What are the symptoms of ADHD?
A. There are three major symptoms associated with ADHD: inattention or distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Everyone acts these ways occasionally, so its important to compare the person’s behavior to those of others in his or her age group. ADHD may be considered as a diagnosis if a person has the following signs for more than six months: Inattention or Distractibility A person who is inattentive has a hard time keeping their mind focused on one thing and may become bored with a task after only a few minutes. They may also have difficulty following conversations. Hyperactivity A person who is hyperactive always seems to be in motion; sitting still through a meeting or class can be a near impossible task. They may talk incessantly and/or fidget constantly. They may feel intensely restless. The hyperactivity component is not always present in adults, in which case, a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) may be more appropriate. Impulsivity A person who is overly impu
Inattention. People who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their mind on one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. Focusing conscious, deliberate attention to organizing and completing routine tasks may be difficult. Hyperactivity. People who are hyperactive always seem to be in motion. They can’t sit still; they may dash around or talk incessantly. Sitting still through a lesson can be an impossible task. They may roam around the room, squirm in their seats, wiggle their feet, touch everything, or noisily tap a pencil. They may also feel intensely restless. Impulsivity. People who are overly impulsive, seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. As a result, they may blurt out answers to questions or inappropriate comments, or run into the street without looking. Their impulsivity may make it hard for them to wait for things they want or to take their turn in games.
A. The symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivness. These symptoms appear early in a child’s life. Because many normal children may have these symptoms, but at a low level, or the symptoms may be caused by another disorder, it is important that the child receive a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis by a qualified professional. Symptoms of ADHD will appear over the course of many months, often with the symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding those of inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. Different symptoms may appear in different settings, depending on the demands the situation may pose for the child’s self-control. A child who “can’t sit still” or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be considered just a “discipline problem,” while the child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as merely unmotivated. Yet
