{"id":788,"date":"2023-02-24T08:53:58","date_gmt":"2023-02-24T08:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=788"},"modified":"2023-03-02T08:21:49","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T08:21:49","slug":"what-is-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/adhd-medications\/what-is-adhd\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is ADHD? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>ADHD is a condition that involves struggling with hyperactivity\/impulsivity and\/or attention.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>ADHD&#8217;s causes are complex, but you&#8217;re more likely to experience it if a first-degree relative does.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>A careful balance of lifestyle changes, medications, and talking therapies can treat ADHD.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD is a condition that affects the way people behave. Around 9.8 percent of children <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/ncbddd\/adhd\/data.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">received an ADHD diagnosis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between 2016 and 2019. The number of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adults aged between 18 and 44<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who have ADHD is approximately 8.1 percent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD&#8217;s causes aren&#8217;t well understood, but a range of treatment options is available. Knowing more about the condition can make it easier to recognize and manage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>ADHD Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-793\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/2.jpeg-67.jpg\" alt=\"Woman sitting at her desk with a phone\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD&#8217;s symptoms fall into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity\/impulsivity. Symptoms may present differently in adults, or they might be more subtle than when they&#8217;re present in children.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>ADHD Inattention Symptoms<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD&#8217;s inattention symptoms can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty paying attention to tasks or games<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding tasks that require a lot of effort over a long period of time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experiencing difficulty with organizing tasks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Struggling to follow the instructions that are necessary to complete tasks at work or school<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making careless mistakes with schoolwork and projects<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Losing items that are essential for completing tasks, such as textbooks, notebooks, and stationary<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appearing vacant or inattentive when being spoken to<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty with finishing books or TV shows<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>ADHD Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Symptoms<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD&#8217;s hyperactivity and inattention symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interrupting conversations or interrupting a conversation before the speaker finishes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interrupting games and projects<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty with waiting to take a turn<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive talking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Struggling to participate with activities quietly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fidgeting excessively and struggling to sit still<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restlessness, even in situations where a person should remain still<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In children, running around and jumping up and down in situations where they should remain still<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Struggling to remain in one place, even when a situation requires it<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>ADHD Causes and Risk Factors<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-792\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/3.jpeg-63.jpg\" alt=\"Father holding two young sons\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD&#8217;s causes are not fully understood. However, certain biological and environmental elements may contribute.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Biological Causes of ADHD<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>First-degree relatives. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A meta analysis of twin studies reveals how <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6477889\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heritability is 77 to 88 percent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> among twins. A high heritability among twins suggests there&#8217;s a strong genetic component to ADHD.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Brain structure. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A meta analysis of MRI studies investigating the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7966818\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neurobiological causes of ADHD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> identifies how disconnections between different areas of the brain may contribute to the disorder.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Premature birth. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being born before 37 weeks may increase the risk of developing neurological disorders, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7082240\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">including ADHD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maternal psychiatric disorders. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One cohort study suggests that there&#8217;s a link between some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8369381\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antipsychotics taken by the mother during pregnancy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and an increased chance of developing ADHD.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Epilepsy. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 30 to 40 children with epilepsy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1071909105000823?via%3Dihub\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">also have ADHD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Environmental Causes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>In-vitro exposure. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A number of maternal states and habits during pregnancy may increase the risk of ADHD. Smoking, pre-eclampsia, pollution, stress, and depression can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7820474\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increase maternal inflammation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which may then make ADHD more likely in the child.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Upbringing. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children who live in an unsupportive environment or growing up in poverty may be at higher risk of ADHD.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Toxin exposure. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A systematic review of studies found that there&#8217;s a significant link between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6388268\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lead exposure and ADHD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hyperthyroidism. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s a small amount of evidence suggesting that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7431377\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">newborns with hyperthyroidism<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are at increased risk of ADHD. This risk is higher in girls.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>ADHD Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-791\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/4.jpeg-31.jpg\" alt=\"Young man talking to a therapist\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no strict test for diagnosing ADHD. However, healthcare professionals will look for certain symptoms before they reach a conclusion. The approach a healthcare professional takes usually differs depending on the patient&#8217;s age.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Children Aged up to 16 Years<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In children aged up to 16 years, healthcare providers look for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Six or more inattention symptoms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inattention symptoms for at least six months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inattention symptoms that are inappropriate for the child&#8217;s developmental level<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Six or more symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impulsivity and hyperactivity symptoms for at least six months<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impulsivity and hyperactivity symptoms that are disruptive for the child&#8217;s developmental level<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several symptoms present in more than one setting, such as both home and school<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms that disrupt the child&#8217;s ability to function in educational environments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms that don\u2019t stem from another mental health disorder, such as depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the case of children aged 13 and above, several symptoms that existed before the age of 12<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children may display six symptoms from either the inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity category to be diagnosed with ADHD. They may also have a mix of symptoms from both categories.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Adults and Children Aged 17 and Over<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adults and adolescents may display symptoms in a different way than children. While they may not run around at inappropriate times, for example, they might struggle to remain in one place at work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When diagnosing individuals aged 17 and over, healthcare professionals look for five or more symptoms from the inattention or impulsivity-hyperactivity list. In adolescents and adults, they may look like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a short attention span<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting new activities before completing an old one<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being forgetful and losing things<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being unable to focus on boring tasks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Struggling to stay organized<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constant fidgeting and moving around a lot<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acting without thinking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talking excessively<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a poor sense of danger<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interrupting conversations and\/or finishing people&#8217;s sentences<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Defining the ADHD Diagnosis: ADHD Types<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After assessing a patient&#8217;s symptoms, healthcare professionals may diagnose one of three types of ADHD:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Predominantly inattentive. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More inattentive symptoms must be present than hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are more dominant than inattentive symptoms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Combined diagnosis. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A combined diagnosis requires symptoms from the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>ADHD Complications<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-794\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/5.jpeg-6-1.jpg\" alt=\"Insomniac in bed\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When ADHD goes untreated, it comes with a range of complications:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Poor school and work performance. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being unable to focus on school and work can result in someone performing poorly, even when they&#8217;re capable of achieving more.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Impacted relationships. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caregivers, relatives, friends, and partners may struggle to understand someone who has ADHD. They can find some of the symptoms frustrating, which can place strain on relationships.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Self-esteem. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you struggle to meet social expectations and experience strained relationships, self-esteem may start to suffer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Social problems. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not having the right support can increase your risk of social issues. Social issues can include breaking the law, poor financial management, and struggling to hold a job.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having ADHD may increase your risk of other conditions, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Depression. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you struggle to navigate the world without the right support, you may feel isolated and depressed. If you have a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder, your ADHD symptoms may worsen them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Psychiatric disorders. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having ADHD may increase your risk of other psychiatric disorders, including personality disorder and substance misuse disorder.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Suicide. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When ADHD becomes particularly frustrating, you may be at higher risk of suicide.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Anxiety. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experiencing ADHD symptoms without support can increase your risk of anxiety disorder.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>ADHD Treatment<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s possible to treat ADHD with a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies, and medications. In the case of young children and pre-teens, parents should direct the lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Lifestyle Changes<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/publications.aap.org\/pediatrics\/article\/144\/4\/e20192528\/81590\/Clinical-Practice-Guideline-for-the-Diagnosis?autologincheck=redirected\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Academy of Pediatrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (AAP) recommends that children under the age of six try a behavioral management program before trying medications. Behavioral management programs are directed by parents and (where relevant) their teachers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other lifestyle changes recommended for children include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Healthy eating. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensuring that children eat a healthy diet early on in life reduces their risk of chronic diseases and malnutrition as they get older.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Physical activity. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evidence shows that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6867774\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regular physical activity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can reduce aggression, anxiety, depression, and thought disorganization in children with ADHD. It&#8217;s important to ensure that the physical activity is appropriate for the child&#8217;s age group.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reducing screen time. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although screen time doesn&#8217;t cause ADHD, children may find it easier to focus on a screen than other activities. Reducing screen time encourages them to develop the skills needed to focus on alternative activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Promoting sleep.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It&#8217;s important for children to get the right amount of sleep for their age. Not getting enough sleep may exacerbate some ADHD symptoms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adults can also benefit from the same lifestyle adaptations as children. Additional management tips adults can try include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Routines. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sticking to a routine can make it easier to manage tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Meditation. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regularly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6476147\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">practicing mindfulness meditation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can improve executive function and reduce emotional dysregulation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Deep breathing techniques. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trying deep breathing is a useful way to reduce in-the-moment stress.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Breaking tasks down. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breaking tasks down can make them feel less daunting and more manageable. One useful technique involves focusing on a task for 25 minutes at a time and taking small breaks in between.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Talking Therapies<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can prove useful in both children and adults who have ADHD. A therapist may take the following approaches when treating ADHD:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Challenging negative thoughts. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more negative thoughts you experience, the less likely you are to complete tasks. Challenging negative thoughts can make tasks feel less daunting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Psychoeducation. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychoeducation allows you to understand your condition. It also helps parents understand their children&#8217;s condition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Positive self-talk. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you struggle to complete goals, using positive self-talk techniques can prevent you from abandoning them altogether.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Alternative perspectives. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your therapist can help you explore alternative perspectives when you feel frustrated with yourself. A good example is thinking, &#8220;It&#8217;s good that I sometimes get things done&#8221; rather than, &#8220;I&#8217;m a complete failure for not finishing that task.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Medications<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medications are usually available to adults and children over the age of six. In a small number of cases, children under the age of six can take ADHD medications under a pediatrician&#8217;s guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the medications available to treat ADHD include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Short-acting stimulants. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short-acting stimulants are useful for boosting concentration. Drugs such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/medicine_details\/dextroamphetamine-10-mg-tab\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dextroamphetamine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Dexedrine) can increase concentration for a few hours at a time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Long-acting stimulants. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-acting stimulants promote longer periods of concentration, sometimes reaching up to 12 hours. Long-acting drugs such as methylphenidate (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/ritalin.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ritalin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) are available in a slow-release form.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Non-stimulant medications. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-stimulant medications are available to reduce impulse control and boost concentration. Medications such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/medicine_details\/clonidine-hcl-0.3-mg-tab\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clonidine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Catapres) remain effective for up to seven days when used as patches.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Antidepressants. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doctors can prescribe <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/depression-medications\/reference-guide-to-depression-medications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antidepressants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to improve concentration. Although prescribing antidepressants for ADHD is an off-label approach, medications such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/medicine_details\/bupropion-hcl-100-mg-tablet\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bupropion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Wellbutrin) can improve dopamine and sertraline levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Manage Your ADHD and Find the Lowest Prices for ADHD Medications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADHD is a common condition that affects millions of children and adults. You can use a combination of medications, talking therapies, and lifestyle changes to manage it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BidRx can help you find the lowest prices for your medications. After searching for your medication, you can choose from a range of offers from pharmacies who bid on your prescription. Your offers may include collecting from a local pharmacy or delivery to your door. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create your bid today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ADHD is a condition that involves struggling with hyperactivity\/impulsivity and\/or attention. ADHD&#8217;s causes are complex,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":789,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adhd-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=788"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":802,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788\/revisions\/802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}