Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

By Definition

Symptoms

Typically, ADHD symptoms arise in early childhood. According to the DSM-5, several symptoms are required to be present before the age of 12. Many parents report excessive motor activity during the toddler years, but ADHD symptoms can be hard to distinguish from the impulsivity, inattentiveness and active behavior that is typical for kids under the age of four. In making the diagnosis, children should have six or more symptoms of the disorder present; adolescents 17 and older and adults should have at least five of the symptoms present. The DSM-5 lists three presentations of ADHD—Predominantly Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive and Combined. The symptoms for each are adapted and summarized below.

ADHD predominantly inattentive presentation

  • Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes

  • Has difficulty sustaining attention

  • Does not appear to listen

  • Struggles to follow through with instructions

  • Has difficulty with organization

  • Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort

  • Loses things

  • Is easily distracted

  • Is forgetful in daily activities

ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation

  • Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair

  • Has difficulty remaining seated

  • Runs about or climbs excessively in children; extreme restlessness in adults

  • Difficulty engaging in activities quietly

  • Acts as if driven by a motor; adults will often feel inside as if they are driven by a motor

  • Talks excessively

  • Blurts out answers before questions have been completed

  • Difficulty waiting or taking turns

  • Interrupts or intrudes upon others

ADHD combined presentation

  • The individual meets the criteria for both inattention and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD presentations.

These symptoms can change over time, so children may fit different presentations as they get older.

Confusing labels for ADHD

In 1994, the name of the disorder was changed in a way that is confusing for many people. Since that time all forms of attention deficit disorder are officially called “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder,” regardless of whether the individual has symptoms of hyperactivity or not. Even though these are the official labels, a lot of professionals and lay people still use both terms: ADD and ADHD. Some use those terms to designate the old subtypes; others use ADD just as a shorter way to refer to any presentation.

From https://chadd.org/about-adhd/overview/

Books:

  • Smart but Stuck: Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD (2014), by Thomas E. Brown

  • Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perspective (1997), by Thom Hartmann

  • Driven to Distraction at Work: How to Focus and Be More Productive (2014), by Ed Hallowell

  • ADHD in Marriage (2010) Melissa Orlov

  • The Explosive Child (1998) Ross Green

  • Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book About Living With ADHD (2004) by Jeanne Kraus

  • I Can’t Sit Still! Living With ADHD (2009) by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso

  • Why Can’t Jimmy Sit Still? (2004) by Sandra L. Tunis, Ph

Websites

  • National Resource Center on ADHD: www.chadd.org 

  • Additude Website: “Inside the ADHD Mind.” https://www.additudemag.com 

  • Learning Works for Kids: Resources for improving your child’s critical thinking, academic, and study skills. https://learningworksforkids.com/ 

  • The National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program of CHADD: Provides information, education and consultation about assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and issues of health and well-being for children with ADHD and their families. www.chadd.org

Programs