What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Doctors online now - 15 minute priority booking available

ADHD- symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Authored by Dr Richard Bennett on 17.02.2019
Medically Reviewed by Dr Aifric Boylan
Last updated on 11.06.2024

What is ADHD?

  • ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
  • People with ADHD display some or all of the following:
    • Hyperactivity (in kids – fidgety, energetic, sometimes agitated).
    • Poor concentration (in kids – bad grades, difficulty with teachers).
    • Impulsive behaviour (in kids – getting into trouble, making bad choices, being “naughty”).

How common is ADHD?

  • Estimates vary. It appears that approximately 1 to 2% of people have ADHD.
  • It’s usually diagnosed during childhood.
  • It can continue to affect some people for their whole lives.
  • It always starts in childhood – it doesn’t start in adulthood (though it may still be diagnosed in later life).

symptoms of ADHD

What conditions can be assessed by our doctors?

Who gets diagnosed with ADHD?

  • It’s commoner in:
    • People in care.
    • People with epilepsy.
    • People with learning difficulties/disabilities.
    • People with mental health problems.
    • People who have had a brain injury.
  • It’s under-diagnosed in girls and women.
  • It’s associated with:
    • An increased risk of anxiety and depression.
    • An increased risk of getting into trouble with the law.
    • An increased risk of developing a problem with substance misuse.
    • People with a history of substance misuse.
    • People who get into trouble with the law (1)

What causes ADHD?

  • Nobody knows what causes ADHD.
  • It can tend to run in families – it’s thought that there may be a genetic influence.
    • If a child is diagnosed, you should consider whether other family members are undiagnosed.

How do you diagnose ADHD?

  • If you feel you or a family member could have ADHD, you should discuss the possibility with your family doctor.
  • If it’s appropriate, they should make a referral
    • Usually to a paediatrician for a child.
    • Usually to a psychiatrist for an adult.
  • The paediatrician or psychiatrist will have specific criteria that they test against.
    • This assessment is fairly time-consuming.
    • They will either use “ICD-10” or “DSM-5” criteria.
      • (These are the technical names of the assessments you can use for diagnosing ADHD.)

What’s the treatment for ADHD?

  • Treatments should be tailored to each individual case.
  • People with ADHD work differently to others.
    • Understanding the condition is key to making progress.
    • A significant amount of effort should be put towards educating family members, educators and employers about how ADHD affects the sufferer.
  • A comprehensive treatment plan should be formulated by a team including (but not limited to):
    • Employers.
    • Educators.
    • Psychologists.
    • Occupational therapists.
    • Doctors.
    • Family members.
  • Environmental modifications for example:
    • Modified school curriculum.
    • Choice of job.
    • Workplace adaptations.
  • Psychological, behavioural and educational counselling.
  • Medications:
    • Medication is often the first line drug treatment for people aged 5 years and over with ADHD.
what causes mouth ulcers? are mouth ulcers contagious?

Sign up to Qoctor

Learn more about our services

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

5 stars
4.6 out of 5
reviewed by Trustpilot

Title