Someone who is having difficulty focusing might:

  • make frequent mistakes or miss details when studying or working

  • find it hard to maintain focus when listening, reading, or holding a conversation

  • have problems organizing their daily tasks

  • lose items frequently

  • be easily distracted by small things happening around them

What causes ADHD?

Despite how common ADHD is, doctors and researchers still are not sure what causes the condition. Doctors believe that ADHD has neurological origins. Genetics may also play a role.

Recent research suggests that a reduction in dopamine is a factor. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that helps move signals from one nerve to another. It also triggers emotional responses and movements.

Another 2024 study suggests a structural difference in the brain. Findings indicate that people with ADHD have less gray matter volume. Gray matter includes the brain areas that help with:

  • speech

  • self-control

  • decision making

  • muscle control

Researchers are still studying potential causes of ADHD, such as smoking during pregnancy.

ADHD treatment

Treatment for ADHD typically includes therapy, medication, or both.

Behavioral therapy can help you or your child learn how to monitor and manage your behavior. With talk therapy, you or your child will discuss how ADHD affects your life and ways to help you manage it.

Medication can also be very helpful when you’re living with ADHD. ADHD medications are designed to affect brain chemicals in a way that enables you to better manage your impulses and actions.

Medication

The two main types of medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants and nonstimulants.

Healthcare professionals commonly prescribe ADHD medications, which are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. These drugs work by increasing the amount of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine.

Examples of these drugs include methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine-based stimulants (Adderall).

If stimulants do not work well or cause troublesome side effects for you or your child, your doctor may suggest a nonstimulant medication. Certain nonstimulant medications work by increasing brain levels of norepinephrine.

These medications include atomoxetine (Strattera) and some antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin).

ADHD medications can have many benefits, as well as side effects.

Lifestyle

In addition to — or instead of — medication, several lifestyle changes have been suggested to help ease ADHD symptoms. This includes:

Yoga, tai chi, and time outdoors can help calm overactive minds and may help ease ADHD symptoms.

Mindfulness meditation is another option. Recent research suggests meditation might improve attention span in people with ADHD.

Avoiding certain allergens and additives is also a potential way to help reduce ADHD symptoms.

Conduct and behavior disorders

Behavior and conduct disorders are more common among children with ADHD than those without the condition. These disorders can arise when a person does not feel understood by those around them.

Someone who does not feel understood may argue a lot, lose their temper, or purposely annoy others. These may be signs of oppositional defiant disorder.

Some people find they cannot help breaking rules or behaving aggressively toward others, maybe fighting, bullying, or perhaps taking things that do not belong to them. This is called conduct disorder.

Treatment is available for people who face these challenges. Experts recommend starting treatment early and making sure the treatment fits the needs of the person and their family.

Learning disorders

Some children with ADHD have a learning disorder that can make it additionally hard to carry out their study tasks. Examples include dyslexia, which makes reading difficult, or presents difficulties with numbers or writing.

These challenges can make it hard for a child to cope at school. They can also worsen feelings of anxiety and depression. Getting help early is essential in trying to minimize the effects of these challenges.

ADHD

ADHD symptoms may manifest differently based on gender. However, social expectations may affect the way these symptoms are viewed and whether you ultimately receive ADHD diagnosis. Although ADHD is not classified as a learning disability, its symptoms may create challenges in learning environments. Healthcare professionals use a combination of approaches, including structured routines, organizational tools, and lifestyle adjustments, alongside treatments like therapy and medication.

A wide range of behaviors is associated with ADHD. Some of the more common ones include:

  • having difficulty focusing or concentrating on tasks

  • being forgetful about completing tasks

  • being easily distracted

  • having difficulty sitting still

  • interrupting people while they’re talking

Signs and symptoms can be specific to different aspects of ADHD, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, or difficulty focusing.

A person who is experiencing hyperactivity and impulsivity may:

  • find it difficult to sit still or remain seated in class

  • have difficulty playing or carrying out tasks quietly

  • talk excessively

  • find it hard to wait for their turn

  • interrupt others when they’re speaking, playing, or carrying out a task

Types of ADHD

To make ADHD diagnoses more consistent, the APA has grouped the condition into three categories, or types. These types are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactivity-impulsive, and a combination of both.

The type of ADHD you or your child has will determine the treatment method. The ADHD type you have can change over time, so your treatment may change, too.

ADHD diagnosis and testing

If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, talk with a healthcare professional about getting an evaluation.

For your child, you can also talk with their school counselor. Schools regularly assess children for conditions that may be affecting their educational performance.

Provide your doctor or counselor with notes and observations about your or your child’s behavior. If they suspect ADHD, they may refer you or your child to an ADHD specialist.

To make a diagnosis, a doctor will assess any symptoms you or your child has had over the previous 6 months using a variety of checklists and rating scales.

Depending on the diagnosis, they may also suggest making an appointment with a psychiatrist or neurologist.

ADD vs. ADHD

You may have heard the terms “ADD” and “ADHD” and wondered what the difference is between them.

ADD, or attention deficit disorder, is an outdated term. It was previously used to describe people who have difficulty paying attention but are not hyperactive.

The type of ADHD called “predominantly inattentive” is now used in place of ADD. ADHD is the current overarching name of the condition.

ADHD in children

Around 8.8% of people ages 3 to 17 years in the United States have had a diagnosis of ADHD at some point. This includes 11.7% of boys and 5.7% of girls.

For children, ADHD is generally associated with problems at school. Children with ADHD often have difficulties in a controlled classroom setting.

Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to receive an ADHD diagnosis. This may be because boys tend to exhibit hallmark symptoms of hyperactivity.

Although some girls with ADHD may have the classic symptoms of hyperactivity, many do not. In many cases, girls with ADHD may be hyper-talkative and daydream frequently.

Many ADHD symptoms can be typical childhood behaviors, so it can be hard to know what’s ADHD-related and what’s not.

ADHD in adults

More than 60% of children with ADHD still show symptoms as adults.

For many people, hyperactivity symptoms often decrease with age, but inattentiveness and impulsivity may continue. That said, treatment is important.

Untreated ADHD in adults can have a negative impact on many aspects of life. Symptoms such as difficulty managing time, forgetfulness, and impatience can cause problems at work, home, and in all types of relationships.

Is ADHD a learning disability?

While ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s not considered a learning disability. However, ADHD symptoms can make it harder for you to learn.

Teachers can map out individual guidelines for students with ADHD to help relieve any effect on their learning. This may include allowing extra time for assignments and tests or developing a personal reward system.

Coexisting conditions

People with ADHD may have other health conditions. Some of these conditions result from the challenges of living with ADHD.

Anxiety

People with ADHD can find it hard to keep up with daily tasks, maintain relationships, and so on. This can increase the risk of anxiety.

People with ADHD are more likely to experience an anxiety disorder than those without ADHD. Common anxiety disorders include:

  • separation anxiety, when you are afraid of being away from loved ones

  • social anxiety, which can make you afraid of going to school or other places where people socialize

  • generalized anxiety, when you’re afraid of bad things happening, of the future, and so on

Depression

If you or your child has ADHD, you’re more likely to have depression as well. In one study from 2020, around 50% of adolescents had major depression or an anxiety disorder compared with 35% of those who did not have ADHD.

Other research suggests that up to 53.3% of adults with ADHD may also have depression. Though managing more than one condition can present added challenges, treatments are available for both.

The treatments often overlap. Talk therapy can help treat both conditions. Certain antidepressants, such as bupropion, can sometimes help ease ADHD symptoms.