What is ADHD?

1. ADHD is real.
   

   	Although doctors aren't sure exactly what causes ADHD, it is known to involve certain chemicals in the brain that affect how a person acts, thinks and feels.
   	Some people experience problems in the release and use of these chemicals and that's what is believed to cause the symptoms of ADHD.

2. You are not alone.
   About 4 to 12 out of every 100 school-aged children have ADHD in the United States.² You might be surprised to learn of some very famous people who had the disorder. All of the following are believed to have had ADHD:³
   

   	Thomas Edison
   	Babe Ruth
   	Eleanor Roosevelt
   	Albert Einstein
   	Alexander Graham Bell
   	Walt Disney
   	Ludwig van Beethoven
   	Winston Churchill
   	Agatha Christie

   As you can see, many people with ADHD have led very successful lives.

3. There are three major types of ADHD symptoms.
   Symptoms include:
    Inattention
   
   • Making careless mistakes
   • Having trouble listening
   • Having trouble finishing tasks
   • Having trouble following directions
   • Being easily distracted

    Hyperactivity
   

   • Roaming around a room
   • Talking excessively
   • Having trouble sitting still
   • Running around when everyone is supposed to stay seated

    Impulsiveness

   • Having a very short temper
   • Yelling or hitting
   • Frequently interrupting
   • Repeatedly blurting out answers

   Many people who don't have ADHD behave like this from time to time. For it to be ADHD, the symptoms must be present at a level that makes it hard to function over a long period of time (at least 6 months) and the symptoms must exist in different situations throughout the day (for example, in the classroom, during after school activities and at home).⁴

4. ADHD treatment usually includes more than one type of help.
   

   	In addition to taking the medication that your doctor has prescribed, there are also other things you can do.
   	Many experts believe that medication plus behavioral treatment is the most effective option.5

Myths and Facts about Stimulants Even though stimulant medications have been around for a long time, there is a lot of misinformation about them. The following are just some of the myths that exist about stimulants and ADHD.

MYTH: Stimulants are safe for anyone to take because they are a prescription medication.	FACT: Stimulant medications are only to be taken as prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals. A prescription medication is only safe for you if you are the person for whom it was prescribed.
MYTH: Stimulants are addictive.	FACT: There is no evidence to suggestthat kids taking stimulant medications as indicated as part of an ADHD treatment program become addicted to the medications.6
MYTH: Taking these medications leads to drug abuse.	FACT: Research has shown that appropriate treatment of ADHD with stimulant medications may in fact decrease the likelihood of drug abuse in later life.7
MYTH: Everyone can benefit fromtaking a stimulant every now and then to improve focus, study or stay alert.	FACT: Stimulants are designed to restore the natural balance of the chemicals in the brain affected by ADHD. They should only be taken as prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals.