Facts on ADHD Symptoms

1. The Big Three of ADHD

ADHD symptoms can vary greatly depending on the type of ADHD a person has. There are three types of ADHD identified in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). One type of diagnosis occurs when a person exhibits behaviors that are predominantly hyperactive or impulsive. Another type of diagnosis occurs when a person exhibits an inattentive behavior pattern. Lastly, there is the combined type, which is diagnosed when a person exhibits both hyperactive and inattentive behaviors.

2. Hyperactivity

People diagnosed with ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, generally report feeling some symptoms of hyperactivity. Children frequently struggle to remain in their seats at school or during meals. Parents and teachers describe them as "in constant motion" and "always on the go." At home, parents might identify them as chatty and "bouncing off the walls." Adults may also appear hyperactive. Fidgeting during long meetings, excessive talking and an inability to enjoy relaxing leisure activities are all common symptoms of hyperactivity in adults.

3. Impulsivity

If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, then you may have experienced challenges controlling your impulses. Adults often have difficulty holding their thoughts during conversation. Instead, they may interrupt or blurt out comments at inappropriate times. School-age children often holler out answers before raising their hands. Impulsivity can also appear in adults and children during moments of frustration. For example, a person might say something he didn't mean to say or doing something he didn't mean to do. Sometimes this manifests through inappropriate comments or physical aggression. Unfortunately, this may lead to difficulty establishing and maintaining peer relationships.

4. Aren't You Paying Attention?

Symptoms of ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type vary greatly. School children, with this type of attention deficit, may start an assignment before reading directions or they may never seem to hear the directions the teacher gives orally. Often children appear easily distracted, as their minds float from one thought to another. This slows the process of completing homework and other assignments. Adults may miss the details in projects or leave projects half finished as they jump from one project to another. Both adults and children may exhibit difficulties with organization and detail. Also, it may seem that they're always losing things and making careless mistakes when working.

5. When and Where of ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptoms don't just pop up overnight. Typically, people with ADHD have experienced these symptoms since before they were six years old. Also, ADHD symptoms present across settings, meaning that if you have ADHD behaviors at home, you'll likely have them at school or work too. It's important to realize that many symptoms of ADHD are symptoms of other disorders too. If you think you have symptoms of ADHD, visit with a psychologist or psychiatrist to be sure your symptoms aren't related to something else.