Attention Deficit Disorder, more properly referred to as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, is the most common form of mental illness found in children, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The Mayo Clinic indicates that the symptoms associated with ADHD often persist from childhood into adulthood. Children and adults with ADHD show problems functioning in multiple environments, such as work, school and home.
Subtypes
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder manifests in different forms, categorized into three subtypes. The NIMH identifies three subtypes: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, where the individual exhibits more problems with hyperactivity than attention; predominately inattentive, where the person has more problems with attention; and combined type. Most individuals diagnosed with ADHD show evidence of the combined type, says the NIMH.
Inattention
The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-IV) states that for an individual to meet the threshold of inattentive type ADHD, six or more symptoms must be present. Symptoms include: an overall problem with attention, manifesting in the person often making “careless” mistakes; problems maintaining attention for long periods of time; difficulties following and completing instructions involving multiple steps; issues with organization; forgetfulness; frequently losing objects, and distractedness.
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity
As with inattention, individuals must show evidence of at least six symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, according to the DSM-IV. The Mayo Clinic provides examples of these symptoms, including: the individual is frequently moving about, failing to remain seated when required, such as in a classroom, inappropriately running and climbing on objects, and exhibiting excessive noisiness and talking, problems waiting for his turn and interrupting others.
Male and Female Differences
Differences in how ADHD manifests may be observed between males and females, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic identifies three factors that may distinguish ADHD in males versus females. Boys tend to show more problems with hyperactivity, versus girls who have increased issues with attention. How boys and girls show problems with attention may differ as well. While girls tend to daydream, boys “are more likely to play or fiddle aimlessly.” Finally, notes the Mayo Clinic, boys show an increased tendency to show defiance towards authority figures, resulting in more attention paid to their problematic behavior.
Diagnosis
Reaching a diagnosis of ADHD, according to NIMH, should be a careful process of collecting information from a variety of sources, including complete medical records, school records and interviews with individuals who have regular contact with a child. Further, NIMH recommends that the diagnosis should only be given “by a professional with training in ADHD.” Ruling out the possibility of other problems that may cause ADHD-like symptoms remains an important part of the assessment, notes the NIMH.
Additionally, the DSM-IV identifies other important factors that need consideration prior to making a diagnosis of ADHD. Symptoms of either inattention or hyperactivity must have been present prior to the age of 7 years and the problems in functioning caused from symptoms must exist in more than two environments.
References
- “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision”; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- MayoClinic.com: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children
- National Institute of Mental Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- National Institute of Mental Health: What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
