8.7 million people in the United States have ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and for such a common diagnosis, it tends to have many misconceptions. While the most notable characteristics are difficulty maintaining attention or focus with periods of hyperactivity, there are also positive characteristics of ADHD that we often ignore. What if we looked at ADHD from a strengths-based perspective? To explore this topic, we spoke with Ned Hallowell, MD, psychiatrist and founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers, about helpful interventions, shared decision-making, and the overlooked strengths and positive characteristics of those diagnosed with ADHD.

<p>8.7 million people in the United States have <a class="react-spectrum-RichTextEditor-link" href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)</a>, and for such a common <a class="react-spectrum-RichTextEditor-link" href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/diagnosing-adhd-adults" target="_blank" rel="noopener">diagnosis</a>, it tends to have many misconceptions. While the most notable <a class="react-spectrum-RichTextEditor-link" href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/adhd-symptoms-age#1-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">characteristics</a> are difficulty maintaining attention or focus with periods of hyperactivity, there are also positive characteristics of ADHD that we often ignore. What if we looked at ADHD from a strengths-based perspective? To explore this topic, we spoke with <a class="react-spectrum-RichTextEditor-link" href="https://drhallowell.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ned Hallowell, MD</a>, psychiatrist and founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers, about helpful interventions, shared decision-making, and the overlooked strengths and positive characteristics of those diagnosed with ADHD.</p>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

Health Discovered

8.7 million people in the United States have , and for such a common , it tends to have many misconceptions. While the most notable  are difficulty maintaining attention or focus with periods of hyperactivity, there are also...

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