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Reducing Your Risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Living With ADHD Resource Guide

Most of the known risk factors for ADHD are out of your control. For these factors there are no current guidelines for reducing your (or your child’s) risk of ADHD. As our understanding of ADHD grows, your doctor may have more information regarding steps for reducing your risk. Some factors associated with the development of ADHD in children can be controlled. This includes limiting TV or screen time in young children and avoiding alcohol and smoking during pregnancy.

Understanding ADHD will help you identify its symptoms, minimize the consequences, and get appropriate treatment early on. Early Recognition of the behavioral, emotional, and social factors that aggravate the condition can lead to interventions that help reduce its severity. Proper treatment can prevent problems later in life with school, work, relationships, and drug and alcohol abuse .

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • About AD/HD and ADD. National Resources Center on AD/HD website. Available at: http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about . Accessed January 13, 2010.

  • ADHD basics. American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children website. Available at: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/ADHD-Basics.aspx . Accessed August 14, 2012.

  • ADHD. The Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/learning/adhd.html . Accessed August 14, 2012.

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated April 13, 2012. Accessed August 14, 2012.

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated April 25, 2012. Accessed August 14, 2012.

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/what-is-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder.shtml . Accessed August 14, 2012.

  • Understanding ADHD. Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder website. Available at: http://www.chadd.org/ . Accessed August 14, 2012.

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Management. American Family Physician. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.html . Accessed August 14, 2012.

  • Stern T, Rosenbaum J, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch S. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2008.

  • Understanding AD/HD. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder website. Available at: http://www.chadd.org/Content/CHADD/Understanding/Causes/default.htm . Accessed March 31, 2007.