Commitment + Clinical Leadership = Better Outcomes

17 Facts About ADHD
Here are 17 facts about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders that affect children.1
- ADHD impacts 11% of children and 5% of adults in the United States.2
- ADHD is considered chronic and often continues to affect those individuals into adulthood.3
- Although ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s not considered a learning disorder or disability. However, individuals with ADHD may find it harder to learn.4
- When adults are affected by ADHD, it’s called Adult ADHD. Adult ADHD symptoms can include impulsive behavior and lead to unstable relationships.5
- Another ADHD fact is that ADHD is more common in males than in females.6
- There are three types of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive Presentation, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation, and Combined Presentation.1
- In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least 6 months, and must occur in more than one setting. For example, the symptoms cannot only occur at home.3
- Symptoms of ADHD can range from mild to severe. Some symptoms include difficulty paying attention, restlessness, fidgeting, forgetfulness, and difficulty getting along with others.
- Adult ADHD symptoms may include disorganization, poor time management, difficulty multitasking, mood swings, and a hot temper.5
- Although the cause of ADHD is not known, studies suggest that genes play a role in someone being diagnosed with ADHD.6
- There is no cure for ADHD. However, treatment options include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.6
- Symptoms of ADHD have been documented since 1902, with the disorder having numerous different names before being renamed to ADHD.7
- ADHD used to be referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) until the name was changed in the 1990s.8
- Two-thirds of children diagnosed with ADHD also have another disorder such as anxiety, depression, and tic disorders or Tourette syndrome.7
- Studies have found certain risk factors can impact someone’s likeliness to develop ADHD. Some risk factors that affect a baby’s brain during development in pregnancy or after birth include: smoking, drinking, infections, poor nutrition, food additives, brain injury or disorder, and being born prematurely.8
- There is not one test that can diagnose ADHD, and doctors recommend assessing symptoms and utilizing tests over a period of time to properly diagnose.4
Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides services to more than 130 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, and Delaware. To learn more about our company and services, click here.
Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html
- https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-adhd-symptoms-causes-treatments/.
- https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd.
- https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878.
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.
- https://chadd.org/about-adhd/overview/.
- https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.