ADHD is a condition that can negatively impact a person’s attention and behavior and can interfere with daily activities at school, at work, at home, and with friends. People who have ADHD have higher levels of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity than their peers.
ADHD is one of the most common brain-based disorders that affects about 1 in 10 school-aged children. For more than half of those who have ADHD as a child, symptoms continue into adulthood.
Some common symptoms of ADHD include trouble paying attention or focusing, impulsive behaviors, and being overly active. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Children with ADHD may act out without thinking about the results, have learning challenges, make careless mistakes, forget or lose things, and squirm or fidget when sitting.
There is no scientifically proven cure for ADHD, and ADHD continues into adulthood in most cases. However, by developing strengths, structuring environments, and using the proper treatment plan—which may include parent/caregiver behavior training, school accommodations, and medication for treating ADHD—people with ADHD can manage their symptoms. Read about Tris Pharma treatments for ADHD, including Quillivant XR® (methylphenidate HCI), QuilliChew ER® (methylphenidate HCI), DYANAVEL® XR (amphetamine) liquid, and DYANAVEL® XR (amphetamine) tablet.
Research to date has shown that ADHD is a brain condition whose symptoms are also dependent on a number of factors, including family genetics. In fact, in 41% to 55% of families with at least one child with ADHD, at least one parent is also affected. Similarly, if a parent has ADHD, the child has up to a 57% chance of also having ADHD. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may want to discuss this with your own doctor to see if you may have ADHD.
Your child’s pediatrician may also suggest screening your other children. Siblings can even be a consideration when determining ADHD treatment. If an older sibling with ADHD has responded well to one kind of ADHD medication, pediatricians may often recommend the same medication for other children in the family with ADHD who require medication.
ADHD medication prescribed for your child should not be taken by you or your other children. Your children should not take, nor should you give them, ADHD medication prescribed for you.
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD and you have children, you should speak with their pediatrician to help identify any signs of ADHD that may be present in your children. ADHD is now one of the most common and most studied pediatric conditions. Due to greater awareness and better ways of diagnosing and treating this disorder, more children are being helped.