What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

ADHD, also known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, has been recognized by doctors since 1902. Before 1980, it was mostly seen as a behavior problem in little boys who couldn't sit still or be quiet. The name of the disorder changed a few times, but it was always about behavior issues. However, in 1980, the name was changed to include "attention deficit," showing that it's more about problems with the brain's management system. People with ADHD may not always have behavior problems, and even if they do, it's usually not the main issue. The real trouble comes from attention problems, especially as people get older and have more responsibilities. It's important to know that ADHD has nothing to do with how smart someone is. People with ADHD can be super smart or have average intelligence. It's a set of problems that can affect anyone, regardless of their IQ. ADHD includes a wide range of characteristics, and today I'll describe some of them and give examples.

People with ADHD often struggle with regulating their sleep and staying alert. Many find it hard to fall asleep because their minds are always racing with thoughts. They end up staying up late watching TV or surfing the internet until they are completely exhausted. However, once they finally fall asleep, they have a hard time waking up in the morning. They may hit the snooze button multiple times or even turn off their alarm altogether. During the day, they are usually fine as long as they are moving around or talking a lot. But when they have to sit still to listen or read, they start to feel sleepy. Another common issue for people with ADHD is starting tasks but having a hard time finishing them in a timely manner. It's like their minds are great at sprinting through tasks quickly, but struggle with longer-term projects that require consistent effort.

When you're working on one project, but then you start another one and forget about the first one, it can be frustrating. Students in class might get annoyed when the teacher asks a question and they have a great answer, but someone else gets called on first. It's like the teacher is clueless! Sometimes, you might read something and understand it perfectly, but then a few pages later, you realize you have no idea what you just read. And studying for a test the night before can be tricky - you might feel confident, but then forget everything the next day.

People with ADHD often struggle with memory issues and managing their actions. It can be hard to remember things or focus on one task at a time. Some people are always restless and need to be moving, while others are quick to jump into things without thinking. It's important to find strategies to help with these challenges and stay organized.

It's really important to start by figuring out exactly what challenges someone with ADHD is facing. This means getting a good evaluation to understand their specific issues. Then, it's helpful to have a team of people involved, like the child, their parent, the doctor, and teachers. Together, they can identify the child's strengths and weaknesses. This is where we start. Once we know what the struggles are, we can come up with a plan to build on the child's strengths and help them learn how to deal with their challenges. The goal is to help them succeed and reach their full potential.