You may be familiar with some of the common symptoms: trouble focusing or finishing projects, talking a lot or fidgeting all the time. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in kids — and for most people, it continues into adulthood.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 6 million U.S. youth ages 3-17 have received a diagnosis of ADHD. In people with the condition, the brain works differently. Symptoms can also include daydreaming, losing things often, making careless mistakes and acting impulsively. ADHD can look different in different people. Some mainly have trouble paying attention, while others have trouble primarily with hyperactivity, and some have challenges with both.
J. Faye Dixon is a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and a clinical psychologist at the UC Davis MIND Institute. She also co-directs the Attention, Impulsivity and Regulation research program, which is focused on ADHD. Dixon answers some common questions about this common condition.
There have been significant shortages of stimulant medications, a common treatment for people with ADHD, for nearly a year. What advice are you giving to families who are struggling to find these medications?
Certainly, in the absence of medications, it is important to ramp up behavioral supports. It is also very important to stay in touch with your primary care doctor or psychiatrist who is prescribing the medication and can advise on substitutions or generic alternatives.
