Signs & Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Both adults and children can suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to the Mayo Clinic, most people diagnosed with this disorder display symptoms before the age of 7. Displaying one or two symptoms does not mean a person has ADHD. A person must show several symptoms in order to be clinically diagnosed with ADHD.

Different Aspects

• ADHD was formerly known as attention-deficit disorder. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, the clinical name was changed to ADHD to reflect common symptoms of the disorder. According to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," published by the American Psychiatric Association, the three categories of this disorder are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most people with ADHD will show more symptoms in one category over the others, but they will more than likely have some symptoms from each category.

Inattention

• Symptoms of inattention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include having difficulty focusing on mental tasks and being easily distracted from tasks that are being performed. A child with attention difficulties may also seem to ignore people who are talking to him or giving him directions. He may also misplace things frequently or flit from activity to activity without completing any one activity that he is working on.

Hyperactivity

• Hyperactivity is different from the normal high energy levels most children display. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the issues associated with hyperactivity are inappropriate for the age level and disruptive to a person's ability to work or engage in social activities. The symptoms of hyperactivity include fidgeting and squirming when required to be still. Other symptoms include running or climbing during a time that is inappropriate, such as in a classroom or church service. People who display symptoms of hyperactivity may also talk excessively.

Impulsivity

• Impulsivity is the inability to control impulses appropriately. For example, a child who has difficult waiting her turn in a game or blurts out an answer before a teacher finishes the question may have issues related to impulsivity. According to the Mayo Clinic, often interrupting conversations or other people who are engaged in a game can also be a sign of impulsivity.

Treatments

• Treatments for ADHD will vary depending upon which aspects of the disorder are present. Several medical treatments are available, most often in the form of prescribed oral medications. Some people with ADHD can benefit from one-on-one counseling or peer support groups that help them learn how to cope with their symptoms. For families with children who suffer from ADHD, family therapy can help both parents and children learn how to deal with the disruptions caused by ADHD.