What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and What Can I Do About It?
This page is about ADHD and how you or your child can cope with it. When we say “you,” we are speaking to the child or teen who may have ADHD.”
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a common problem that affects how your brain works. It often runs in families. It can affect people from all backgrounds.
There are 3 types of ADHD:
- Inattentive: If you have this type, you find it hard to pay attention.
- Hyperactive: If you have this type, you move quickly from one thing to the next or act without thinking.
- Combined: If you have this type, you have a mix of the inattentive and hyperactive types.
A lot of children and teens can be “hyper” and find it hard to focus. This is normal at some ages. But it may be ADHD when the signs in the section below get in the way of your life at home, school, or with friends.
What are some signs of ADHD?
If you have ADHD, you may:
- Struggle to focus. You might find it hard to:
- Pay attention
- Follow directions
- Listen when someone speaks to you
- Keep up with things, such as your homework or your classes
- Remember things
- Be more active or act without thinking. You might:
- Fidget, tap, or move around a lot
- Talk a lot, even when others are speaking
- Get up or move when it is not the right time
- Find it hard to wait for your turn
- Find it hard to play calmly
How do I know if I have ADHD?
Only a doctor or therapist can tell you if you have (diagnose you with) ADHD. You can:
- See a doctor. Talk to your primary care doctor who can help you.
- See a therapist. Find a therapist in your area.
- Take a free screener. This is a quiz you take online that tells you if you might have ADHD. Share your results with your doctor or therapist.
How do I get help for ADHD?
If you have ADHD, you can get help to reduce its effect on your life. Your doctor or therapist can help you with a treatment plan. In your plan, you might:
- Take medicine
- See a therapist
- Make changes to your daily life
How can medicine help with my ADHD?
Medicine is a common way to treat ADHD. Talk with your primary care doctor or psychiatrist to see if medicine is right for you.
How can therapy help with my ADHD?
Some therapy helps you change how you act. This is called behavior modification. You and your parents might both learn skills to deal with your ADHD. Some therapies like this include:
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
- Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)
What changes can I make in my daily life to help with my ADHD?
You can reduce the impact of ADHD in your life when you make changes such as:
- Do something to relax. You could:
- Breathe deeply or learn special breathing exercises
- Learn how to relax your muscles
- Read in a quiet place
- Do yoga
- Be more active. You could:
- Go on a walk with a friend
- Dance to your favorite music
- Join a club, such as a club for a sport you like
- Eat in a healthy way. You could:
- Eat around the same times every day
- Eat many kinds of food, such as foods that give you energy
- Eat enough to feel full, but not overfull
- Keep a sleep routine. Everyone is different, but you might:
- Turn off screens before bed, such as your phone or TV
- Do something to feel calm before bed
- Go to sleep and wake up around the same times
- Get help at school. You or your parents can talk to your school. They can:
- Make changes that help you do well
- Make a plan for you (called a ‘504’ or ‘IEP’)