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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development which is inconsistent with the individual’s developmental level.

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.

There are three different types of ADHD.

  1. Predominantly Inattentive Type

  2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

  3. Combined Type

Signs of ADHD

Signs of ADHD in Children and Adolescents

Inattentive •Easily distracted •Trouble focusing •Difficulty concentrating and/or staying on task •May not listen well to directions •May miss important details •Procrastinate •May not finish what they start •May frequently daydream •May seem absent-minded or forgetful •Lose track of their things.

Hyperactive •Fidgety and/or restless •Easily bored •Difficulty sitting still •Difficulty staying quiet when needed •May rush through things and make careless mistakes •May climb, jump, or roughhouse when they should not •May act in ways that disrupt others

Impulsive •Act too quickly before thinking •Often interrupts •Might push or grab, and find it hard to wait •May do things without asking for permission •Take things that are not theirs •Act in ways that are risky •Have emotional reactions that seem too intense for the situation

Signs of ADHD in Adults

•Disorganization. May have deficits in organizational skills and problems keeping track of tasks and difficulty prioritizing them in a logical manner. •Relationship Concerns. May have difficulties in professional, romantic, as well as platonic relationships. Due to characteristics such as being inattentive, being easily bored, and talking over people in conversation, they may appear insensitive, irresponsible, or uncaring. •Lack of Focus. May be easily distracted, overlooks details, does not complete tasks or projects, jumping from task to task, and difficulty listening to others in a conversation. •Restlessness and Anxiety. May feel as if “driven by a motor” and is unable to relax. When things cannot be done immediately it can lead to restlessness then to frustration and result in anxiety. Physical signs can include fidgeting, moving around frequently, tapping their hands or feet, and difficulty sitting still. •Hyperfocus. Can get engrossed in something and become unaware of anything around them. They can lose track of time or ignore people and activity around them. •Difficulties with Time Management. Difficulties effectively managing their time. Procrastinates on tasks, is late for events, and ignore tasks which are considered boring. •Forgetfulness. Misplacing items, forgetting to pay bills or keep appointments. •Impulsivity. Interrupting others during conversations, being socially inappropriate, rushing through tasks, acting without much consideration for the consequences. •Negative Self-Image. Can be hypercritical of oneself due to the negative impact on their school, work, and relationships caused by ADHD symptoms. •Lack of motivation. Can feel overwhelmed by tasks that require time and energy. •Fatigue. Due to hyperactivity, sleep problems, constant effort to focus

High Functioning ADHD

High-functioning ADHD is not a formal medical diagnosis and describes the people with ADHD who have learned to manage their symptoms so well using compensation strategies, especially in adulthood, that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. Some of these compensation methods can be healthy and some can be time-consuming or draining. In other instances, ADHD symptoms may be mild enough not to interfere with everyday activities or they may experience specific symptoms of ADHD, which may mean they struggle in some areas but excel in others.

•Very goal driven •Highly passionate •Risk taker and seeks out challenges •Energetic •Optimistic •Imaginative •Courageous •Intuitive •Natural ability to multitask •Extraordinary problem solving skills •Charismatic •Spontaneous •Fast processing speed •Workaholics

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