ADHD 101: The Basics
Essential information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What is ADHD?
A.D.H.D. stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The primary symptoms of ADHD include:
Inattention (not being able to keep focus);
Hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting); and
Impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).
However, attention deficit is kind of a misnomer. People with ADHD don’t always struggle to pay attention or focus.
For example, sometimes we get in “the zone” (aka hyperfocus), and have a hard time tearing ourselves away from whatever it is that has really grabbed our attention.
Hyperfocus is a phenomenon of “locking on” to a task, when people with ADHD have difficulty shifting their attention from one subject to another, especially if the subject is about their interests.
Other times, it’s not that we can’t pay attention, it’s that we struggle to get our brain to focus on what we want it to, or what we’re supposed to be focusing on.
Stereotypes abound
The stereotype of a person with ADHD seems to be this: A young white boy with a case of the wiggles, who has a hard time sitting still and paying attention.
People who fit that description certainly do exist — my son being one of them. However, people with ADHD can belong to any race, ethnicity, social class, or gender identity.
Further, if ADHD were only about needing to move our bodies more, then very few people would have anything resembling a “disorder”.
ADHD can significantly impact people’s quality of life, especially areas related to executive functions (EFs).
Executive functions include cognitive skills such as:
There are three types of ADHD
1. Predominantly Inattentive Type ADHD
Forgetful
Sensory sensitivities
Easily distracted
Makes careless mistakes when under-stimulated
Loses focus when under-stimulated
Trouble with organization
Often loses or misplaces things
Hyperactivity is internalized (i.e. anxiety, racing or disorganized thoughts)
2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ADHD
Often fidgets
Difficulty controlling the volume of their voice
Talks excessively
Often interrupts people
Has trouble waiting their turn
Acts without first weighing options
Frequently restless
3. Combined Type ADHD
Most people have symptoms from each type, but the majority of their symptoms may fall under one category or the other.
Some people have a fairly even mix of both types, in which case they are considered to have combined-type ADHD.
Variability
It’s important to remember that these traits will be more or less prominent depending on the circumstances, context, and environment. The level of understanding, support, and accommodation will have a significant impact on how much these symptoms effect a person with ADHD.
Maturity
Also, we never “outgrow” ADHD, but the way our traits and symptoms manifest will change as we mature. For example, external hyperactivity may become internalized, causing racing thoughts and mental hyperactivity instead of physical hyperactivity.
Maturity is overrated
Conversely, some people find their ADHD actually worsens as they age due to hormonal fluctuations. This may be the case, or it may be a combination of that in addition to other factors such as increased self-awareness, or increased responsibilities and demands on our executive functioning.
How ADHD Affects the Brain
The Basal Ganglia
The basal ganglia play a role in motor function, emotion, and how our senses are processed.
In ADHD, the basal ganglia are associated with impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and sensory processing differences.
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)
The PFC is the “executive” of the brain, hence the term “executive functioning”. Other parts of the brain send information to the PFC, and the PFC analyzes the data and then sends instructions for how to respond.
In ADHD, maturation of the PFC is delayed, resulting in ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and emotional regulation difficulties.
The Limbic System
The limbic system regulates our emotions. The limbic system requires dopamine to operate at peak efficiency and ADHD brains process dopamine less efficiently.
This can result in ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, inattention, and emotional dysregulation.
The Reticular Activating System
The RAS is a major relay system between various brain regions. The RAS plays an important role in wakefulness and sleep cycles, as well as the regulation of attention and filtering out distractions.
Problems in the RAS lead to ADHD symptoms such as sleep issues and distractibility.
What you need to know
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