According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition, otherwise known as the DSM, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects up to 7 percent of school-age children. ADHD diagnoses are divided into an inattentive type, a hyperactive type and a combination of inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. Although boys tend to exhibit more hyperactive symptoms, girls with ADHD sometimes remain undiagnosed as they tend to exhibit more inattentive symptoms.
Hyperactive and Impulsive Type of ADHD
Hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ADHD include things like fidgeting and squirming, inability to sit or stay in one place for long, climbing or running around when it is not appropriate to do so, difficulty playing quietly and talking excessively. Sometimes individuals with this disorder may interrupt others or blurt out answers. They also might have a hard time waiting their turn. In order to meet the criteria for ADHD hyperactive type, at least six of these symptoms must be present for at least six months. Furthermore, symptoms must occur in more than one environment, such as at school and at home.
Inattentive Type of ADHD
Inattentive symptoms of ADHD include things like forgetfulness, inattention to detail, careless mistakes on paperwork or homework and difficulty with tasks that necessitate sustained mental effort. In addition, individuals with inattentive type ADHD tend to have difficulty finishing things they start and sometimes do not appear to pay attention when spoken to. Organization and planning can also become difficult for inattentive types. Like the criteria for hyperactive type of ADHD, inattentive type ADHD requires at least six symptoms present for at least six months in two separate environments. In addition, symptoms must prove more severe than what is appropriate given the individuals age and must cause clear impairment in functioning.
Combined Hyperactive and Inattentive ADHD
Individuals who meet the criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive type ADHD receive a combined type diagnosis. The criteria for combined type ADHD requires at least twelve symptoms--a minimum of six symptoms of inattention and six symptoms of hyperactivity--for a period of at least six months. The symptoms must occur in two or more environments, must be maladaptive with regard to normal development, and must cause impairment in functioning.
References
- "American Psychiatric Association", Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. text revision), 2000
- Behavenet Clinical Capsule: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
