What are Signs of ADHD?

By Alvin Toh

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder that is characterized by inattention coupled with hyperactivity or impulsivity. The result is impaired function. Over 4 million children aged 4 - 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. Although it is most often diagnosed in children, adults may also suffer from this condition. Over 2 million children receive drug treatment to control their ADHD symptoms.

ADHD symptoms can be divided into three categories. These are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Learning to recognize ADHD symptoms can help to determine when to seek professional help. These symptoms need to be present for at least 6 months before someone is diagnosed with ADHD. Not every child will exhibit all the symptoms of ADHD. Each individual case is different so if you have concerns you should address them with your health care professional.

Inattention Symptoms
Most children are inattentive from time to time. If your child has several or more of signs of inattention or the symptoms are severe, you should get him or her examined for ADHD.

Inattention symptoms include:

- Failing to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities.

- Often having difficulty in staying focused when doing tasks or during playtime activities.
- Often does not listen or respond when directly spoken to.

- Not following through with instructions and does not finish tasks such as schoolwork, chores or work duties.

- Having difficulty in organizing tasks or activities.

- Avoiding or refusing to carry out tasks that require close mental effort.

- Often losing things needed for tasks or activities such as pencils, school assignments, books or tools.

- Often forgeting daily activities.

Hyperactivity Symptoms

All children may show signs of hyperactivity because they are easily excited. However, if these symptoms are severe or persist for longer than 6 months, they may indicate ADHD.

Hyperactivity symptoms include:

- Fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in seat.

- Often leaving the classroom seat or getting up in situations where they are expected to stay seated.

- Often running or climbing excessively in inappropriate situations. In adults it may be a feeling of restlessness.

- Having difficulty in playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.

- Talking excessively.

Impulsivity Symptoms

The inability to contain impulses can be a sign of ADHD. These symptoms need to be present for 6 months or must be acute in cases of ADHD.

Impulsivity symptoms include:

- Blurting out answers before questions have been completed.

- Having difficulty waiting for his or her turn.

- Often interrupting others or bursting into conversations or games.

- Impulsive behavior that started before the age of 7.

- Can't help themselves in situations where they need to be in control of themselves.

- Are impulsive in more than one setting such as in school and at home.

While many of these symptoms are common among children, they may indicate that the child has ADHD if persist for longer than 6 months. Pay attention to how many of the symptoms are present and to what degree. If you feel that your child has ADHD symptoms, you should arrange to have him or her diagnosed by a healthcare professional.

Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD symptoms in children and adult. The long term effects of ADHD medications are still unknown but medical researchers warned of permanent changes to brain chemistry and behavior. Learn more about alternative treatment for ADHD at http://www.guidetoadhd.com/products/adhdremedies.html



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By Ronald Rougeaux

ADHD is a condition that is very hard to diagnose...even though it's been researched for almost a century.

Doctors and therapists are hesitant to label a child with ADD until they are sure that is truly what they have. They go by a list of criteria and behaviors. Only after traits and inappropriate behaviors have manifested and been present for at least six months do they consider appropriate action.

The list doctors generally work from also helps them to detect which level of attention deficit disorder the child might have. The categories are inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. This helps the doctors to be able to identify which type is present which helps them to decide how to treat it. Some children have symptoms from one or two of the categories while some can have it from all three.

Inattentiveness: Doctors look for a consistent pattern of ADHD symptoms when making careless mistakes in school, work and other areas. They look for trouble paying attention, and seem not to listen or follow directions and do not finish tasks such as homework and chores. They can be unorganized, do not want to do homework or anything that requires focus. They always seem to be losing things, are easily distracted, and forgetful.

Impulsiveness: Impatient, often interrupts with symptoms present before the age of seven. These symptoms are present in more than one setting and there is evidence these symptoms are causing a disruptive behavior or pattern in a school or work. The doctor will also want to ensure that these symptoms are not caused by a different underlying disorder such as anxiety, a mood disorder, or a personality disorder.

Hyperactivity: Fidgety and can not sit still in a classroom or a setting the child can not stay in their seat and wants to wander. Often wants to climb on objects when it is not appropriate, has difficulty with any kind of down time or quiet time. Talks excessively and is constantly on the go. While in children it is completely normal for them to have excess energy and run around playing, there is a distinct differentiation between children at play and children with this disorder. You will suspect there's a problem when it becomes uncontrollable and other people start to notice.

ADHD can be extremely frustrating...not only for the person who has it, but also for the parents and others. In the [http://www.adult-child-add-adhd.com/categories/general/adhd_information.php]mind of someone with ADHD (adult or child), while they are being talked to or instructed to do something, their mind is thinking of something else entirely. So imagine the frustration of everyone involved in a work or school setting. This is why so many adults with this disorder have trouble maintaining a job. They are unlikely to put out a good quality of work, are often very forgetful and miss deadlines and meetings. Also, they are generally excessively tardy for their jobs.

In a school setting it can be frustrating for the teacher as well as the other students. If you're concerned about someone you love, check with an ADHD specialist to see if the symptoms are something that should be explored further.

The website: http://www.Adult-Child-Add-Adhd.com has many important articles to help you understand Attention Deficit Disorder.

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