What is adhd?

What the experts say…

Click here to read The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement:
(208 Evidence-based conclusions about Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, Sept 2021, Issue 128, pages 789-818. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.02)

Alison Brazier, Ph.D

Center for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC), 4/26/23

“While inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are considered the hallmark features of ADHD for diagnosis, seeing these three symptoms as the basis of ADHD is a far too simplified view of this condition. A defining feature also includes weak executive functioning skills which influence the ability to plan and organize, manage time and schedule, regulate emotions, and start and complete tasks. These weaknesses influence not only academic performance but behaviour and social functioning.”

Dr. Russell Barkley, Ph.D

“The disorder is classified as neurodevelopmental because the scientific evidence for the substantial role of neurological and genetic causes in ADHD is now overwhelming and irrefutable…ADHD is considered to be a neurodevelopmental disorder because it is primarily the result of a delay or lag in specific mental abilities. Those deficits are largely due to delays and/or dysfunction in the maturation of the brain areas that underlie those abilities.”

“ADHD disrupts the normal development of the brain’s executive functions, meaning that ADHD is really an executive function deficit disorder (EFDD). And because the executive system is the basis for self-regulation, ADHD is also a self-regulation deficit disorder (SRDD). This explains why ADHD is one of the most impairing if not THE most impairing psychological disorder we routinely treat on an outpatient basis in clinical psychology and Psychiatry.”

“ADHD is associated with difficulties in generating multiple possible options for overcoming obstacles encountered when pursuing goals or contemplating multiple solutions posed by problems.”

The particular quotes above are drawn from Managing ADHD In SChool: The best evidence-based methods for teachers, R. Barkley (2016 edition). Don’t let the book title fool you - It’s not only for educators or parents. There are countless important morsels of info for everyone! Highly recommend. 

Joel Nigg, Ph.D,

“Epigenetics and ADHD: The Impacts of Environment, Lifestyle, and Stress” (This article can be found in full at ADDitude Magazine, Updated on April 8, 2024)

“It’s now understood that ADHD manifests when neurons misfire in the ever-shifting communications and connections between multiple areas of the brain. Emerging research also suggests that these neurological wrinkles may be driven by the environment as much (or more) than they are by genes. This new framework…provides hope: If ADHD symptoms can be worsened by environmental causes, they can be improved by them, too.”

“Epigenetics and ADHD: The Impacts of Environment, Lifestyle, and Stress” (This article can be found in full at ADDitude Magazine, Updated on April 8, 2024)

the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIH):

“Researchers are not sure what causes ADHD, although many studies suggest that genes play a large role. Like many other disorders, ADHD probably results from a combination of factors. In addition to genetics, researchers are looking at possible environmental factors that might raise the risk of developing ADHD and are studying how brain injuries, nutrition, and social environments might play a role in ADHD.”

“Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of the following types of symptoms:

  • INATTENTION means a person may have difficulty staying on task, sustaining focus, and staying organized, and these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.

  • HYPERACTIVITY means a person may seem to move about constantly, including in situations when it is not appropriate, or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks. In adults, hyperactivity may mean extreme restlessness or talking too much.

  • IMPULSIVITY means a person may act without thinking or have difficulty with self-control. Impulsivity could also include a desire for immediate rewards or the inability to delay gratification. An impulsive person may interrupt others or make important decisions without considering long-term consequences.”

Be sure to also check out the work of ADHD expert Professor Stephen Faraone, Ph.D at the ADHD Evidence Project.

And definitely read his Ask Me Anything (AMA) Q&A from Spring 2024 on Reddit’s r/ADHD discussion forum!

Additional ADHD experts to have on your radar:

ADHD is an important part of who we are. It drives how we function in the world.

It is NOT WHO WE ARE.

ADHD can impact how others perceive our intelligence, care, effort, & personality.

It does not accurately reflect our actual intelligence, care, effort, or personality.

People with ADHD are [less/more/the same] amount of

[creative/capable/driven/smart/interesting/accomplished] as other people.

People with ADHD are people (with ADHD).

I’m here to help you see & believe all that you are & all that you are capable of.

YOU are AWESOME.