Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, often called ADHD, is a disorder that begins in childhood and is characterized by difficulty paying attention or hyperactivity. Problems are seen at home, school and in the community. Often the hyperactivity seen in childhood ADHD decreases over time but the inattentive symptoms typically last throughout the lifetime. A person can learn to use coping strategies to minimize the impact on functioning.
Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with ADHD. It is estimated that 5% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD. Medication and therapy are often helpful.
What does ADHD look like?
A person may have any combination of these symptoms:
Inattention:
- Does not pay attention to details
- Difficulty staying focused
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to
- Does not follow through with instructions
- Disorganization
- Avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Loses important items
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful
Hyperactivity:
- Fidgeting or squirming
- Difficulty sitting still
- Runs or climbs in inappropriate situations
- Restlessness
- Difficulty playing quietly
- “On the go”
- Talking too much
- Blurts out words before its appropriate
- Difficulty waiting for their turn
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
Types of ADHD
There are three types of ADHD:
- Combined presentation: both inattentive and hyperactivity
- Predominantly inattentive presentation: mostly just inattentive symptoms
- Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation: mostly just hyperactivity symptoms
What else could be associated with ADHD?
Although these behaviors often occur with ADHD they are not part of the specific criteria for diagnosing the disorder. These are behaviors linked to executive functioning which are often impacted by ADHD.
- Mild delays in language, motor or social development
- Low frustration tolerance
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Difficulty with academic and occupational achievement
- Difficulty with social relationships
- Need for instant gratification
- Making impulsive decisions
What causes ADHD?
We do not have clear information on the specific cause of ADHD. There is a tendency for it to run in families but not all members will get the disorder and the symptoms may look different for each person in the family with ADHD. Some environmental factors may make a person’s symptoms more intense.
How is ADHD treated?
ADHD is often treated with therapy first. This includes individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and anger management. Learning how to cope with symptoms through organizational skills or sensory regulation activities can be helpful. Medications are commonly used and may help up to 70% of people with their symptoms.
Helping a Loved One with ADHD:
It is difficult to watch a loved one suffer but often we don’t know what to do when ADHD is present, especially if you don’t have ADHD yourself.
What Not to Say
Sometimes, well-meaning family members offer advice that really doesn’t help at all, and in some cases, may make ADHD worse.
Some examples of what not to say are:
- Pay better attention next time
- Stop moving so much
Although these sentiments are nice, they really are not helpful. It is hard for someone to just “turn off” their ADHD. This may be possible after a great deal of practice or after treatment has been successful but it takes years to overcome these symptoms.
What Not to Do
Another way in which we often reach out to help another person is by doing things for them. It is natural to want to be helpful but there is a limit to how much you can and should help. For example, when a family member struggles to complete tasks it can be tempting to do it for them but this creates feelings of dependency and the person is not learning to cope with their symptoms.
Another common response to ADHD is to become angry or resentful. For those without ADHD, it is hard to understand why someone is so hyper or inattentive. You may become angry or become resentful that you must carry an extra burden. Neither of these approaches are helpful and may also cause the symptoms to worsen.
How to Help
ADHD is a treatable mental illness. Mental health professionals can help a person with ADHD live a productive life. Treatment options include medication, group therapy and individual therapy.
Learning about ADHD and how it impacts people’s lives can be helpful. The more you understand about their illness, the better prepared you will be to help in following a treatment plan and offering the appropriate help. Your family member needs your support and understanding. With it, recovery, although difficult, can be made a little easier.
Being Supportive
Working through ADHD is an individual process. It may not follow a set pattern and there may be setbacks along the way. Being supportive requires patience and acceptance.
The following may help you:
- Recognize all accomplishments, no matter how small. Let your family member know you appreciate the effort he or she has put forth. Find positive improvements no matter what, even if your family member only partially met a goal.
- Measure success based on your family member’s progress rather than measuring based on “societal” standards.
- Expect stressful times to cause increased ADHD and change your expectations during these times.
- Rather than assuming you know what the family member needs, ask what you can do.
ADHD does not need to be permanently disabling. Accept that treatment may take some time and be patient as your family member goes through the steps to overcome this disorder, but don’t accept or settle for permanent disability.