The Meaning of ADHD: What It Is and How To Use It

Has someone ever told you that they have ADHD? Did you wonder what they could have meant? This article will tell you what ADHD stands for, the types of ADHD, the symptoms of ADHD, treatment of ADHD, translations of ADHD, and more! Keep reading to learn all about ADHD.

What Does the Word ADHD Mean?

According to Healthline, ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a type of mental disorder listed in the DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Both adults and children can have ADHD, and the most common symptoms of ADHD include the inability to focus or sit still for long periods. 

A child with ADHD might have a lot of fidgets or squirms and have trouble focusing on things like chores or schoolwork. An adult might also have trouble sitting still, be unable to focus on errands, or be easily distracted. 

The Types of ADHD

According to the Center for Disease Control, the three types of ADHD present with different symptoms. ADHD is not one size fits all, and some people may present symptoms of ADHD differently than others. Additionally, a person’s symptoms of ADHD can change over time.

First, there is Predominantly Inattentive Presentation. With this type of ADHD, people will find it difficult to pay attention to details, finish tasks, or follow conversations or instructions. A person with Predominantly Inattentive Presentation might be easily distracted or seemingly forgetful.

Next, there is Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation. Someone with this type of ADHD will come across as very fidgety and talkative, and they might find it hard to sit still for a long time. 

People with Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation also have trouble with fighting impulsivity and being restless. These impulses might include interrupting, taking things from people, or being unable to wait their turn.

Finally, with combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive presentation, people equally present with the two aforementioned types of ADHD. They might have some symptoms of one form of ADHD and some forms of the other, or they might have all of the symptoms of both forms of ADHD.

Controlling ADHD Symptoms

After diagnosing ADHD in childhood or adulthood, a person might opt for psychotherapy to help control their symptoms. There is often a combination of treatment for ADHD that includes both therapy and medication.

Often, stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. These types of medication are used to help create the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. We can use ADHD medication for either inattentive type or impulsive type ADHD. 

If ADHD is left untreated, it can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. With treatment, a person with ADHD can improve their executive functions and behaviors. 

ADHD medications include: 

• Dextroamphetamines like Adderall or Dexedrine
• Lisdexamfetamines like Vyvanse
• Amphetamines like Adzenys XR ODT or Dyanavel
• Dexmethylphenidates like Focalin
• Methylphenidates like Aptensio, Concerta, Cotempla, Jornay PM, Daytrana, Metadate, Quillivant, Methylin, and Ritalin

What Are The Causes of ADHD?

The causes of the types of behavior found in ADHD are largely unknown. It is believed to be partially genetic, but it can also have other causes and risk factors. 

These include tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy, premature delivery and low birth weight, exposure to lead or other environmental risks during pregnancy or at a young age, or a brain injury.

What Are Translations of ADHD?

If you are trying to explain your diagnosis or the diagnosis of another person who does not speak English, you can use this list of translations of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder from Nice Translator:

• Swedish: Uppmärksamhet-underskott hyperaktivitetsstörning
• French: trouble d’hyperactivité avec déficit de l’attention
• Malayalam: ശ്രദ്ധ-കമ്മി ഹൈപ്പർ ആക്റ്റിവിറ്റി ഡിസോർഡർ
• Basque: Arreta-defizita hiperaktibitate nahastea
• Latvian: Uzmanības deficīta hiperaktivitātes traucējumi
• Slovenian: Motnje pozornosti s hiperaktivnostjo
• Tamil: கவனம்-பற்றாக்குறை அதிநவீன குறைபாடு
• Swahili: Upungufu wa tahadhari ya ugonjwa wa ugonjwa
• Croatian: Poremećaj pažnje uzrokovan hiperaktivnošću
• Marathi: लक्ष वेधून घेणे हायपरएक्टिव्हिटी डिसऑर्डर
• Estonian: Hüperaktiivsus tähelepanu puudulikkusega
• Chinese (Taiwan): 注意力缺陷多動障礙
• German: Aufmerksamkeits-Defizit-Hyperaktivitäts-Störung
• Turkish: Dikkat eksikliği hiperaktivite bozukluğu
• Romanian: tulburare de hiperactivitate cu deficit de atenție
• Icelandic: Hluthafsröskun á athyglisbresti
• Ukrainian: Дефіциту уваги з гіперактивністю
• Chinese (PRC): 注意力缺陷多动障碍
• Telugu: శ్రద్ధ-లోటు హైప్యాక్టివిటీ డిజార్డర్
• Norwegian: Oppmerksomhet-underskudd hyperaktivitetsforstyrrelse
• Catalan: Transtorn per dèficit d’atenció i hiperactivitat
• Thai: โรคสมาธิสั้น
• Spanish: desorden hiperactivo y deficit de atencion
• Finnish: Tarkkaavaisuus-ja ylivilkkaushäiriö
• Hungarian: Figyelemhiányos hiperaktív rendellenesség
• Serbian: Смањења пажње услед хиперактивности
• Portuguese (Brazil): transtorno de hiperatividade de déficit de atenção
• Welsh: Anhwylder gorfywiogrwydd diffyg sylw
• Malay: gangguan hiperaktif defisit perhatian
• Polish: Zaburzenie nadpobudliwości z deficytem uwagi
• Kannada: ಗಮನ-ಕೊರತೆ ಹೈಪರ್ಆಕ್ಟಿವಿಟಿ ಡಿಸಾರ್ಡರ್
• Hindi: ध्यान आभाव सक्रियता विकार
• Vietnamese: rối loạn tăng động giảm chú ý
• Czech: porucha hyperaktivity pozornosti
• Japanese: 注意欠陥多動性障害
• Danish: opmærksomhedsunderskud hyperaktivitetsforstyrrelse
• Greek: Διαταραχή ελλειμματικής προσοχής υπερκινητικότητας
• Arabic: قصور الانتباه وفرط الحركة
• Portuguese (Portugal): transtorno de hiperatividade de déficit de atenção
• Italian: sindrome da deficit di attenzione e iperattività
• Russian: Синдром дефицита внимания и гиперактивности
• Gujarati: ધ્યાન-ખાધ હાયપરએક્ટિવિટી ડિસઓર્ડર
• Bulgarian: Синдром на дефицит на вниманието и хиперактивност
• Slovak: Porucha pozornosti a hyperaktivity
• Hebrew: הפרעת קשב, ריכוז והיפראקטיביות
• Lithuanian: Dėmesio deficito hiperaktyvumo sutrikimas
• Korean: 주의 결핍 과잉 행동 장애

Conclusion

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This mental disorder can present in three different ways: Predominantly Inattentive Presentation, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation, and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive presentation.

In each of these cases, different symptoms like fidgeting, not being able to pay attention, the inability to sit still, excessive talkativeness, forgetfulness, the inability to complete tasks, and more might be present. There are many different treatments for ADHD which include therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

Sources:

1. Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | CDC 
2. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): What Is It? | Healthline 
3. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Nice Translator