What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The term Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorders comes from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). ADHD is not a new disorder. Records reporting symptoms of ADHD date back to 1902. Over the years, there have been many names for ADHD. These names include Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), hyperkinetic reaction of childhood, and even "minimal brain dysfunction".

ADHD is a disorder of executive functioning. Executive functioning refers to the ability to:

• plan ahead
• focus
• switch from one activity to another
• wait patiently, and
• remember information for a short while.

Most people have trouble with these tasks sometimes. People with ADHD have more trouble than most people. These problems make their lives very hard. A person can only have ADHD if these problems are making their lives hard.

ADHD is usually found in children. However, adults can also have ADHD.

ADHD can look very different in different people. There are three types of ADHD.

1. Predominately Inattentive Type - People with this type of ADHD mainly struggle with paying attention. They also:
• get easily distracted,
• are forgetful,
• lose things,
• have trouble listening when someone is speaking to them
• have trouble doing what they are told.
2. Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type - People with this type of ADHD mainly struggle with having too much energy and acting too quickly. They also:
• fidget and squirm in their seat
• frequently on-the-go
• talk a lot
• can not wait their turn
• interrupt others
3. Combined Type - This is the most common type of ADHD. People with this type of ADHD have the problems from both types listed above.

Both children and adults can have ADHD. Only people who have had problems before age 12 can be diagnosed with ADHD. Symptoms of ADHD can last into adulthood. Treating ADHD in children is important because it can lead to a better outcome. Many people with ADHD go on to live happy, successful lives.