Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that can cause unusual levels of hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. People with ADHD may have trouble focusing their attention on a single task or sitting still for long periods of time. Many people experience inattention and changes in energy levels. For a person with ADHD, this happens more often and to a greater extent compared with people who do not have the condition. It can have a significant effect on their studies, work, relationships, and home life. Both adults and children can have ADHD. It’s a diagnosis the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognizes. Learn about types of ADHD and symptoms in both children and adults.

ADHD symptoms
A wide range of behaviors is associated with ADHD. Some of the more common ones include:

having trouble focusing or concentrating on tasks
being forgetful about completing tasks
being easily distracted
having difficulty sitting still
interrupting people while they’re talking
Signs and symptoms can be specific to different aspects of ADHD, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, or difficulty focusing.

A person who is experiencing hyperactivity and impulsivity may:

find it difficult to sit still or remain seated in class
have trouble playing or carrying out tasks quietly
talk excessively
find it hard to wait their turn
interrupt others when they’re speaking, playing, or carrying out a task
Someone who is having difficulty focusing might:

make frequent mistakes or miss details when studying or working
find it hard to maintain focus when listening, reading, or holding a conversation
have trouble organizing their daily tasks
lose items frequently
be easily distracted by small things happening around them
If you or your child has ADHD, you may have some or all of these symptoms. The symptoms you have will depend on the type of ADHD you have. Explore a list of ADHD symptoms common in children.

What is executive dysfunction?
Executive dysfunction is a common symptom of ADHD and refers to difficulties in cognitive functions, such as paying attention, absorbing or remembering new information, ignoring distractions, and regulating emotions and behaviors.

Types of ADHD
To make ADHD diagnoses more consistent, the APA has grouped the condition into three categories, or types. These types are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactivity-impulsive, and a combination of both.

Predominantly inattentive
As the name suggests, people with this type of ADHD have extreme difficulty focusing, finishing tasks, and following instructions.

Experts also think that many children with the inattentive type of ADHD may not receive a proper diagnosis because they don’t tend to disrupt the classroom. ResearchTrusted Source suggests this is more common among girls with ADHD.

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
People with this type of ADHD primarily show hyperactive and impulsive behavior. This can include:

fidgeting
interrupting people while they’re talking
not being able to wait their turn
Although inattention is less of a concern with this type of ADHD, people with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may still find it difficult to focus on tasks.

Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive type
This is the most common type of ADHD. People with this combined type of ADHD display both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. These include an inability to pay attention, a tendency toward impulsiveness, and above-average levels of activity and energy.

The type of ADHD you or your child has will determine the treatment method. The ADHD type you have can change over time, so your treatment may change, too. Learn more about the three types of ADHD.

What causes ADHD?
Despite how common ADHD is, doctors and researchers still are not sure what causes the condition. It’s believed to have neurological origins. Genetics may also play a role.

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that a reduction in dopamine is a factor in ADHD. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that helps move signals from one nerve to another. It plays a role in triggering emotional responses and movements.

Other research suggests a structural difference in the brain. Findings indicate that people with ADHD have less gray matter volume. Gray matter includes the brain areas that help with:

speech
self-control
decision-making
muscle control
Researchers are still studying potential causes of ADHD, such as smoking during pregnancy. Find out more about the potential causes and risk factors of ADHD.

ADHD diagnosis and testing
There’s no single test that can tell if you or your child has ADHD.

A 2017 studyTrusted Source highlighted the benefits of a new test to diagnose adult ADHD, but many clinicians believe an ADHD diagnosis cannot be made based on one test.

To make a diagnosis, a doctor will assess any symptoms you or your child has had over the previous 6 months.

Your doctor will likely gather information from teachers or family members and may use checklists and rating scales to review symptoms. They’ll also do a physical exam to check for other health problems. Learn more about ADHD rating scales and what they can and cannot do.

If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, talk with a doctor about getting an evaluation. For your child, you can also talk with their school counselor. Schools regularly assess children for conditions that may be affecting their educational performance.

For the assessment, provide your doctor or counselor with notes and observations about your or your child’s behavior.

If they suspect ADHD, they may refer you or your child to an ADHD specialist. Depending on the diagnosis, they may also suggest making an appointment with a psychiatrist or neurologist.

ADHD treatment
Treatment for ADHD typically includes behavioral therapies, medication, or both.

Types of therapy include psychotherapy or talk therapy. With talk therapy, you or your child will discuss how ADHD affects your life and ways to help you manage it.

Another therapy type is behavioral therapy. This therapy can help you or your child learn how to monitor and manage your behavior.

Medication can also be very helpful when you’re living with ADHD. ADHD medications are designed to affect brain chemicals in a way that enables you to better manage your impulses and actions.

Find out more about treatment options and behavioral interventions that can help ease ADHD symptoms.

ADHD medication
The two main types of medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants and nonstimulants.

Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications. These drugs work by increasing the amount of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine.

Examples of these drugs include methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine-based stimulants (Adderall).

If stimulants do not work well or cause troublesome side effects for you or your child, your doctor may suggest a nonstimulant medication. Certain nonstimulant medications work by increasing brain levels of norepinephrine.

These medications include atomoxetine (Strattera) and some antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin).

ADHD medications can have many benefits, as well as side effects. Learn more about medication options for adults with ADHD.

Natural remedies for ADHD
In addition to — or instead of — medication, several remedies have been suggested to help improve ADHD symptoms.

For starters, making lifestyle changes may help you or your child manage ADHD symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source recommends the following:

eating a nutritious, balanced diet
getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day
getting plenty of sleep
limiting daily screen time from phones, computers, and TV
Studies have also shown that yogaTrusted Source, tai chiTrusted Source, and spending time outdoorsTrusted Source can help calm overactive minds and may help ease ADHD symptoms.

Mindfulness meditation is another option. Research from 2015Trusted Source has suggested meditation might improve attention span in people with ADHD.

Avoiding certain allergens and food additives are also potential ways to help reduce ADHD symptoms. Learn more about these and other nondrug approaches to addressing ADHD.

ADD vs. ADHD
You may have heard the terms “ADD” and “ADHD” and wondered what the difference is between them.

ADD, or attention deficit disorder, is an outdated term. It was previously used to describe people who have problems paying attention but are not hyperactive. The type of ADHD called “predominantly inattentive” is now used in place of ADD.

ADHD is the current overarching name of the condition. The term ADHD became official in May 2013 when the APA released the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5).”

This manual is what doctors refer to when making diagnoses for mental health conditions. Get a better understanding of the difference between ADD and ADHD.

Adult ADHD
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, more than 60 percent of children with ADHD still show symptoms as adults. For many people, hyperactivity symptoms often decrease with age, but inattentiveness and impulsivity may continue.

That said, treatment is important. Untreated ADHD in adults can have a negative impact on many aspects of life. Symptoms such as trouble managing time, forgetfulness, and impatience can cause problems at work, home, and in all types of relationships.

Find out more about the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults and how they can impact your life.

ADHD in children
According to the CDC, around 8.8 percent of peopleTrusted Source ages 3 to 17 years in the United States have had a diagnosis of ADHD at some point. This includes 11.7 percent of males and 5.7 percent of females.

Language matters
Sex and gender exist on spectrums for adults and children. This article uses the terms “male” and “female” and “boy” and girl” to refer to a person’s sex at birth, but that may not align with the person’s gender identity. Your doctor can better help you understand how your specific circumstances will translate into diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

For children, ADHD is generally associated with problems at school. Children with ADHD often have difficulties in a controlled classroom setting.

Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to receive an ADHD diagnosis. This may be because boys tend to exhibit hallmark symptoms of hyperactivity. Although some girls with ADHD may have the classic symptoms of hyperactivity, many do not.

In many cases, girls with ADHD may:

daydream frequently
be hyper-talkative rather than hyperactive
Many ADHD symptoms can be typical childhood behaviors, so it can be hard to know what’s ADHD-related and what’s not. Learn more about how to recognize ADHD in toddlers.

Is ADHD a learning disability?
While ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s not considered a learning disability. However, ADHD symptoms can make it harder for you to learn. Also, it’s possible for ADHD to occur in some people who also have learning disabilities.

To help relieve any effect on children learning, teachers can map out individual guidelines for a student with ADHD. This may include allowing extra time for assignments and tests or developing a personal reward system.

Although it’s not technically a learning disability, ADHD can have long-term effects. Learn more about the potential effects of ADHD on adults and children and resources that can help.

Neurotypical vs. neurodivergent
Neurotypical describes someone who processes information in ways that are typical within their culture and among their peers. On the other hand, neurodivergent describes people who process information in a different way. People with ADHD sometimes identify as neurodivergent, but ultimately it’s a personal decision.

Coexisting conditions
People with ADHD sometimes have other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Some of these conditions result from the challenges of living with ADHD.

Anxiety
People with ADHD can find it hard to keep up with daily tasks, maintain relationships, and so on. This can increase the risk of anxiety.

People with ADHD are also more likely to experience an anxiety disorder than those without ADHD, according to the CDCTrusted Source.

Anxiety disorders include:

separation anxiety, when you are afraid of being away from loved ones
social anxiety, which can make you afraid of going to school or other places where people socialize
generalized anxiety, when you’re afraid of bad things happening, of the future, and so on