Symptoms of ADHD
We all exhibit some ADHD symptoms at one time or another. This is perfectly normal and should not be a cause of concern. It is when these symptoms are present the majority of the time for a period of more than six months that a diagnosis of ADHD may be reached. ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is classified as a behavioral disorder and has no identifiable cause. Since it is the most common disorder diagnosed in children, parents should be familiar with ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms fall into two broad categories, attentional symptoms and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. In order to reach a diagnosis, there must be at least 6 symptoms in each category that have been present for longer than 6 months and these symptoms must not be able to be better explained by any other disorder. While there is no blood test that can determine whether someone has ADHD, an evaluation of the ADHD symptoms can be done by a doctor, which can help determine diagnosis. Attentional ADHD symptoms include being easily distracted, difficulty in concentration, and forgetfulness beyond the usual. ADHD sufferers will often have trouble with organization and will avoid tasks that require a lot of mental effort. If a child makes a lot of careless mistakes doing schoolwork or doesn’t seem to pay much attention to detail, it could be signs that should be professionally evaluated. A child with ADHD will frequently lose things and will often appear to be not listening when you are speaking directly to him.
The other category of ADHD symptoms includes the inability to sit or play quietly, fidgety when forced to remain seated, and seems to always be on the go. Often, a child with ADHD will talk excessively and rapidly, especially when overstimulated.
Impulsivity appears high in sufferers and they will often have difficulty waiting their turn and will frequently interrupt when others are talking. Children with a high level of impulsivity will often do things that are inappropriate or even dangerous without thinking of the consequences of their actions.
As stated at the beginning of this article, we all exhibit some of these symptoms on occasion. It becomes abnormal when the ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two settings, such as at home and at school. If a child exhibits multiple ADHD symptoms over a period of time, especially before the age of 7, the parent should have a professional evaluation done to determine if the child has ADHD. Children have a higher rate of success in school when ADHD symptoms are noticed and treated early.