| ADHD is a condition that is very hard to | | | | doctor will also want to ensure that these symptoms |
| diagnose...even though it's been researched for almost | | | | are not caused by a different underlying disorder such |
| a century. | | | | as anxiety, a mood disorder, or a personality disorder. |
| Doctors and therapists are hesitant to label a child with | | | | Hyperactivity: Fidgety and can not sit still in a |
| ADD until they are sure that is truly what they have. | | | | classroom or a setting the child can not stay in their |
| They go by a list of criteria and behaviors. Only after | | | | seat and wants to wander. Often wants to climb on |
| traits and inappropriate behaviors have manifested and | | | | objects when it is not appropriate, has difficulty with |
| been present for at least six months do they consider | | | | any kind of down time or quiet time. Talks excessively |
| appropriate action. | | | | and is constantly on the go. While in children it is |
| The list doctors generally work from also helps them | | | | completely normal for them to have excess energy |
| to detect which level of attention deficit disorder the | | | | and run around playing, there is a distinct differentiation |
| child might have. The categories are inattentiveness, | | | | between children at play and children with this disorder. |
| impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. This helps the doctors | | | | You will suspect there's a problem when it becomes |
| to be able to identify which type is present which helps | | | | uncontrollable and other people start to notice. |
| them to decide how to treat it. Some children have | | | | ADHD can be extremely frustrating...not only for the |
| symptoms from one or two of the categories while | | | | person who has it, but also for the parents and others. |
| some can have it from all three. | | | | In the mind of someone with ADHD (adult or child), |
| Inattentiveness: Doctors look for a consistent pattern | | | | while they are being talked to or instructed to do |
| of ADHD symptoms when making careless mistakes | | | | something, their mind is thinking of something else |
| in school, work and other areas. They look for trouble | | | | entirely. So imagine the frustration of everyone |
| paying attention, and seem not to listen or follow | | | | involved in a work or school setting. This is why so |
| directions and do not finish tasks such as homework | | | | many adults with this disorder have trouble maintaining |
| and chores. They can be unorganized, do not want to | | | | a job. They are unlikely to put out a good quality of |
| do homework or anything that requires focus. They | | | | work, are often very forgetful and miss deadlines and |
| always seem to be losing things, are easily distracted, | | | | meetings. Also, they are generally excessively tardy |
| and forgetful. | | | | for their jobs. |
| Impulsiveness: Impatient, often interrupts with | | | | In a school setting it can be frustrating for the teacher |
| symptoms present before the age of seven. These | | | | as well as the other students. If you're concerned |
| symptoms are present in more than one setting and | | | | about someone you love, check with an ADHD |
| there is evidence these symptoms are causing a | | | | specialist to see if the symptoms are something that |
| disruptive behavior or pattern in a school or work. The | | | | should be explored further. |