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Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What are the symptoms?
Not everyone who is overly hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive has ADHD. Everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but the diagnosis requires that such behavior be demonstrated to a degree that is inappropriate for the person's age.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and the length of time these symptoms are present. The list below describes the signs associated with the three main symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity) of ADHD. To meet standard diagnostic criteria for ADHD, the child or adult must show at least six signs of inattention or six signs of either hyperactivity or impulsivity or both. These signs must be present for six months or more and must be severe enough to interfere with mental and physical development. The diagnostic behaviors must appear early in life, before age 7.
- Inattention, which includes making careless mistakes, paying poor attention to details, daydreaming, switching from one task to another without finishing the first task, giving effortless answers, interrupting/intruding, not listening when spoken to, difficulty in organization, and losing objects needed for tasks (toys, pencils, books, etc.).
- Hyperactivity, which includes acting driven or "on the go," excessive talking, getting out of a seat when remaining seated is expected, restlessness and fidgeting while seated, feeling the need to touch everything, running/climbing in inappropriate situations, or not being able to play or participate in activities quietly.
- Impulsivity, which includes acting without thinking, not being able to take turns, not being able to wait in line, not being able to wait for something they want, becoming violent (hitting another child) to get what they want, or making inappropriate comments.
Diagnosis of ADHD is not always straightforward because it sometimes presents with another psychiatric condition that may mask its symptoms, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia (most typically in adults).
Not all children with the disorder display each sign of ADHD all the time. Some children may have a pattern of being hyperactive and impulsive, but not inattentive. Other children may be inattentive, but not hyperactive. As a result, professionals have started recognizing three specific subtypes of ADHD.
- Predominately hyperactive-impulsive type, in which the child does not show significant inattention
- Predominately inattentive type, in which the child does not show significant hyperactivity or impulsivity.
- Combined type, in which the child displays both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
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What are the symptoms?
