What does ADHD mean?

Definitions for ADHD
adhd

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word ADHD.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. attention deficit disorder, ADD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, hyperkinetic syndrome, minimal brain dysfunction, minimal brain damage, MBDnoun

    a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders

Wikipedia

  1. adhd

    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by excessive amounts of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and otherwise age-inappropriate.ADHD symptoms arise from executive dysfunction, and emotional dysregulation is often considered a core symptom. In children, problems paying attention may result in poor school performance. ADHD is associated with other neurodevelopmental and mental disorders as well as some non-psychiatric disorders, which can cause additional impairment, especially in modern society. Although people with ADHD struggle to focus on tasks they are not particularly interested in completing, they are often able to maintain an unusually prolonged and intense level of attention for tasks they do find interesting or rewarding; this is known as hyperfocus. The precise causes of ADHD are unknown in the majority of cases. Genetic factors play an important role; ADHD tends to run in families and has a heritability rate of 74%. Toxins and infections during pregnancy as well as brain damage may be environmental risks. It affects about 5–7% of children when diagnosed via the DSM-IV criteria, and 1–2% when diagnosed via the ICD-10 criteria. Rates are similar between countries and differences in rates depend mostly on how it is diagnosed. ADHD is diagnosed approximately twice as often in boys than in girls, and 1.6 times more often in men than in women, although the disorder is overlooked in girls or diagnosed in later life because their symptoms sometimes differ from diagnostic criteria. About 30–50% of people diagnosed in childhood continue to have ADHD in adulthood, with 2.58% of adults estimated to have ADHD which began in childhood. In adults, hyperactivity is usually replaced by inner restlessness, and adults often develop coping skills to compensate for their impairments. The condition can be difficult to tell apart from other conditions, as well as from high levels of activity within the range of normal behaviour. ADHD has a negative impact on patients' health related quality of life and that this may be further exacerbated by, or may increase the risk of, other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression.ADHD management recommendations vary and usually involve some combination of medications, counseling, and lifestyle changes. The British guideline emphasises environmental modifications and education for individuals and carers about ADHD as the first response. If symptoms persist, parent-training, medication, or psychotherapy (especially cognitive behavioural therapy) can be recommended based on age. Canadian and American guidelines recommend medications and behavioural therapy together, except in preschool-aged children for whom the first-line treatment is behavioural therapy alone. Stimulant medications are the most effective pharmaceutical treatment, although there may be side effects and any improvements will be reverted if medication is ceased.ADHD, its diagnosis, and its treatment have been considered controversial since the 1970s. These controversies have involved doctors, teachers, policymakers, parents, and the media. Topics have included causes of ADHD and the use of stimulant medications in its treatment. ADHD is now a well-validated clinical diagnosis in children and adults, and the debate in the scientific community mainly centers on how it is diagnosed and treated. ADHD was officially known as attention deficit disorder (ADD) from 1980 to 1987; prior to the 1980s, it was known as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood. Symptoms similar to those of ADHD have been described in medical literature dating back to the 18th century.

ChatGPT

  1. adhd

    ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder most commonly diagnosed in children but can also affect adults. It is characterized by pervasive patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity. This can affect a person's ability to focus, control impulses, manage their behavior, and can interfere with their overall functioning in daily life. Symptoms vary among individuals and may lessen as a child reaches adolescence, though in many cases it continues into adulthood. The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but factors such as genetics, brain injuries, premature birth, or low birth weight may contribute. Treatment often involves behavioral interventions, educational support, and medication.

Suggested Resources

  1. ADHD

    What does ADHD stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the ADHD acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of ADHD in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of ADHD in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of ADHD in a Sentence

  1. Harriet Hiscock:

    We also found that children with ADHD and sleep problems had poorer school attendance and their parents had poorer mental health and work attendance, we wanted to see if we could change some of these outcomes by improving the child’s sleep.

  2. Hanna Stevens:

    Since the study is based on electronic medical records and diagnoses noted in these records, I think the rates in the study reflect multiple factors, including the increasing awareness of clinicians about ADHD in adulthood and the increasing awareness of patients about ADHD in adulthood, a trend we have seen in other research studies is that there is an increase in people seeking psychiatric care generally, which may also reflect a positive trend in reduced stigma to talking [ about ] psychiatric symptoms and seeking appropriate help for them.

  3. Michael Milham:

    In short, I believe the clinical community is recognizing that ADHD is not just a disorder of childhood and we can not turn a blind eye to its negative outcomes, i was encouraged by the fact that the recognition of ADHD in adults is increasing and disparities decreasing, though alarmed by the substantial work still needed to remove such disparities.

  4. George DuPaul:

    The drugs also tend to help with reducing impulsive behavior and reducing hyperactivity, or high activity levels, and those are the primary symptoms of ADHD, we've been studying drugs like Ritalin for over 50 years, and there are hundreds and hundreds of research studies on the impact of these medications on individuals with ADHD, and although there are side effects for sure.

  5. Julie Schweitzer:

    The focus of treating a child with ADHD should be less on the hyperactivity, as it may be a booster for cognitive functioning. If a child with ADHD is moving more and not interfering with others, they should let the child move.

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"ADHD." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/ADHD>.

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