Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Quiz
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Forgetfulness
Disorganized speech
Increased irritability
Always fidgeting
Memory issues
Easily distracted
Trouble concentrating
Acting without thinking
Difficulty focusing
Unable to sit still
Disorganized thinking
Feeling uneasy and anxious
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that is characterized by attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and inability to control one's behavior (impulsiveness). It often starts in childhood and can cause a child to struggle in school, at home, or in social relationships. It is more common in male children. The causes of ADHD remain unclear but risk factors include genetic factors, tobacco use during pregnancy, premature delivery, and low birth weight.
Typical Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Feeling unusually energetic
- Difficulty concentrating
- I noticed or have been told that I am acting strangely or differently lately
- Stressed over daily life
- Recent changes in mental state
- Headache without seizures
- Easily provoked to anger
- Feelings of guilt or self-blame, being apologetic to others
Diagnostic Questions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you been feeling unusually energetic lately?
- Do you have difficulty concentrating?
- Have you noticed or been told that you are acting strangely or differently?
- Do you feel stressed or unhappy about going to work or school?
- Recently, are you more confused than before?
Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
There is no cure for ADHD, but various treatments such as medications, behavior therapy, counseling, and education services can help improve the child's symptoms and behavior.
Reviewed By:
Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)
Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Oct 18, 2024
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Symptoms Related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Diseases Related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
FAQs
Q.
Why can’t you focus? The medical reality of ADHD and the approved next steps for relief.
A.
There are several factors to consider, and ADHD is a medically recognized neurodevelopmental condition that disrupts dopamine-driven executive functions, causing persistent inattention, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity across settings from childhood into adulthood. Relief usually starts with a professional evaluation, followed by evidence-based care such as stimulant or nonstimulant medication, ADHD-focused CBT and coaching, and supportive habits like regular sleep, exercise, and structured routines, after ruling out look-alikes like sleep, thyroid, mood, substance, or learning disorders; see the complete next steps and important details below.
References:
* Kooij, J. J. S., Bijlenga, D., Salerno, L., et al. (2023). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. *Nature Reviews Disease Primers*, 9(1), 8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36737525/
* Saccaro, L. F., Gamo, N. J., & Biederman, J. (2023). The Neurobiology of ADHD: A Path Forward. *Journal of Clinical Psychiatry*, 84(5), 23nr14945. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37626359/
* Cortese, S., & Coghill, D. (2023). Pharmacological treatments for ADHD: a comprehensive network meta-analysis of efficacy, tolerability, and impact on functional outcomes. *The Lancet Psychiatry*, 10(9), 706-724. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37391167/
* Wolraich, M. L., Hagan, J. F., Jr, Allan, C., et al. (2019). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents. *Pediatrics*, 144(4), e20192528. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31570650/
* Kooij, J. J. S., Bijlenga, D., Salerno, L., et al. (2022). Adult ADHD: Current Management Strategies. *Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment*, 18, 143-157. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35794828/
Q.
Brain "Static"? Why You’re Neurodivergent (Not Lazy) & Medical Next Steps
A.
Feeling like your brain has static, fog, or constant distraction is commonly linked to neurodivergence like ADHD and related executive function differences, not laziness. Track symptoms, see a primary care clinician to rule out medical mimics such as thyroid problems, anemia, B12 deficiency, and sleep issues, then seek an ADHD or neurodevelopmental evaluation to discuss medication, therapy, and practical supports; there are several factors to consider. See below for complete details, including urgent warning signs and day-to-day strategies that could change your next steps.
References:
* Gamo NJ, Miller EK. Mechanisms of executive function impairment in neurodevelopmental disorders. Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2021 Jun;39:39-44. doi: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.01.006. Epub 2021 Feb 17. PMID: 34188981; PMCID: PMC8234327.
* Geschwind DH, D'Evelyn F, Howrigan DP. Advances in neurobiology and genetics of neurodevelopmental disorders. Hum Mol Genet. 2017 Oct 1;26(R2):R153-R165. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddx234. PMID: 28977508; PMCID: PMC5886280.
* Russell G, Thompson AR, Bell S. "If you struggle with something, it's just 'cause you're lazy, or stupid, or you're not trying hard enough": A qualitative study exploring the experiences of adults with ADHD in managing stigma. J Adult Dev. 2022 Jun;29(2):162-172. doi: 10.1007/s10804-022-09413-z. Epub 2022 Feb 16. PMID: 35174366; PMCID: PMC8847844.
* Lai MC, Chen CH, Lu HH, Tseng HY. Challenges in the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood: A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Mar 28;13:853400. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.853400. PMID: 35422891; PMCID: PMC9000188.
* Woodworth NC, Jassi A, Coury D. Psychopharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Adulthood. Curr Treat Options Psychiatry. 2021 Mar;8(1):1-23. doi: 10.1007/s40501-021-00236-4. Epub 2021 Jan 12. PMID: 33456041; PMCID: PMC7803362.
Q.
Mind Racing? Why Your Brain is "Short-Circuiting" & Medical ADHD Symptom Steps
A.
Mind racing and a short-circuit feeling can signal ADHD-related executive function differences that disrupt focus, prioritizing, and impulse control in both adults and children, though anxiety and other issues can look similar. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including how symptoms present by age and how to tell ADHD from anxiety. Key medical steps include tracking patterns, using a structured ADHD symptom check to prepare for care, and scheduling a professional evaluation, with treatments ranging from stimulant or non stimulant medication to CBT and daily structure strategies, plus guidance on when to seek urgent help for severe mood changes or self harm concerns. Complete, actionable details are outlined below.
References:
* Faraone SV, Rostain AL, Blader JC, et al. The Phenomenology of Racing Thoughts in Adults With ADHD. J Atten Disord. 2016 May;20(4):371-80. doi: 10.1177/1087054714568853. Epub 2015 Jan 19. PMID: 27179069.
* Kooij JJS, Bijlenga D, Salerno L, et al. Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD. Eur Psychiatry. 2019 Nov;61:94-114. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2019.01.001. Epub 2019 Apr 12. PMID: 30999146.
* Sohn M, Ma N, Lee T, et al. The Default Mode Network in ADHD: A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry. 2016 Mar 22;7:46. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00046. PMID: 27040445; PMCID: PMC4799042.
* Faraone SV, Asherson P, Banaschewski T, et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015 Nov 5;1:15020. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.20. PMID: 27188730.
* Cortese S, Coghill D. Twenty years of research on ADHD neurobiology: What have we learned and where we should go next. J Atten Disord. 2019 Jan;23(1):3-19. doi: 10.1177/1087054718816723. Epub 2018 Dec 9. PMID: 30528489.
Q.
Need Adderall? Why Your Brain Is “Melting” & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. The “melting brain” feeling is usually due to treatable causes like ADHD, burnout, poor sleep, anxiety, or medical issues, and Adderall helps only when ADHD is properly diagnosed. Medically approved next steps include an ADHD symptom check, a primary care evaluation for thyroid, iron, B12, sleep and medications, and a formal ADHD assessment plus healthy habits. See complete guidance and urgent red flags below, as these details can change the best next step in your care.
References:
* Faraone SV, Larsson H. The Neurobiology of ADHD. Mol Psychiatry. 2019 Jun;24(6):956-965. doi: 10.1038/s41380-018-0004-0. PMID: 30482939; PMCID: PMC6760634.
* Cortese S, et al. Pharmacologic Treatment of ADHD. Mol Psychiatry. 2021 Aug;26(8):4619-4632. doi: 10.1038/s41380-021-01120-x. Epub 2021 May 19. PMID: 34012028; PMCID: PMC8372605.
* Joëls M, et al. Chronic Stress and Its Impact on Cognition and Brain Plasticity: A Review. Brain Plast. 2018 Jun 29;4(1):21-30. doi: 10.3233/BPL-180067. PMID: 29997869; PMCID: PMC6083863.
* Young S, et al. Adult ADHD: Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges. J Clin Med. 2020 Jan 29;9(2):339. doi: 10.3390/jcm9020339. PMID: 32019183; PMCID: PMC7073796.
* Cichocki B, et al. Non-pharmacological interventions for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): an overview of systematic reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Jul 19;7(7):CD015502. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD015502.pub2. PMID: 37466826; PMCID: PMC10355152.
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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
American Psychiatric Association website. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013:59-66.
Prince JB, Wilens TE, Spencer TJ, Biederman J. Pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 49.
Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents [published correction appears in Pediatrics. 2020 Mar;145(3):]. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. PMID: 31570648 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31570648/.
Millichap JG. Etiologic classification of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2008 Feb;121(2):e358-65. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-1332. PMID: 18245408.
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/121/2/e358/68716/Etiologic-Classification-of-Attention-Deficit?redirectedFrom=fulltextLinnet KM, Dalsgaard S, Obel C, Wisborg K, Henriksen TB, Rodriguez A, Kotimaa A, Moilanen I, Thomsen PH, Olsen J, Jarvelin MR. Maternal lifestyle factors in pregnancy risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and associated behaviors: review of the current evidence. Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Jun;160(6):1028-40. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.160.6.1028. PMID: 12777257.
https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.160.6.1028