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What is ADHD?
ADHD describes three types of difference that some young people and adults have. Sometimes, these differences led to difficulties. Sometimes they lead to strengths and skills.
Here are the three areas of difference:
It is possible to have more differences in some areas. For example, some people mostly have problems with attention. Other people mostly show hyperactivity and impulsivity.
When does ADHD cause problems?
Sometimes, these differences can stop you from doing the things you want to do.
Sometimes these differences can stop you from doing what you need to do
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD
When this happens, doctors and mental health professionals can be asked to meet with you to try to understand what is happening. They need to do tasks with you, interviews, and gather a lot of information to check if you have these differences and they stop you doing important things. They will decide if you have a diagnosis of ADHD, this means Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. About 3 in 100 boys have a diagnosis of ADHD. About 1 in 100 girls have a diagnosis of ADHD.
Getting Help if you have ADHD
If you have a diagnosis of ADHD, there are many things that can help.
Positive Strengths and ADHD
There are lots of strengths people with ADHD can have too. Here are some of the strengths some people with ADHD describe:
Written by Dr Kevin Tierney