and impairs
the child from functioning effectively, then the children might have ADHD.

ADHD or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a psychological disorder characterized
by inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity (Rosenberg and Kosslyn, 2011).
There are three types of ADHD: the hyperactive/impulsive type, the inattentive type,
and the combination of the two. ADHD typically arises in childhood although some
are diagnosed in their adulthood and is more prevalent among children especially
among boys. ADHD is formerly known as ADD or Attention-Deficit Disorder. Today, 
ADD is just one type of ADHD with no symptoms of being hyperactive.

Children with ADHD are oftentimes labeled as ‘trouble-makers’ because their hyperactivity
gets them into lots of trouble, oftentimes with parents, classmates, and teachers.
Children with ADD, on the other hand, are ‘daydreamers’ and they are those who find
focusing an impossible task. The behaviors of these children are unintentional. 
They just couldn’t help but be impulsive and inattentive because of their ADHD.

### Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

ADHD symptoms revolve around hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattentiveness. To what
extent do hyperactivity and inattentiveness need to be for the child to be diagnosed
with ADHD?

According to the website of the American Psychiatric Association, children with 
ADHD with the attentive type don’t pay close attention to details, have problems
staying focused, do not seem to listen when spoken to, forget daily tasks, easily
get distracted, have problems organizing tasks, and often lose things. Those who
have the hyperactive/impulsive type, on the other hand, find it difficult to stay
seated, always on the go, talk too much especially when they play, tap hands or 
feet, and interrupt other people. You can already surmise from these what symptoms
does the combination type has.

### Causes: What led them to have ADHD?

Psychological disorders are oftentimes caused or triggered by three factors: neurological,
psychological, and social. Each of these factors contributes to the development 
of ADHD among children.

Rosenberg and Kosslyn (2011) have supported the idea that ADHD is a result of impaired
frontal lobe functioning. Some researchers believe that ADHD is hereditary and blame
it on the genes inherited by the children from their parents. However, it is the
social factor or the environment of the children that greatly determines whether
a child will develop ADHD or not. Most children with ADHD have parents who are neglectful
and only notice the bad behaviors of their children and not the good ones. This 
will make the children be more hyperactive and inattentive because they believe 
that their parents only notice them when they are being disruptive.

Many psychological disorders actually root back in childhood. Unpleasant and traumatic
childhood experiences when repressed will, later on, develop into mental health 
problems in adulthood. This is also the case in ADHD. Parents play an important 
role because they are the ones raising the child.

### Psychological/ Mental Impacts

You might think that ADHD is a great burden to the family than the person with the
disorder but this isn’t true. Like any other mental health problem, the person with
the psychological disorder is affected by her disorder as greatly as to how it affects
her family or even greater because she is the one being haunted by the heavy emotions
she’s feeling.

ADHD often comes with depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, and substance abuse. 
Depression and anxiety are the most common psychological effects of ADHD and are
the results of social isolation, decreased scholastic performance, dropping out 
of school, and poor functioning because of inattentiveness.

### Strategies for Teachers and Parents

Children and adults who have ADHD need help from their families or teachers. They
can’t manage themselves alone because they cannot disable their hyperactivity and
inattentiveness nor control them.

An article in verywellmind.com offers strategies that can possibly help children
manage their ADHD symptoms inside the house or the classroom. It is best to limit
distractions for those with inattentive ADHD because too many distractions around
them can trigger or worsen their inattentiveness. Providing frequent feedback and
rewarding good behaviors can also help according to the article. We have said earlier
that most children with ADHD have neglectful parents who only notice their children
when they are being disruptive so it’s best not to do that, instead notice more 
their good behaviors. Emotional support is the most important thing to give to people
with ADHD. Do not make them feel bad because they have ADHD. Provide encouragement
when they fail and companion when they feel isolated.

### Therapies for ADHD

There are three therapies for ADHD as enumerated in an article from healthline.com.
All of these focus on addressing the bad behavior and negative feelings that come
along with ADHD. The first one is Psychotherapy which aims to help children form
better peer relationships and help them open up about their feelings on coping up
with ADHD. The second one, Behavior Therapy, will eliminate unwanted behaviors and
strengthen positive behaviors. The third one, which is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
aims in eliminating demoralizing thoughts that people with ADHD have with themselves
which will then change how they behave.

### To those with ADHD

ADHD when seen negatively will affect a person negatively. Think of ADHD as a gift,
as a superpower. Perhaps you’ve read Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series where ADHD
is seen as a sign that a person is a child of a Greek god. In this book, the disorder
is seen as a superpower that could help them fight off monsters. ADHD enables them
for something greater and spectacular. It’s what makes them stand out among the 
rest.

### **Final thoughts**

There’s more to ADHD than just the label ‘trouble-makers’. There are underlying 
factors that make these people behave the way they do and these behaviors are unintentional.
Increasing awareness about Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can help those
with the disorder get support not only from their family but also from other people.
End the stigma. Embrace diversity.

 

**References: **

_* National Center for Health Statistics. (2019). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention._

_* Rosenberg, R.S. & Kosslyn, S. M. (2011). Abnormal Psychology. Worth Publishers._