What is ADHD?
4/8/26 | By: Emily Jeffers
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Though research is still ongoing about the origins of ADHD, there is some evidence that suggests a genetic component. Additional research is being conducted on the involvement of neurobiology, brain development, and environmental factors in ADHD. ADHD is often a lifelong condition, and symptoms can differ throughout the lifespan, although more research needs to be conducted on adults with ADHD and women with ADHD. It is important to note that much of the research that has gone into ADHD in the past, including the research that was used to identify symptomology for the DSM, has been conducted on children.
There are 3 recognized types of ADHD listed in the DSM: ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation; ADHD, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation, and ADHD, combined presentation. These types encompass individuals with ADHD who struggle mainly with attention symptoms, mainly hyperactive symptoms, or who struggle with both subsets of symptoms. Some newer research places an emphasis that there may be different subtypes of ADHD that present in adulthood, mainly focusing on symptoms of emotional dysregulation and inattention.
Symptoms of ADHD
One of the important things to remember when looking for and assessing symptoms of ADHD is that the symptoms must be present in multiple areas of life. This means that the symptoms have to interfere with one’s life in multiple settings, such as at home, work, school, and/or in social settings. If the symptoms are only impacting one area of life, there may be a cause that is not related to ADHD. Below are some symptoms as they appear in different diagnostic criteria or research.
While this is not all-encompassing, some diagnostic symptoms of ADHD listed in the DSM include:
difficulties sustaining attention
difficulty following-through on, prioritizing, or organizing tasks
difficulty initiating and completing tasks requiring high levels of mental energy
losing things frequently or being forgetful
distractibility
hyperactivity
restlessness/fidgeting
impulsivity, which can manifest as interrupting others, difficulties waiting, blurting out answers/thoughts, etc.
Additional symptoms of ADHD may include:
trouble with time management
difficulties with memory
emotion dysregulation
difficulties managing anger or stress
trouble regulating and controlling emotions
difficulties multitasking
Procrastination, delaying start times/timelines of tasks, or difficulty initiating tasks
It is important to remember that sometimes a symptom might not show up in life exactly how it is worded above. For example, difficulties with memory may not just be forgetting dates or where you put your phone, it could also be having a difficult time processing and pulling up information in your brain. Additionally, someone struggling with hyperactivity could notice the impact physically, verbally, or even emotionally. Sometimes how these symptoms present depends on how one’s executive functioning is impacted by their ADHD.
ADHD & Executive Functioning
ADHD impacts part of the brain that is responsible for something called executive functioning. This frequently impacts both how we relate to others and the world around us. Executive functioning refers to how well someone’s brain can perform and oversee skills that you use every day to manage all aspects of your life. The most frequently discussed executive skills relate to a person’s working memory, inhibition, and or cognitive flexibility (also referred to as set shifting). (Monarch Wellness & Psychotherapy)
Some shared symptoms of ADHD and executive dysfunction include easily being distracted, difficulties with organization, forgetfulness, difficulties with time management, frequently losing important items, and struggling to initiate tasks or find motivation to complete them. While there are shared symptoms, there are also many differences. Struggling with executive dysfunction may have other causes and it is not the same as having ADHD. Learn more about the similarities and differences between ADHD and executive dysfunction: https://add.org/executive-function-disorder/
ADHD in women
ADHD may present differently in women. Research shows that ADHD tends to be more common in men, and it shows that ADHD is frequently underdiagnosed or just missed completely in women. Because of this, it is unclear what the actual differences in prevalence of ADHD in men versus women are. Some theories as to why ADHD is more commonly overlooked in women include that hyperactivity is simply easier to notice, and since this subtype is more common in boys and men, it is something that leads to testing and a diagnosis both earlier and more often. Additionally, there is less research on ADHD in women and therefore some of the testing criteria may not accurately assess symptoms in women. Further, ADHD symptoms are often seen as more “acceptable” behavior in men, and women end up being taught to suppress and hide their symptoms, which frequently leads to further distress in addition to preventing them from getting proper treatment.
Research has also shown that ADHD is impacted by changes in levels of hormones throughout a woman's menstrual cycle and life. The hormone that seems to interact the most with ADHD is estrogen, and research shows that when estrogen levels are lower, ADHD symptoms seem to worsen. This then impacts how a person is able to manage their symptoms, and even how effective medication is, at different times in a woman’s hormone cycle and life (especially post-partum, in perimenopause, and in menopause). (Podcast on this topic on this website, spotify, etc. : https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-in-women-symptoms-treatment-support-podcast-337/)
An ADHD Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can be a complex process, and there is not one specific test, questionnaire, or checklist that can give a definite diagnostic answer. Frequently a combination of tests, self-report questionnaires, and evaluations conducted by a professional are used to determine the presence or absence of ADHD. In assessing for ADHD, providers also assess for other conditions that commonly co-occur with ADHD and/or could be the main cause for symptoms instead. If someone thinks they may be struggling with ADHD, a good place to start learning more about their symptoms would be by contacting a trusted medical professional or therapist.
While there are times that a primary care doctor or therapist may diagnose ADHD, there is a high likelihood they will recommend testing beyond a conversation or diagnostic interview. Frequently this testing is referred to as a psychological or neuropsychological assessment and encompasses not only discussion about symptoms but also testing done to learn more about how someone’s brain functions and how their executive functioning may be impacted.
Treatment for ADHD
Treatment for ADHD is frequently a combination of medication, therapy, and sometimes even coaching. There are multiple different medications that can be useful in helping to manage ADHD symptoms, and what works best will differ from person to person. Therapy can also be extremely helpful in helping people understand their ADHD symptoms and develop ways to help ADHD symptoms interfere less with their daily life. Because ADHD can frequently co-occur with other conditions, therapy can also help to treat and improve other mental health conditions that may exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Therapy can additionally be helpful if someone with ADHD needs help explaining their experience to their partner or family.
Other treatment options for ADHD can include ADHD coaching, which helps people learn skills and strategies to improve their ability to function day-to-day. Support groups and school-based programs can be helpful for those with ADHD and their support systems as well. Other options of intervention like cognitive training and neurofeedback can help people learn new ways to manage their symptoms and help people create new behavioral and mental patterns. Additionally, sometimes people may use homeopathic interventions such as vitamins/supplements or lifestyle changes. While these homeopathic interventions could be helpful, it is important to note that they are not scientifically proven to treat ADHD effectively.
If you are unsure where to start with an ADHD diagnosis or ADHD treatment, finding a healthcare provider you can trust is a good start. Sometimes learning about, getting diagnosed with, and treating ADHD can be overwhelming, and it can be helpful to have someone help you navigate the process. Finding a healthcare provider you trust can ensure that you do not have to have all of the answers yourself, and that you do not have to find them all on your own either.
If you would like to learn more, here are some helpful resources for people learning about ADHD: