Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also called ADHD, is a long-term condition that affects millions of children. It often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of developing problems. These can comprise having a hard time paying attention, being hyperactive and being impulsive.
ADHD Types
There are four types of ADHD that healthcare providers diagnose in children and adults:
- Inattentive ADHD: This involves difficulty concertrating, finishing tasks and staying planned. With this type, you have few or no hyperactivity symptoms.
- Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD: This involves difficulty sitting still or having “quiet time.” You have extra energy and are extremely talkative.
- Combined presentation: This is the most common type of ADHD, and it’s what most people connect with the condition. You have many distracted symptoms and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
- Unspecified presentation: This is when you have terrible symptoms that show with daily life, but your symptoms don’t exist the official criteria for the types listed above.
ADHD Symtoms
ADHD symptoms have two big groups:
- Inattention symptoms: These symptoms affect your ability to center on a task and finish it from start to finish. You might reject tasks that require focusing. You may also seem inattentive when someone’s talking to you and lose things a lot.
- Hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms: These symptoms affect your ability to sit still or feel comfortable staying in one place. You may also have trouble waiting for your turn to speak or do something.
ADHD Causes
The main cause of ADHD is not fully found, but it’s believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While genetics play a key role, with ADHD often running in families, other factors like environmental exposure, brain structure, and function also affect.
Genetic Factors:
- ADHD is observed highly heritable, meaning it tends to be passed down through families.
- Specific genes connected to ADHD have been identified, but no single gene or mixture has been pinpointed as the sole cause.
- Studies on twins show a higher concordance rate in identical twins, implying a strong genetic influence.
Environmental Factors:
- Prenatal factors: Exposure to toxins like alcohol, tobacco, or lead during pregnancy can grow the risk of ADHD.
- Prematurity and low birth weight: These factors are also related to an increased risk of developing ADHD.
- Brain injuries: Significant head injuries can sometimes cause ADHD in individuals.
- Other factors: Researchers continue to discover the role of various environmental factors, including nutrition and social environments.
Brain Structure and Function:
- People with ADHD have differences in brain anatomy and function compared to those without the condition.
- Studies show reduced gray and white matter volume in certain brain regions, as well as different brain activity patterns during specific tasks.
- The frontal lobes, caudate nucleus, and cerebellar vermis are particularly affected in ADHD.
Other Contributing Factors:
- Lack of sleep: Sleep shortage can boost ADHD symptoms, especially in adults.
- Anxiety and depression: Co-occurring mental health conditions can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
- Stimulant medication: Some individuals may experience worsened symptoms because of stimulant medication.
In summary, ADHD is a result of a mixture of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, with brain differences playing a vital role in its development and manifestation.
