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This website has been started as a place for people to get real, interesting, easy to understand information on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Most information out there is confusing, with lots of myths to cloud things. Every effort has been made here to make all details accurate and easy to read. Important information will be repeated multiple times, since we know that this is the best way to really learn.
This website will be different in one particular way: although we recognize that ADHD is classified as a disorder and needs treatment you will find that the term "disorder" is a misnomer and that ADHD is a trait that is just as regular as blue eyes or blonde hair.
If you are struggling with a recent ADHD diagnosis, the choice to medicate or not, the hype over prevalance rates of ADHD or simply want to know more about ADHD you have come to the right place.
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a mental health diagnoses that is characterized by unusually high levels of hyperactivity, signifigant inattention and impulsivity. Most people suffer from hyperactivity, innattetiveness and slight impulsivity, but do not meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnsoses. An ADHD diagnosis is made after a qualified professional deems that a person meets the criteria as set forth in the Diagnosist and Statistics Manual, Text Revised, 4 (DSM-tr4). There are two main types of ADHD, one is characterized by inattentiveness without the hyperactivity and where there may or maynot be impulsivity, this is the type of ADHD, called ADHD predominately inattentive type, and it is more prominant in girls than in boys. The other type of ADHD is called ADHD predmoniately Hyperactive/impulsive, or mixed. What the second diagnoses means is that the person is showing a very high level of Hyperactivity and impulsivity or they have signifigant symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.
Hyperactivity is often seen in young children with or without an ADHD diagnosis. Hyperactivity presents as boundless energy, happiness or even silliness. The saying, "Youth is wasted on the young," is a representation of this. A person will not be diagnosed with ADHD from just a day of hyperactivity on a playground, even if he is ADHD, but a diagnosis will be determined by several factors including the fact that the hyperactivity will disrubt normal functioning. In a small child it is hard to diagnosis ADHD because a childs normal functioning will have a significant level of hyperactivity. But if you are a troubled parent of an extrememly hyper kid and doctors have told you they are too young to diagnose, don't rest. Parents know their kids best. See the HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD section.
Impulsivity is one of the hardest and most dangerous parts of ADHD. People with ADHD are more likely to be thrill seekers. That means they might be ther first one to ride a new rollercoaster at a carnival or jump off a rock at the swimming hole, but it also means that they might be people that need to ride dirt bikes in sand dunes and see how far they can take trick-riding. Being impulsive can lead people to be reckless, get injured or even mortally wounded.
Inattention is one of the hidden barbs of ADHD. Frequently people with hyperactivity are diagnosed early on, especially when they start school, but people with inattentiveness problems may have more symptoms that mirror other disorders. Inattention can seem like day dreaming, deliberate ignoring or low intelligence. This can be very defeating for anybody, but especially children. Children don't know why they aren't picking things up as well as the others, they just feel like they can't do anything right. Parents often miss this because these same kids will play video games or watch TV with "perfect" attention. In reality what is happening is that the video game or TV is offering continuous stimulation, unlike classroom time, homework, or parental lectures. But don't worry, mom and dad, you can find out how to make those more effective right here.