Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)A lot of kids are what we call high energy. They seem to bounce off walls and find it impossible to sit still. For some kids, though, overactive and impulsive behaviors are severe enough to affect their schoolwork and home life. These kids may have a condition called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. ADHD is very common. In fact, it's the most common behavioral problem in children. About 3 to 5% of school-aged kids are diagnosed with ADHD. Most of them are boys. So, what causes ADHD? Doctors aren't sure exactly what causes ADHD, though we do know some things that contribute. And we do know that the brain looks different in kids with this condition than it does in kids without the disorder. Most kids with ADHD also have other problems with behavior, depression, sleeping, or learning. How do you know for sure that your child has ADHD? There are three types of ADHD inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive. Kids with the inattentive type get distracted easily. You'll find them staring out of the window in class instead of paying attention. They tend to lose their pens and pencils, and can't seem to ever finish their homework. Kids with hyperactivity are the ones who can't sit still. Their feet are always tapping and their mouth is always moving. It's like someone wound them up, but never wound them back down. Kids with impulsivity have trouble controlling themselves. They'll blurt out the answer to a question before the teacher has even finished asking it. They often won't let their friends finish a sentence, or a game, without butting in. In kids with these kinds of symptoms, ADHD can be a tricky diagnosis to make. Sometimes kids are mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD when they're just high energy. Other kids have ADHD and never get diagnosed. To get diagnosed with ADHD, kids need to have at least six symptoms of inattention and six symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity that have lasted for at least 6 months. A pediatrician, psychologist or psychiatrist can test the child and talk to the parents and teachers to make the diagnosis. How do doctors treat ADHD? Many kids with ADHD respond to a combination of medicines and behavior therapy. The drugs that are used most often for ADHD are called psychostimulants, like Adderall, Focalin, and Ritalin. A nonstimulant drug called Strattera may also be effective. Because these drugs can have side effects, kids should only use them under a doctor's guidance. Talk therapy that involves both the parents and child can help gain more control over ADHD behaviors. Parents can learn how to limit distractions, make sure their child gets enough sleep and eats right, and learn how to set consistent rules, rewarding good behavior and addressing bad behavior. Good sleep, good food, and plenty of physical activity, especially outdoors may help. About half of kids with ADHD eventually grow out of it. If they don't grow out of it, it can lead to problems in adulthood, like drug and alcohol abuse, difficulty keeping a job, and sometimes trouble with the law. Diagnosing ADHD early and addressing it right away can give kids the best chance for a healthy, happy future. So if you see any signs of ADHD in your child, talk to a pediatrician or child psychologist.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Review Date: 4/30/2022 Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. AnimationsBrowse AllCloseXAllergiesAlzheimer diseaseAnkle ligament injuryArrhythmiasAtherosclerosisAthetosis resulting from basal... Balloon angioplasty - short se... Bladder function - neurologica... BlinkingBlood clottingBlood flowBlood pressureBone fracture repairBrain componentsBreast liftBreathingBunionCancer of the throat or larynx... Cardiac conduction systemCardiomyopathyCardiovascular systemCataractCell divisionCerebral aneurysmCesarean sectionComponents of skinConception - generalConception - pregnancyConception of identical twins... ConcussionCorneal injuryCoronary artery bypass graft (... Coronary artery diseaseCosmetic surgery of the faceCoughingDiabetes - retinal conditions... DigestionDirectional coronary atherecto... Early laborEgg cell productionEgg productionEndocrine glandsEnlarged prostate glandEpinephrine and exerciseExerciseFeeling painFetal ear developmentFormation of twinsGas exchangeGlaucomaGoutHearingHearing and the cochleaHeart bypass surgeryHeart formationHeartbeatHeartburnHerniated nucleus pulposus (sl... HomeostasisHuman face formationHypertension - overviewImmune responseIntracytoplasmic sperm injecti... Kidney stonesKids - How big is the baby?Kids - How does the baby come ... Kids - Is it a girl or boy?Kids - Umbilical cordKids - Where do babies come fr... LiposuctionLymph nodesLymphatics and the breastMacular degenerationMuscle typesNerve conductionNervous system formationNutrient exchangeOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOvulationParkinson diseasePercutaneous transluminal coro... PeristalsisPhagocytosisPituitary glandPlacenta deliveryPlacenta formationPreeclampsiaPregnancyRed blood cell productionReflex responseRetinaRetinal detachmentRupturing membranesSeeingSexual differentiationShoulder joint dislocationSkeletal formationSkeletal muscleSkeletal system componentsSkin conditionsSmellingSmokingSnoringSperm productionSperm release pathwayStomach ulcerStomach ulcerStrokeStroke - secondary to cardioge... Sun's effect on skinSwallowingSweatingTachycardiaTastingThe role of amniotic fluidTobacco use - effects on arter... Twin-to-twin transfusion syndr... UltrasoundUrinationVaccinesVaginal deliveryVasectomyAllergies1:05Alzheimer disease0:38Ankle ligament injury1:15Arrhythmias0:26Atherosclerosis0:46Athetosis resulting from ba... 0:20Balloon angioplasty - short... 0:53Bladder function - neurolog... 0:26Blinking1:01Blood clotting1:08Blood flow0:43Blood pressure1:43Bone fracture repair0:15Brain components3:43Breast lift0:38Breathing1:50Bunion0:21Cancer of the throat or lar... 0:12Cardiac conduction system1:24Cardiomyopathy0:34Cardiovascular system0:56Cataract0:07Cell division1:42Cerebral aneurysm0:26Cesarean section3:47Components of skin2:02Conception - general1:46Conception - pregnancy3:20Conception of identical twi... 0:33Concussion0:19Corneal injury0:07Coronary artery bypass graf... 1:54Coronary artery disease1:15Cosmetic surgery of the face0:36Coughing1:42Diabetes - retinal conditio... 0:15Digestion2:22Directional coronary athere... 3:06Early labor0:52Egg cell production3:54Egg production4:02Endocrine glands1:51Enlarged prostate gland1:37Epinephrine and exercise0:33Exercise1:33Feeling pain1:02Fetal ear development1:13Formation of twins3:44Gas exchange1:57Glaucoma0:13Gout0:22Hearing1:23Hearing and the cochlea1:37Heart bypass surgery1:00Heart formation4:12Heartbeat2:19Heartburn1:36Herniated nucleus pulposus ... 0:20Homeostasis1:42Human face formation1:57Hypertension - overview0:22Immune response1:41Intracytoplasmic sperm inje... 0:49Kidney stones1:45Kids - How big is the baby?1:15Kids - How does the baby co... 0:42Kids - Is it a girl or boy?1:14Kids - Umbilical cord1:19Kids - Where do babies come... 0:50Liposuction0:16Lymph nodes1:46Lymphatics and the breast3:41Macular degeneration0:21Muscle types2:25Nerve conduction2:36Nervous system formation1:55Nutrient exchange1:16Osteoarthritis1:22Osteoporosis1:38Ovulation0:38Parkinson disease0:24Percutaneous transluminal c... 2:58Peristalsis1:00Phagocytosis0:33Pituitary gland2:59Placenta delivery0:57Placenta formation3:20Preeclampsia0:18Pregnancy1:26Red blood cell production1:18Reflex response1:10Retina0:17Retinal detachment0:10Rupturing membranes0:53Seeing3:22Sexual differentiation2:05Shoulder joint dislocation0:16Skeletal formation2:33Skeletal muscle1:20Skeletal system components3:37Skin conditions1:00Smelling0:34Smoking1:05Snoring1:25Sperm production2:28Sperm release pathway1:53Stomach ulcer0:59Stomach ulcer0:15Stroke0:49Stroke - secondary to cardi... 0:26Sun's effect on skin2:01Swallowing1:08Sweating1:05Tachycardia0:18Tasting0:49The role of amniotic fluid1:45Tobacco use - effects on ar... 0:21Twin-to-twin transfusion sy... 1:11Ultrasound2:55Urination2:43Vaccines1:26Vaginal delivery0:53Vasectomy0:32VideosBrowse AllCloseXDiabetesAbdominal aortic aneurysmAbdominal painACL injuryAcneAdenoid removal Adolescent depressionAfter your child's ear tube su... After your child's inguinal he... After your child's tonsil or a... After your child's umbilical h... Alcoholic liver diseaseAllergic rhinitisAllergiesAllergy testingAllergy to mold - animal dande... Alzheimer diseaseAnemiaAnkylosing spondylitisAnterior shoulder stretchAnti-reflux surgeryAppendectomyAppendicitisArm reachArthritisAsperger syndromeAsthmaAsthma - childrenAtopic dermatitisAtrial fibrillationAttention deficit hyperactivit... Autism spectrum disordersBasal cell carcinomaBefore a child's tonsil or ade... Bipolar disorderBreast cancerBreast engorgementBreast self-examBreastfeedingBronchitisBronchoscopyCardiac catheterizationCarpal tunnel syndromeCataractsCerebral palsyCervical cancerChest painChildhood obesityCholesterol and triglyceride t... Chronic obstructive pulmonary ... Cluster headacheCold treatments for kidsColon cancerColon cancer screeningColorectal polypsCommon coldConcussionCrohn diseaseC-sectionCystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis - nutritional ... DepressionDialysisDiarrheaEar infection - acuteEar infection - chronicEar tube insertionEaracheElectrocardiogramEndometriosisEnlarged adenoidsEnlarged prostateEpilepsyErection problemsEssential hypertensionExternal rotation with bandFibromyalgiaFluFood poisoningFoot painGallstonesGastroesophageal reflux diseas... Gastroesophageal reflux in inf... Getting rid of lice in the hom... GlaucomaHardening of arteriesHbA1cHead injuryHead liceHealthy Guide to Fast FoodHearing lossHeart attackHeart failureHeel painHepatitis AHepatitis BHepatitis CHerniaHerniated diskHip joint replacementHodgkin lymphomaHow do ear tubes come out?How to remove a splinterHow to stop bedwettingHow to treat a nosebleedHow to treat a sunburnHow to use a peak flow meterHow to use a pill cutterHow to use eye dropsHow to use nasal spraysHypertensionHyperthyroidismHypothyroidismHysterectomyInfant formulasInguinal hernia repairInhaler with no spacer - adult... Inhaler with no spacer - child... Inhaler with spacer - adultsInhaler with spacer - childInsomniaInternal rotation with bandIron deficiency anemiaIrritable bowel syndromeIsometricKidney stonesKnee joint replacementLet's talk about pink eyeLung cancerLyme diseaseMelanomaMenopauseMigraineMultiple sclerosisNasal congestionNeck painNewborn jaundiceNICU consultants and support s... Nuclear stress testObstructive sleep apneaOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisPap smearPendulum exercisePeptic ulcerPharyngitisPlantar fasciitisPneumoniaPregnancy carePrepare for your child's ear t... Prepare for your child's herni... Prostate cancerPsoriasisRheumatoid arthritisRotator cuff problemsSciaticaScoliosisSeizuresShinglesShoulder blade retractionShoulder blade retraction with... Shoulder painSinusitisSleep disordersSmoking tips to quitSpinal stenosisStentStoring breast milkStrep throatStretching back of your should... StrokeSystemic lupus erythematosusTension headacheThe difference between a cold ... Tips on buying cold and flu me... Tips on removing ear waxTonsillectomyTonsillitisTracking your blood pressure a... Treating congestion in babies... Treating eyelid bumpsType 1 diabetesType 2 diabetesUlcerative colitisUnderstanding cholesterol resu... Up the back stretchUrinary incontinenceUrinary tract infection - adul... Uterine fibroidsVacation health careVaricose veinsVenous insufficiencyWall push-upWall stretchWartsWhat are hives?What are night terrors?What causes wheezing?What in the world is a neti po... What is tennis elbow?What makes your heart beat?What to do when kids put thing... What to do when kids put thing... What to do when something gets... Diabetes3:25Abdominal aortic aneurysm2:59Abdominal pain2:26ACL injury2:08Acne3:14Adenoid removal 2:02Adolescent depression3:00After your child's ear tube sur... 2:19After your child's inguinal her... 1:19After your child's tonsil or ad... 1:42After your child's umbilical he... 1:47Alcoholic liver disease2:37Allergic rhinitis2:30Allergies2:09Allergy testing2:26Allergy to mold - animal dander... 3:07Alzheimer disease2:41Anemia2:50Ankylosing spondylitis2:05Anterior shoulder stretch0:45Anti-reflux surgery3:11Appendectomy2:10Appendicitis2:32Arm reach0:36Arthritis3:23Asperger syndrome2:32Asthma2:44Asthma - children2:49Atopic dermatitis2:34Atrial fibrillation2:43Attention deficit hyperactivity... 3:30Autism spectrum disorders3:34Basal cell carcinoma2:14Before a child's tonsil or aden... 3:49Bipolar disorder3:16Breast cancer2:45Breast engorgement2:48Breast self-exam2:55Breastfeeding2:11Bronchitis2:31Bronchoscopy2:10Cardiac catheterization2:38Carpal tunnel syndrome2:40Cataracts2:31Cerebral palsy2:19Cervical cancer3:04Chest pain1:32Childhood obesity2:03Cholesterol and triglyceride te... 1:53Chronic obstructive pulmonary d... 2:34Cluster headache2:11Cold treatments for kids2:05Colon cancer2:29Colon cancer screeningColorectal polyps2:00Common cold1:47Concussion2:13Crohn disease2:37C-section2:14Cystic fibrosis2:52Cystic fibrosis - nutritional c... 1:34Depression3:20Dialysis2:26Diarrhea3:01Ear infection - acute2:29Ear infection - chronic2:22Ear tube insertion1:51Earache2:11Electrocardiogram2:22Endometriosis2:38Enlarged adenoids1:54Enlarged prostate3:09Epilepsy2:46Erection problems3:13Essential hypertension2:40External rotation with band1:03Fibromyalgia2:48Flu3:19Food poisoning1:55Foot pain2:58Gallstones2:55Gastroesophageal reflux disease... 2:31Gastroesophageal reflux in infa... 2:28Getting rid of lice in the home... 0:40Glaucoma2:26Hardening of arteries2:41HbA1c2:54Head injury3:04Head lice2:55Healthy Guide to Fast Food2:27Hearing loss2:30Heart attack2:45Heart failure2:38Heel pain1:51Hepatitis A2:28Hepatitis B2:42Hepatitis C2:19Hernia2:42Herniated disk3:07Hip joint replacement2:12Hodgkin lymphoma2:18How do ear tubes come out?0:50How to remove a splinter1:09How to stop bedwetting3:06How to treat a nosebleed1:06How to treat a sunburn1:37How to use a peak flow meter1:26How to use a pill cutter0:41How to use eye drops1:00How to use nasal sprays0:58Hypertension2:48Hyperthyroidism2:18Hypothyroidism2:24Hysterectomy2:24Infant formulas2:37Inguinal hernia repair2:15Inhaler with no spacer - adults... Inhaler with no spacer - child... Inhaler with spacer - adultsInhaler with spacer - childInsomnia2:20Internal rotation with band1:04Iron deficiency anemia3:02Irritable bowel syndrome3:19Isometric1:15Kidney stones3:04Knee joint replacement2:16Let's talk about pink eye1:22Lung cancer2:59Lyme disease2:24Melanoma3:45Menopause3:14Migraine3:13Multiple sclerosis3:34Nasal congestion2:39Neck pain2:51Newborn jaundice2:16NICU consultants and support st... 3:13Nuclear stress test3:18Obstructive sleep apnea2:42Osteoarthritis3:18Osteoporosis2:47Pap smear3:04Pendulum exercise1:15Peptic ulcer3:13Pharyngitis1:03Plantar fasciitis2:00Pneumonia2:50Pregnancy care3:18Prepare for your child's ear tu... 3:53Prepare for your child's hernia... 3:59Prostate cancer2:50Psoriasis2:24Rheumatoid arthritis3:03Rotator cuff problems3:03Sciatica2:56Scoliosis2:36Seizures2:21Shingles2:21Shoulder blade retraction0:37Shoulder blade retraction with ... 0:51Shoulder pain2:01Sinusitis3:12Sleep disorders2:20Smoking tips to quit2:20Spinal stenosis2:25Stent2:03Storing breast milk2:07Strep throat3:09Stretching back of your shoulde... 0:39Stroke3:19Systemic lupus erythematosus2:40Tension headache2:43The difference between a cold a... 2:10Tips on buying cold and flu med... 1:33Tips on removing ear wax2:18Tonsillectomy2:12Tonsillitis1:35Tracking your blood pressure at... 1:11Treating congestion in babies... 1:46Treating eyelid bumps0:54Type 1 diabetes2:55Type 2 diabetes2:49Ulcerative colitis2:11Understanding cholesterol resul... 2:14Up the back stretch0:44Urinary incontinence2:52Urinary tract infection - adult... 2:32Uterine fibroids3:02Vacation health care2:22Varicose veins2:30Venous insufficiency2:13Wall push-up0:45Wall stretch1:18Warts2:25What are hives?1:35What are night terrors?2:12What causes wheezing?1:57What in the world is a neti pot... 1:02What is tennis elbow?2:03What makes your heart beat?1:30What to do when kids put things... 1:17What to do when kids put things... 0:44What to do when something gets ... 1:28 © 1997- All rights reserved. BACK TOTOP A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.