Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Also called: ADHD

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the National Institute of Mental Health

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Summary

Is it hard for your child to sit still? Does your child act without thinking first? Does your child start but not finish things? If so, your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nearly everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but ADHD lasts more than 6 months and causes problems in school, at home and in social situations.

ADHD is more common in boys than girls. It affects 3-5 percent of all American children.

The main features of ADHD are

Inattention
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity

No one knows exactly what causes ADHD. It sometimes runs in families, so genetics may be a factor. There may also be environmental factors.

A complete evaluation by a trained professional is the only way to know for sure if your child has ADHD. Treatment may include medicine to control symptoms, therapy, or both. Structure at home and at school is important. Parent training may also help.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

Start Here

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Basics (National Institute of Mental Health)Also in Spanish
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (National Institute of Mental Health)
Focusing on ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (National Institutes of Health)Also in Spanish
What Is ADHD? (Nemours Foundation)Also in Spanish

Symptoms

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptoms and Diagnosis(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

ADHD Screening (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Pharmacogenetic Tests (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Antipsychotic drugs a last resort for these 5 conditions (ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and PTSD) (Consumers Union of U.S.)
Behavior Therapy (American Academy of Pediatrics)Also in Spanish
My Child Has Been Diagnosed with ADHD - Now What? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Stimulant ADHD Medications -- Methylphenidate and Amphetamines (National Institute on Drug Abuse) - PDFAlso in Spanish

Living With

ADHD Diet: Do Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
ADHD: Tips to Try (Nemours Foundation)Also in Spanish
For Parents & Caregivers - Overview (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)Also in Spanish

Related Issues

Allergies and Hyperactivity (and sugar) (American Academy of Pediatrics)Also in Spanish
Other Concerns & Conditions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Specifics

College Students with ADHD (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

Genetics

Genetics Home Reference: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (National Library of Medicine)

Videos and Tutorials

Getting Treatment for ADHD (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

Statistics and Research

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Data and Statistics(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Faststats: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (National Center for Health Statistics)

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Find an Expert

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services Locator(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association)

Children

ADHD in Young Children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Also in Spanish
Kids' Quest: ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
What Is Hyperactivity? (Nemours Foundation)Also in Spanish

Girls

Girls and ADHD (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Teenagers

ADHD (Nemours Foundation)
ADHD Medications (Nemours Foundation)Also in Spanish
Learning Disabilities and ADHD (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)

Women

Women and Girls (With ADHD) (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Adults

Adult Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
Could I Have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? (National Institute of Mental Health)Also in Spanish
Relationships & Social Skills (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Patient Handouts

ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF - In English and Spanish
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
Medicines for ADHD (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish