What is ADHD?

By Isabella Vortman

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is a medical disorder that affects

an individual’s attention span. Those diagnosed with ADHD have difficulty paying attention for

long periods of time, sitting still, as well as thinking before acting. Somebody who is diagnosed

with ADHD at any point in their childhood carries those symptoms through their adulthood.

Signs of ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD include constant fidgeting, lack of paying attention to people when they are

talking, and trouble sitting in one place without constantly moving around. Although some

children may exhibit some signs of ADHD, that does not automatically mean they have ADHD.

When noticing that your child shows symptoms, a parent should take their child to a doctor for

further diagnosis.

Triggers of ADHD

Despite the fact that scientists have and still are researching ADHD, there is no definitive answer

as to what directly causes ADHD. Genetics contribute to the chances of an individual having

ADHD but a specific gene is not tied to having this disorder. Contrary to popular belief, the large

amount of time kids spent on electronics does not affect the likelihood of being diagnosed with

ADHD.

References

Elmaghraby, R., & Garayalde, S. (Eds.). (2022, June). What is ADHD? American Psychiatric

Association. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd

Hasan, S. (Ed.). (2022, May). ADHD In Kids. Nemours Kids Health. Retrieved September 30,

2024, from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd.html