## What is ADHD? Put simply, ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder. People with this syndrome have difficulty concentrating and are impulsive and hyperactive. Children often behave aggressively, disobey, and have trouble learning. Adults may experience constant feelings of anxiety, make rash decisions, and have problems with planning and responsibility. In the vast majority of cases, the symptoms of ADHD appear in childhood before the age of 12. Typically, if a person first encounters this diagnosis as an adult, it means the symptoms of the disorder were overlooked or attributed to a bad temper when the person was young. ## What is the cause of ADHD? Medical professionals do not know the exact causes of ADHD. Suspected causes include hereditary factors, exposure of the fetus in the womb to toxins such as cigarettes and alcohol, and early childhood traumas. The idea that ADHD can be caused solely by a poor upbringing ===is a myth. However, child upbringing can positively or negatively affect development. > Boys are twice as likely to have ADHD than girls. ## How should you handle ADHD? There are treatments that have been proven effective. Anyone with ADHD can learn not only how to cope with it but also how to use their characteristics for successful careers and creativity. Optimal therapy for ADHD combines a psychological and pharmacological approach. Behavioral therapy is considered the most effective therapy for children with ADHD. Its goal is to help the child get rid of negative habits and instill social skills. Therapy teaches parents how to respond to the child's actions in a consistent manner and how to accept his or her unique characteristics. In the treatment of adults and older children, cognitive-behavioral therapy is most often used. This is done to raise self-esteem, teach how to manage emotions, and confront negative thoughts. Drug therapy usually uses psychostimulants and antidepressants, but should only be taken under strict medical supervision. Improperly chosen medications can only make the problem worse. ## How is ADHD diagnosed? If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, the first place to go is to see a neurologist or psychiatrist. Symptoms of the syndrome are not always clear-cut. Anyone can be impulsive or inattentive from time to time, and it does not indicate that they are sick. Signs of ADHD are of diagnostic value if they are observed regularly and have a negative impact on study or work. Children with ADHD demonstrate behavior atypical for his or her age group and are unable to sit still, concentrate on a task, or even just remember it. Adults with ADHD often make rash decisions, talk a lot and quickly, interrupt others, and are often late. In order to make a final conclusion, the doctor needs to gather a complete medical history, rule out other mental disorders, assess the regularity of symptoms and their impact on the person and his or her environment. There are specific assessment scales designed to identify ADHD symptoms in different settings such as school, home, and the workplace. > For initial self-diagnosis, you can use the Connors or Vanderbilt questionnaires, which are easy to find online. ## Is ADHD a disease? Many people still think that ADHD is just a bad temper or upbringing. It is often assumed that a child or adult has it, even when the cause of the behavior is something other than ADHD. However, the vast majority of psychiatrists agree that it is a disease because it is related to certain changes in the brain and genetic factors.