Did you know?

ADHD is more than just having difficulty paying attention in class. It is a highly genetic disorder that runs in families and can cause multiple life difficulties beyond problems focusing (e.g., organization, impulse control, anger, conflict in marriage, drug use, etc). Most ADHD treatment today is chosen by matching medications to reported symptoms. However, modern neuroscience shows ADHD often involves altered communication between brain networks responsible for focus, planning, and mind-wandering, such as the Salience, Executive, and Default Mode Networks. Additionally, SPECT imaging research has shown that when someone with ADHD attempt to focus, they have paradoxical deactivation of the brain regions controlling executive function. In other words, the harder they try, the less efficient their brain can function.

So what does this mean?

ADHD can affect many aspects of a person's life and cause significant impairment. Additionally, there is no single ADHD “type.” While stimulants are typically the standard of choice, sometimes people respond differently to medications because their brains are unique. Knowing this information allows us to make more educated choices when problems arise.