Although ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, usually is first diagnosed in childhood, it does affect adults as well. The most recent statistics from the DSM-IV-TR (2000) note that as many as 7 percent of children and teens may suffer from this disorder. Statistics for the number of adults with ADHD have not yet been established. ADHD can be diagnosed as primarily inattentive type, primarily hyperactive type or combined type. Although only a doctor can make a diagnosis, there are guidelines that can help determine if ADHD symptoms are present.
Primarily Inattentive Type
The criteria for ADHD inattentive type requires that at least six of the following be present over a six-month period in two or more environments (for example, at school and at home). In addition, the presence of the symptoms must interfere with the level of functioning expected, given the person's age. Symptoms that meet the criteria for the inattentive type of ADHD include having difficulty paying attention to detail, being forgetful, making careless mistakes on homework or paperwork, difficulty finishing one task before starting another and difficulty maintaining attention, especially when tasks are challenging and require sustained mental effort. For example, a child may have trouble sitting down to work through a page of math homework but may not have any problem playing a video game he loves for hours on end.
Contrary to the title, ADHD inattentive-type individuals do not always have trouble with attention. Instead, a more accurate description may be that they have trouble getting into activities (called initiation) and also have trouble switching tasks (called perseveration). These difficulties can make it difficult for inattentive types to multitask.
Primarily Hyperactive Type
The criteria for ADHD primarily hyperactive type requires that at least six of the following symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity be present over a six-month period in two or more environments. Again, keeping age in mind, the symptoms must interfere with the person's ability to function normally. Symptoms that fit the criteria for hyperactive type ADHD include difficulty with sitting in one place for very long, a tendency to fidget or squirm to the point of distracting others, difficulty waiting in line or waiting their turn and excessive talking and the tendency to interrupt others during conversation. Children in particular may climb on things or run around inappropriately and may have trouble playing quietly. Often, individuals with this disorder are described as acting as though they are driven by a motor or running on batteries.
Combined Type
A diagnosis for the combined type of ADHD requires that six (or more) symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD plus six or more symptoms of the hyperactive type of ADHD be present. Therefore, a minimum of twelve symptoms must be present and must interfere with normal functioning. As with the other types of ADHD, symptoms must be present for six months or more in two (or more) environments.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
