ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptoms are relatively aplenty. Children with ADHD generally display inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactive behaviours.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4^th Edition), the ADHD symptoms, or guidelines for diagnosis of ADHD, are as follows:

Inattention

1. Often fails to pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes whether in school, at work or at home.

2. Have difficulties sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

3. Often does not seem to listen when they are spoken to directly.

4. Often fails to follow through on instructions, resulting in failure to complete given tasks.

5. Have difficulty in organizing tasks and activities.

6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as
    schoolwork or homework).

7. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, and stationary).

8. Is often distracted by extraneous stimuli.

9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity

1. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

2. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected.

3. Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is deemed inappropriate.

4. Difficulty with playing or engaging in activities quietly.

5. Seems to possess an abundance of energy and is constantly moving around, as if "drive by a motor".

6. Often talks a lot (excessively)

Implusivity

 1. Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.

 2. Often has difficulty awaiting turn.

 3. Often interrupts on other’s conversations.

 4. Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity or inattention that cause impairment that must have been  present 
     before age 7 years.

 5. Impairment from the ADHD symptoms is present in 2 or more settings (e.g. at school, work or at home).

 6. There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning.

 7. The ADHD symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder,

     Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder
     (e.g Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

1. If both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months, then it isclassified as “Combined Type” ADHD.

2. If criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past sixmonths, then it’s considered "Predominantly
    Inattentive Type”.

3. If criterion 1B is met but 1A is not met for the past six months, then it's the “Predominantly Hyperactive-
    Impulsive Type”.

Continue reading "Causes Of ADHD"