Adhd Factors Affecting Attention

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) [ 1 ] is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention , hyperactivity, impulsivity , and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and developmentally inappropriate . [ 8 ] ADHD symptoms arise from executive dysfunction . [ 17 ]

There are three different ways ADHD presents itself, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual at the time of diagnosis:

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ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

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According to a national 2022 parent survey, nearly 78% of children with ADHD had at least one other co-occurring condition:

While ADHD involves a lack of sustained attention to tasks, [ 16 ] [ 19 ] inhibitory deficits furthermore can lead to difficulty interrupting an already ongoing response pattern, manifesting in the perseveration of actions despite a change in context whereby the individual intends the termination of those actions. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] This symptom is known colloquially as hyperfocus [ 26 ] and is related to risks such as addiction [ 27 ] [ 28 ] and types of offending behaviour. [ 29 ] ADHD can be difficult to tell apart from other conditions. [ 15 ] [ 21 ] ADHD represents the extreme lower end of the continuous dimensional trait (bell curve) of executive functioning and self-regulation, which is supported by twin, brain imaging and molecular genetic studies. [ 36 ] ADHD treatment is most effective when medications (primarily stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamines, as well as non-stimulants such as atomoxetine or alpha-2 agonists) are used, often in combination with psychotherapy; exercise and dietary modifications have no proven benefit.