Is ADHD Real? Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder As A Parent
Researching mental health conditions online is sometimes confusing if you read anecdotal information. For example, you may find opinions from individuals suggesting that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) does not exist. However, ADHD is real. Some connect with the definition that ADHD is a form of neurodivergence, whereas others might connect it to its description primarily in the DSM-5 as a mental illness and developmental condition.
Regardless of the definition you choose, ADHD is real and can have impacts on anyone of any age. It is a lifelong condition and can be managed through a few treatments. If you're a parent or caregiver, having insight into your child's mind may help you support them in a way that works.
What is ADHD?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral condition that can make it challenging to focus on everyday routines and requirements. The National Institutes of Health explains that people with ADHD may demonstrate ongoing issues with inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity patterns.
People with ADHD may have difficulty:
- Staying focused
- Thinking before acting
- Getting organized
- Sitting still
- Being quiet
- Adapting to quickly changing situations
- Coping with sensory changes
ADHD symptoms may differ according to gender and age. In some cases, ADHD-like symptoms may actually be caused by underlying vision problems like binocular vision dysfunction. A consultation and complete review with a mental health professional specializing in children with ADHD may offer potential treatment options.
How ADHD affects the brain
Research suggests that children with ADHD may have differences in brain structure compared to children without ADHD. Specifically, research indicates that the brain's frontal lobe may mature later in individuals with ADHD.
The frontal lobe is a part of the brain that controls the following:
- The ability to delay gratification and control impulses
- Attention
- Decision-making
- Judgment
- Language
- Memory
- Motivation
- Perception of time
- Planning
- Problem-solving
- Social behavior
Causes of ADHD
The causes of ADHD are still being studied and aren't entirely clear. However, some theories include genetics, brain injury, premature birth, low birth weight, exposure to drugs during pregnancy, and exposure to lead during pregnancy as potential risk factors. Additionally, environmental factors, such as family chaos, may exacerbate symptom severity. ADHD is considered a form of neurodivergence, which means it's a life-long condition, and people with adult ADHD may identify with the condition as part of their integral identity.
Signs of ADHD
As a diagnostic entity, ADHD describes certain characteristic behaviors or signs. Signs of ADHD can vary from person to person. ADHD is often noticed and diagnosed during childhood and continues into adulthood. However, misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis can lead to ADHD not being diagnosed until adulthood.
For diagnosis, an individual may be required to display the signs and symptoms of ADHD in multiple settings. In addition, they must exhibit evidence of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Common signs of inattention in ADHD include:
- Difficulty paying attention to tasks or activities
- Difficulty paying close attention to details
- Consistent mistakes
- Seeming not to pay attention when spoken to
- Difficulty organizing and completing activities and tasks
- Lose things frequently, such as pencils, notebooks, keys, wallets, or other items
- Difficulty following through on tasks or instructions
- Avoidance or dislike of tasks that demand mental effort for extended periods
- Easily distracted
- Forgetfulness
Common signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity in ADHD include:
- Frequent fidgeting, squirming, or tapping hands and feet
- Leaving seat in situations when expected to remain seated
- Excessive talking or fast talking
- Answering questions before a person finishes speaking
- Interruptions in conversations, intruding on others, or not waiting for one's turn
- Playing or engaging in leisure activities loudly
- Running around or climbing in inappropriate situations or environments
- Seeming to be "always on the go"
Children and adults do not need to present all these symptoms, or symptoms from both categories, to receive an ADHD diagnosis. Instead, they may be diagnosed with a "predominantly inattentive presentation," a "predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation," or a "combined presentation" of ADHD, depending on which symptoms they display. These three diagnoses are subsets of ADHD, which have replaced the outdated diagnosis of ADD since 2013.
Only doctors or mental health professionals can accurately diagnose ADHD or any mental health condition in their patients. As a parent, observe your child so you can accurately report what you see and hear to their provider. Symptoms of ADHD sometimes point to a diagnosis of a different mental illness, as well.
How to support your child with ADHD
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you may have the desire to improve their life and experiences. Below are a few ways you can do so.
Be encouraging
Consider encouraging your child and reminding them they're capable of success and accomplishment along with their ADHD. Instead of framing their condition and symptoms as a flaw, you can frame it as a part of them they can learn to manage and live with healthily.
Do research
Learn about ADHD so you can support your child and understand their symptoms. You can also ask a mental health professional for reliable resources to use for research. Alternatively, you might choose to find a therapist who can help you learn more about ADHD and find new ways to support your child's unique experiences alongside them. Including your child in the treatment plan can offer them a sense of control and help them build coping skills.
Advocate for your child
People who experience ADHD may learn differently, but they can often improve their ability to succeed at tasks with accommodations like extra time on tests, frequent breaks, or positive reinforcement. You can advocate for your child to receive these accommodations in their classes to help them excel in school.
Practice self-care
Caring for yourself can make it easier to support your child. Feeling overwhelmed or frustrated may be normal when your little one is diagnosed with a mental health condition. Support groups, counseling, and therapy offer ways to cope with and process your emotions, and they might make it easier to keep these feelings from impacting your child.
Attend counseling or find a child therapist
A therapist can help your child learn about ADHD and find ways to approach what may be challenging for them. Parents or legal guardians can decide when to start therapy, but children can start at any age when they can walk and comprehend language.
Find support with online therapy
Adults can also try therapy. If you're living with caregiver fatigue or want to learn more about how parenting impacts you, online platforms like BetterHelp can offer support from home to fit a busy schedule. With an online platform, you can use any device with an internet connection to speak with your therapist, and you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions, depending on your preference.
You might also opt for online therapy through a source like TeenCounseling for those aged 13 to 19 or find an in-person child therapist who works with younger children. Online interventions have been proven effective for individuals with ADHD, improving attention and social function for many.
Takeaway
Is ADHD a real thing in psychology?
Yes. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a legitimate mental health condition recognized by the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the National Institutes of Health and defined in the DSM-5. Children diagnosed with ADHD will likely exhibit certain behaviors such as trouble paying attention, excessive physical movement, and impulsivity. While ADHD is not classified as a learning disability, it can lead to difficulties with learning. It is important to note that consulting a medical professional is vital for diagnosing ADHD.
Is ADHD an illness or a coping mechanism?
While ADHD falls under the umbrella of mental illness, in clinical psychology, it is often referred to as a mental health disorder. Though the condition is not a coping mechanism, healthy behaviors like setting a schedule, getting enough sleep and practicing mindfulness can all be used as coping mechanisms to manage symptoms.
Can people with ADHD lead a normal life?
Yes. While the symptoms of ADHD may vary in severity, individuals living with ADHD can generally lead orderly and fulfilling lives. Currently, effective treatment options for ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication.
Why isn't ADHD taken seriously?
According to the World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement, “Misconceptions about ADHD stigmatize affected people, reduce credibility of providers, and prevent/delay treatment.”
Does ADHD affect memory?
Yes, ADHD can affect memory, particularly in the realm of working memory, where individuals may struggle with storing and manipulating information. Attentional deficits play a key role in this impact. Moreover, the presence of comorbid sleep disorders further intensifies memory challenges. Effective disease control strategies for ADHD should encompass not only attention and impulse issues but also address sleep hygiene and incorporate targeted interventions to enhance memory function.
Does ADHD affect mental health?
Yes, ADHD significantly affects mental health. Trouble focusing, impulsivity or lack of self control, and hyperactivity can lead to stress, frustration, and low self-esteem. Difficulties with organization may contribute to anxiety and mood disorders. Additionally, ADHD often coexists with conditions like depression, emphasizing its impact on mental well-being.
Does ADHD get worse with stress?
Yes, ADHD symptoms can exacerbate in response to stress, with environmental factors playing a crucial role in this dynamic. High-stress situations can amplify the challenges individuals with ADHD face in maintaining focus, impulsivity control, and organization. Stressful environments may intensify distractibility and make it harder to manage symptoms effectively.
Does ADHD affect IQ?
ADHD itself does not directly affect IQ, as intelligence quotient (IQ) is considered a stable trait. However, the challenges associated with ADHD, such as difficulties in attention, organization, and impulse control, can affect how intelligence is expressed and applied.
Do people with ADHD think faster?
While people with ADHD don't necessarily think faster in the conventional sense, individuals living with the condition may have a racing mind, characterized by a stream of rapid thoughts that can be difficult to manage or filter.
Does ADHD affect emotions?
Yes. ADHD introduces a range of challenges to emotional well-being, often influenced significantly by social and environmental factors. Individuals living with ADHD often contend with heightened emotional reactivity, mood swings, and impulsivity. Social context and environmental stressors can also amplify these emotional struggles.
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