Symptoms of ADHD

The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not what normally diseases present with; physical symptoms such as pain or vomiting but rather exaggerated or unusual behaviors. The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of abnormality in the brain, the presence of related conditions, and the individual's environment and response to that environment.

The diagnostic criteria for ADHD are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health, 4th ed. (DSM-IV), copyright 1994, American Psychiatric Association. All of the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity must be present for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the developmental level of the child.

One of the symptoms of ADHD in a patient can be inattention. Symptoms of inattention are most likely to manifest at about 8 to 9 years of age and commonly are lifelong in duration. The patient may:

·         Fail to give close attention to details.

·         get easily distracted by extraneous stimuli

·         be forgetful in daily activities

·         Not seem to listen when spoken to directly

·         Not follow through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace

·         have difficulty organizing tasks and activities

·         avoid, dislike, or be reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort

·         lose things necessary for tasks or activities (for example, toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)

·         Make careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities

·         Have difficulty paying attention during tasks or play activities

The patient can be hyperactive. These symptoms are usually obvious by 5 years of age and peak in severity between 7-8 years of age. However, these behaviors progressively decline with maturation and generally have been outgrown by the time the patient reaches adolescence. The patient may:

·         Often fidget with hands or feet or squirms

·         Talk excessively

·         Have difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly

·         Fidget with hands or feet or constantly squirm while sitting in a seat

·         Not be able to remain seated in situations where sitting is required

·         Run about or climb excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate

The patients may also show impulsive behaviors. These are commonly linked to hyperactivity and also peak at about 7-8 years of age; however, impulsivity issues prevail well into adulthood. Impulsive adolescents are more likely to experiment with high-risk behaviors for example, drugs, sexual behavior, driving, etc. Impulsive adults have a higher rate of financial mismanagement for example, impulse buying, gambling, etc. Generally, an impulsive patient may:

·         Interrupt or intrude on others in mid conversation

·         Blurt out answers before questions have been completed

·         Have difficulty awaiting turn

Normal children may often display these behaviors. However, the difference between these children and the child with ADHD is that the behaviors are disruptive, considered inappropriate for the child's developmental stage, persist for months or years, and occur both at home and at school. A child with ADHD almost never exhibits all of the symptoms, but the symptoms that are present significantly delay the child's social, psychological, and/or educational development.

The symptoms of ADHD can mimic mood disorders (for example, bipolar disorder or depression), anxiety, or personality disorder. Those conditions must be ruled out or adequately treated before a definitive diagnosis of ADHD can be made. Information on diagnosis of ADHD is available on healthcarevilla.com