Attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD)
The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorised into twotypes ofbehavioural problems.
These categories are:
Most people with ADHD have problems that fall into both these categories, but this isn't always the case.
For example, somepeople withthe conditionmay have problems with inattentiveness, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness. This form of ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADDcan sometimes go unnoticed because the symptoms may be less obvious.
The symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are well defined, and they're usually noticeable before the age of six. They occur in more than one situation, such as at home and at school.
The main signs of each behavioural problem are detailed below.
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
The main signs of hyperactivity andimpulsiveness are:
Thesesymptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such asunderachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and problems with discipline.
Although not always the case, some children may also have signs of other problems or conditions alongside ADHD, such as:
In adults, the symptoms of ADHD are more difficult to define. This is largely due to a lack of research into adults with ADHD.
ADHD is a developmental disorder; it's believed that it can't develop in adults without it first appearing during childhood. But it's known that symptoms of ADHD often persist from childhood into a person's teenage years, and then adulthood.
Any additional problems or conditions experienced by children with ADHD, such as depression or dyslexia, may also continue into adulthood.
By the age of 25, an estimated 15% of people diagnosed with ADHD as children still have a full range of symptoms, and 65% still have some symptoms that affect their daily lives.
The symptoms in children and teenagers, which are listed above, is sometimes also applied to adults with possible ADHD. But some specialists say that the way in which inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness affect adults can be very different from the way they affect children.
For example, hyperactivity tends to decrease in adults, while inattentiveness tends to get worse as the pressure of adult life increases. Adult symptoms of ADHD also tend to be far more subtle than childhood symptoms.
Some specialists have suggested the following list of symptoms associated with ADHD in adults:
As with ADHD in children and teenagers, ADHD in adults canoccur alongsideseveral related problems or conditions.
One of the most common conditions is depression. Other conditions thatadults may have alongside ADHD include:
The behavioural problems associated with ADHD can also cause problems such as difficulties with relationships, social interaction, drugs and crime. Some adults with ADHDfind it hard to find andstay ina job.
Read about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Read about symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which are categorised into inattentiveness,hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
The exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) isn't fully understood, although a combination of factors is thought to be responsible.
Read about diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including when you might want to consider speaking to your GP about it.
Read about treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can help relieve the symptoms and make the condition much less of a problem in day-to-day life.
Read about caring for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can be draining and make everyday activities stressful.