Defining (ADD) ADHD

What Is (ADD) ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a complex mental health disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. People with (ADD) ADHD often have difficulties functioning in interpersonal, social, academic, and professional realms. Many people with (ADD) ADHD also have an impairment of Executive Functioning or the "operating system" part of the brain, resulting in problems with organization, attention, and working memory. (ADD) ADHD looks like a willpower issue, but it isn’t. Instead, it is caused by inherited brain chemistry problems.

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(ADD) ADHD Onset and Prevalence

(ADD) ADHD typically becomes apparent in children when they reach preschool or elementary school age. Such children have trouble controlling their behavior and/or paying attention. It is estimated that 7.5 to 9.0 percent of children, or about 8 million children in the United States, have (ADD) ADHD. It is not uncommon for classrooms to have three students with (ADD) ADHD. People with (ADD) ADHD can benefit from treatment, particularly if they are diagnosed and given help early on.

(ADD) ADHD is prevalent at all socioeconomic levels, in all ethnic groups, and at all IQ levels. It affects girls in the same proportion that it affects boys.