What is ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, affecting both children and adults. It’s more than just having trouble paying attention; it impacts focus, impulse control, executive function, and even emotional regulation.

For those with ADHD, everyday tasks can feel daunting; struggling with organization, sitting still, or following through on tasks. While ADHD can create challenges in school, work and relationships – it’s also tied to creativity, quick thinking, and outside-the-box problem-solving. ADHD is manageable with the right support and strategies.

Let’s break down what ADHD is, how it’s diagnosed, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a chronic condition that affects the brain’s executive functions – essentially, the ability to plan, focus, and control impulses. While it’s usually diagnosed in childhood, ADHD is lifelong, and symptoms often continue into adulthood.

There are three core components of ADHD [1]:

• Inattention – Difficulty focusing, staying organized, or following instructions

• Hyperactivity – Restlessness, fidgeting, or excessive talking

• Impulsivity – Acting without thinking, interrupting conversations, or struggling with patience

While everyone experiences these behaviors occasionally, individuals with ADHD face them consistently across multiple areas of life work, school, relationships, and daily responsibilities.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

ADHD symptoms must be present for at least six months and significantly impact daily functioning before a diagnosis is made. The condition is categorized into three types:

Inattentive Type

This type, formerly known as ADD, mainly affects focus and organization. Common signs include [2]:

• Trouble paying attention to details, leading to careless mistakes

• Easily distracted, zoning out, or losing track of conversations

• Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or important tasks

• Struggling to follow through on long-term projects

• Difficulty organizing daily responsibilities

 

Hyperactive/Impulsive Type

More outwardly visible, this type is marked by excessive energy and impulsivity [3]:

• Constant fidgeting, tapping, or needing to move

• Difficulty sitting still in quiet settings

• Talking excessively or blurting out answers

• Acting impulsively without thinking through consequences

• Struggling to wait in lines or take turns in conversations

 

Combined Type

This is the most common form of ADHD, with individuals displaying both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.

What Causes ADHD?

Scientists don’t know the exact cause of ADHD. It isn’t caused by bad parenting, sugar, or too much screen time. Research suggests possible risk factors include [4]:

• Genetics – ADHD often runs in families

• Brain structure and function – Differences in neurotransmitters like dopamine impact focus and impulse control

• Prenatal exposure – Smoking, alcohol use, or premature birth can increase risk

• Environmental influences – Lead exposure or high-stress environments may contribute

 

How is ADHD Treated?

ADHD is manageable and treatment is personalized based on age, symptoms, and lifestyle. The most common approaches include [5]:

Behavioral Therapy

ADHD coaching and therapy focus on time management, organization, and emotional regulation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for ADHD-related anxiety.

Medication

Stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin, or non-stimulant medications, help regulate focus and impulse control.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Exercise, structured routines, mindfulness practices, and dietary changes can support ADHD management.

ADHD in Different Life Stages

ADHD in Children

Kids with ADHD often struggle in structured environments like classrooms. Strategies that help include:

• Using visual schedules and reminders

• Allowing movement breaks to release excess energy

• Breaking assignments into smaller, manageable steps

• Offering positive reinforcement rather than punishment

Many children qualify for accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 plans [6]. 

ADHD in Adults

Many adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, often assuming their struggles stem from laziness or lack of discipline. However, untreated ADHD can lead to:

• Workplace challenges – Procrastination, difficulty meeting deadlines, and job dissatisfaction

• Relationship struggles – Impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty regulating emotions

• Mental health concerns – Higher rates of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation

For adults, medication, therapy, ADHD coaching, and self-management techniques (like time-blocking, using planners, and setting digital reminders) can help.

Related Conditions

ADHD often occurs alongside other conditions, including [7]: 

• Anxiety and depression – Difficulty managing emotions leads to heightened stress and mood disorders

• Learning disabilities – Many individuals with ADHD also have challenges with reading, writing, or math

• Sleep disorders – Racing thoughts and difficulty winding down can cause insomnia

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) – Some children with ADHD struggle with authority and emotional regulation

 

Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD

Q: How common is ADHD?

A: Approximately 11.4% of U.S. children and 6% of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with ADHD [8]. However, many adults remain undiagnosed.

Q: What are the different types of ADHD?

A: There are three types of ADHD

• Predominantly Inattentive presentation (previously known as ADD) – Primarily struggles with focus and organization 

• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive presentation – Marked by excessive energy, movement, and impulsivity

• Combined presentation – The most common, presenting a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive traits

Q: Is ADHD the same as ADD?

A: ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is an outdated term for inattentive ADHD. The term ADHD now includes all subtypes.

Q: Is ADHD a form of Autism?

A: No, but ADHD and autism are both neurodevelopmental disorders that share some traits. Many individuals with ADHD also have traits of autism. There are cases of concurrence between the two disorders, known as AuDHD.

Q: Is ADHD a disability?

A: Yes, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADHD is considered a disability when it significantly impacts daily life. This can allow individuals to access school and workplace accommodations.

Q: Does ADHD have benefits?

A: Absolutely! People with ADHD often excel in areas like:

• Creativity & problem-solving

• Hyperfocus on passions

• Thinking outside the box

• High energy & enthusiasm

Many companies recognize the strengths of neurodivergent employees, valuing their unique approaches to challenges.

Q: Why is ADHD underdiagnosed in girls?

A: Girls often present with less hyperactivity and more inattentive symptoms, leading them to be overlooked or misdiagnosed. They also tend to develop masking strategies, making symptoms harder to detect.

Q: How does an ADHD brain work?

A: The ADHD brain has differences in neurotransmitters and brain structure, particularly in the frontal lobe (which controls focus and impulse regulation). This makes it harder to filter distractions and manage attention.

A Revolutionary Perspective of ADHD

ADHD has often been framed as a deficit, but emerging research suggests that its traits may have once been an evolutionary advantage. Studies indicate that in early hunter-gatherer societies, individuals with ADHD-like traits—such as heightened awareness, impulsivity, and quick decision-making—may have been better suited for roles like tracking prey, scouting new territories, and responding rapidly to environmental changes [9]. The very traits that can make modern office life challenging may have been essential for survival in more dynamic, high-stakes environments.

However, as societies shifted toward structured, agrarian economies and, later, industrialized workforces, the natural strengths of neurodivergent individuals became less valued. Today, ADHD is often assessed through a framework that prioritizes productivity in rigid systems rather than adaptability or creative problem-solving. This disconnect is reflected in the DSM-5’s definition of ADHD, which focuses on "impairments" rather than the ways these traits might function differently in various environments [10]. Recognizing this history allows us to reframe ADHD not as a flaw, but as a different cognitive approach—one that, when properly supported, can be a significant strength in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative fields.

References

[1] Thapar, A., Cooper, M., & Rutter, M. (2017). Neurodevelopmental disorders. The lancet. Psychiatry, 4(4), 339–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30376-5 

[2] Willcutt, E. G. (2012). The prevalence of DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analytic review. Neurotherapeutics, 9(3), 490–499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-012-0135-8 

[3] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 

[4] Faraone, S. V., & Larsson, H. (2019). Genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Molecular Psychiatry, 24, 562–575. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-018-0070-0 

[5] Cortese, S. (2020). Pharmacologic treatment of attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(11), 1050–1056. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1917069 

[6] Congressional Research Service. (2019). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Supreme Court decisions. Retrieved February 9, 2025, from https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R48068

[7] Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Barkley, R., Biederman, J., Conners, C. K., Demler, O., ... & Zaslavsky, A. M. (2006). The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(4), 716–723. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716 

[8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Data and statistics about ADHD. CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html 

[9] Swanepoel A. (2024). ADHD and ASD are Normal Biological Variations as part of Human Evolution and are not "Disorders". Clinical neuropsychiatry, 21(6), 451–454. https://doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20240601 

[10] Pérez-Álvarez, M., Koutsoklenis, A., & Honkasilta, J. (2022). The (un)real existence of ADHD—criteria, functions, and forms of the diagnostic entity. Frontiers in Sociology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2022.814763