Symptoms Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that’s estimated to affect around 3.5% of the population. While many people primarily associate it with children, symptoms may persist into adulthood as well. While there’s no cure for ADHD, there are a variety of treatment methods, coping skills, and lifestyle adjustments that may help an individual manage the condition to improve daily functioning and overall well-being. If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD, familiarizing yourself with the various presentations, signs, and diagnostic criteria may help you understand whether it might be time to seek professional support.
Symptoms and signs of ADHD
In order for an ADHD diagnosis to be considered, children aged 16 and under must display a minimum of six symptoms. People older than 16 must display a minimum of five. Signs of ADHD must also:
- Persist for six months or more
- Be inconsistent with the person’s developmental level
- Significantly interfere with daily functioning
- Not be explainable by another mental or physical health condition
- Be present in two or more settings; for example, at home, school, and/or work
While many still associate ADHD primarily with hyperactivity, that’s only one of the three potential presentations of this condition. See below for a closer look at each one and its most commonly associated symptoms.
1. Predominantly Inattentive
While the signs of ADHD in children and adults can look somewhat different, the official symptoms of inattention in general according to the DSM-V include:
- A tendency to overlook details
- Trouble focusing on tasks or paying attention
- Forgetfulness
- Frequent daydreaming
- Getting easily distracted
- Difficulty staying organized or trouble organizing tasks
- Frequently misplacing items
2. Predominantly Impulsive/Hyperactive
Again, symptoms of this presentation can vary somewhat between children and adults, but they generally include:
- Frequent fidgeting or tapping
- Extreme restlessness or difficulty sitting still for prolonged periods of time
- Emotional dysregulation or mood swings
- Defiant behavior towards authority figures and other adults
- High energy and activity levels
- Excessive talking
- A tendency to interrupt
- A tendency to make impulsive decisions
- Carelessness and/or recklessness
- Sleep problems such as insomnia and restless sleep
3. Combination
The combined presentation of ADHD typically includes elements of both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations. To meet the criteria for this category, an individual must exhibit several symptoms (a minimum of five to six) from the two lists above. It’s not uncommon for someone with the combined presentation to experience more symptoms of one presentation than the other.
It’s estimated that as many as 70% of adults with ADHD have the combined presentation, meaning that having either of the singular presentations is significantly rare. That said, it’s worth noting that symptom type and severity can vary significantly from person to person, which is why professional evaluation is usually recommended in order to get treatment and management advice for your or your child’s unique situation.
A Note On Terminology
Note that the term “presentation” as opposed to “type” or “subtype” is preferred when it comes to ADHD, according to the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The reason for this change is that “type” or “subtype” implies to many that symptoms are stable and trait-like. In reality, this isn’t necessarily true, as the manifestations of ADHD may change in a person over time. That’s why “presentation” is now considered to be more accurate.
How can ADHD symptoms affect a child’s life?
ADHD in children may affect school performance or even social interactions. Kids with ADHD may feel judged by other children and may experience mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, at higher rates than children without ADHD. In these cases, your ADHD care team will craft a treatment plan for both ADHD and the mental health condition.
Proper treatment can help children and adults manage ADHD symptoms, improve daily functioning, and succeed at school, work, and in social situations.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
Since ADHD can have similar symptoms to other conditions, like anxiety and depression, ADHD can only be diagnosed by a health care professional. ADHD can be diagnosed by a mental health professional or a primary care provider.
There is no single test for ADHD. Instead, your or your child’s doctor will make a detailed assessment in order to rule out other possibilities for your symptoms. They may also perform a physical examination and a series of interviews to ask about your symptoms.
Treatment Options For ADHD
If you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD, the recommended next step is typically to meet with a doctor and/or mental health professional for evaluation. If they determine ADHD to be the cause of symptoms, they may recommend any of a variety of treatment options depending on the individual's age, overall health, ADHD presentation, and other factors.
Therapy is often recommended, though the specific modality suggested may depend on the individual’s specific needs and circumstances. One common type is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which may help a person identify unhelpful thought patterns that lead to undesirable behaviors and shift them in a healthier direction. In many cases, medication may also be recommended for symptom management. Maintaining healthy habits like regular exercise and a nutritious diet may also be helpful to an individual who is experiencing symptoms of ADHD.
Seeking Therapy For ADHD
If you’ve found that you’re experiencing symptoms of ADHD that are interfering with your daily functioning or well-being, speaking with a therapist could help. They can evaluate your symptoms and suggest healthy habits and coping mechanisms that may make management easier.
If commuting to in-person appointments regularly is difficult or impossible for you, online therapy can represent a viable alternative. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from the comfort of home. Research suggests that online therapy can be effective for those looking for support in managing symptoms of ADHD, so you can generally feel confident in whichever format you choose.
Takeaway
ADHD affects millions of adults and children each year. While there’s no cure, there are a variety of effective treatment and management options that those experiencing this condition can try to improve their daily functioning and overall well-being. If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD, meeting with a healthcare professional for evaluation is usually recommended.
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
What are three main symptoms of ADHD?
There are more than three signs that an individual might have ADHD, but these criteria can be grouped into three main categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Inattention might cause a person to make careless mistakes, be forgetful, or have difficulty managing tasks that require sustained mental effort. Hyperactivity may make a person restless, causing difficulty waiting quietly or sitting still. Impulsive behaviors might include hasty decision-making and having trouble waiting their turn to speak. Adult symptoms of ADHD are more difficult to define.
What are the 17 symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD is typically diagnosed based on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). There are three main subtypes of ADHD: predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, and combined presentation.
In total, there are nine core symptoms associated with each of these subtypes, including a range of specific behaviors related to each subtype. To diagnose ADHD, a child aged 16 or under must exhibit at least six of these, and a person aged 17 or older must exhibit at least five.
For more information about diagnosis, visit the National Resource Center on ADHD.
What are obvious signs of ADHD?
Obvious signs of ADHD may include frequent forgetfulness, difficulty staying focused on tasks, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and challenges with organization. These signs can significantly impact daily functioning, academic or occupational performance, and relationships. However, since symptoms manifest differently for each individual, a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
Visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Association website to see how else ADHD might manifest.
How do I check if I have ADHD?
Diagnosing ADHD involves a comprehensive assessment conducted by a healthcare professional — often a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. The assessment includes a review of the individual's medical and developmental history and symptom evaluation and may involve input from family members, teachers, or other relevant sources.
Criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) are used to determine whether an individual meets the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. Behavioral interventions and psychological assessments are often part of the evaluation process.
What is commonly mistaken as ADHD?
While ADHD is not a mood disorder (e.g., anxiety disorder), sleep disorder (e.g., insomnia), or a learning disability (e.g., dyslexia), such conditions often co-occur with ADHD. Symptoms of mood disorders, sleep disorders, and learning disabilities might overlap with those of ADHD, possibly leading to a misdiagnosis.
What is typical ADHD behaviour?
Typical ADHD behavior includes inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Individuals with ADHD may exhibit symptoms such as difficulty focusing on tasks, restlessness, impulsively interrupting others, and struggling with organization.
The specific behaviors can vary among individuals, and a healthcare professional can assess and diagnose ADHD based on established criteria. ADHD itself is a behavior disorder, but if left untreated, it can sometimes progress into a conduct disorder.
At what age does ADHD start?
ADHD can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. That said, younger children, especially boys under the age of 17, have the highest diagnostic prevalence of ADHD. Approximately 4% to 12% of children are diagnosed with ADHD, and boys are two to three times more likely to have it than girls. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 2.5% of adults have ADHD.
It is thought that a child’s behavior is most affected by hyperactive-impulsive symptoms at the ages of 7 and 8. Even so, ADHD symptoms do not peak at any specific age across diagnosed individuals. They can vary in intensity throughout a person's life, but their impact may be more prominent during certain developmental stages, such as childhood or adolescence. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential to treat ADHD at any age.
Is ADHD a part of autism?
While there are some overlapping symptoms between ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they are separate conditions with distinct diagnostic criteria. Some conditions, such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), are common comorbid conditions with both ADHD and ASD.
What are the triggers of ADHD?
ADHD is believed to have multiple factors that contribute to its development. The primary causes include genetic factors, brain structure and function, central nervous system function, and environmental influences, such as prenatal exposure to toxins or maternal smoking.
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