Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Studies show that the majority (approximately 75%) of ADHD cases have a genetic basis, although there are other causes and risk factors, including brain structure and chemicals (including lower than normal levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine), learning disabilities, and medical and mental health conditions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers ADHD to be a public health problem, describing it as a highly prevalent, chronic condition that needs long-term treatment. Untreated ADHD may have lifelong consequences, including underemployment or loss of jobs, financial difficulties, damaged friendships, marital problems, or academic problems. A diagnosis is typically obtained through psychiatric assessments. Treatments may include cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and parent training or counseling. The effectiveness of behavioral treatments for ADHD is well supported by research studies.

Teens with untreated ADHD are significantly more at risk for substance abuse, car accidents, injuries, early sexual activity, and teen pregnancy.

Contact us for information about our current teen ADHD clinical research study.

Symptoms of ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD appear in early childhood. The three subtypes of ADHD are primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, or combined subtype (that is, symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity).

Additionally, individuals with ADHD are easily bored and can keep their attention only on activities that interest them. They may be impatient or may act impulsively without regard for the consequences.

Does This Sound Like You or Like Someone You Know?

Everyone experiences instances of inattention or impulsivity, but for people with ADHD, the frequency and severity of symptoms can cause significant problems.

Are a number of the following items frequent and problematic behaviors of yours or of someone you know? Do these symptoms result in problems at home, at work, at school, or in relationships?

• Procrastinating on boring tasks or projects
• Losing keys, cell phone, clothing, iPod, and things you need for work or school
• Forgetting things at home that you need at work or vice versa
• Paying bills or preparing taxes late or at the last possible minute
• Having people get mad because you’re not listening to them
• Forgetting appointments or being late to them
• Writing everything down so that you don’t forget it
• Tuning people out when they’re talking to you
• Realizing that you don’t know how to do something because you weren’t listening to the instructions
• Going from job to job
• Being distracted by external stimuli (that is, having trouble keeping your attention on one thing because you’re distracted by other things that are happening in your environment)
• Having to play music or white noise in order to screen out other noises that distract you
• Being underemployed (that is, your job doesn’t fit your abilities)
• Being called an underachiever or feeling like one
• Having a messy or disorganized house or office
• Paying attention only to things that interest you
• Not being able to complete a multi-step task because you didn’t pay attention to the instructions
• Driving the long way in order to avoid traffic (because sitting makes you feel angry and restless)
• Avoiding turning left onto a busy street because you don’t want to sit and wait for a clear spot in the traffic
• Starting projects at work or home but not finishing them
• Having people mention that you’re being too loud
• Monopolizing conversations. Being called “motor mouth.”
• Finding reasons to get out of your seat during boring meetings (ie, getting up to visit the restroom or to make a phone call)
• Interrupting people when they’re talking
• Intruding on others when they’re working
• Having trouble settling down – feeling restless or “on the go” a lot

If you have a number of these behaviors and they cause problems for you or for those around you, contact us to learn about treatment options for ADHD.