Katie Kawa - What Happens When Someone Has ADHD?

Published in 2020 by

KidHaven Publishing, an Imprint of Greenhaven Publishing, LLC

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Copyright 2020 KidHaven Publishing, an Imprint of Greenhaven Publishing, LLC.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer.

Designer: Andrea Davison-Bartolotta

Editor: Katie Kawa

Photo credits: Cover Tyler Olson/.

Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Kawa, Katie.

Title: What happens when someone has ADHD? / Katie Kawa.

Description: New York: KidHaven Publishing, 2020. | Series: The KidHaven health library | Includes glossary and index.

Identifiers: ISBN 9781534532564 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781534532441 (library bound) | ISBN 9781534532656 (6 pack) | ISBN 9781534532540 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder--Juvenile literature. | Hyperactive children-- Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC RJ506.H9 K39 2020 | DDC 618.928589--dc23

Printed in the United States of America

Some of the images in this book illustrate individuals who are models. The depictions do not imply actual situations or events.

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Please visit our website, www.greenhavenpublishing.com. For a free color catalog of all our high-quality books, call toll free 1-844-317-7404 or fax 1-844-317-7405.

Contents

ALL ABOUT ADHD

It can sometimes be hard to pay attention in school or at work for a long time. It can also sometimes be hard to sit still or think about the consequences of an action before doing something. For some people, though, these problems are always present. Their inability to focus, be still, and think before acting makes daily activities . These people might have a disorder, or health problem, called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which is commonly known as ADHD.

ADHD affects millions of children and adults, but there are many available to help people with this disorder. Learning about this disorder is an important part of dealing with it and supporting people who have it, so keep reading to learn the facts about living with ADHD.

A Serious Problem

Some people dont take the symptoms, or signs, of ADHD seriously. They believe that people with ADHD dont have a real health problem because they dont look sick. This is wrong, and its harmful because it can keep people with ADHD from getting the help they need. ADHD is a real health problem and, like many health problems, people who have it often need to take medicine to feel better.

If ADHD goes untreated, it can cause many problems in a persons life. This is why doctors believe its important to look for signs of ADHD in kids and get them the help they need to live healthy, happy, and successful lives.

TYPES OF ADHD

There are three types, or presentations, of ADHD. The inattentive type presents itself mainly through problems paying attention. A person with the inattentive type of ADHD has trouble focusing on tasks and often makes careless mistakes at school or work. They also often have trouble finishing schoolwork, remembering to do certain tasks, and staying organized. Following directions can often be hard for people with the inattentive type of ADHD.

A person with this type of ADHD often has trouble dealing with other people too. They might seem to be daydreaming and not paying attention when someone is talking to them. They might also be easily distracted, which can make it hard for them to talk to other people for a long period of time.

ADHD or ADD?

Is attention deficit disorder (ADD) the same thing as ADHD? Some people believe the answer is yes. For many years, ADD was used to describe people who had problems paying attention to the point where it affected their daily life. However, today, doctors no longer use ADD and instead these people with the inattentive type of ADHD.

Children often daydream. However, when it happens so often that it makes learning and other daily parts of life difficult, it might be a sign of ADHD.

activity level, and impulsivity, or acting without thinking. These symptoms last for at least six months and can be seen most days.

Symptoms of this type of ADHD include not being able to sit still and constantly moving or tapping hands or feet. Someone with the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD is also often unable to do things quietly and talks excessively. Interrupting others when theyre speaking and having trouble taking turns or waiting in line are signs of this type of ADHD too.

The Third Type

A third type of ADHD is called the combined type. As its name suggests, its a combination of the other two types. People with this type show many symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity for at least six months. The combined type of ADHD is the most common type of this disorder.

Every person with ADHD is different and shows different symptoms. For example, not everyone with ADHD is forgetful or unable to sit still. ADHD symptoms and even types can change as a person gets older too.

WHEN IS IT A PROBLEM?

Many symptoms of ADHD are common behaviors, or ways of acting, especially for children. Kids often have trouble sitting still or waiting for their turn. Some people enjoy talking a lot, and some people are naturally disorganized.

Teachers, doctors, and other adults are working to better understand the differences between childhood behaviors and symptoms of ADHD. One of the clearest ways to tell that a child might have ADHD is to look at how many signs theyve shown. Just being easily distracted or constantly on the go doesnt mean a child has ADHD. They have to show at least six signs for at least six months. They also often show these signs in at least two different settings, such as school and home.

Staying Away from Sugar

Some people think that sugar can cause ADHD in children or make ADHD symptoms worse. Many studies have been done to learn more about sugar and ADHD, and most of them have shown that sugar has no effect on children with this disorder. However, foods that are high in sugar are often part of an unhealthy diet, and many doctors believe eating healthier can help people with many disorders, including ADHD.

A doctor is the only person who can officially diagnose someone with ADHD. Before doing so, they often check for other health problems, such as hearing problems or depression, that could cause someones symptoms.

ADHD AND KIDS

ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is the main organization in the United States in charge of dealing with health problems, has reported that more than 6 million U.S. children have ADHD.