Help others help you. Wear a medical alert ID bracelet or necklace engraved with important information for emergency responders and healthcare providers
Medical IDs for ADHD
The confidence to live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children today. The condition often lasts into adulthood, and it can be treated, but not cured. In some cases, treatments might not work. Without proper treatment, a person living with ADHD can behave erratically and impulsively, which can create a dangerous environment for them or anyone attempting to help them.
Even with treatment many people living with ADHD benfit from wearing a MedicAlert medical ID for ADHD.
How MedicAlert protects those living with ADHD
One thing you shouldn’t worry about is what could happen if there’s an emergency. MedicAlert’s protection plans offer benefits that extend beyond the ID, providing safety and peace of mind for people living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), their families and caregivers.
24/7 Emergency Response
Our team provides first responders the information they need to provide fast, accurate care.
Digital Health Profile
All your vital information, all in one place for you and your caregiver.
Emergency Contact Notification
In an emergency, we connect families so that no one is alone in a crisis.
Patient Instructions
Share the information that’s important to your care, such as use of rescue medications or contraindication for tests like MRIs.
Pair a medical ID for ADHD with the protection plan that’s right for you.
What exactly is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
If you are living with ADHD, you are not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that six million children aged 3-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD and 4% to 5% of adults in the U.S. are living with ADHD.
While feeling antsy, distracted, bored, impatient or even impulsive at times is considered normal for most people, individuals living with ADHD experience these feelings with greater intensity and frequency. This leads to difficulty with learning, relationships, work, and routine daily activities.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder characterized by trouble paying attention, being overly active, or controlling impulsive behaviors. In people living with ADHD, brain development is delayed, primarily in one of the four lobes of the brain known as the frontal lobe.
This area of the brain is responsible for:
- Ability to delay gratification
- Attention
- Decision making
- Impulse control
- Judgment
- Language
- Memory
- Motivation
- Planning
- Problem solving
- Social behavior
- Time perception
The brain is also made up of nerve cells called neurons that transmit signals to the brain, and chemicals called neurotransmitters that help transmit signals from one cell to the next. Two major types of neurotransmitters include dopamine and norepinephrine.
Signals travel through the brain in groups of nerve cells called networks. In people living with ADHD, researchers have discovered that several networks involved in attention, reward, movement, focus, shifting between tasks, and planning work differently. Researchers also believe that dopamine and norepinephrine may play a role in ADHD.
The inattention, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity associated with ADHD can have a negative impact on a person’s day-to-day activities—and life.
While researchers have not yet identified the specific causes of ADHD, studies suggest that genes may play a large role. Researchers are also studying possible environmental factors such as exposure to lead and other heavy metals and chemicals that can be found in paint and pipes in older buildings.
Other possible risk factors include:
- Brain injuries
- Alcohol, drug, and tobacco use during pregnancy
- Poor nutrition
- Premature birth
- Social environment
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
What are the symptoms and complications of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
People living with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity.
Inattention can cause a person to be distracted, unfocused, and lack concentration. This can lead to the inability to listen to directions, missing details, not completing tasks, daydreaming, and losing track of personal items and other important things.
Impulsive behavior causes the individual to act too quickly before thinking. This results in risky behavior, intense emotional reactions to minor issues, pushing and grabbing, interrupting others when they are speaking or involved in any given activity, doing things without asking for permission, and taking things that do not belong to them.
Hyperactivity causes restlessness, fidgeting, boredom, and trouble sitting still or staying quiet. This leads to climbing or jumping at inappropriate times, being rowdy, rushing through things, careless mistakes, and the disruption of others by acting inappropriately in other ways.
What to engrave on MedicAlert medical IDs for ADHD:
MedicAlert offers free custom engraving on all our ADHA bracelets and medical IDs for ADHD. Engravings on medical IDs for ADHD should include any critical medical information that can protect and save lives in an accident or medical emergency, for example:
- ADHD
- Co-existing condition(s)
- Medications
- Emergency contact information
- Any additional medical information that needs to be communicated to first responders
Sample engraving. Consult our team if you need help engraving your medical ID for ADHD.
What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
More than two thirds of individuals living with ADHD have at least one other coexisting condition. The most common include bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), learning disorders, depression, anxiety, speech problems, conduct disorder, sleep problems, and substance abuse.
ADHD has a number of complications that can affect children at every stage of development and into adulthood. Children and adolescents with ADHD:
- Have difficulty with learning, interacting, and communicating in the classroom, which can lead to poor performance and isolation from peers.
- Have more accidents and injuries than children who are not living with ADHD.
- May engage in delinquent or antisocial behavior.
- Often have poor self-esteem.
- Struggle with being accepted by peers and adults.
Teens, young adults, and older adults living with ADHD are also at increased risk of delinquent behavior, as well as alcohol and drug abuse. These activities and behaviors can put the individual’s health and safety at risk.
Because people living with ADHD have more accidents than others do and they often engage in risky behavior, it can be important for them to wear a MedicAlert ID. A MedicAlert ID can be there for you if you are in an accident and cannot communicate with emergency responders and ER doctors. Medical IDs for ADHD can let your rescue team know that you are living with ADHD, which can ensure fast and accurate care.
How do you diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood. While there is no specific test for ADHD, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam, gather information about your personal and family medical history, and assess your current medical issues. Your doctor may also conduct interviews with teachers, family, friends, and caregivers, and examine your school records.
In diagnosing ADHD, doctors will adhere to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Following this protocol enables a safe and accurate diagnosis.
How do you treat, manage, and live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Treatment for ADHD is typically tailored to each individual’s needs. However, two mainstays of treatment include medications and therapy. The most widely used medications for children, adults, and adolescents are known as psychostimulant compounds. The two most commonly prescribed include methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamines (AMP). Some of the most common brands include Adderall (AMP) and Ritalin (MPH).
Examples of therapies for ADHD include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and social skills training.
Other interventions include stress management, support groups, clinical trials, and the recently FDA-approved external Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) system. This innovative intervention delivers low-level stimulation to the brain’s trigeminal nerve for eight hours during sleep. The trigeminal nerve is one of the 12 pairs of nerves that are attached to the brain.
Your doctor may also incorporate self-care into treatment plans. Examples include adopting a healthy diet, daily exercise, limiting the amount of daily screen time (computers, cell phones, TVs, etc.), and getting the recommended amount of sleep based on age.
How medical IDs for ADHD combined with MedicAlert Membership provide peace of mind
- We’re your voice: If you can’t speak for yourself due to a medical emergency, your ID will speak for you – informing others about your ADHD allergy and any medications you’re taking.
- 24/7 emergency protection: In an emergency, the MedicAlert team will relay all of your critical medical information to first responders, no matter where or when your emergency happens.
- Always connected: You should never be alone in an emergency. That’s why MedicAlert will reach out to your designated contacts if you are unable to do so.
- Live with peace of mind and confidence: MedicAlert will be there for you every step of the way. You’ll have the confidence and freedom to live your life with ADHD allergy, knowing we’ve got you covered.
Sources: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP); American Psychiatric Association (APA); American Psychological Association (APA); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD); Mayo Clinic; National Institutes of Health (NIH)-National Library of Medicine (NLM)-National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI); NIH-National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); NIH-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
