ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects how a person focuses, with symptoms of being inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive that usually start before the age of 12. Children may be easily distracted, fidgety and find it hard to wait their turn; adults may struggle to organise their time, finish tasks or keep track of things. ADHD often runs in families, and it can continue into adulthood. It can be managed with support at home, school or work, talking therapies and, for some people, medicine started by a specialist. If you are worried, talk to your child's teacher or see a doctor.
What is ADHD? (maksud ADHD)
According to the NHS, ADHD is a condition that can affect how you focus. Children, young people and adults with ADHD may have trouble with things like concentrating and sitting still.
Some people with ADHD describe themselves as neurodivergent, a term for the range of different ways our brains work. There are ways to help manage the symptoms, and many people with ADHD do well with the right support.
The three groups of ADHD symptoms
According to the NHS, ADHD symptoms fall into three areas:
| Area | What it means |
|---|---|
| Inattentive | Difficulty paying attention, being easily distracted, forgetful or disorganised |
| Hyperactive | High energy levels, restlessness, fidgeting |
| Impulsive | Difficulty controlling impulses, such as interrupting or acting without thinking |
Most people with ADHD have symptoms of both the inattentive and the hyperactive-impulsive type, but some only show signs of one type. Symptoms usually start before the age of 12.
Tanda ADHD pada kanak-kanak
According to the NHS, a child or young person with ADHD may show signs of being inattentive, such as:
- being easily distracted;
- finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions;
- forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks.
They may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, such as:
- having high energy levels;
- fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet;
- talking noisily;
- feeling restless, or getting up and moving around when they are supposed to sit still;
- finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting conversations.
Important: many children are easily distracted, impulsive and full of energy, particularly under the age of 5. This does not mean they have ADHD. It could be a sign of something else, like being tired, anxious or stressed.
ADHD pada dewasa: signs in adults
ADHD can continue into adulthood, and some people are first assessed as adults; the specialist will ask whether symptoms started in childhood. According to the NHS, adults may show signs of being inattentive, such as:
- being easily distracted or forgetful;
- finding it hard to organise their time;
- finding it hard to follow instructions or finish tasks;
- losing things often, like a wallet, phone or keys.
And signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, such as:
- having a lot of energy or feeling restless;
- being very talkative or interrupting conversations;
- making quick decisions without thinking about what might happen as a result.
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if these symptoms are affecting your studies, work or relationships.
ADHD in girls and women
According to the NHS, ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in girls and women than in boys and men. This may be because girls and women more commonly have inattentive symptoms, which can be harder to recognise than hyperactive symptoms. A quiet girl who daydreams, seems disorganised or struggles to finish schoolwork may be overlooked.
What causes ADHD?
According to the NHS, the cause of ADHD is not always known. ADHD:
- may be caused by genetic differences and often runs in families;
- is linked to being born premature (before 37 weeks of pregnancy);
- is linked to epilepsy, a brain injury, and being autistic.
In a study at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 15 of 45 parents (33%) of children with ADHD screened positive for ADHD themselves, and children whose parents had ADHD tended to have more severe symptoms. If your child is diagnosed, it may be worth considering whether you have similar difficulties.
How common is ADHD?
- A global review estimated that about 2.6% of adults have ADHD that began in childhood, and about 6.8% of adults have symptoms of ADHD.
- A large review of studies across three decades found no evidence that the number of children meeting the criteria for ADHD has increased when standardised diagnostic methods are used; differences between studies were mostly explained by how ADHD was measured.
In other words, ADHD is not a new trend, although more people may now be aware of it and seek an assessment.
Getting an ADHD assessment in Malaysia
Only a trained professional can diagnose ADHD; online checklists cannot. Based on the NHS approach:
- For a child: start by talking to their teacher about what they see at school. If you are still worried, see a doctor at a klinik kesihatan or a GP, who can consider other causes and refer your child to a specialist, such as a paediatrician or a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
- For an adult: see a doctor if your symptoms affect your studies, work or relationships. You may be referred to a psychiatrist or another mental health professional who specialises in ADHD.
The assessment usually covers your or your child's symptoms, development, school or work, family life and medical history, and may include forms for parents and teachers. The doctor will also consider other conditions with similar signs, such as autism, Tourette's or anxiety. While waiting for an assessment, keep supporting your child at home and at school.
Rawatan ADHD: how ADHD is managed
According to the NHS, ADHD can be managed in many ways, depending on the symptoms and how they affect daily life. Not everyone needs help from a health professional, and not everyone needs or wants medicine.
| Approach | What it involves (NHS) |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle | Regular physical activity, enough sleep, a healthy balanced diet and regular mealtimes |
| Support at school, home or work | Breaking tasks into short slots, clear instructions, to-do lists, praise and reward charts; at work, a quiet space and written instructions |
| Talking therapies | Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and for adults, mindfulness, to help with problem solving and managing feelings |
| Medicine | Such as methylphenidate (and for adults, lisdexamfetamine); must be started and monitored by an ADHD specialist, and more than one may need to be tried |
No supplement or special diet replaces a proper assessment and support. If certain foods or drinks seem to affect your child's symptoms, the NHS suggests keeping a food and drink diary and discussing it with their school or doctor, rather than cutting out foods without advice.
Practical tips for home, school and work
For children, the NHS suggests:
- make time for physical activities they enjoy, as exercise is a good focus for their energy;
- encourage regular sleep; see our guide to susah tidur;
- split tasks such as homework into 15 to 20 minute slots with breaks in between;
- give clear, simple instructions one at a time, in a calm voice;
- write a to-do list and put it somewhere easy to see;
- give praise when they do well, or use a reward chart.
For adults, the NHS suggests regular exercise, enough sleep (avoiding screens, caffeine, sugar and alcohol close to bedtime), regular meals, talking to friends and family, and asking your workplace or place of study about adjustments, such as a quiet work space, written instructions and help planning tasks.
ADHD and mental health
According to the NHS, people with ADHD may be more likely to have anxiety or depression, and they are also at higher risk of suicide. Anxiety and depression can also make ADHD symptoms worse. See our guide to kemurungan (depression) for signs and support.
If you or your child are struggling, help is available: call Talian HEAL 15555 (Ministry of Health mental health line, 8am to midnight daily) or Befrienders KL +603-7627 2929 (24 hours), and call 999 in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the maksud of ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. According to the NHS, it is a condition that can affect how you focus, and people with ADHD may have trouble with things like concentrating and sitting still. Symptoms involve being inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive, and usually start before the age of 12.
What are the signs of ADHD in children (tanda ADHD kanak-kanak)?
Signs of inattention include being easily distracted, finding it hard to listen or follow instructions, and forgetting everyday tasks. Signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness include high energy, fidgeting, talking noisily, getting up when they should sit still, and finding it hard to wait their turn. Many young children show some of these, especially under the age of 5, which does not mean they have ADHD.
What are the signs of ADHD in adults?
Adults with ADHD may be easily distracted or forgetful, find it hard to organise their time, follow instructions or finish tasks, lose things often, feel restless, talk a lot or interrupt, and make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences. These symptoms usually started before the age of 12, even if ADHD was not recognised at the time.
What causes ADHD?
The cause is not always known. According to the NHS, ADHD may be caused by genetic differences and often runs in families. It is also linked to being born premature (before 37 weeks), epilepsy, brain injury and being autistic. In a study at a Malaysian university hospital, one in three parents of children with ADHD screened positive for ADHD themselves.
Is there an ubat or rawatan for ADHD?
ADHD can be managed in different ways, depending on symptoms. Options include lifestyle changes, support at school, home or work, talking therapies such as CBT, and medicines such as methylphenidate. According to the NHS, ADHD medicines must be started and monitored by a specialist, and not everyone needs or wants to take medicine.
Is ADHD more common now, or just diagnosed more?
A large review of studies over three decades found no evidence that the number of children who meet the criteria for ADHD has increased when standardised diagnostic methods are used. Differences between studies were mostly explained by how ADHD was measured. Greater awareness may mean more people are now being assessed.
Can girls and women have ADHD?
Yes. The NHS says ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in girls and women, possibly because they more commonly have inattentive symptoms, which are harder to notice than hyperactivity. A girl who daydreams, seems disorganised or struggles to finish tasks may be overlooked.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for assessment, diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or mental health professional. Only a trained professional can diagnose ADHD. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- ADHD in children and young people — NHS
- ADHD in adults — NHS
- Song P, et al. The prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2021;11:04009
- Polanczyk GV, et al. ADHD prevalence estimates across three decades: an updated systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Int J Epidemiol. 2014;43(2):434-42
- Ragadran J, et al. Estimating the risk of ADHD in parents of children with ADHD and the association with their children's disease severity and adherence to medication. Children (Basel). 2023;10(9):1440
- Talian HEAL 15555 tawar sokongan mental mula beroperasi — Sinar Harian
