ADHD - YouTalkWA

🧠 What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s a condition that affects how a person pays attention, manages their energy, and controls their impulses.

If your parent has ADHD, they might seem forgetful, distracted, overly talkative, disorganized, or quick to react emotionally. Sometimes they might start something and not finish, or bounce between ideas and tasks without getting anything done. It’s not because they don’t care—it’s because their brain works differently.

📋 Common Symptoms

ADHD looks different for everyone, but here are some signs your parent might show:

Trouble focusing or paying attention
Constantly forgetting things
Starting tasks but not finishing them
Talking a lot, interrupting, or saying things impulsively
Feeling restless or unable to sit still
Losing track of time or being late often
Struggling to stay organized at home or work

🔍 Types of ADHD

There are three main types of ADHD. Your parent might have one or a combination of these:

Inattentive Type

This type is more about distraction. People with this type often lose focus, forget things, or seem like they’re not listening—even if they are trying their best.

Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

This type involves lots of physical energy and quick reactions. People may fidget, interrupt, talk nonstop, or act without thinking.

Combined Type

A mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. This is the most common form.

🧬 What Causes ADHD?

There’s no single cause of ADHD, but it’s often linked to:

Genetics (it can run in families)
Differences in brain development
Premature birth or exposure to certain toxins in early life

It’s not caused by bad parenting, too much sugar, or laziness. ADHD is a real brain-based condition.

🩺 How Is It Diagnosed?

ADHD is usually diagnosed by a doctor or mental health professional who looks at patterns in someone’s behavior—especially how long those patterns have been happening and how much they impact daily life.

There’s no one test for ADHD, but with interviews, checklists, and maybe input from family members or coworkers, a provider can make a diagnosis.

💬 How Is It Treated?

ADHD can’t be “cured,” but it can be managed really well. Common treatments include:

Therapy to build organization, communication, and self-control skills
Medication that helps with focus and emotional regulation
Lifestyle support, like using planners, alarms, and reminders to stay on track

With the right support, people with ADHD can thrive in their jobs, families, and lives.

Personal Story: Eli (13 years old)

“My dad has ADHD, but we didn’t know for a long time. He’d forget stuff—like picking me up after practice—or he’d yell because something stressed him out. I used to think he didn’t care.

When he got diagnosed, everything started to make more sense. Now he uses reminders on his phone, takes breaks when he’s overwhelmed, and sees a counselor. We even made a shared calendar together, which helps us both.

I still get frustrated sometimes, but I know it’s not about me. It’s his ADHD—and he’s working on it.”

💡 Remember

If your parent has ADHD, it doesn’t mean they don’t care or don’t want to be responsible. Their brain just has a harder time staying organized, calm, and focused. You are not to blame, and you’re not alone.

Talking about it can help. The more you understand ADHD, the more you can handle the ups and downs—and take care of your own mental health, too.